Getting Ready for Sentinel - A Revisit of ELIXIR by Jennifer L. Armentrout

In preparation for the release of Sentinel, the last book in the Covenant Series, Jennifer L. Armentrout has decided to do a different take on a blog tour.  Instead of a typical blog tour, the blogs are taking time to post about their favorite book from the Covenant Series.  I chose Elixir because to me, it is the book that is filled with the most emotion.  AND it's from Aiden's point of view.  It's the first time we get a taste of how much Aiden truly loves Alex and would do anything to save her.  Even if it means that she will hate him forever.  You can feel his turmoil throughout this novella and it gives a whole new perspective on his actions.

Mini Interview with Jennifer L. Armentrout and Covenant Series Characters

For JLA – After writing the series from Alex’s POV, what challenges did you face writing from Aiden’s POV in Elixir?  It was hard to get into Aiden’s head because he was more of a challenge to write than I anticipated.

For Alex – Um…seriously girl, if I ever hear “My Seth” again, I may puke.  Is there anything about that time that you want to remember?  No.  Well, except Aiden because he believed in me. 

For Aiden – Where does your strength come from? Standing up to Alex and even the Gods, you were a rock during Elixir.  How did you do it?  It was all for Alex.  I love her and I wasn’t giving up.

For Seth – During the time where you didn’t know where Alex was, what were you doing to find her?  Everything.  I was gonna find her.

Elixir (Covenant # 3.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex. 
Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for. 
Even if it means making war against the gods.

Buy Links:

Goodreads: 

Amazon: 

B&N: 

Sentinel (Covenant #5)

It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

Buy Links:

On Amazon:  Sentinel: The Fifth Covenant Novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
On Barnes & Noble:  Sentinel: The Fifth Covenant Novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Author bio:

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/JLArmentrout

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout

Giveaway:

Spencer Hill Press is giving away a $200 gift card to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository or any indie bookstore of the winner's choice to not only stock up on amazing books, but to perhaps buy a Nook HD or Kindle Fire.

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All Around Me - Review of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

(Goodreads Blurb)

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. 

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

I have had A Discovery of Witches in my possession for a while now, and I even attempted to read it once before, but was quickly intimidated early on.  When Deborah Harkness announced that she would be leading a real time readalong, I knew that I had to jump on board.  It was perfect because there was an "assigned" reading almost daily.  This kept me from trying to read too much at a time and I was better able to absorb what I read.  It wasn't long before I was savoring every word and then obsessing over them during the times I wasn't reading.

This story is full of rich history.  The author is so very precise and technical that at first it seemed quite overwhelming.  When I did gather my courage, I was so completely blown away by the beauty and accuracy of each and every detail.

Please be aware that this review may seem like a ramble-y bit of insanity, but I just cannot seem to get my thoughts and words together in a way that conveys the absolute rightness of this story.  This is something that no amount of pushing and telling and manipulating can get you to understand until you just jump in.  Then suddenly you are in the middle of it and you look around and think 'where have you been all my life?'.

Diana Bishop loves to research ancient science and alchemy manuscripts.  She is also a witch.  Although Diana has always attempted to hide her non-human heritage, but suddenly she finds herself drawing interest from many different species, vampires, demons, and witches.  One particular vampire, Professor Matthew Clairmont, seems to have appointed himself as her protector and keeps a close watch on everything she does.

One night, while researching books in the library, Diana comes across a manuscript that she knows is more than meets the eye.  The Ashmole 782 seems like a simple alchemy manuscript, but is practically dripping in magic and though it intrigues her, Diana is quick to send the manuscript back to the basement in the library.  She notices that Matthew is watching and that he knows something is different about the book she was documenting.

Matthew and Diana enter a friendship of sorts that is tentative at best.  Diana is never sure if Matthew is going to eat her or kiss her, and part of her is hoping for a little of both.  What she does know is that Matthew knows more than he's sharing and she has to keep him close if she hopes to discover what mysteries lie beneath the covers of the Ashmole 782.

Matthew and Diana begin a journey that takes them to France to meet his "mother" and "brother".  There Diana learns that Matthew has some secrets that he would like to keep hidden as well.  

