Review, Giveaway & Excerpt: Astarte’s Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

I'm someone who's new to Trisha Wolfe's work but I can say without a doubt that she has guaranteed loyalty from me. 

     The characters are so real, the plot fast-paced and action-packed. Astarte "Star" is such an amazing kissass female lead. I've read very few books this year that have been able to score as high as Astarte's Wrath has- 5 shiny and bold stars with enthusiasm towards her new release, FIREBLOOD.

     Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt, Xarion grow deeper. Not only is she his slave, bound to be loyal to him, but he's human; all of which makes everything more forbidden.

     But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar creeps into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythan free themselves of their servitude, and protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.

     The imagery and descriptions didn't feel as overwhelming as I expected. Being my first Egyptian mythology book, I expected to be confused. Surprisingly, though, Wolfe does such a a good job that anything likely to cause confusion won't.

     Now no good book is complete without some romance. Star's forbidden love with Xarion, Pharaoh of Egypt is so steamy and swoon-worthy. Every time I came across Xarion's name, goosebumps appeared. I've gone through that whole fan-girling phase so I didn't expect to feel an actual crush for a guy who wasn't perfect but who was great and real. No cutout romantic interests allowed here.

     The setting and the backstory was phenomenally done and I couldn't have asked for anything differently. If this is any testimony to Wolfe's style, I can without a doubt say that she's original, authentic and goes beyond what sells. Nothing is as you expect it to be and I, for one, am glad.

     Even the secondary characters had a role and a life to them that some author's often overlook. I am quite proud to be able to review such a great book and I am in waiting for the next book, impatiently.

Rating: 5 stars
Will I be reading anything by Trisha Wolfe in the future? Of course. It's hard to quit.
Recommended for: anyone who likes Egyptian mythology, action-packed novellas with a kickass lead
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Sneak Peek: Bath Scene from Xarion’s POV

Star narrows her eyes at me, her full, bottom lip puckering out the way it does when she’s in serious thought—and though I’m listening to her words, all I want to do is trap that bottom lip between my teeth. Nip it and caress it with my tongue. 

     “I knew you’d say that,” she says. “And that is precisely why I didn't want you to know.” She raises her hand from my chest and swipes the wet hair from my forehead. Her body subtly moves against me with this action, and it drives me wild. “A possible retaliation by the guardians is just one more weighted burden on top of the many you already carry. You don’t need the added strain. Let me deal with Candra and the Kythan. They’re my kindred. As long as I’m their equal—in both power and status—I can protect you.” 

     This woman—the woman I've loved my entire life—is my protector. She not only guards against physical threats, but watches over my mental well being. But I cannot allow her to carry all my problems alone anymore. I want to be her guardian, to be the one to comfort her when she’s fearful, and protect her against this world. 

     I tilt my head and suck in a deep breath. “This is why you won’t be with me.” I want her to admit it. If she finally confesses that our titles and her battle with the right course of action have been the only reasons for her kept affections, then by Gods…help me from laying her out on this tile and taking her—making her mine. I won’t stop. 

     She nods. 

     “This is the only reason.” She nods again, and that is all the conformation I need. “Then I refuse to let them keep us apart for one more moment.” I grasp her face between my hands and claim her lips with mine. 

     Her lips are soft and warm as I achingly coax them into a fevered kiss, unable to hold back my desire for her. I had planned for our first kiss many times, imagined it over and over. The way I would caress her lips slowly and lovingly, conveying my affections. But every emotion I have ever felt for Star rushes to the surface all at once, and I can’t slow. I won’t. I won’t allow her a moment to question our actions, to reconsider us. I’m going to kiss her senseless—kiss the reason right out of her infuriatingly rational head.

Help Trisha and the Tuff Girl Legion get to 50 reviews on Amazon for the full scene release of the “Bath Scene” on Trisha’s blog! You can bookmark the bonus material here!

Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the NA Historical/Supernatural ASTARTE'S WRATH, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. Her NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS available May 2013.

She’s the creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies. Check out www.TrishaWolfe.com for more on her books and bonus material. Follow Trisha on Twitter @TrishWolfe and like her Facebook page for updates.


Here's a giveaway for an e-copy of Astarte's Wrath.

