{Cover Wars} The Scarlet Dagger by Krystle Jones part II

Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Cover Wars the place where covers aren’t afraid of you telling them who you like best, where they crave for the action and they want the attention. Last week we had Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and let me tell you guys it was a rough battle that I thought it would end in a tie, but at the last minute someone came and changed the game, but enough rambling you want to know who the winner is….

The Most Known Cover

Now that we’ve taken a good hard look at the winner let’s take a look at these week’s contestants, for some of you this might seem like a déjà vu but you see this old cover wars contestant has a new cover and soo it is time again for you to call up your favorite. The book is The Scarlet Dagger by Krystle Jones and if you haven’t heard about it here is your chance.

The strength of Sloane’s heart is about to be put to the ultimate test.

After the Eclipse – the night vampires began openly slaughtering human victims – everything changed. Out of fear, the government salvaged what remained of the human population and enclosed them in massive, security-laden cities called White Sectors, while marking the vampire infested territory as Red Sectors.

When seventeen-year-old Sloane McAllister’s twin brother disappears, she seems to be the only one who thinks he isn’t dead, and vows to stop at nothing to find him. Gathering her courage, she braves the Red Sector to search for clues to his whereabouts. By chance, she encounters Aden, a handsome, charismatic vampire with a hidden agenda. He turns Sloane against her will, and whisks her away to his underground city. Enemies quickly become friends as Sloane struggles against her attraction to Aden, and resists her growing loyalties to the creatures that ruined her life. But the vampires themselves are the least of her problems. The city is harboring a devastating secret, one that could change the tide of the war and threaten to destroy everything Sloane has come to believe in.

Ok, now keep your eyes and mind open while you take a look at all the covers guys!

First up  we have the one I like to call the “bad ass cover”, the one where Sloan looks so though, ready for anything that she could come out of the cover at any moment and just smack us all up into redemption.

Next up we have the “reflections cover” where we get to see Sloane’s interpretation of herself, the breakage between past and present, the ‘would be’s’ and the reality, who she was and who she is.

Last but not least we have the newest cover, where we have a more stylish version of Sloane with the big bad darkness of the night behind her.

So guys here are your contestants now it is up to you to decide who the more swoon worthy or the one that is itching you to be in your bookshelf cover is. Please remember to vote and comment below, I hope you enjoy this edition of Cover Wars and I will see you next week.

{Cover Wars} Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster

Hi guys and welcome to Cover Wars where covers aren’t afraid to cry for attention. Each week we have a new book title showcasing the different faces it’s had and each week we reveal last week’s winner. Last week we had The Affinity Bridge by George Mann you guys voted and now it’s time to reveal the grand winner.

Now that the winner has had its chance to gloat, let’s take a look this weeks contestant Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster and for all of us that we aren’t all that familiar with this book let’s take a look at the book blurb:

When Nowhere Is Safe

Most people avoid the dreaded Whitechapel district. For Honoria Todd, it's the last safe haven. But at what price?

Blade is known as the master of the rookeries—no one dares cross him. It's been said he faced down the Echelon's army single-handedly, that ever since being infected by the blood-craving he's been quicker, stronger, and almost immortal.

When Honoria shows up at his door, his tenuous control comes close to snapping. She's so...innocent. He doesn't see her backbone of steel—or that she could be the very salvation he's been seeking.

Now that we are all know a little about what this book is about shall we take a look at the covers that will be fighting for your affection.

First up we have the face known in most of the paperbacks, the one that isn’t afraid to show a little bit more of Honoria then ladies of the Victorian era would, especially while standing next to a man, specially a dangerous one like Blade.

Next up we have the a cover that shows a lady that likes to live more in the shadows, one that leaves you wanting to know the women that hides behind the hat and what secrets she hides, we have the audio book cover.

Well guys the covers have done their catwalk and now it’s time for you to pick your favorite, don’t worry they don’t mind just comment or vote and let us know which one you prefer and remember to check in next Wednesday to see which cover won.

{Blog Tour Review} The Outside by Laura Bickle

Series: The Hallow Ones #2

Publication date: September 3, 2013

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

ISBN-13: 9780544000131

Synopsis

The world has ended, yet we survived.

Now we are forced to leave the holy land that helped us stay alive when most of the English men couldn’t, now I am banned from my community for helping a man in need, now I have no choice but to move forward.

No choice but to try and stay alive.

Review

Where do you start with a book that ended up being nothing like you expected? I guess I should start by not freaking you out and saying that this book may not have been what I expected but that is not a bad thing.