Matthew struggles with his attraction for Diana.  He wants her, but he is also a vampire.  Vampires are predatory creatures and he cannot decide if his desire for Diana is because he wants HER or if he just enjoys stalking her.

Matthew is domineering, overbearing, possessive, and basically everything I usually hate about romance novel heroes.  Except that it works for him.  You know that he isn't trying to assert his authority over Diana because of some deficiency in his man hood.  You discover that he doesn't tell her what to do in order to make himself feel big.  You find that his possessiveness isn't about a man marking his territory and beating his chest to proudly show off his manhood.  No, you learn Matthew's history and just accept that he acts the way he does because of all he has seen in his life.  He wants what is best for Diana and he wants to be the one to give it to her.

As Matthew and Diana grow closer, they discover that she is being pursued by members of all species.  The Congregation is a group made up of demons, witches, and vampires and they have rules, rules that Diana and Matthew are breaking.  Rules that the Congregation will do ANYTHING to uphold.

The only other thing I can say is go.  Go now and buy this book, borrow it, check it out of the library, steal it off of your friend's bookshelf.  Do what you can to get your hands on it.  You will never be sorry that you did and if you don't you will always wonder if you've missed out on the greatest paranormal love story that there is.  Mathew and Diana's story is a one of a kind and you need it in your life.

In case you were wondering, this book gets all the stars.  Every.  Last.  One.


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Something I Can Never Have - Release Day Review of GREED by Fisher Amelie

It's finally here.  You can now get your very own copy of Fisher Amelie's Mature Young Adult/ New Adult Contemporary novel, GREED (The Seven Deadly #2)


(Goodreads Blurb)

Gather ‘round, love, because I want you. I want what you have, I want what you don’t have, I want more of what I already have. I want. But if you so much as ask for something in return, go ahead and walk away. Know if you want to play in my world, it’s every man for themselves and the weak become mine. Leeches will be obliterated because I make it my job to destroy them. I protect what’s mine and I take what’s yours…because that’s what I do. I want.

My story will not endear me to you and, frankly, I could care less if it does because I’m in this for the money and nothing else. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a corrupt, money hungry, immoral asshole from Los Angeles. I’m every man’s worst nightmare and every girl’s fantasy.

I’m Spencer Blackwell…And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most coveted guy to the guy no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing and ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.


Greed is the second book in The Seven Deadly Series by Fisher Amelie.  You can see my review of the first book, Vain, HERE.

The Story...

Spencer Blackwell has lived his life getting anything he wants.  All the girls he can stand, the best cars, and more money than most people could spend in a year.  So why does he suddenly want out?

After being called home from college to once again do his father's dirty work, Spencer feels dirty and despicable and vows to save enough money to finally be able to get out from under his father's rule.  It's funny how when we make plans, life suddenly changes the game. 

When Spencer's younger sister, Bridget, reveals that she is pregnant, their father threatens her life if she doesn't get rid of the baby.  Spencer's life has suddenly changed and his escape plan now includes Bridge and the unborn child.

Bridget and Spencer are invited to stay at the Emmett and Ellie Hunt's ranch in Montana.  They make plans and escape their parent's home in the night leaving no trace of where they are going.  Bridget immediately finds a caretaker in Ellie Hunt and, much to Spencer's chagrin, her grandson, Jonah.  But Spencer has his hands full with Ellie's feisty granddaughter, Cricket Hunt.  And then there is the fact that she is unavailable.  Ethan Moonsong, longtime ranch hand and Cricket's childhood sweetheart stand in the way of what Spencer now wants most.


This book has a theme and that theme is YEARNING.  There is such a deep longing between Spencer and Cricket.  Each time they are together you can feel the emotions and the craving that they have for each other.  It tugs and pulls and makes you want to read more and more.

What Worked...

Cricket and Spencer didn't immediately fall into love, but they do share sparks from the beginning.  As Spencer helps out at the ranch and learns how to take care of the cattle, Emmett Hunt often pairs Spencer with his granddaughter.  They grow comfortable and close as they help birth calves and mend fences.  Spencer sees a side of Cricket that others overlook and underestimate.  Just being near Cricket makes Spencer regret everything he ever did for his father.  She makes him strive to be a better person.

