Blog Tour: Legacy Strain by Taylor Brooke

Legacy Strain (The Isolation Series Book #3)
By: Taylor Brooke
Published By: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: June 6, 2017
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Brooklyn Harper’s friends have betrayed her, her heart is broken, and all of humanity is at risk.

After Kirin’s unannounced arrival in Louisiana, Brooklyn finds herself scrambling for a way out of an impossible situation. Kirin is creating the deadly Genesis Cull, and Brooklyn doesn’t know who to turn to for help.

With no other options, she’s forced to trust her nemesis, Juneau Malloy. His support allows the group of Special Omen Operatives to gear up, form a plan of action, and train for the day when they come face-to-face with their worst fear—going to war with their friends.

There is a divide in the once inseparable group of Omens, and their only hope is to put the pieces back together.

Julian Yu Matsumoto agonizes over the difference between right and wrong, love and sacrifice, genocide and revolution. While he struggles with his feelings for Kirin, his moral compass is spinning round and round, his heart is being pulled in different directions, and Julian is desperate to answer questions he never thought he would have to ask.

Is Kirin’s Genesis Cull a revolution or genocide?

Could there be another way to save themselves and humanity as they know it?

Will Julian pay the ultimate price for loving a monster?

Their only hope for redemption is—the Legacy Strain.

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N

My Thoughts

Welcome to my stop on the tour! I received an ARC of Legacy Strain in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read every book in this series, so I was very excited to hop on board the Legacy Strain blog tour train. Jumping into this book felt like visiting with familiar faces. Taylor Brooke does a great job jumping into the story and pulling the reader right in. I felt I was there in the middle of the action. I wasn’t just being told a story, I became a part of it.

Everyone has something – Brooklyn is dealing with her ghosts and choices, Gabriel has a severe lack of compassion and runs on impulse, Julien has his need to find the good and also trust the bad, Kirin has something evolving that he doesn’t quite grasp . . . the list just goes on and on for each character. There’s a lot going on in Legacy Strain, but that’s not a bad thing. I was kept on my toes and couldn’t predict what was happening next.

There’s a sense of need throughout this book – a need to understand, to evolve, to persevere, to fix, to lead, to protect, and to live.

Just like the first two books, Legacy Strain kept me at the edge of my seat through the entire read, and I dreaded finding my way to the last page.

You can read other reviews for this book at Xpresso Book Tours!

*~*

The Final Countdown

Characterization – 4.5/5 Stars
Dialogue– 4/5 Stars
Plot – 4.5/5 Stars
Visual Imagery – 4/5 Stars
Structure/Pacing/Editing – 5/5
Ending – 4/5 Stars

Total: 4.3/5 Stars

Author Bio:

Taylor Brooke is the author of the sci-fi adventure trilogy The Isolation Series. She started out as a freelance makeup artist, and quickly discovered her love of elves, zombies, mermaids, kaiju, and monsters of all kinds. After receiving eight professional certifications in special effects makeup, working on countless projects, and fleshing out a multitude of fantastical creatures, she turned her imagination back to her one true love — books. Taylor has had a knack for writing since she was a little girl, and received recognition for her skills throughout grade school and junior college. When she’s not nestled in a blanket typing away on her laptop, she can be found haunting the local bookstore with a cup of steaming hot tea in her hands, scanning the shelves for new reads, or hiking one of the many mountains that surround her home in Oregon.

Tumblr / Goodreads / Twitter

 

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Blog Tour/Review: Shadow of Deception by Sophia L. Johnson

Shadow of Deception (The Kazumi Chronicles, #1)
By: Sophia L. Johnson
Publication Date: April 9, 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

*I received a free ARC of Shadow of Deception from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange of an honest review.

Synopsis

2153, Toronto, United Nation of North America (UNNA)

A horrific plane crash kills all five hundred and forty-two passengers except one. Kazumi emerges from the wreckage physically unscathed but has lost all her memories. Her miraculous survival has the whole city buzzing but all she wants is to go home, wherever home is.

