The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda - Review

Title: The Hunt

Author: Andrew Fukuda

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Synopsis: Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity? From Amazon.

My Thoughts: This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning and just wouldn't let go. The entire plot was amazing. In a world of vampires one human boy lives, surviving by pretending to be a vampire. Of course when there is a Heper Hunt he is picked to go. 


The vampires participate in a Heper Hunt whenever one is announced. It has been ten years since the last Heper Hunt. The idea behind the Hunt is that select vampires are sent out to hunt the remaining Hepers (humans). Incredibly gruesome to consider but I still had to read it. 


Gene is very adept at hiding that he is a human. He has been living among the vampires his whole life. An amazing feat since he knows of no others that have managed it. His own father didn't make it. I found very interesting that Gene hated that he was different. He wished he could just be normal like the vampires. A typical teenage issue, trying to fit in, but in a whole new way. 


As Gene is going through all of the training and publicity of the Heper Hunt we get to watch him make many important discoveries. I loved how he came to the decision about the Hepers. I have so much I want to say but I do not want to give anything away. 


The other characters in this book were very interesting. Ashley June was a bit of an enigma, even to Gene. Popular, pretty, and interested in Gene. Her's and Gene's relationship was difficult, especially since Gene is trying to hide that he is a Heper. The other vampires in the Hunt were very well described. Their reactions to the smells of a Heper were so detailed. I really found them to be almost entertaining. They reminded me of rabid dogs with meat in their midst. The Hepers that were to be hunted were amazing. Their enclosure and how they had learned to live was very interesting.


The Hunt was a well written, highly intriguing book. I loved every minute of it, and I would love to find out what happens next! This book is a perfect Young Adult novel, although probably for the older spectrum of that genre. If you enjoy paranormal, especially vampires, then you would like this book. Also, if you love the aspects of The Hunger Games, definitely read The Hunt.

Rating:

I received the above mentioned book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Mother's Day Book Blast Ends 5/6

 

Mother's Day Book Blast April 30 - May 6 Hosted by eReading on the Cheap & Slap Dash Mom

I figure Mom would love a gift card, I know I would! So I am giving away a $10 Amazon gift card to the winner! After you have entered my giveaway be sure to hop through the linky below!

In My Mailbox (10)

Welcome to In My Mailbox, a book meme hosted by The Story Siren! 


I did good this week! I stuck to my promise from last week and kept this a slow week. Here are all the books I got this week! Click the cover for their Amazon pages.

For Review:

Sizzling PR

Winterbloom by Marissa Dobson

For Author

Dark Passage by M.L. Woolley

Won:

Thank you Bronwen Evans

Freebies:

Amazon

No Turning Back by Tiffany Snow

Watching by Calle J. Brookes

Loramendi's Story by Angela Carlie (still free)

Heartless by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (still free)

The Ultimate Sacrifice by Talia Jager (still free)

Shadow of Love by Ellen Wolf

False Pretenses by Kathy Herman (still free)

Awake: A Fiarytale by Jessica Grey

Before You Go by Ella James

Run by Patti Larsen

Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan

Well there are my books! I have a lot less this week. So what did you get in your mailbox?

Avoiding Commitment by K.A. Linde - Review

I am incredibly excited to have recently been introduced to a new author, K.A. Linde! She is an independently published, or Indie, author. I have always enjoyed Indie authors. Their talents tend to not be recognized as often as they should be. So, I was very excited to read K.A. Linde's book, Avoiding Commitment.

The cover art is still in the works as she is working to put Avoiding Commitment into e-book format. This picture is a tentative design and Linde claims no ownership or copyright to it at all. I actually love this cover art, and I also love that the blue font is the color of Jack's eyes. You'll hear about Jack in a minute, hold on.


Title: Avoiding Commitment
Author: K.A. Linde
Release Date: Unknown, but I'm waiting!


Synopsis: Jack and Lexi never had a typical relationship. After 2 years without speaking, she receives a phone call that changes everything. He unexpectedly asks her to convince the new girl, Bekah, that he's ready to commit. Jack is calling now after everything they had been through because there is another woman. She can't believe it. Follow Lexi in this heart wrenching drama as she relives her past relationship, or lack thereof, with Jack, and not just in her own mind, but to his fiance-to-be. Throw in Bekah's hot brother who always seems to be in the right place at the right time, a past with more secrets to unravel than you can even imagine, and you get a recipe for disaster. Find out what happens to Lexi as she travels to Atlanta to get the closure she so desperately desires from Jack, and how the bumps of life seem to keep getting in the way. From Goodreads.