But what about a future together?  She is planning to marry someone else.  And what does it matter if Spencer doesn't even plan on staying in Montana?

What Didn't...

Not that this didn't work, but more that I cannot comprehend the world that Bridget and Spencer come from.  Their affluence and disregard for people and money just baffles me. It's hard for me to read about their world because I do not want to imagine that there are people that actually live there daily.

4.5 out of 5 stars

If that wasn't enough to convince you, here is an excerpt to whet your appetite.

Prologue

Greed is a strange, strange sin.  

All you want to do is acquire. Acquire money, acquire material, acquire time, acquire energy, acquire attention. The running mantra is “I want, I want, I want” but that quickly turns to “I need, I need, I need.” friends, for family, for anyone. Your goal is to acquire and to make sure what you acquire stays acquired. Your life depends on it. You don’t see truth because the truth is shadowed by enormous homes, incredibly fast cars, in lavish spending. Your life no longer belongs to you, but you are blind to it all because those around you are seeking the same.

So you shuffle along at an impossible rate, and you pass the real world around you.

But what you’ll come to realize, altogether too late, is that it’s never enough. It’s simply never enough.

Chapter One

“It’s confirmed. Peter Knight of Evergreen won’t approve the acquisition. You know what to do,” my snake of a father told me, not two steps into his front door.

“I just got off a seven-hour flight. You can’t let me settle in? Possibly say hello?”

He stood, watching me, a slight tick in his square jaw. He tucked his hands into his Italian silk pants. His six-foot frame followed the steps up to the foyer and stopped a few inches away from my own. We were face to face. Although I fell an inch shorter, he no longer intimidated me. I knew if I had to, I could kick his ass.

“Hello, Spencer,” he said, a serpent’s smile spread wide across his mouth before falling flat. “Get to work. I don’t pay you to sit around. I don’t care if it is your Christmas break.”

We stayed where we were, each waiting on the other to back down. The tension was palpable. In the end, his face relaxed and he began to chuckle, stepping aside and making way for me. I picked up my bags and headed for my room, giving myself plenty of space to pass him without touching him.When I got to the bottom of the stairs, I changed my mind and threw my bags on the second to last step, intending to pick them up later. I stretched my muscles, loving the feel of my back popping, and started for the kitchen.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he asked, still standing in the foyer, watching my every move.

“If I don’t say hi to Mom and Bridge, they’ll think something’s up,” I told him and continued on.

He didn’t respond, but I felt his stare burning into the back of my head.

About Fisher Amelie:

Fisher Amelie is the author of The Leaving Series, Callum & Harper and Thomas & January. She began her writing career as a copywriter for an internet marketing company wherein one of their client's said, 'Hey! You're funny. You should write books'. Which in turn she said, 'Hey, get out of here! This is the lady's restroom.' While washing her hands and the embarrassment from her face, she thought they may have had a valid point. So, she took the thousands of hours of writing stories growing up, tucked them into her pocket and began writing and writing and writing.

Links:

Author's Website: 

Fisher's Blog

Fisher on Twitter

Fisher on Facebook

YouTube

Author Goodreads

GREED Goodreads 

Giveaway

Enter and you could win a Kindle Fire or one of Five (5) signed copies of VAIN (The Seven Deadly #1).  Open Internationally. 

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Here's a sneak peek at the rest of The Seven Deadly Series.

Release Day - WHERE WE FELL by Amber L. Johnson Review and Excerpt

Amber L. Johnson's WHERE WE FELL is finally available.


You can now get your copy of Amber L. Johnson's debut New Adult novella, WHERE WE FELL.

Early praise for WHERE WE FELL:

"a well written, emotionally uplifting, and honest story"                                        - Stephanie on Goodreads

"Amber L. Johnson is one of the brightest new authors on the horizon."              - Author Sydney Logan

"It may be short story, but definitely a powerful one."                                    - Lucia @ Reading is My Breathing

(Synopsis)
Oliver Bishop is having a seriously bad day. With one diagnosis, his life suddenly has an expiration date. Confused about the numbness he has to the idea of it, he unwittingly puts himself directly in the sights of a girl that just may give him a reason to fight - and to live.

