Bayou Myth by Mary Ann Loesch - Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway

Welcome to Reading It All's stop on the Bayou Myth book tour presented by Reading Addiction Blog Tours!




Title: Bayou Myth
Author: Mary Ann Loesch

Synopsis: As a sixteen year old voodoo queen in the making, Joan Renault just wants to be like all the other girls in the small town of Monte Parish, Louisiana—obsessed with boys and swamped with social lives. If the other kids would quit calling her “hoodoo hag,” she might have a small shot at normality. It would also help if Joan’s weekend outings with her secret crush, Dave, weren’t always being interrupted by her dead Grandmere, the legendary Marie Laveau. After all, it’s hard to make out with your best friend when your grandmother is watching! But when you come from a long line of voodoo priestesses with dried gator heads decorating the wall of their huts, normal doesn’t come easily. 

When Joan witnesses the brutal sacrifice of a child to a tree Druid, she learns her Grandmere’s scandalous past has come back to haunt those living in the present. Hera, a vengeful voodoo priestess is determined to use the residual energy of Pandora’s Box to revive a sleeping voodoo god and declare war on the descendants of Marie Laveau, especially Joan. Suddenly, Greek myths are being re-enacted all over town, and Joan has her hands full trying to sort it all out. With the approach of Samedi’s Day—the voodoo day of resurrection—Joan must learn to accept her destiny in order to stop the approaching threat to her family and friends.

My Thoughts: I haven't read many books about voodoo but I have been noticing a little bit of a trend of them lately. Maybe they will be the next big thing. I know that Bayou Myth by Mary Ann Loesch is a wonderful example of a Young Adult novel about voodoo. I had a lot of fun reading it and I truly felt like I was pulled right into the story.

Joan, or Baby Girl, is a really great character. She is learning to be a voodoo priestess all while trying to survive normal teenage things, like boys and friends. She is pretty spunky, and the times where she showed some attitude were so great. This entire book was a learning experience for her and she spent a lot of time trying to figure out who she could trust. 

Dave and Joan have an interesting relationship. They are best friends and he is one of the only people outside of her family who understands her voodoo. He also completely supports her learning more about her abilities. Their unexplored feelings for each other make for some great moments in this book. 

Joan's Grandmere Marie is really great. She is one no-nonsense kind of lady. She doesn't want any lip and things better get done her way. Hera is an awesome villain. She jumps right into making trouble for Joan. I love all the background that we get on both of the voodoo priestesses from the past. 

This book was fast paced and held my interest easily. I really had fun reading all the Greek myths that were coming to life in the book. I think that a lot of people will enjoy this book. With all the voodoo, Greek myths, and relationship between Joan and Dave, people will have a lot of fun reading Bayou Myth.

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About the Author:

Mary Ann Loesch is an award winning fiction writer from Texas. Her urban fantasy, Nephilim, was published in July 2011 by Lyrical Press Inc. An avid blogger for All Things Writing (http://www.allthingswriting.blogspot.com) and Loesch’s Muse (http://www.loeschsmuse.blogspot.com), Mary Ann has also contributed stories in the horror anthology, All Things Dark and Dastardly. Her latest book, Bayou Myth, will be released in the summer of 2012. While she loves dirty martinis and cuddling with her dachshund, she loves fan mail even more! 

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Excerpt:

A teenage girl stood in the hazy glow. Unlike the other spirits, her form held solid. I got the sense that she drew energy from the surrounding spirits. Her lowered head made it so I couldn’t see her face, but the style of dress she wore dated back at least a century. Not surprising, really. Monte Parish could trash its roots to the late 1700’s.

The ghost lifted her head. Her eyes were empty sockets and rotted flesh hung from her face revealing bone. She watched me, and the hatred pumping from her aura sucked my breath away. Her head moved as if she were looking at Dave. A sly smile formed on what remained of her lips, and the hatred crawling in the air multiplied. She moved towards us with an unsteady gait. The closer she got, the sicker to my stomach I felt.

She meant to harm Dave. But not because he’d done anything to her. It was because he belonged to me. Though she never said a word, her intentions spilt off her and my psychic conduit picked it up. 

“Let’s go. We need to leave right now.”

“What’s wrong?” Dave asked, but he complied with my request and closed up the tailgate.

The girl continued our direction. She raised a hand, and the sleeve of her dress slid back. Even from the distance we were at, the long white scar on her arm could be seen clearly in the moonlight. She pointed a finger at me.

You saw…the words hissed across the cemetery, raising goose bumps on my arms.

Enter below for your chance to win an e-copy of Bayou Myth! a Rafflecopter giveaway *Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan - Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Reading It All's stop on the Changing My Wardrobe tour presented by Reading Addiction Book Tours!