After waiting a month in the hospital with no one to claim her, Kazumi is deemed homeless. She is about to be sent to a nearby teenage shelter when the nurse she grew to trust ushers her down a mysterious path, one that promises safety and maybe even the chance to recover her memories. With no better options available, Kazumi takes her chance and finds herself in the headquarters of the Sarcomeres, a secret society of genetically advanced humans hidden deep inside the Rocky Mountains. The Sarc’s heightened physical abilities and high-tech gadgets are not the only things that fascinate Kazumi. Finnegan O’Riley, a fellow Sarc she meets along the way also gets her heart racing. When Kazumi discovers that she possesses the genetic potential of a Sarcomere, she jumps at the chance to train with them, not knowing the death defying tests that are involved.

Meanwhile, a centuries-old nemesis of the Sarcomeres begins to stir in the dark, setting their dark plans in motion. Just when Kazumi thinks she can help protect her new found home, past memories surface to threaten her new identity. She soon realizes that layers of deception run deep and everyone has a secret agenda, including herself.

Who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself? One wrong decision could bring forth consequences worse than death.

Shadow of Deception is the gold medal winner at the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award.

 

Welcome to my stop on the Shadow of Deception Blog Tour! Click the link to read my review, see the rating, find out more about the author, and enter a giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card!

Blog Tour: Running in the Dark by Inger Iverson

Running in the Dark (#1)
By: Inger Iverson
Publication Date: February 8, 2016
Genres: Paranormal, New Adult

*I received a free ARC of Running in the Dark from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange of an honest review.

Synopsis

He is known only as Trace—because he leaves no trace of his victims behind.

A deadly Russian slayer, Trace’s life has always revolved around death. Death, and preventing humankind from learning about the legendary creatures of the night. But now his position as a Watcher has become a prison, and dealing death for the Vampire Nation isn’t as prestigious as he once believed it to be.

College dropout Bessina Darrow has witnessed things she isn’t permitted to see, a simple case of wrong place at the wrong time putting her life in danger. When Bessina becomes his new mark, Trace is prepared to eliminate her—until he discovers a way out for them both.

Protecting Bessina means defying the leaders of the Nation, an act that has them both running for their lives. The more Trace fights to disappear from danger, the more he unravels the secrets crafting his world—secrets he must unveil in order to finally save a life, instead of destroy it. Okay , I can do that.

 

Welcome to my stop on the Running in the Dark Blog Tour! Click the link to read my review, see the rating, find out more about the author, and enter a giveaway for some really great prizes, including a $25 Amazon gift card!

Book Review: Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You
By: Nancy Tillman
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
Genre: Children’s Literature

Summary:
. . . I wanted you more than you’ll ever know,
so I sent love to follow wherever you go. . . .

Love is the greatest gift we have to give our children. It’s the one thing they can carry with them each and every day.

If love could take shape it might look something like these heartfelt words and images from the inimitable Nancy Tillman. Here is a book to share with your loved ones, no matter how near or far, young or old, they are.

*~*

This is my first review for a children’s book and I couldn’t be more excited. This book was actually given to me by a previous coworker right after BabyJ was born. I read this book to him every morning before I take him to daycare. Between the incredible artwork and rhythmic rhyming, BabyJ is thoroughly engrossed in the story each time. He smiles along with the rhymes.

I love children’s books, but this one has a special place for me. The basic message of the story is that the reader will always love their child, regardless of where they are or how they feel. The love that the reader feels for their child surrounds them wherever they are. To be honest, I was an emotional wreck the first few times I read this to my son. Even now, I tear up at times. If he is more wide awake while I read, I will catch him looking up at me and smiling as I work through the flow of the story.

The artwork in this book is something else, as well. There’s something beautiful and serene about the images. Each page includes an image of an animal of some kind and the colors are perfectly chosen.

I look forward to owning more of Nancy Tillman’s books and reading them to my son as he grows up. Definitely add this book to your collection if you have any little ones around.

*~*

The Final Countdown – 5 Stars!

Links
Amazon – Board Book
Amazon – Hardcover
Amazon – Kindle
Goodreads Book Page

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#BookBlogWriMo Day 10 – Ten Of My Many Favorite Books

I have SO many favorite books, so this was a hard list for me to make. I tried to pick books that have significance to me.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
More information about this book will come in a post later on during Book Blog Writing Month.

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
We actually just got this amazing fully illustrated edition of Harry Potter to add to our collection. We pre-ordered from Amazon because the price was so amazing. By the look of it, it’s still great. JKR will be releasing each book in this format for the next six years. It will be a great way to introduce our son to the series when we start reading it to him in a few years. (This would make an AWESOME holiday gift, as well. Just some suggestions!)

