Review for 'Crossroads' by Mary Ting! :)

Crossroads by Mary Ting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘Crossroads’ by Mary Ting was a refreshing, easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were lovable, especially Michael! You witness Claudia blossom into a more mature individual and the romance between these two characters was beautiful! The storyline flowed easily, the writing was beautiful and the imagery created was gorgeous. I read Crossroads in less than a day. I was hooked; I really could not put it down! This was a fabulous holiday beach read! I cannot wait to see what book two has in-store! I would recommend this book to any angel lovers out there!

I have rated this book 5*!

~Katie


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Review for 'Bound (Unleashed #1)' by Lee Taylor!

Bound by Lee Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bound (Unleashed #1), is a shifter book with a twist. Ursine’s world turned upside down; he finds himself with a ‘gift’ that feels, to him, like an impossible burden to bear (pun intended)!! We follow Si, as his journey continues as he reaches his destiny. Along the way, he finds himself unexpectedly married to a demon, Tessa, who was not happy about that! In the second book, I really hope to see a romance spark between the two, maybe? Ursine’s witty, comical humour and smart comebacks had me giggling all the way through. I found Tessa likeable; her attitude, I found, was absolutely hilarious, in a “I’m a demon, don’t mess with me” kinda way!

Overall, I found this book to be very interesting. I actually hadn’t had much interest in shifter books; however, after reading this book by Lee Taylor, I’m actually going to try out other shifter tales!

I award this book a 5* review!
~Katie


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MORE Blogtour with T. M. Franklin!!!

Q&A with T.M!

Katie: Would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself?

I’m a wife of one man, mother of two (well, one’s only a teenager, but he’s on his way. LoL!) I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and worked as a TV News producer for nine years before my younger son was born. I did some freelance writing after that, and eventually got my real estate license.

I wrote and queried a novel which really pretty much stunk, but one of the agents who rejected it (and me) advised me to keep on writing and try to get better at it. So I did. I started writing fan fiction, and last fall participated in National Novel Writing Month, which is where MORE was born.

 
Katie: What is your book about?

MORE is about Ava Michaels, a college student who’s haunted by terrifying nightmares and is certain she’s being watched. She finds an unlikely ally in her physics tutor, Caleb Foster, but Caleb isn’t quite what he seems. Together, they face a threat from an ancient race bent on Ava’s capture, and possible extinction. As Ava fights to survive, she learns the world’s not what she thought, and Caleb has to choose between his duty, and what he thinks is right.

Katie: If you could have lunch with one person, who would it be, and why?

I think I’d have to say Paul McCartney. I’m kind of a huge Beatles fan, and I’d love to hear some of his stories.

Katie: What is your favourite colour?

Red. It always has been. I generally prefer bright colors. Probably because I’m surrounded by gray so much of the year, living in the Pacific Northwest.

Katie: Which character is your favourite and why?

Oh, that’s a difficult question. I suppose I’d have to say Caleb. He’s a good guy, brought up to believe in what he’s doing, but he’s also got a mind of his own. Plus, he’s kind of swoony, at least to me!

Katie: Which of your characters did you find it the most fun to write about/as?

I really enjoyed writing about Tiernan. Perhaps because I know him better than the readers will, even after reading the book. His character will be developed more in the sequel, and I hope readers will learn to appreciate him as I do.

Katie: What is your all-time favourite book?

Oh, man, that’s a tough one! So much depends on my mood. I might go through a period of reading classics (I read all the Bronte sisters’ books in about a month) – then have a hankering for some romantic YA fluff. But overall, I’d probably have to go with The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I’ve always been partial to stories with a bit of magic in them.

Katie: If you were going to be on a desert island for a year, what are your top three things you would have with you?

Ummm… since you said “things” and not “people”, I’d have to say Diet Coke, a toothbrush (because I can’t stand for my teeth to be grungy) and a solar-powered laptop with built-in WiFi. (Is that cheating? Lol!)

Katie: Haha! LOL! Do you prefer to write with music/etc or without sound?

Oh, I’ve tried to write with music, and always fail miserably. I just can’t concentrate and always end up singing along instead of writing. I actually work well with the TV on in the background, though – a remnant left over from working in a newsroom, I think. Old habits die hard.

Katie: Which music/artists do you like?

I like a wide variety of music, but I usually prefer songs that make me smile. I enjoy the early Beatles, which is probably why I have a bit of an addiction to boy bands. LoL! I love eighties music – everything from hair bands to Michael Jackson (before all the weirdness). I’ve even been known to listen to country music on occasion, but won’t admit to singing along. J

Katie: I love country too ;) When you are not writing, do you have a favourite past-time you enjoy?

I go camping a lot with my family. We ride jet skis and enjoy boating. I’ve also learned to hunt carp – that’s right, with a bow and arrow. It’s pretty fun – and much more action-packed than sitting in a boat holding a rod and reel!

Katie: Do you have plans for another book?

I do! MORE is the first book in a trilogy, so I’m working on the second installment, which will come out in November of 2013. Book three should be out a year later, and I have a few other projects coming up as well.

Katie: Is there anything else that you would like to share with everyone?

I don’t think so. I’m really pretty boring. Lol!