Title: Changing My Wardrobe
Author: Deb Hanrahan
Publisher: Philyra Publishing
Publish Date: May 26, 2011


Synopsis: Incoming freshman, Lindsey Ames, wants to take Italian,and she wants to join the National Honor Society. 
She wants a new image, and she wants better clothes.
She wants Avery to stop tormenting her, and she wants Marco to ask her out. 
She wants Jocelyn to go away, but she wants Grouper to be happy. 
She wants to save Teeny's reputation, but she doesn't want to lose everything. 
Will Lindsey find the courage to stand up to her enemies before it's too late?

My Thoughts: Changing My Wardrobe by Deb Hanrahan is another hard hitting book. Hanrahan brought to light bullying, and showed just how hurtful and dangerous it can be. I would like to think that people will connect with this book and see how much damage can be done.

Lindsey is a typical teen. She is a little shy, wants good grades, and wants to be with her friends. Entering school her freshman year looking for a new start she has some struggles. She deals with constant bullying from a classmate, a new love interest, and new friends. Sometimes she seems a little selfish but she is really just a creature of habit, I think. Over all I think she was a really great girl. She definitely cared a lot for her friends.

I love Teeny and Grouper! They are Lindsey's best friends and they just really shine. Teeny is spunky and fun. She is a very tough girl. Grouper is fun loving and easy going. His demeanor is so great to read. Jocelyn is an interesting girl. She always kind of stuck out to me in the book. She wasn't scared to be herself and stand up to people.

Avery and Cal were a mess. Not like they were written bad, no they were very well written. I mean their lives were falling apart and so they tore apart everyone else around them. I could have almost felt bad for them at times but other times I just felt like they were truly evil.

The bullying and trouble in this book is so plausible. It is a constant problem in schools, and I feel like Hanrahan did a great job showing that. I only had one small issue with this book. Sometimes the conversations seemed a little forced. It wasn't all the time and the book was still really good. I think this would be a very good read for any young adults, and even for older people. 

Rating:

Author Bio:

I live with my husband and three teenagers in the Chicagoland burbs. After graduating from the

University of Illinois with a B.S. in Chemistry, I worked at a nuclear power plant for five years. I then left my career to stay at home with my three kids.

Seemingly, overnight, I went from being crazy-busy to having way too much time on my hands. With my husband working long hours and my kids pursuing their own lives, I had to reinvent myself. So, I decided to write that book I always wanted to write. Changing My Wardrobe is my first novel

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Taking Chances by Loni Flowers - Review & Giveaway

Welcome to Reading It All's stop on the Taking Chances tour, presented by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

Title: Taking Chances
Author: Loni Flowers
Published Date: February 1, 2012


Synopsis: At age twenty-three, Alex has had a hard life. His parents died when he was quite young, leaving his grandparents to raise him. Right before his high school graduation, his grandparents passed on too, leaving him all alone. After losing everyone he's ever loved, Alex turns to the streets in a self-destructive pattern until he finally ends up in Springhill, where he tries to make a new life for himself. Clair’s childhood was normal until age thirteen, when her father left the family and she never heard from him again. Consequently, her mother went into a deep depression, forcing Clair to grow up quickly. After finishing high school, Clair’s heartache over her father’s absence as well as her unbearable mother drive her to strike out on her own. But having nowhere to go and no family to speak of, Clair wanders aimlessly from town to town, homeless, and without purpose. Looking for work wherever she goes and living hand to mouth on the streets is tough, Clair discovers, but living with her mother is worse. Now twenty-one years old, Clair has found her way to the last place she and her family took their final vacation as a family--Springhill. While in town, she crosses paths with Alex and their ensuing relationship grows faster than expected. Soon Clair wonders if coming back to Springhill and meeting Alex was the best decision or the worst decision she ever made.


My Thoughts: Taking Chances by Loni Flowers was a beautiful romance. A young couple coming together after overcoming so many difficulties in life. I loved every moment of this book. 


Clair has had a really hard life. I felt so bad for all her struggles. Flowers did such a great job of building Clair's character. Clair was already such a brave girl. As the story went on I loved reading about her learning to trust and lean on other people for support.


Alex was the perfect male leading character. He comes to Clair's rescue so many times. He is caring, sweet, and good looking. His relationships with everyone around him were so great. He was always helping people out, like Roz at the diner.


I loved Roz! She was spunky and fun. Her parts made me chuckle a lot. Although Stu wasn't a main focus in the beginning, I liked his character. 


This really was a great romance. The love scenes were kind of steamy, and kind of perfect. This will be a great read for anyone 18+ who enjoys romances with something extra. The romance may have been a major part but so many other issues are addressed. I think many people will really enjoy reading Taking Chances.