The Hallow Ones seems to be a two part series that marches at its out beat. From the first book we see that this is a different take on the end of the world. One that plays with notions deeper than the “will I live to see tomorrow?”

For those of you that like their books clerical-free, this may not be the book for you. Big emphasis in the may, you see it doesn’t feel like this book is trying to sell you a particular religion. No, this book is exploring the end of the world from the eyes of an Amish girl, or we could just call her a girl that as the end of the world comes she starts to question what she has been told about goodness and the right thing to do, while the leaders of her community tell her to do otherwise.

Laura Bickle plays yo-yo with your emotions making you doubt grow weary of the happy moments and bringing up equal amounts of hope and fear that it all will come crashing down.

 I am happy and grateful for having had the opportunity to read this duology, because it I thought it was the book I was looking for yet it turned out to be something different yet intriguing enough that I just couldn’t stay away. I can’t wait for this story to ran a little cold in my memory so that we it can surprise me again.

Rating:

{Audio Book Review} Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Series: Chicagoland Vampires #1

Publication date: December 23, 2010

Publisher: Tantor Audio

ISBN-13: 978140014936000

Synopsis

Merit was a 27 year old grad student in the University of Chicago, happy with her life and 100% human. But one night it all changed... after being attacked and ends up being transformed into a vampire against her will, the explication she got was... "it's the only way we could have saved your life" but Merit isn't sure it was for the best when she is forced to make her academic life come to a sudden end while all her dreams and plans jump out the window.

She is put to the test right away as the only "survivor" of a series of murders and she feels its her responsibility to help put an end to them, the only problem is she has to play nice with her Lord, the extremely attractive and charming Ethan Sullivan who isn't afraid to accept the attraction between them nor is he afraid to say he isn't the least pleased with it.

Merits to do list is a little extreme for a newly turned vamp, she has to accept the fact that she is now a vampire, drink blood, remember to stay away from the sun, stay alive, find out who was the person that attacked her and not to kill or succumb to the charm of her Lord.

Review

If you are thinking of starting the Chicagoland Vampires series in its audio book version you may want to listen to the sampler, Cynthia Holloway the narrator of this audio book, isn’t the best person to give a voice to this story and believe you want to know what you are getting yourself into.

I read this story and suddenly I wanted to try another version of this book hoping that it would feel like I was reading this book for the first time, get to hear the phrases I love and get to see the first interactions between Merit and Ethan Sullivan.

All those expectations of dynamism and the narrator’s voice inviting the listener to get lost in this book where lost at the first chapter, there weren’t really any inflections on her voice, any intentions while this book was being read or any life as she walked us around the Some Girls Bite.

I dared review this DNF book because I have a base, I read the book then tried the audio book and between us guys I am sticking with the books, I prefer to listen to the characters in this series interact in my head then the work that Cynthia Holloway voiced them.

In case that your first try on the Chicagoland Vampires series was the audio book I would strongly recommend blacking out that experience and giving the physical or e-book version of this book a try.

Rating:

If you didn't like Twilight, then read Chicagoland Vampires or The Iron Druid Chronicles

I want something more adult

Maybe Twilight was too juvenile for you? If so then I have two books that might be of interest for you guys.

How about Chicagoland Vampires, in this series we accompany Merit a graduate student finds herself one unlucky night at the wrong side of campus where her existence if forever change.

Series: Chicagoland Vampires #1

Publication Date: April 7th, 2009

Publisher: NAL Trade

ISBN-13: 9780345522481

Now reborn as a vampire she has to put books aside when someone is still out to get her. In this series we find not only Chloe Neill’s version of what if vampires came out of the closet in Chicago but we also get to explore other the what would be of other paranormal creatures.

This series is a mix of action, politics, attraction and relationships.
Links to the reviews of Chicagoland Vampires Series:
Some Girls Bite
Friday Night Bites
Twice Bitten
Hard Bitten
Drink Deep
Bitting Cold
House Rules

If you still wish to start slow with vampires and want an adult paranormal book then I suggest The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne, this guy knows how to mix paranormal, mythology and fantasy into one great series while giving it all a modern twist.

Series: Iron Druid Chronicles

Publication date: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Del Rey 

ISBN-13: 9780345522474
This was the book that made me fall in love with Urban Fantasy (other than Harry Potter of course), this is a book that makes you have fun with all the creatures, myths and stories you thought you knew, it give a fresh hair to vampires, werewolves, witches, gods and other creatures that we might stumble upon on this fund ride that Kevin Hearne has prepared for us.

