Showing posts with label Entangled Publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Entangled Publishing. Show all posts

Monday, October 7, 2013

Entangled's "Wish Upon A Star" ~ Four and a Half Stars



Wish Upon a Star

Michelle McLean

Book Description:

Ceri McKinley never stopped wishing that her ex-fiancé Jason Crickett would come back into her life. But when he finally does, he comes with a request that puts them both—and all of humanity—into jeopardy.

Jason only wants two things: to bury his brother properly and to convince Ceri to trust him again after he jilted her. But when Ceri agrees to help him get his brother back, they end up fighting for their lives as a zombie uprising threatens them all.


My review:

This romance book had me hooked at "zombie uprising" and it didn't disappoint. It had a perfect balance of romance with the zombies. Now I am definitely not a girl that loves zombies or that could read a "zombie romance" novel, but the zombie elements were a perfect addition to make this Paranormal Romance a really awesome read. Don't forget to check out the giveaway at the end of this post for the Rafflecopter.

Concept:

The concept of this book as I mentioned above hooked right away. I love zombies and I love Paranormal Romance. To be truthful, I wanted to read this book because I have read other zombie romance books that just kind of wigged me out. I wanted to see if anyone could really write a good romance with zombies and sure enough, Miss McLean did. It was a short read, but a very enjoyable read. Even with the short read, I didn't feel that I was missing out or that the story was rushed. The story unfolded with a perfect timing - not too fast and not too slow. I found myself fighting with my eyes to stay open for a little longer to get through another chapter.

Characters:

I really enjoyed the characters, especially the heroine, Ceri McKinley. Although she is still pining away for ex-fiance Jason Cricket, she isn't whiny or annoying, which some heroines can be when jilted at the alter. Her motives were real and I could sympathize with her immediately. I also enjoyed the love that she had for her daughter. Despite the still broken heart, Ceri is a strong chick that is independent and very likable.

And then there is the hero...and despite Jason breaking off his engagement three days before the wedding, you can't help but like him when you learn his motives. The guy has a good heart and is one of those good guys, although he's not a wimp. He's such a nice guy that he's appealing.

The villain, Ceri's ex-husband is an awesomely wicked written villain. You love to hate him.

World building:

I loved the zombie background and the concept. I thought that the world building was unique especially in the Paranormal genre where vampires, shifters and witches still rule the shelves. The zombie concept was very clever and very cool.

Overall:

If you love Paranormal Romance and you want to read something different, then this is your book, especially if you've ever wondered if zombies could be included. The characters are strong and fully dimensional. The plotting is a perfect pace with twists and turns. This is a really easy read and worth the price. Entangled's "Ever After" line is perfect for the reader that is looking for a fast read, but still an enjoyable read. I would give "Wish Upon a Star" four and a half stars and I will definitely be looking at the Ever After line for more novellas to fill my nights.

Do you have a zombie romance novel that you'd recommend? What do you think of zombies in romance?

Thanks for reading!

R.J.

Excerpt:

Jason sank down beside me and pulled me toward him, pressing a kiss against my temple.

“Are you okay?” he asked, brushing soot and a few burned leaves from my face and hair. The smell of burned plastic and singed hair coated everything. But it could have been worse.

I leaned against him for a moment before trying to push to my feet.

Jason stopped me. “Rest for a minute.” He reached into my backpack and pulled out another bottle of water.

I took it gratefully, gulping down half the bottle before handing it to him to finish off. When he was done, he bent down, kissing a drop of water from my lips. His hands cupped my face. “I’m sorry. For everything. All of it. Everything I put you through. These wasted years without you.”

“I’m sorry too.” I pulled away and looked up at him. “If we get through this—”

“When we get through this. Not if.”   

I gave him a small smile and nodded, knowing he knew what I wanted to say without having to voice the words. “When we get through this, maybe we can talk. About things.”

He gave me one more lingering kiss. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“But for now,” I said, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead.

“Rain check?”

“Rain check.”


About the Author:

I grew up in California and have lived everywhere from the deserts of Utah to the tropical beaches of Hawaii to the gorgeous forests of the east coast. The oldest of five children, I am generally an organized mess with slight Obsessive Compulsive tendencies. I have a B.S. in History, a M.A. in English, an insatiable love of books, and more weird quirks than you can shake a stick at.

I am the author of Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers, (Career Press Jan 2011), To Trust a Thief (Entangled Scandalous Jan 2013), a historical romance trilogy Blood Blade Sisters (Entangled Scandalous 2013), and a zombie fairy tale retelling Wish Upon a Star (Entangled Ever After Oct 2013). In addition to my novels and non-fiction work, I write picture books and a bit of poetry. If I'm not editing, reading, or chasing my kids around, I can usually be found in a quiet corner working on my next book.

I currently reside in Pennsylvania with my husband and two young children, an insanely hyper dog, and two very spoiled cats.