My Thoughts: First off, I love K.A. Linde's writing style. She alternates between past and present for each chapter. I love books like this. The gradual build of the back stories adds intensity to the story. This story was definitely intense!


Lexi tries so hard to stay strong. She just gets completely swept up in her feelings for Jack right from the start. Lexi struggles throughout the book to resist Jack and all of his advances. I can't say I enjoyed her struggle, how bad would that sound? I did feel for her through it all. I felt like she deluded herself sometimes when it came to Jack, but then love will make you do stupid things. 


Jack with his dark hair, and amazing blue eyes would make any girl swoon. You really can't blame Lexi for getting wrapped up in him. The scenes between them were so hot (18+ folks, but yummy) that I was almost convinced to go Team Jack. Then he finally just made me mad. Leading poor Lexi along all the time. Sure, she may have asked for it, but he was a jerk. A sexy jerk, but still.


Lexi's interactions with Ramsey were the best! Ramsey sounds so sexy! I know Jack is all smolder and gorgeous but Ramsey just seemed better. This coming from the person who typically goes for the bad boy with an attitude. Ramsey was bad in his own way. I loved how he never gave an inch with Lexi. He could really hold his own. I am completely on Team Ramsey here!


Chyna is amazing!! I love her so much. She is funny, spunky, and man does that girl know how to party. She is such a great friend to Lexi, and I really love how they first met. 

There were several other characters in this book. Jack's girlfriends from the past were quite interesting. Jack's current girlfriend, Bekah, seems all sugary sweet, but Lexi isn't fooled. Lexi's past boyfriends are introduced, too. 

This book was definitely a roller coaster of emotions. I loved following this story, and I never wanted to stop reading. Reading about Lexi's search for closure, and watching how she dealt with each problem was exciting. 

I plan to pass this book, and author, on to my fellow reading friends. Avoiding Commitment was amazing to read, and K.A. Linde is an author to watch. I've already started reading the second book in this series, Avoiding Responsibility, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Rating:

You can read K.A. Linde's books on FictionPress. You can connect with her on Goodreads and Facebook.

She is hard at work trying to get this book into e-book format. Once it is I'll be updating with new links!

I read this book for free on FictionPress, and I was not compensated in any way for my review. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Mother's Indulgence Giveaway - Ends 5/3

Mother's Day is about celebrating the special gift of motherhood. Being a mother isn't just about giving birth, no, it's about the sacrifice faced everyday, every hour, and all in the name of those they love. Mother's Day was created to celebrate, to thank, but most of all to show the appreciation to the woman who was responsible of giving life – even if she wasn't the woman who gave birth to you.

Moms come in all shapes, sizes, and from all walks of life. They are a diamond in the rough world that cared for our boo-boos, talked to us when we needed a friend, and helped to guide us to make better choices in life. This year give her the gift of your love, and one she is sure to cherish.

Karma Media is sponsoring the Mother's Indulgence Giveaway for the lovely woman in your life. Whether she is your mother, the mother of your children, or even the woman who you always thought of as a mom. We came together with a variety of sponsors to give you the best, so that your Mom could have the best.

1 lucky mom will receive not 1, but 5 gifts.

First we have gorgeous handmade fingerless gloves from Whimsy Belle Creations.

Then, Thymeless Bath has graciously donated a $40 value gift basket of their handmade products, which includes:

• 2 1/2-soy bricks: Jamaica Me Crazy and Blackberry Sage
• 1 Tealight brick warmer and tealights
• 3 Shea Butter soaps: Oatmeal Milk & Honey, Blackberry Vanilla and Green Tea
• 1 Purse Shea Butter Lotion: Tropical Twist
• 1 Purse Linen Spray: Sea Spray
• 1 Roll on Eau de Parfum: Mandarin Neroli

Mrs. Jones at Jones Handmade Soap Company is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate.

Next we have a Barnes and Noble Gift Card.

And last but certainly not least, a Starbucks Gift Card.

Win It: One lucky reader will win the Mother's Indulgence Prize Pack described above! Simply fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway ends on May 3rd, 2012, at 11:59 pm EST and is open to residents of the US only. Once a winner is drawn via Rafflecopter, we will contact the winner through email. They will then have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response, we will draw a new winner. Good luck!