If you are going to read this book then prepare yourself for some good laughs.
Links to The Iron Druid Chronicles:
Hounded
Hexed
Hammered

If you didn't like Twilight, then read The Scarlet Dagger by Krystle Jones

So this is the second eidtion of If you didn’t like the Twilight movies, I hope this really helps those of you that maybe because of this movie or maybe another reason got turned off from vampires, to the Twilight fans I mean no disrespect and if at some point what I wrote became offensive let me know in a respectful way, I’ve re-read this post and saw nothing that might offend you guys. Now then shall we take a lookf at reason number two?

I like my girl with spunk and a fight to give

Ok so Bella lost a lot of points in book two went she went into not only depression but also into self-destruction mode to be able to hear Edwards voice. If you want a heroine that is in some way related to vampires that can kick some butt, stay strong no matter what life throws at her and at the end of the day have a little romance on the side then I think ladies and gents I have the thing for you.

Series: The Red Sector Chronicles #1

Publication Date: October 23, 2011

ASIN: B005z26DWM

I think you will like the The Red Sector Chronicles where in The Scarlet Dagger we meet Sloane who is trying to make sense of what the world has become and the people they have lost. Sloane still believes her brother is alive even after the night vampires started slaughtering people where he disappeared.

Now Sloane will leave the safety of the city to explore the Red Sector in hopes of finding her lost twin brother, what she finds will not only defy her wildest dreams but also shake everything she thought she knew about her world.

In this book you will find action, romance a strong heroine, nice and evil vampires and a would that could turn dystopian right before your eyes.

Now the heroines in last edition of "If you didn't like Twilight" also fit this mold so if you want to take a look just click on the pretty little link right here.

If you didn't like Twilight, then read The Hallowed Ones or Morganvill Vampires

Ok twilight fans no offense but there is no such thing as something universally liked and Twilight is now exception, I do not intend to offend any of you so please don’t take it that way.

We all have different tastes and reasons why we like or dislike something, so I will be diving this one into 3 parts where you can find a couple of recommendations based on reasons why people didn’t like it, this 3 parts will be found in three different posts (if it all goes well).

Vampires where too good, they should not sparkle

If you think this is true then maybe you are looking for more evil? If you are looking for vampires that are evil to the core with no real sense other than to kill with a dash of mystery and some horror maybe you should look at “The Hollow Ones” by Laura Bickle.

Series: The Hallowed Ones #1

Publication Date: September 25, 2012

Publisher: HMH Graphia (Harper Collins)

ISBN-13: 9780547859262

Synospsis

Her dreams of Rumspringa where now gone, the outside world was no more, gone with it where her dreams of long afternoons enjoying a Coke and going to the movies. 

Katie has always been a rebel among the Amish, the elders pay her extra attention. You would think that when the world outside turn deadly that she would obey the elders and not question their decision, but when a life is at stake she will risk everything and everyone to do what is right.

After rescuing Alex a 24 year old Canadian she discovers more about what happened in the outside, if Alex is to be believed the outside world is falling in the hands of vampires and not the shiny ones, no this ruthless creatures have a blood lust and an evil inside of them that the destruction they havoc comes from beyond your gory imagination. 

 Full Review

If you are looking for vampires that aren’t always good but know they are powerful enough to run an unknown town in Texas where humans live in fear and college students are the daily special you might want to take a look into the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine.

Series: Morganville Vampires #1

Publication Date: October 03, 2006

Publisher: NAL Jam (Penguin)

ISBN-13: 9780451219947

Synospsis

Claire wanted to take her college experience as far away from her parents as possible, which is part of the Morganville university appeal.

Once she arrives to Morganville, Texas she discovers that college can be more about surviving then studying. Her eyes are wide open when she decides to run from the college dorms to escape an awful schoolmate that borderlines pshyco, only to see that she is the least of her problems.

Full review soon to come, 

I must ask for the first 2 books in the series back.

If you would like to participate on “If you liked this, then read that” please let me know, you can do it either via e-mail, by this form or a DM on twitter.

{Blog Tour Review + Giveaway} House Rules by Chloe Neill

Series: Chicagoland Vampires #7

Publication Date: February 05, 2013

Publisher: New American Library (Penguin)

ISBN-13: 9780451237101

Synopsis

Cadogan house has taken a risky decision; they are now going through a divorce of sorts. Now turning every rock and legal contract they have in hopes they don’t get screwed over. They will find allies and foes in people they may have never expected.