Website: http://www.michellemcleanbooks.com/

Blog: http://michellemclean.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellemclean

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/michelle.m.mclean

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4253087.Michelle_McLean  

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, September 30, 2013

Entangled Ever After Tour - Hot Reads & Giveaways!


Check out these fantastic titles from Entangled Publishing's Ever After imprint and enter to win some amazing prizes in their tour-wide giveaway! Which haunting reads are you most looking forward to this fall?


Haunted Chemistry
Lindsey Loucks

ISBN: 9781622662982

Book Description:

When bookish college co-ed Alexis heads to the laundry room in her new apartment, she runs into Ian Reese, the chem lab partner she crushed on all last semester. And the guy who stood her up on their first date. But she’s down for an awkward reunion, and no better place than her creepy laundry room.

Ian has every intention of making amends, but just when Alexis begins to trust him again, a new threat calls more than their future together into question. A ghost from the apartment’s past is hellbent on revenge, and if he wants to get his girl, he’ll have to get the ghost first.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Mercy
Jan Doffey

ISBN: 9781622663347

Book Description:

Julia Klein’s life has begun to unravel—her daughter Amy has been suspended from school, Julia is about to lose her job, and her boyfriend Garrett is being transferred thousands of miles away.

Overwhelmed, she and Amy leave for a weekend at a rambling old colonial inn. Julia never suspects that Garrett, desperate to find a way to keep Julia in his life, has decided to surprise her by joining them. Nor does she expect her daughter to befriend a mischievous ghost...or that she herself would be possessed by the malevolent spirit of a long-dead mother.

As a dark secret emerges, Julia, Amy, and Garrett find themselves pitted in a fight for survival against a savage presence that intends to resurrect/repeat/relive a horrible crime committed two centuries ago.  And this time, Amy and Julia will be the victims.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Northern Light
E.J. Russell

ISBN: 9781622662845

Genre: M/M Romance

Book Description:

Nothing gives art fraud investigator Luke Morganstern a bigger rush than busting forgers, the low-life criminals who dare victimize true artists. But when his latest job sends him to a remote cabin in the Oregon Coast Range, he’s stunned to discover the alleged forger is his former lover, Stefan Cobbe, the most gifted painter Luke has ever known.

Stefan, left homeless and destitute after the death of his wealthy partner, doesn’t exactly deny the forgery -- he claims he doesn’t remember, an excuse Luke can’t accept.

But Luke’s elderly client suggests Stefan may be telling the truth and presents another possibility – a dark presence in the woods, a supernatural fury simmering for decades. Luke must face down his fear of the uncanny – and admit his feelings for Stefan – if either of them is to survive.




Ruby Hill
Sarah Ballance

ISBN: 9781622662258

Book Description:

From her earliest memories, Ashley Pearce has been drawn to Ruby Hill Lunatic Asylum, and she's not the only one. Decades after the abandoned hospital ended its institutional reign of torture and neglect, something lurks in the shadows. Since she’s a paranormal investigator, it's Ashley's job to find out what.

Crime scene expert Corbin Malone doesn't believe in ghosts. A born skeptic, he has no interest in entertaining the hype surrounding the mysterious deaths at Ruby Hill, but he won't turn his back while more women die. He agrees to an overnight investigation, never expecting his first encounter would be with the woman he pushed away a year ago. But when he discovers Ashley is a target, he learns his greatest fear isn't living with his own demons, but losing her for good.

Amazon BN Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wish Upon a Star
Michelle McLean

ISBN: 9781622663323

Book Description:

Ceri McKinley never stopped wishing that her ex-fiancé Jason Crickett would come back into her life. But when he finally does, he comes with a request that puts them both—and all of humanity—into jeopardy.

Jason only wants two things: to bury his brother properly and to convince Ceri to trust him again after he jilted her. But when Ceri agrees to help him get his brother back, they end up fighting for their lives as a zombie uprising threatens them all.

Amazon    BN   Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway



One Thousand and One Nights
Ruth Browne

ISBN: 9781622663316

Book Description:

Sheri spends her days fighting zombies and her nights chained to a wall, earning her every breath by telling stories to her captor Aleksy—stories that make them both forget the ruined world. Sheri could put up with the conditions—at least she knows her sister is safe in the community Aleksy leads—until she realizes she’s falling for him...even though he wants her dead.

When Aleksy allowed Sheri and her sister into his compound, he didn’t know about the zombie bite on her back. It's only a matter of time before she turns into one of the rising dead and threatens their existence, but Aleksy has a secret need for Sheri and her stories. For everyone’s safety, he chains her to his bedroom wall, hoping for just one more day. But how long will the community allow Aleksy to ignore his own rule: always kill the infected. Always.


Monday, September 23, 2013

Review of Natalie J. Damschroder's "Heavy Metal"


Heavy Metal
Goddesses Rising ~ Book Two
Natalie J. Damschroder


Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing

ISBN:     978-1622668908
ASIN: B00BFQANU0

Number of pages:    341
Word Count: 98,000

Cover Artist: Liz Pelletier



My review:
I have to say that I was incredibly lucky to do this review as I've found a new favorite author to add to my list and new series for to follow! This novel is a breath of fresh air for Paranormal Romance fans. While the world is similar to our world, Miss Damschroder puts a spin on things with the goddesses that walk among society. The powers that are given to each of the characters are unique and I haven't read anything this fresh in a long time.

The heroine, Riley Kordek, is spunky like a Urban Fantasy heroine, but not as snarky. Her character immediately draws the reader in and instantly has you rooting for her. Her background makes you more sympathetic and makes her even more likable. Then there is the steamy hot hero, Sam Remington, who gets his heart broken years ago, but it doesn't turn him into the sometimes whiny wounded soldier. Each of the cast of characters are very likable and I hope that we will see them again in the future!

As mentioned before, the fresh factor is there as she turns the paranormal world on its ear with her very "real" feeling society. This is a quick and easy read, although it's best not to start the book late at night as it is hard to put down. The writing is spectacular and Miss Damschroder has a real talent with the written word and creating amazing characters.

I loved every page of it - I was drawn in from the first sentence until the last and left feeling very satisfied with the ending. If you are a fan of Paranormal Romance, then this book is definitely for you. And be prepared to add Natalie J. Damschroder's name to your list of must-read authors.

Thanks for reading!

R.J.






Book Description:

The world is not what Riley Kordek imagined. On the run from those who’ve targeted her, all Riley wants is a chance to figure out her new ability to bend metal’s energy. When a hot guy who knows more than he should helps her escape her attackers, she thinks she might’ve found someone who can lead her to the answers she needs.

Three years ago, Sam Remington walked away from his employer and the woman he loved, and now, all he’s looking to do is fill the gaping hole left behind. Except, when Sam takes Riley to the Society for Goddess Education and Defense, the stakes rise beyond what either of them could have imagined.

After being alone for so long, falling for Sam would be far too easy—and far too painful, once his old flame calls needing his help. Worse, Riley uncovers a plot with disastrous ramifications not only for herself, but for Sam and the people he loves—and potentially every goddess in the country.
About the Author:

Natalie J. Damschroder is an award-winning author of contemporary and paranormal romance—Love with a Shot of Adrenaline. She sold her first book in 1999, and 2013 will see the publication of her 14th novel. She grew up in Massachusetts and loves the New England Patriots more than anything. (Except her family. And writing and reading. And popcorn.)

When she's not writing, revising, proofreading, or promoting her work, she does freelance editing and works part time as a chiropractic assistant. She and her husband have two daughters she's dubbed "the anti-teenagers," one of whom is also a novelist. (The other one prefers math. Smart kid. Practical.)

You can learn more about her and her books at:
www.nataliedamschroder.com
http://www.goodreads.com/NatalieJDamschroder
https://twitter.com/NJDamschroder
https://www.facebook.com/NJDamschroder 
http://nataliedamschroder.blogspot.com/ 
Everybody Needs a Little Romance - www.everybodyneedsalittleromance.com    

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Entangled Publishing Launch & Savvy Authors Summer Symposium

Today I'm celebrating the official launch of a new independent publishing house, Entangled Publishing. Anyone familiar with the Savvy Authors website will immediately recognize most of the names heading this exciting addition to the book world. These are some of the hardest-working people out there, and they know their stuff when it comes to book markets. It’s nice to see fresh faces on the scene who aren’t afraid to shake things up and develop new models for success.

Entangled is offering a wide range of titles, and judging by the line-up so far, it’s going to be a fantastic beginning. There are several events scheduled this week to kick things off, including a scavenger hunt on Friday and a live chat tonight at Coffee Time Romance & More. Go to the Entangled website and browse today’s releases, buy them up, and dive right in.

Back to Savvy Authors and their Summer Symposium event, August 24-28th. Last year I spent practically the entire long weekend in my pajamas, scarfing ice cream, attending workshops and chats, and meeting a bunch of great people. It was loads of fun and I learned plenty of new writing tips and tricks. This year’s schedule looks amazing already; the only problem is that I’ll be away on vacation for most of it.

I leave for beautiful San Francisco on August 25th, so until then I plan to encourage everyone I can to sign up and enjoy the Symposium in my stead. Register here, and I expect to hear all about it when I return. The entire event is free for premium members, so now's the perfect time to join the site.

Congratulations to the team at Entangled Publishers and best of luck with today's launch! And many thanks to the wonderful Savvy Authors crew for putting together another amazing online writer's conference. I wish I was able to attend, but there's always next year...

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