Texas Hearts Series by Lisa Mondello - Book Spotlight

 Welcome to Reading It All's stop on the Texas Hearts Series Tour brought to you by Sizzling PR.

Title: Her Heart for the Asking
Author: Lisa Mondello


Synopsis:  Mandy Morgan swore she’d never step foot in Texas again after Beau Gentry left her for life on the rodeo circuit eight years before. But now her uncle’s heart is failing and she has to convince him that surgery will save his life. She never dreamed the first thing she’d see when she stepped off the plane would be her biggest nightmare...the one man she’d never stopped loving.


Beau Gentry had the fever for two things: the rodeo and Mandy Morgan. But for Beau, loving Mandy was complicated by his father’s vendetta against her uncle. This led him to make the hardest decision of his life and he can still see the bitterness and hurt on Mandy’s face. All these years it has killed him to think Mandy had forgotten him and moved as far away as possible from him. But now they’re back in Texas, and he’s going to do all he can to win back her love.

Title: His Heart for the Trusting
Author: Lisa Mondello


Synopsis: Ever since Mitch Broader set foot in Texas, he dreamed of owning his own ranch. Now that he’s bought a share in the Double T Ranch, he’s one step closer to the dream. Then his past greets him in the form of a baby basket, complete with infant and birth certificate naming him as the father. He can’t change diapers and work toward his dream at the same time. 


When Sara Lightfoot, “Miss Hollywood” in Mitch’s eyes, rescues him with her particular knack for handling his precocious son, he hires her on the spot as a temporary nanny. No matter how much Sara’s dark eyes and warm heart make this bachelor think of making their arrangement permanent, she’s made it perfectly clear she has other plans that don’t include him or his dreams. 


Sara Lightfoot never thought she’d return to her home on the reservation. Now she plans to reclaim the life she left by going back to the reservation as a Native American storyteller, teaching the Apache children stories of their culture. She didn’t expect Mitch Broader’s sexy smile or job offer as a live-in nanny to derail those plans. After all she’s been through to come home, can she open up her heart once again to love?

Title: The More I See
Author: Lisa Mondello


Synopsis: As a top-notch cutting horse trainer, Cody Gentry was riding high until he lost his eyesight after a freak chemical accident. Unable to see the hand in front of his face, never mind the horse or cattle he trained, he knows his life is over and slips deep into depression. His whole future hinges on the success of an eye surgery that could give him his old life back.

When guide dog trainer, Lyssa McElhannon, arrives on his ranch like Florence Nightingale coming to save him, he wants no part of her or her guide dog. But something about Lyssa’s musical laugh coupled with her tenacity digs under his skin and won't let go. Having been blind most of her life, Lyssa understands the paralyzing fear Cody feels after losing his vision. But she refuses to let the stubborn cowboy waste his life away sitting in a chair when she knows first-hand that a good guide dog can change his world. She just needs one month to prove it to him.

Falling in love with Cody was not part of Lyssa’s plan, nor was having him open her eyes to see that there was a whole lot of living she’d been missing out on.

Excerpt from Her Hear for the Asking:

"What are you doing here?" Mandy Morgan asked, dropping her too-heavy overnight case on the sun-roasted tarmac. After a grueling forty-eight hour work stint and a five-hour flight from Philadelphia, she stood wilting under the brutal Texas sun, facing her biggest nightmare.

Beau Gentry.

She groaned inwardly, drinking Beau in with her eyes as if she hadn't had a drop of water in months. Eight years was more like it. If she were eight years smarter, she would be moving her aching feet as fast as she could in the opposite direction. But all she could do was stare at eyes so bright they rivaled the

blazing sun. At lips so kissable she'd spent the better part of her adult life trying to wipe the memory clean from her mind.

She had expected Beau would have aged some. When she allowed herself to think about him at all, she reminded herself. The faint lines etched in the corners of his sleepy gray-blue eyes gave a hint of maturity, but most probably caused by long days in the cruel sun.

She fought the urge to take a closer look at his ruggedly handsome features, but failed. How could he have gotten better looking after being abused by every bronc-busting horse on the rodeo circuit? His angular jaw, strong and determined, was shaded with beard growth that was probably a day old, maybe more. Mandy suspected if Beau grew a full beard, it would grow in thick and be the smooth texture of his almost black head of hair. She forced aside past memories that gave her such knowledge with renewed irritation.