(Excerpt)

“Wouldn’t it freak you out if I took my hair off right this second and was like, ‘Oh my god, Oliver, I had cancer too!”

“Don’t lie.  That’s a shitty thing to lie about.”

“Is it?”

I shrug, trying to control my emotions.  “It would explain why you changed your hair, I guess.”

She straightens her spine.  “I guess it would.  Or maybe it makes sense that my mom had cancer.  And lost her hair.  So I dyed my hair and cut about sixteen inches off to donate to her for a wig.  That might make sense, too.”

Hannah Hartwell is weird.  And she’s awkward.  But at this exact moment she is not a liar.

“I might not know what you’re going through first hand, okay? But I know what it’s like to see it from the sidelines.  My mom didn’t even tell me that she was going in for testing.  Didn’t tell me she got a diagnosis.  She just called me on a Wednesday and said she was going in for surgery on Friday, and could I please make sure to pay my phone bill on time this month.  It was like, how did she just go to these appointments without telling anyone?  So blase.  Like you.  It baffles me.”

I’m silent as she talks because I have nothing to say.

“It’s kinda ironic that the woman who leaves an oncologist because he’s ‘married to his job’ ends up getting the one thing he could potentially help her with.”

The room is so quiet that I can hear the music from outside filtering into the house between the window panes and cracks under the doors.  Our food is going to go cold, which bothers me a little, even though I’m no longer hungry.  She did spend a long time cooking it, after all.

Instead of saying anything about her confession, I pick up the ear of corn and start eating.  

“This is good,” I say.  And I mean it.

She forces a tight smile and picks at her own plate.

“It’s not ‘cure my cancer’ good.  But it’s good.”

This time, it’s a spoon that she throws at my head.

About Amber L. Johnson:
Amber is a full time mom, full time wife, is employed full time, and writes when she can. She believes in Happily Ever Afters that occur every day - despite the obstacles that real life serves up on a regular basis. Or perhaps they're sweeter simply because of them. She always has 2 rubber bands on her wrist, a song in her head, and too much creamer in her coffee cup that reads 'Cocoa' - because she's a rebel. If she's not at her desk, with her boys, or behind the computer, she's supporting live music with her arms raised above her head and eyes closed, waiting for the drop.


Important Links:
Amber on Goodreads
Book on Goodreads
Amber on Twitter
Author Page on Facebook
Amber's Blog
You can get an e-book and print version of WHERE WE FELL on Amazon Where We Fell by Amber L. Johnson
You can get a print copy on Createspace 

Three of us reviewers here at Ficwishes have read and reviewed WHERE WE FELL on Goodreads.  I've decided to just go ahead and post all three reviews to help you get a full picture of why we loved this little story so much.

Me first.  (Review by Lori)

Oliver Bishop receives some really bad news. As he sits at a diner, staring in shock, he unexpectedly meets the one person who could save his life.

Hannah is home from college for summer vacation. She isn't looking for love, but what she finds is so much more.

This is a beautiful story of life. It's messy and often ugly, but its because of the bad that we are able to truly appreciate the good.

I have to confess to knowing and loving the author, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a fantastic little novella that will steal your heart. I had the privilege of reading Where We Fell as it was written and often got so lost in the story that I forgot whose words I was reading.

I'm so proud to finally see this published.

(Nikki's thoughts.)

I won't bore anyone reading this review with more summarizing the plot of this book. 

I'm more concerned with letting you know that Where We Fell sincerely made me feel; hope, sadness, but mostly joy and love. This is a really well written novella. And its amazingly packed very neatly into 83 pages. I highly recommend this short read to anyone, but especially fans of books like The Sea of Tranquility and The Fault in Our Stars (sigh). 

Honestly, this book blew me away. It was, simply put, fucking gorgeous. I look forward to more books from Amber, she's definitely an up and coming author to watch. Buy this one immediately!