Review: Chosen At Nightfall (Shadow Falls #5) by C.C. Hunter

A thrilling end to the bestselling series that started with Born at Midnight. If you loved the first four books, you'll find this one hard to let go off long after you read the last word.

Though I wasn't a fan of the series from day one, this captured my attention. It had everything a good supernatural read had: love triangle with two smoking guys, Derek (faerie)and Lucas (werewolf), strong and independent lead (Kylie) and a good plot. Fast forward four books and here we are now, at the end. 

    I was very hesitant to read the book because I knew after I started to read, there was no going back; the end was here. Being one of my favorite series, I didn't want to let it go just yet. But, though I finished the book and loved it, I will always remember the first time I entered the world of Shadow Falls.

     From the start, Kylie's struggles seemed bigger than mine. After all, it doesn't happen every day that you find out you're not human and that your supernatural pattern isn't readable. Or that you even up being a rare type of supernatural: a chameleon. Let alone the fact that no one even knows what a chameleon is. If I was Kylie, I would have just declared myself human and given up any abilities at the start so I wouldn't have to go through all she went through up to end. Especially those ghosts. If I had to deal with them on a daily basis, I would just throw myself over a cliff or something. Seriously, those ghosts can give you nightmares. But Kylie is the type of person to finish what she starts, even if it means risking her life... again.

     That is the only thing that bugs me. Kylie had "valiantly" risked herself and gone into dangerous situations by herself to spare others. They, however, are still involved and go into the situation unprepared. I know people don't change from one day to another but it's been months! By the fourth book, she should have stopped and realized that trusting at least one other person will stop her from getting into deeper trouble that usual. In this aspect Kylie really needs to grow up and learn from her (many) mistakes.

     After Kylie left Shadow Falls, she thought she would get all the answers that she wanted- what it meant to be chameleon and where it was she belonged. However, events force her to face her problems head on rather than avoiding them. A pesky new ghost and sword just won't leave her alone. Pretending not to see her causes her nothing but grief. Not to mention all the unresolved drama left over from WHISPERS AT MOONRISE. Fortunately, Hunter cleared all of that up in CHOSEN AT NIGHTFALL.

     What about those amazing but trying-to-kill-each-other friends of hers? Della, a vampire with a knack to fight for her friends and Miranda, a witch who tends to screw spells up continue to be there for our heroine  They're male "friends" also add a little spice into the overall wholeness (and mischievous smiles) of the book. Having the relationships of the people around Kylie was a well-throughout strategy; she is the type to care about others more than herself. I especially love what happens between Holiday and Burnett. I did not see it coming but I loved it.

     Now for what everyone really wants to know: Derek or Lucas. Personally, I kept switching teams many times throughout the series. Lucas was always the hottie, who I'd like for myself but Derek was kind and wanted the best for her. Fortunately, choosing between these two (irresistible guys) wasn't the main issue like in some novels. Mostly, it still focuses on her finding answers and with them herself. But based on who she ends up with, half of the fans will be delighted and the others displeased. I am among the ones who can accept her decision. I understand her choice, though personally, I would have held everything they did wrong against them for a long time and just be single. But that's just me.

     Though I was weary as to how Hunter would conclude the series, I can say without a doubt that it does not disappoint. So now that the Shadow Falls series is over, I will wait for whatever new book she releases. Hopefully soon.

Rating: 4.5 wands

Will I read anything else C.C. Hunter in the future? Yes.

Recommended for: anyone who loves love triangles, supernatural books or has been with Kylie since Born at Midnight

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Review: Of Poseidon (Of Poseidon #1) by Anna Banks

It's been a long time since a book was good enough to make me sit down and read all day but that's exactly what Of Poseidon did.

OF POSEIDON started off in a very creative way. Not at the action yet not a long back story. Just right. Emma's story starts when she bumps into Galen, hot Syrena prince in search of a an alleged Syrena on land. After an embarrassing (and typical high school student reaction), the mood switches. What was supposed to be a fun, before-college summer break in Florida turns for the worst. Killed in a freakish shark "attack", Emma's best friend, Chloe dies. Though the initial conflict was sorrowful and definitely heartbreaking, it definitely set the stage for future conflicts and arguments and sparked Emma's journey.

     Leaving Florida behind for her home in New Jersey, Emma hopes to escape everything surrounding Chloe's death and move on. Is she in for a surprise when Galen goes to her school!