The man didn't even have the decency to have a crooked nose. What should have been bent and awkward from being broken a few too many times was instead long and straight, shaped perfectly between high cheek bones most women would swoon over, or kill to have themselves. But on Beau Gentry, it was just one thousand percent robust cowboy.

Damn him.

"I'm your ride out to the Double T," Beau said, gripping the edge of his white straw cowboy hat and tipping it in a cordial gesture.

She ground the heels of her low pumps into the soft tar to contain her growing irritation. Did he think she was an idiot? "No way."

"'Fraid so," he said, his expression slightly askew.

"Hank didn't mention anything about you coming to get me when I spoke to him on the phone."

"I suspect he thought you would have found some excuse not to come if you knew I was picking you up."

"He would have been right. Why didn't one of the hands come get me?"

Settling his hand at the base of his neck, Beau replied, "You're looking at him. As of three weeks ago I am one of the ranch hands at the Double T."

You can purchase a copy of these book from Amazon / B&N / Smashwords

Visit Lisa Mondello's website to learn more about her and her books.

On Toby's Terms by Charmaine Hammond - Review

Title: On Toby's Terms

Author: Charmaine Hammond

Publisher: Bettie Young Books Publishing Co

Synopsis: When Charmaine and her husband adopted Toby, a five-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever, they figured he might need some adjusting time, but they certainly didn't count on what he'd do in the meantime. Soon after he entered their lives and home, Toby proved to be a holy terror who routinely opened and emptied the hall closet, turned on water taps, pulled and ate things from the bookshelves, sat for hours on end in the sink, and spent his days rampaging through the house. Oddest of all was his penchant for locking himself in the bathroom, and then pushing the lid of the toilet off the tank, smashing it to pieces. After a particularly disastrous encounter with the knife- block in the kitchen-and when the couple discovered Toby's bloody paw prints on the phone-they decided Toby needed professional help. Little did they know what they would discover about this dog. On Toby's Terms is an endearing story of a beguiling creature who teaches his owners that, despite their trying to teach him how to be the dog they want, he is the one to lay out the terms of being the dog he needs to be. This insight would change their lives forever. 

My Thoughts: I am a total dog lover, so I was very excited to read On Toby's Terms by Charmaine Hammond. I couldn't wait to read about Toby's journey with his new family, and how he became a rescue dog. Let me tell you, he is one cute dog! I don't know how anyone could resist that face. 

I really enjoyed Charmaine's story telling abilities! She always added in what Toby was thinking during an action. I think it definitely brought a great aspect to the book. I always felt like I could just see this loving dog doing everything Charmaine wrote about. 

Poor, poor Chris! I completely felt for him. My five children always seem to have caused some new kind of chaos in my house, and I am home with them all the time! Charmaine has the patience of a saint. Eventually, I am sure, even though I love dogs, Toby would have riled me up. Of course, his doggy smiles and apology presents probably would have won me over. 

Toby's journey to becoming a pet therapy dog was so great to read about. I especially liked reading about Wednesdays with Toby, and how he helped the patients. I also loved how much Charmaine learned as she followed Toby on his journey. Toby definitely touches many lives.

I think this is a wonderful book. It is a heartfelt and inspiring book. I was pulled in and enjoyed it all so much. I laughed, I cried, and I kept stopping to tell my husband parts of the story. 

Rating:

You can learn more about Toby, his work, and Charmiane's books at: Toby on Facebook, On Toby’s Terms on Facebook, On Toby’s Terms Website, and Toby’s Tales Website




You can purchase your own copy of On Toby's Terms on Amazon. Be sure to stop back by on May 11th when we will be holding a giveaway! 5 winners will receive 'doggy PAWdographed' copies of both of Toby's books!

I received On Toby's Terms as part of a Karma Media campaign. All opinions are 100% mine.

Free e-books on Amazon (4/25)

Wow, I almost forgot to post freebies for you Kindle today! I got completely wrapped up in a new author on FictionPress.com and completely lost track of time. Anyway, here are the freebies I found today:




So I didn't find you all many today. There are tons available but I made a promise on my In My Mailbox this week that I wouldn't get many. Go by Amazon and check out all the other freebies!