The Sweep series by Cate Tiernan
This series is about witchcraft and completely brought me into this incredible world about magic. I’ve read the series multiple times now and still have an emotional reaction to it.

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman
This book was gifted to me by a previous coworker and I’ve been reading it to my son every morning before I drop him off at day care. It has become out little tradition. A review of this book will be coming soon. It is AMAZING. I have officially become a Nancy Tillman fan.

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
This is a nostalgia book for me. I read it in high school and became very attached to it. It was my first journey into the world of Nicholas Sparks.

The Prophecy of Tyalbrook series by Michele G. Miller
This series was my first introduction to Michele’s literature. I steadily fell in love with Xander and there was no turning back once I hopped onto this adventure. When she asked me to edit for her, I definitely couldn’t say no!

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
The perspective and message within these dark novels really struck a cord with me. If you haven’t read these yet, you should hop on board the Hunger Games train. And I don’t mean the one to the Capital. The movies are also incredible; while there are bits missing from the books, they are depicted very well!

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
One of the best children’s books to exist. My family had my best friend make me a baby shower cake of The Giving Tree. My guests also signed the inside cover. I will always have a special place for this one.

Unlit Star by Lindy Zart
Seriously one of my favorite books of Lindy’s. Also one of my favorite reviews that I’ve written. (Find it here.)

Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
This is the book that the Broadway musical Wicked is based off of. Gregory Maguire is a very talented author with quite a bit to say. His tongue-in-cheek style mixed with his knack for twisting fairy tales and traditional stories makes each of his stories a new experience. You can see my review of Wicked here.

Thirty Days of Thanks – Day 10

I am thankful for my parents. As I write this, I realize there is no way words can do my thanks justice, however. They’ve been there through thick and thin, raised me “right” and given me the tools I need to succeed. They’ve supported me in all of my passions and my crazy endeavors, and they’ve helped guide me through my new adventure of parenthood. Through my many scraped knees, teary moments, silly laughs, onstage adventures, and everything else – I couldn’t be more grateful. ❤

The Ark by Laura Liddell Nolen – Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway

The Ark
By: Laura Liddell Nolen
Publication Date: March 26, 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

*I received a free ARC of The Ark from Xpresso Booktours in exchange of an honest review. 

Synopsis

There’s a meteor headed for Earth, and there is only one way to survive.

With her criminal record, sixteen-year-old Char is never going to get a place on an Ark, one of the five massive bioships designed to protect Earth’s survivors. The Arks are reserved for the real goody-goodies, like Char’s mom, dad, and brother, all of whom have long since turned their backs on her.

With Earth on the brink of destruction, Char must use all her tricks of the trade to swindle her way into outer space, where she hopes to reunite with her family, regardless of whether they want to see her or not.

Once she arrives on the North American Ark, Char discovers that the remnants of humanity haven’t achieved the egalitarian utopia they’d planned for. For starters, the “Officers of the Peace” are anything but peaceful, especially since stealing a spot on an Ark is a crime punishable by death….

Welcome to my stop on the The Ark Blog Tour! Click the link to read my review, see the rating, find out more about the author, and enter a giveaway for a copy of the book!

Blog Tour and Review – Sleepless by Michael Omer

Sleepless (Narrowdale #1)
By: Michael Omer
Publication Date: January 12, 2015
Genres: Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult

*I received a free ARC of Sleepless from Xpresso Booktours in exchange of an honest review. 

Synopsis

Don’t fall asleep. Don’t dream. Don’t get caught.

At the beginning of her freshman year of high school, Amy can think of nothing worse than moving to the boring, suburban town of Narrowdale. And that’s before she starts having the same nightmare over and over again, waking up every night to a creepy whistle outside her window and being haunted by a mysterious, menacing presence. Getting used to the new school becomes the least of her problems.

As she delves deeper to uncover the truth, she unknowingly edges closer to mortal danger. Terrible events that took place years ago threaten to happen again, but now Amy’s life is on the balance. Unfortunately, the one guy who is supposed to protect her, nineteen year old Peter, doesn’t believe her.

Some things seem to happen only in Narrowdale, where dark secrets hide beneath the surface…

As she confronts the mysteries of Narrowdale, Amy documents her experiences in her blog. The book contains live links to this blog.

Welcome to my stop on the Sleepless Blog Tour! Click the link to read my review and see the rating!