     Considering the genre and past disappointments, I expected Emma to be the typical heroine: smart, strong yet too soft a spot for that special guy. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Emma wasn't the wimpy "heroine" that summits to the guy and I loved her for that. She's a strong female lead who doesn't take any crap, even from her beloved gorgeous violet-eyed prince. She was confident and willing to do what she had to. Unlike many other MC's, she actually acted on it. This made it appear that it was really how she was and not just an attribute the character wanted her to have but really didn't.

     On the other hand, she did act all puppy-like at the beginning- just like all those other girls. In her place, I wouldn't have worried about making a fool of myself in front of him, as much as trying to stay away from him. I mean, come on. Having a guy as hot as Galen track you down from Florida to New Jersey may sound romantic in theory. Having it actually happen to you- not so much. Almost as bad as having a stalker- which he is, in a way.

     She slowly grows closer to Galen. After throwing herself and Rayna into a hurricane-proof window (that's has got to hurt) she finds out that she's a Syrena.

     I won't spoil the rest of the book; it's one of those books which is best when you read it on your own, with no one's version of what happened, distorting yours before you have a chance to read it.

     Bank's use of setting was well down. It was correlated and benefited the story. (You know, with the whole Syrena living in oceans and whatnot.) This story wouldn't have been as half as good if it had taken place in the middle of Texas or in Tennessee. That would've only made it confusing. Why would Syrena live in land with no easy access to the ocean anyway?

     Any unresolved mysteries or questions nagging from beginning to middle are solved at the end. All but one- which was intentional.

     From the cliffhanger, I assume there will be a sequel. I will definitely be at the bookstores when it releases.

     Over all, OF POSEIDON used all its resources and made it a well-structured story.

Rating: 4.5 Wands

Will I be reading the rest of the trilogy? Yes

Recommended for: Anyone who loves fantasy or mermaids 

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Review: The Book of the Sword (Samurai Girl #1) by Carrie Asai

From the first sentence, I was hooked.

The language and flow of the story is smooth and easily to follow. (Being slightly above 200 pages, it's a quick read as well.) However, Heaven is hard to relate to at the beginning. Having fell from the sky (literally) and being the sole survivor of flight JAL 999, she was taken in by the wealthy Kogo family. She grew up spoiled, knowing next to nothing about surviving on her own. Her wedding day is the initial event which signals to her that her life would change. After a ninja attacks her, killing her brother instead, she runs away from home, in search of answers. These answers which she's unable to attain Her brother told her to look for his friend, Hiro.    After going through the trouble of searching through L.A. and meeting strange people, Heaven finally finds him. While she thought he'd be an automatic ally, he turned out anything but. After some persuasion and guilty tripping, she manages to convince Hiro to train her in Bushido, the way of the samurai. She hopes that by becoming a samurai, she'll be able to protect herself as she looks for the low lives who killed her brother. Considering the circumstances, her initiative and plan seemed reasonable. I can't help but wonder why she set her goals only to training. I mean, how would she find the ninjas?

     Meanwhile training, Heaven develops a crush on Hiro. Unlike most novels, nowadays, their care and interest for each other is visible yet they don't let it distract them from their goals, their purpose. In this way, Heaven suits as a better heroine. On the other hand, being a sheltered child, there's  a lot she doesn't known and doesn't understand. Her ingenue is clear but so is her drive and motivation.

     However, the people who went through the trouble of trying to kill her haven't stopped looking for her. It actually comes to the point where she chooses to leave, to stop endangering Hiro's life and to trust her father again. Another attack, this time harming someone else, has her questioning everything.

     After all that action in the pre-last chapter, the ending doesn't satisfy as much as I expected it to. First of all, it was cliche. It fit considering the setting and the constant references yet I felt it could have been better. Second, it felt too calm, too serene after all she discovered, all she went through.

     Though I initially believed it to be an action type book, it wasn't. Sure, some action occurred yet it wasn't the main focus. Overall, a good read. It shouldn't take longer than an evening on your coach to finish.

     Being a series, any questions left unanswered, should be clear by the end of the sixth book.

Rating: 3 Wands
Will I be reading the rest of the series? Of course.
Recommend for: People who like a little action mixed with their romance
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