(Stephanie's Review)

Oliver is still in high school when he finds out his short life just got an expiration date. On the day of his diagnosis, he's drowing his sorrows at the diner, when he meets Hannah, the fun, lively,-always sticking her foot in her mouth - waitress. From there, an unlikely friendship blooms into something much, much more. Hannah, and a photo album of memories, are the only things keeping Oliver going. 

I loved this book. It's a well written, emotionally uplifting, and honest story about a boy and a girl, and their really amazing friendship, which leads to them falling in love, despite the fact that he could die. Even having lost her own mother, Hannah gets the pain that will come if he does, but loves him anyway. She's his rock, and she's never going to let him fall even of he wants to give up. 

The thing about Where We Fell, is that it brought up a much bigger question for me, personally. Is the person you fall in love with before beating Cancer, the same person afterward? Are either of you? When you go through something extraordinary as fighting and actually beating something that should kill both your spirit and your faith in the process, it's bound to change you inside in ways that you'd never imagine. Some people recover from the disease, but their loved ones never quite bounce back from the experience. I appreciate books that make me think and question. 

I loved that Hannah struggled with the person Oliver becomes, and how he makes her see that the Big C didn't take who he was, but made him a better man for fighting it. I loved watching their realationship evolve and grow into something indescribable and beautiful. 

Where We Fell had me smiling, in tears, and jumping for joy throughout the story. 

And while I admit I was privilaged to read the story as the chapters were written, as well as a very good friend of the author, this in no way changes or my opinion of the book.

I am very, very excited to see more from Amber Johnson.

Where We Fell Playlist

New Giveaway.  
Win 1 of 3 e-book copies of WHERE WE FELL.
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Blog Tour and Playlist for WHERE WE FELL by Amber L. Johnson

Amber L. Johnson's WHERE WE FELL is COMING SOON!

On October 28th, you can finally get your e-book copy of the debut New Adult novella by Amber L. Johnson, WHERE WE FELL.

Early  praise for WHERE WE FELL:  

"a well written, emotionally uplifting, and honest story" -Stephanie on Goodreads                          

"Amber L. Johnson is one of the brightest new authors on the horizon." - Author Sydney Logan

"It may be short story, but definitely a powerful one." -Lucia @ Reading is My Breathing

(Synopsis)

Oliver Bishop is having a seriously bad day. With one diagnosis, his life suddenly has an expiration date. Confused about the numbness he has to the idea of it, he unwittingly puts himself directly in the sights of a girl that just may give him a reason to fight - and to live.

Where We Fell Playlist

Where We Fell from IAMAPM on 8tracks Radio.

1. Shine Right Through Me by Correatown

2. Wait For Me by Kings of Leon

3. Out on the Town by Fun

4. This is What it Feels Like by Armin Van Buuren

5. Love Like Rockets by Angels and Airwaves

6. Beautiful Goodbye by Maroon 5

7. Grand Theft Auto/Where is Your Boy by Fall Out Boy

8. Fast & Slow by All-American Rejects

Blog Tour Schedule:

Saturday October 26
FicWishes - PLAYLIST
TM Franklin - BOOK SPOTLIGHT

Sumday October 27
Fandom Fanatic - AUTHOR GUEST POST - Writing  from a male point of view
The Blonde Mark - REVIEW

Monday October 28 - Release Day
Sydney Logan - AUTHOR INTERVIEW
FicWishes - EXCERPT
Fandom Fanatic - EXCERPT
First Page to the Last - EXCERPT

About Amber L. Johnson:

Amber is a full time mom, full time wife, is employed full time, and writes when she can. She believes in Happily Ever Afters that occur every day - despite the obstacles that real life serves up on a regular basis. Or perhaps they're sweeter simply because of them. She always has 2 rubber bands on her wrist, a song in her head, and too much creamer in her coffee cup that reads 'Cocoa' - because she's a rebel. If she's not at her desk, with her boys, or behind the computer, she's supporting live music with her arms raised above her head and eyes closed, waiting for the drop.

Important Links:

Amber on Goodreads

Book on Goodreads

Amber on Twitter

Author Page on Facebook

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON OCTOBER 28th

Don't forget the Giveaway:

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