Katie: Where can we find you? Do you have a Facebook page? Website? Amazon? B & N? Smashwords? Etc. (Just your links really!!) :)

Website: HERE

Facebook: HERE

Goodreads: HERE

Twitter: HERE

TWCS: HERE

Amazon: HERE

B&N: Coming soon!

iBooks: HERE

Oh, and be sure and stop by my website (www.TMFranklin.com) every day this week for the MORE Blog Tour Giveaway. I have three MORE prize packages to give away. Each winner gets a MORE tote bag, pen, bookmark, and a signed copy of MORE! You can enter every day, so don't miss out! 

Thank you TM for taking the time to answer my questions! Good luck with the rest of MORE's BlogTour! 

~Katie :)

Character Interview - Maria M!!

Katie: Hello guys! How are you? Why don’t you tell us your names and a bit about yourself...?"
Shade: The name's Shade. I do not usually promote ignorance, but the rest, you needn't know.

Lana: Shade, we've talked about this--

Shade: You trust too easily. There's a reason the Masked are called that; they're quite good at masking their real identity. *narrows eyes at interviewer*

Katie: What do you consider you strengths to be?
Shade: That depends; are you a human or a Marked?

Katie: *looks up from the clipboard to meet his eyes* Surely you could answer that question for yourself? I mean, you have that power right?
Shade: I don't open up to humans.

Lana: I thought you loved boasting about how you're so much better than the rest of us.

Shade: Fine. Everything you humans lack, I have. Each of your weaknesses are my strength.

Lana: *turns to interviewer* Hunting Masked and killing people for no reason; those are his strengths. That's everything he ever does, really.

Katie: What about your weaknesses?
Shade: One should never confess to their weaknesses. Perhaps, a human would, I suppose, but mere stupidity asks for neither mercy, nor pity.

Lana: Just answer the question, Shade.

Shade: -silence-

Lana: His biggest weakness is undermining humans... and then, there's that huge ego.

Shade: It's not ego. Rather, it is recognition of superiority--

Lana: Just drop it.

Katie: Do you have a greatest fear?
Shade: Fear is a weakness; why would I put myself through that?

Lana: *crosses her arms and sighs*

Shade: Perhaps, it's loss that I fear of most - loss of those who mean something to me. Happy?

Katie: *tilts head slightly with surprise* Um, happy? Yes! You just opened up a little...That is an achievement in my book!"
Katie: Well what about love? Do you consider that to be a weakness or a strength?
Shade: Love's always a weakness. Emotions in general are a weakness.

Lana: That's not what you told me.

Shade: *sighs* Love ignites powerful emotions, and those emotions can save or destroy. I will go no further on the matter. Next question.

Katie: What is the most important thing in your life? What do you value the most?
Shade: My own life.

Lana: *gasps* So, if it came down to it, you'd let me die to save yourself?

Shade: You *are* my life.

Katie: What's the one thing you have always wanted to do but didn't/couldn't/wouldn't?
Shade: I've always wanted to die. Somehow, that has never worked out.

Lana: Drop the sarcastic attitude, will you?

Shade: It's either that or me walking out.

Lana: He wants to break away from the Marked grasp, but he's afraid he'll die if he tries.

Shade: Lana! *glares at her*

Katie: *a smile slowly spreads on face* "Lana, I like you. You seem really good for Shade! ..And you answer all of the questions!"
Do you have any secrets you'd like to share? It'll stay between these four walls... *winks*
Shade: And I believe you, of course.

Lana: If you keep that up, I will tell her one of the secrets you told me, and it won't stay within these walls, I assure you.

Shade: *rolls his eyes* Fine. Here's a secret: We, Marked, exist. I bet you didn't know that.

Katie: Firstly, you can trust me. Scout's honour. And secondly, since we're here, having this conversation, I guessed that you do exist!
Shade: Firstly, who's Scout? Secondly, assumptions will be the death of you. I can make you see whatever I wish to, and you wouldn't know the difference. Perhaps, this is just a dream.

Lana: *pinches him on the arm*

Shade: Ow.

Lana: This isn't a dream, then. Here's a secret of his: he has scars on his chest that he apparently got when--

Shade: Lana, stop that. *running out of patience*

Katie: "Yeah, I can see there was no normality...Shade, it's a figure of speech, just reinforcing my earlier statement that you can trust me. I'm having a hard time not chanting "Go Lana! Go Lana!" at the moment..." *shakes head* "Wow...a secret! Pray tell!"
Shade: I trust neither you nor this Scout character.

Lana: He got the scars in a Masked attack. They're claw marks.

Shade: *snaps* I'm surprised how a Masked hasn't attacked you yet. You'd be an easy victim, considering how you trust everyone. No wonder the duo had such an easy time manipulating you.

Lana: Yeah, yeah *not actually listening to him*

Katie: *Shrugs* "Okie Dokies then...Trust no-one seems like your motto. You know, if you don't trust people, you could end up isolated." *Shrugs again*
*Actually chants "Go Lana! Go Lana!* "Yep, Lana I really like ya!"
Shade: What's wrong with isolation?

Lana: For one, you'd lose me.

Shade: But I do trust you. It's them I don't trust. *glances at the interviewer and the hologram of Scout*

Lana: Then, can't you trust that I won't tell them anything of that much significance?

Shade: See, that's your ignorance speaking.

Author: Shut up. Both of you.

Katie: Well, before we get into WW3, I think we should cut it there! Thank you so much for joining me, Lana and Shade! I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Nely Cab - 2K Creatura Giveaway!!!!

Everyone! 

Nely Cab is holding an international giveaway for.....

                       1 Signed Print Copy of Creatura 
                                       and 2 Mystery Prizes!!!

How totally awesome is that?!

To enter, get on over HERE! 

:)