Rating:

Author Bio:

Loni Flowers lives in Elm City, North Carolina with her video-gaming husband, who makes her laugh every day; two wild toddlers, who never slow down for a second; and three couch-potato dogs, who only raise an eye when foods around. She works a full-time professional job and when she's not playing on the internet or chatting on Twitter, she spends her free time with friends and family waiting for the next big idea strike. Taking Chances is her first novel.

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The House on Prospect by Bernadette Walsh - Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Reading It All's stop on the Bernadette Walsh Tour brought to you by Reading Addiction Blog Tours!

Title: The House on Prospect

Author: Bernadette Walsh

Publisher: Echelon Press

Publish Date: January 11, 2012

Synopsis: Ellen Murphy spent her childhood in an idyllic house by the sea. A house surrounded by flower filled gardens and a white picket fence. A house she fled at eighteen. A house full of secrets.

When Ellen’s mother Rose, an ex-nun, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ellen reluctantly

returns home to care for her and uncovers a clue to the one secret that has haunted Ellen all her life:

the identity of her father. But that is just one of the many secrets hidden behind the beautiful facade of

the house on Prospect Road. Ellen discovers the high price both her mother and her Irish grandmother

paid for the house on Prospect and she realizes that her meek mother is more of stranger to her than her

absent father.

My Thoughts: The House on Prospect was such a wonderful book. Having been in a paranormal / YA trend (aren't I always), this book was a big change for me. I was in no way disappointed. Bernadette Walsh created a believable story with beautiful characters.

Rose is amazing. She is brave, kind, and so forgiving of others. She must be one of the strongest women I've read about. I don't know how others will perceive her but that is what I got from her story. Her struggles in life have been difficult and she has always stayed a caring and loving woman. As she is dealing with her disease and her past I just loved her more.

Ellen is a tough woman. She has turned a blind eye to things in her life instead of dealing with them. She shut out her family. She is prickly and upset a lot. Really, it's all because she is lost. As she begins to find her way, she changes. I was happy about that. She is not a bad character, just very hurt by secrets in her past. She is still strong, and by the end of the book she has really grown as a woman.

The other characters were well written and developed. Molly was all no-nonsense and I loved her. Maura made me laugh at her parts. Billy was a sweet man. Sometimes he was frustrating but he helped Ellen through the tough times so well. Kitty frustrated me some. The more I considered it, the more I thought, maybe she did what she did for Rose. Sometimes I just found her to be selfish.

The House on Prospect was happy, sad, and angry, all rolled into one book. Walsh created a beautiful story, where a mother and daughter finally learn to let go of the past and forgive. I couldn't put it down, and I loved every moment.

Rating:

To learn more about Bernadette Walsh and The House on Prospect, you can stop by: Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

If you would like to purchase a copy of The House on Prospect, you can do so on: Barnes and Noble / Amazon. Bernadette Walsh has been kind enough to give away and e-copy of The House on Prospect to one of my readers. Just enter on the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

Dead and Beyond by Jayde Scott - Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Reading It All's stop on the Jayde Scott book tour brought to you by Reading Addiction Blog Tours. 

Title: Dead and Beyond

Author: Jayde Scott

Series: Ancient Legends Book 4

Release Date: February 22nd, 2012

Synopsis: Everyone keeps a dark secret. That's what Amber Reed realizes when her boyfriend Aidan turns her into a vampire against her will. When something goes terribly wrong and her friend disappears, the clock is ticking, the walls are closing in on Amber, and the stakes are getting higher as she finds herself the pawn in an ancient war between three powerful races fighting for supremacy.

Amber is about to find out who Aidan really is...and the secret is nothing she ever imagined.

My thoughts: First off, that cover is just amazing! Second, I have never read any of Jayde Scott's books. I really wonder why. I can't believe that they have stayed off my radar this long. Now I have to go back and read the entire Ancient Legends series. 

Dead and Beyond was so amazing, and it was a fun read. The characters were very interesting. Amber is well written. She may be a vampire but she still has the same worries of any girl. I liked that about her. She was trying to learn her new abilities and struggling a lot with her necromancer gift. As she began to step out on her own she really started to grow as a character. 

There were several other characters that really caught my attention. Cass seems really entertaining. She's a straight to the point character and I love how she was in this book. Aidan seemed like a good guy, a little over protective but that's completely forgivable. I liked the parts with Devon. Like I said, I haven't read the previous books, but he seemed to really care about Amber a lot.

The plot in this book was so fun. Missing people, transporting through the different realms, and the love story between Amber and Aidan meant this was a fast paced book. I loved how Amber and Aidan's relationship grew in this book. I can't wait for the next book from Jayde Scott, and I will be going back to read the beginning of this series.

Rating:

If you would like to learn more about Jayde Scott or her book Dead and Beyond, you can visit - Website / Facebook / Twitter / You Tube


You can purchase your own copy of Dead and Beyond by Jayde Scott from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can also enter on the rafflecopter below for your chance to win a copy!! Ends April 30th.