While some bridges burn others are being mended, some of the relationships have turned shaky they are now finding their balance in this post-“hard bitten” edition of Chicagoland Vampires.

If the separation stress wasn’t enough there is a new sort of terror in town, two rouge vampires have gone missing, the city isn’t going to help find them and vampires wouldn’t trust them with the job. So it is up to our favorite fanged duo to check things up before this spreads like wild fire.

Review

“House Rules” is a book in equal parts full of political shenanigans, mystery and action. After the Cadogan vampires decided to take a stand and fight for what they think is the right move for the house they are preparing to face the consequences of their actions trying to get away with it with alive and take in as little damage as possible.

I gotta tell you guys I really enjoyed this book, especially all the Jeff parts in it, why? Well let’s say that our favorite and extremely alpha vamp is taken and I have no intentions of messing that relationship even if its fictional and all I have to do is leave my imagination run wild, I like that relationship so much I wouldn’t dare mess with it not even a little. Also Jeff seems to be getting a bigger role on this series, I love that nerdy shifter he is as entertaining and he is charismatic, and has proven himself time and time again.

I gotta tell you guys I really enjoyed this book, especially all the Jeff parts in it, why? Well let’s say that our favorite and extremely alpha vamp is taken and I have no intentions of messing that relationship even if its fictional and all I have to do is leave my imagination run wild, I like that relationship so much I wouldn’t dare mess with it not even a little.  It is both his confidence and arrogance part of what makes us love him for who he is.

Going back to Jeff, he seems to be getting a bigger role on this series, I love that nerdy shifter he is as entertaining and he is charismatic, and has proven himself time and time again, I can't wait to see how his character and story evolves.

Chicagoland hotties aside (and if you are wondering those are just two of that long list) this books is playing more with the mystery, this time I was 100% hooked I wanted to know the person behind the horrible crimes that are now hunting Chicago, I wanted to know how this person did it and what kind of motives she/he might have.

I can never ever ever fault this series or any of its character about being one dimensional, nor can I say it lacks on the entertainment department Chloe Neill’s characters have a life of their own, you see them grow before your eyes, learn from their mistakes and face the dangers upon them the best way they can.

This was a great book that is part of an exceptional series, if by any chance you want to find redemption on vampires because a book or movie rubbed you the wrong way and you want a story with some romance, tons of action, engaging characters that learn and evolve then give Chicagoland vampires a chance I doubt you will regret it.

Rating:

*4.5 Broken TV's

As part of the blog tour the wonderful Chloe Neill gave some swag to share with her wonderful fans!!! I am giving away two packages one for US ONLY, the other open Internationally a.k.a. the second giveaway is for some lucky winner outside of the use.

So sweety please just enter one of the two giveaways, if I find you in both I will delete all of your entries.

Now lets take a look at what is up for grabs shall we?

U.S. ONLY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INTERNATIONAL ONLY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Review} Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

Series: Chicagoland Vampires #6

Publication Date: August 7, 2012

Publisher: New American Library (Penguin)

ISBN-13: 9780451237019

Synopsis

So much has happened since Lake Michigan turned dark both politically and supernaturally, now with a quest pending and a promise in the air our favorite Cadogan vampires are out on a hunt in hopes of getting an extremely dangerous artifact back before supernaturals with much more destructive plans in mind get it.

Review

Where to start… Chicagoland Vampires is a series that in my opinion has found a great balance between action, attraction, romance, urban fantasy and a wonderful and quirky sense of humor. This is the Chloe Neill style I fell in love with.

Biting Cold puts all the before mentioned elements in action and makes the characters shine. This book will have you smirking before you read that, that is exactly the reaction the character gave, laughing, shacking with anticipation of what is to come, getting frustrated with the characters about the mystery’s and obstacles they face, blushing and don’t be surprised if you find yourself unable to leave this book until you finish it.

This book takes more twist and turns and is much more active than the previous to books have been. I wouldn’t call this book a fast read, it is more of an action packed read, and even if there is enough movement in the story to go around the supernatural world keeps expanding with the meeting of new characters and new sides to ones with think we knew.

If you haven’t jumped the Chicagoland Vampires I strongly suggest you hop on this vampires and other sups are great characters to read (they feel without a doubt real) adventures that put our beloved character to the test (both in strength and their relationships) and urban fantasy in continuous expansion just when you thought you knew everything about Chicago and the supernaturals that live in this world you find that there is more to learn.

Rating: