A Bond of Venom and Magic Book Giveaway! Ends SOON!

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Book & Author Details:

A Bond Of Venom and Magic
by Karen Tomlinson
(The Goddess and the Guardians #1)
Publication date: October 14th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

The Wraith Lord is hunting; his prize, the key to unleashing darkness and Chaos upon the eight Kingdoms.
For Diamond Gillon the war raging in the south seems a remote danger until her home is brutally attacked. Having lost everything she holds dear, Diamond is catapulted into a terrifying new world in which legendary beasts arise, magic is condemned and half blood fae, like her, have no rights. Despite her growing feelings for her saviour, Commander Hugo Casimir, he remains a paradox – not only is he a heartless killer, he is owned by the cruel immortal fae queen; a queen who will murder her own people for magic.
As Diamond’s circumstances become ever more perilous she is drawn deeper into Hugo’s world and discovers the lengths to which he will go to save what he holds dear. Will Hugo become her friend, her protector, or – an enemy not worthy of her trust?
A Bond of Venom and Magic is a tale of two people bound by magic and secrets, but trapped in the complexities of love and betrayal. It is the beginning of an epic journey, one that will test Diamond’s resolve and determination to battle an evil that threatens not only her world but that of Eternity, the land of The Guardians and The Goddess.

AUTHOR BIO:

Karen Tomlinson is the author of The Goddess and the Guardians series of Young Adult fantasy books. Book one A Bond of Venom and Magic will be released October 14th 2016.

Karen has always been an avid reader. Her taste in books is eclectic but she likes nothing better than an exciting fantasy, set in a new and magical world. She lives in Derbyshire, England, with her husband, twin girls and her dalmatian, Poppy. Karen trained as a nurse and currently works as a resuscitation and clinical skills trainer, this involves training a wide variety of health care professionals and medical students in acute patient care. In addition to writing, and reading whenever she can, Karen likes to keep active. She has been training at Shotokan karate since being thirteen, likes walking, mountain biking and (for something completely different) cake decorating. She is currently working on book two in The Goddess and the Guardians series.

About me!

As soon as I could read I spent hours getting lost in the new worlds books could give me. Spending my pocket money had to be done (obviously) but not on sweets, well, not many…I spent my money on books. Back then it was Enid Blyton’s Famous Five which sparked my young mind. I didn’t rest until I had the whole set, then I migrated to the secret seven…(there was no Harry Potter then) As a teenager I would trawl through all my mum and dad’s discarded books. It was probably highly inappropriate for a thirteen year old to be reading swoony Mills and Boon romances followed by Ian Flemming, Alistair Maclean and Wilbur Smith!
Because I read anything and everything I could get my hands on back then, I now have an eclectic taste in books. I will read anything that catches my eye and absolutely love illustrated book covers! In my late teens I discovered fantasy and that genre has stayed my firm favourite. I am and will always remain a complete sucker for a fantasy with kick ass characters and worlds steeped in magic and romance!

Extra: 

A Page in the Diary of- The Queen of Avalonia

Why are all the people around me such pathetic fools? I will not allow that child to steal the attention of my best warriors! She is nothing! An insect in the sands of time! An obvious descendant of the one who took everything from me!

I don’t care if she is beautiful, or young, or full of magic. She will fade. Her bones will turn to dust, mortal that she is…I have lived for over a thousand years and will live a thousand more now I have found her. I will remain forever young, and beautiful.

Ream. Ream can have her. He will destroy her, ruin her living flesh so that no fae or human will ever think her desirable again! But shall I let him kill her or let her live? With such damage as Ream likes to inflict her life will be a living hell, it would be worse than death.

I shall think on that. But she will live, and be useful to me, whilst I think on her fate. I will use her to fight Ragor. Ha! The Wraith Lord! He always did show such arrogance! Marching to take my throne and city, after all I have done for him…thinking he can just take what he seeks!!

Riddeon, my loyal friend, tells me Ragor draws closer everyday and will be here before Winter Solstice. But I need not worry Riddeon is a loyal friend, he will do all he can to keep this city safe. And use that boy prince to get the job done. It is better we sacrifice human lives first. I wonder sometimes why Riddeon stays. The fool could have left hundreds of years ago. His love for this city and his descendants must truly outweigh his hatred for me…Perhaps it would be a kindness to end him too. His son would make a good Commander…Hmm, I will consider.

Now, what to do about Ragor? I know what he seeks but he will not find it. He marches to take it from me after everything I have done for him. It sickens me, but I must not worry about him. The girl’s magic is strong enough to defeat him, if she learns how to use it. If not, well, my vaults will keep it safe until I am have disposed of him.

And what of Hugo? My favourite young warrior cannot be allowed to treat me as he just has done. I did not expect such a public display of feeling from him. The girl has more power over him than I predicted. Interesting. Of course, he shall be punished, I will break him body and soul—but only when I am ready. My Lord Erebos is waiting, and when we are strong enough his darkness shall reign. I shall make sure I am by his side though.

Oh, my dear Prince Lexon, how your soul must be raging from Eternity, knowing your family’s gifts will soon be turned against the very magic you wielded, the very magic you swore to protect. Know that I am laughing with glee at the prospect of causing you such pain.

It is your fault I am stuck in this tiny, stinking city. I will free myself, and when I do, know I will destroy everything you sought to protect.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31445853-a-bond-of-venom-and-magic

Purchase:

Amazon: myBook.to/ABOVAM

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-bond-of-venom-and-magic-karen-tomlinson/1123805544?ean=2940153020051

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/a-bond-of-venom-and-magic/id1114129973?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-bond-of-venom-and-magic

Extra: You can get the first 5 chapters for A Bond of Venom and Magic for FREE if you sign-up for the author's newsletter: http://karentomlinson.com/newsletter-landing-page/

You can win 1 of 2 signed copies of this book and swag by entering this awesome giveaway! Hurry, it ends on October the 20th!

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Review: Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean from New York to find her brother, her destination is London, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets.
4.5 stars.
I literally promised myself that while I would definitely finish this book before October, I wouldn't fly through it in like 2 days. Goes to show that it is way harder to keep promises that you make to yourselves than ones you make to others.

It was good though because it meant I must have loved it beyond enough to spend all spare moments reading it. It was almost impossible to put down. On top of that, I'm an avidly fast reader when I'm not readin contemporary novels (I tend to need alot more page markers and time to re-read sentences because I'm a sucker for beautiful views and philosophy).

The Characters.

Will: Although I find him quite infuriating sometimes (definitely not as much as Tess or Jem), he is quite a good character. As most readers, I'm drawn to his mysterious past/present. What's the shiz between him and his parents? And as Tessa asks, why does he look like everything amuses him but never laughs? And I love the fact that he's just so him- meaning his snarky, rude, smart-butt, egotistic, but awesome self. He was such a three dimensional character.

Tessa: I tend to like to read books with male protagonists but meeting Tessa and Clary, I've changed my mind in some sorts and also stayed strongly in the same mindset. One thing I didn't get in the Mortal Instruments series is a sibling to sibling loving relationship for Clary (in the 3 books i've read) and I thought for like half the book that I was going to get it here but then Nathan (my short for Nathaniel) has to go and screw that up.

One thing though, that I have hated about both Tessa and Clary is their strong attachment to their men and always, always inevitably in Clare's world, choosing the same kind of guy. Although yes, I like Will and I like Tessa, I just really don't like WillTessa (like,would it kill you to put a space in between, just one?).

Tessa, she is a great character. I know that I'm going to read her in the beginning and that the end will be totally different because she will evolve so much that I won't even notice. She went from a lost girl with some tunnel like mindsets to a fighting, hurt girl who finds family where she doesn't expect it.

Jem: I loved Jem. Yeah, he was too sweet and maybe not mysterious or dangerous enough but unlike a Will, we are always going to need a little Jem in our life somewhere. I wish I could insert candies and other sweet things in here just to fully describe him. He's not all a little puppy. He loves people and he fights for them. He fights for people who he doesn't know enough to love but because they are and cannot fight for themselves. The saddest thing is.... yeah it was pretty sad. Anyone but our Jem!

Nathan: I did think he was a coward since the beginning but I did adore his seemingly innocent self (though duh,it was a facade...). He lucky to have someone like Tessa who's willing to be tortured for him! For a gambler, he's shit at gambling.

Thomas: Will should have talked to him more, everyone should. I really feel sorry for the guy.

Magister: Good luck figuring it out dear readers! He's not what you think.

Yeah talking about the Magister and Nathan, I have to hand it to Cassandra Clare for keeping it so hidden from us for so long! How one engineers such twist and turns is beyond my range of understanding.

Tessa's love for books was ever pleasing. (she reminded me of how much I need to get on that train to reading Wuthering Heights).

Oh and uh, my dearest Will, I do believe that Demon Pox is not a what these moderners would call a 'thing'.

All in all, this book was a jaw dropping, fast paced, and wonderful first installment to The Infernal Devices with a very solidly built world in the very English city called London.

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WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE REVIEW

Email : anastasia.everdeen09@gmail.com Twitter: @celeste009s Goodreads: Celeste Skywalker

Mate, this was a bloody brilliant piece of work I tell you! I typically never read this genre (I was a Christian genre virgin before today) but after reading this, I see it resembles strongly to the contemporary genre but it is more focused on a single type of emotion.

I also have never read historical fiction before so reading this I think made me ease more into the genre. I think this is a perfect book for fans who have never read historical fiction and want to ease into it perfectly.

I loved Millie. I felt like she was such a raw character and I loved how the author made me materialize before the eyes of the reader. It was breathtaking.

I loved the grandma. yup. she was an interesting nut.

I have also not really read any book set in the country (geronimo stilton and the wild wild west does not count) bu I loved this setting. The country I though would be more of a yellow golden type of colour but the cover replicated the feeling of this country side really good- a blueish greenish Arizona type of feeling without the mud and rain.

All in all, this was a great starting book for historical fiction, and just a book set in a beautiful place with great characters.

Review: Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a pretty good book.

I loved the story and especially the little elements that were unique to it. There are so many stories of cursed/forbidden love and trying to escape destiny so the things that make this one different are endearing. The world of Casters for one. Every Caster has different powers. The divide between Dark and Light. 16. The history of Genevieve and Ethan. And so on.

I enjoyed how well the authors incorporated a normal life into all the weird stuff. My favourite parts of the book were probably when reading all the scenes at high school. It's important to know that still exists. The drama, all the kids against Lena, the school work, the dances- it's great to know that still affects her.

I enjoyed the Southern setting. Now I really get why the country and paranormal go together so well.

I did not really enjoy the writing. Yeah I liked the story, I just did not like how that story was written. There were so many cliches. Every time Lena and Ethan were like confessing their love for each other- it was in the same lines you hear in really really badly written fanfiction.

I also did not like Ethan's dad- dude, this is your friggin kid here livin his life without a father! Your wife died and all but maybe the reason she ain't unlockin doors for ya is 'cause instead of taking care of her son, you're going crazy in a study! *cue, father of the year award goes to...*

All in all, I loved the world and many of the characters and the setting in this almost badly written story. It is a good read still which is weird but it is.

View all my reviews

Review: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things

The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a much better contemporary book than I had originally expected. (yeah,I know alot of people consider it better to go in without any expectations but sometimes I can't help it...)

I do hate it when characters do the whole instant love thing or the love at first site thing! This book was no different,I mean now that it is after I have finished the book I can finally dwell on that unhappiness. I mean, almost every contemporary book has that kind of love in it and that sometimes makes me feel like everyone on this planet who's ever been or will be in love, it will go something like this. (and that is a horrible thought). I have always wondered why so many people (including me) hate reading about instant love in contemporary novels....

But I couldn't hate Sage and Shane's relationship. Because it was so heartwarming and such! I mean, I practically fell in love with Shane's blue eyes myself during this book (god, I am saying I mean too much,i mean,that is just annoying). I liked the amount of concern and care Sage and Shane showed each other even before all the kissing and that soup at the trailer- it shows their love is not out of the need to be loved but out of the need to love that one person in whatever way they allow.

I liked that there was the perfect amount of dialogue and description within this book. I also really like how the author used 'who says' in this book because I feel it is a pretty nice way to connect the dialogue together smoothly.

All in all, this was a pretty heart uh cooling (i'm pretty sure i used the term heartwarming in here somewhere- meet me and my weird love for contradictions) read.

View all my reviews

I did not like this book. Unnatural Book Review

Email : anastasia.everdeen09@gmail.com Twitter: @celeste009s Goodreads: Celeste Skywalker

Title: Unnatural
Author: Micheal Griffo
Group: Trilogy

Follow up question: Do I plan on reading the next few books: No heck no! No no whaat?? : Will I read the next few books?: Yes,Probably yes. Because I always buy the whole series in case I don't want to wait for the next one before I read the first one (confusing and stupid, I know).

This book was pretty friggin horrible.

I mean, I had no idea that writing could be this profoundly disturbing to read through.

The plot- sometimes- no most times the plot was just boring and plain and there is no Gothic eerie feeling to this book.

I hated all the characters, I could read a passage from the book and never know who's POV it was.

The only even good idea in this book was all the different POV's though some might say it was confusing.

I hated Micheal and Ronan's relationship (LIKE I AM SO DONE WITH DESTINY AND INSTANT LOVE).

I hated all the name choices in this book as well (Fritz, Nakono?).

All in all, this was a indescribably horrible book that irked me to no end. 

Visit  https://www.goodreads.com/YodasApprentice09 to read more of my reviews!

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