Cover Reveal: Five Weeks (Seven Series #3) By Dannika Dark

Five Weeks

(Seven Series #3)

By Dannika Dark 

Release Date: July 29th 2014

Izzy has always loved the freedom and adventure of life on the road, but she’s recently decided to settle down—as much as a rogue wolf can. When her boyfriend gets her a job working at a hot Shifter bar, she runs into the last person on earth she expected to see again.

Jericho isn't the famous rock star he once was, though he still plays in a local band and loves to party. Beautiful women come and go, but music is his only passion—until a sassy redhead named Isabelle Monroe shows up unexpectedly.

Fate reunites two former friends living with one foot in the present and the other in the past. But will they have a future when one of them is forced to choose between life and death? Old habits die hard, and sometimes the toughest addictions to shake are the ones that control our hearts.

***

**Excerpt**

As the men dispersed, a warm feeling slid over my body when I looked up at Jericho. His eyes were hooded and low, but when he melted me with a possessive gaze, my feet cemented to the floor.

He moved toward me with the grace of a panther—slow and predatory. The external noise from the bar faded away, and all I heard were his silken words as he caressed the ends of my hair, looking at it between his fingers.

“You haven’t changed,” he said in quiet words.

“What do you mean by that?”

Jericho bent down and his mouth brushed against my ear. “Still sexy as sin and making me protect you.”

Goose bumps erupted over my arms. “No one said you had to protect me. I’m not the shy girl you once knew.” My heart raced. The inflection in my tone wasn't as harsh as I’d planned it to be, my words breathy and unsure.

His warm body pressed against mine and when I stepped back, I bumped into a wooden post that pinned me to him. Tingles raced through my body uncontrollably, and I lost the ability to think rationally when I smelled his cologne. Men never had this kind of effect on me. His power slid down my body like hands against my naked flesh.

Jericho had a smile that aroused, and combined with his voice, it became an aphrodisiac.

Or maybe it was the way his callused fingers lightly stroked the back of my neck, as if I were an instrument. As he played me, memories flooded my mind, and I shoved him away, panting and trembling.

Jericho worked his jaw in a frustrated manner, his brows slanting down with a look of disbelief. He shook his head and then backed up.

A brunette appeared out of nowhere in a revealing top that displayed her breasts like cookies in a bakery: warm, tempting, and something you’d regret later.

“How’s my sexy man?” she asked, tucking her fingers possessively in his jeans and nipping on his arm. “You want to go have some fun?”

His eyes stayed locked on mine as he circled his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. She moaned playfully as he squeezed her hip, testing if I had my temper under control.

So I played his game.

“Can I get you a drink, honey?” I asked her. “Maybe some milk in a dish?”

Sometimes I could spot the cats. It was all in the purr and the way they slinked their bodies.

“No, thanks,” she replied. “I have something else in mind I want to put in my mouth.”

When she stroked his crotch, I blinked in surprise. Not just because she had the audacity to do that in front  of me, but the fact that Jericho tilted his head and gave me a “so what?” look.

So 

what?

Maybe he was right. All that connected us were five amazing years, and that was a lifetime ago. Seeing him made me raw again. Those feelings caught up with me like a shadow that had never let go. Part of me wanted to squeeze him tight and tell him how much I’d missed him—because I had. Jericho had shown me the private side of himself he never gave to others, and I’d done the same for him. Another part of me wanted to hate him for the anguish he’d put me through. And yet, I couldn't help but feel elated knowing that despite his insolence, Jericho wasn't lying in a grave as I’d imagined. He’d somehow assembled his life into something meaningful and gotten a grip on his demons.

Meanwhile, my demons were currently on the rampage and waving pitchforks.

So I said cutting words that hurt because I meant them, and yet I didn't.

“I wish I’d never met you.”

***

About the Author:

This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here's what I can tell you: I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I'm a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70's to a military dad who moved us around the world.

When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don't like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).

Throughout my life, I've had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down - creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.

It's almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.

Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I'm a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.

I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I've had a few people ask), but I think it's wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.

But it's what I love to do.

- Danni

            

Hosted By:

Blog Tour: Branded By Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Branded

By Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. 

Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.

My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Available At:

| Amazon | B&N | iBooks |

My Review:

* I received an eARC from the authors in exchange of an honest review.

I remember when I first started blogging that this was one of the first books I won and felt the need to review. It was awesome and it just got BETTER! I absolutely LOVED the extra scenes and this time around it had a more of a New Adult feel to it, compared to the old version.

I still ADORED Cole this time around. He continues to be the understanding, beautiful piece of man candy that he was last time I read about him. I loved how he knew when to push and when to respect Lexi and give her space.

"Any other guard would've beat or raped you by now, and you just keep pushing me when I'm trying to do the right thing."

Lexi was an abused turned strong heroine. She's been dealt a bad hand since her father died and thanks to her mom remarrying, her life turned into hell. Even after surviving being wrongly accused, she still found it in her to be brave, strong and, most importantly, to always fight for what's right. She had my respect from the beginning.

"No matter what I say you won't believe me. When you look at me ... like everyone else, you see nothing but my brand. The commander labeled my a whore, so that must make me one. Right?"

Zeus was as cute and cuddly as ever! I loved how he was described as a total goof ball, but still loyal and VERY smart (which I know seems like an exaggeration, but I have a dog. He's proved how smart he really is. I actually learned NOT to underestimate him.).

"Meet Zeus, my crap-for-brains guard dog."

Keegan was still a domineering, tattooed giant who loved to point out that he was in charge and the Lexi HAD to listen to him. Well I hate to break it to you buddy, but you felt and Lexi grew up. She can very well make her own damn choices and love WHOEVER she wants. Just because you don't like the guy doesn't mean he doesn't treat her with respect and that they both love each other. I think the end he met was Karma. There's a reason everyone calls her a bitch C:

I had actually forgotten about the ending. It was so sweet re-reading it. I almost cried because I seriously wasn't expecting it. Everything was going to hell, who knew the authors still had a plot point to exploit? I certainly didn't.

Conclusion: I NEED Book #2. 

"So we'll take one day at a time, because each day is one day we didn't have before."

My Favorite Quotes (This Time Around):

"My life was a colorful facade."

"I know what if feels like to be a failure. It haunts you constantly."

"All I want is to help you heal. To hold you when you cry. To glue you back together when you break apart. I want to reach out and help you back up."

My Rating: 

& ½

***

**Book Look(s)**

**These Book Looks were inspired by the main plot changes during this novel. The last Book Look has nothing to do with the series. It's based solely on the Beautiful Cover!**

Book Look: Branded By Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki by xmikky featuring Hershesons

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Book Look: Branded By Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki by xmikky featuring Superdry

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Book Look: Branded By Abi Ketner & Kalicicki by xmikky featuring black handbags

For my previous Book Looks click here!

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**Teaser Picture**
-Swoon-

***

**Excerpt**

I turn on the faucet for a long while only to discover ice-cold water rushing out. The water never warms and I begin to understand. The Commander thinks he can wash away my soul by freezing me to death. He thinks he can destroy me by stripping away my possessions. But he can’t and I won’t let him take my memories, my ambition, and my pride.

He thinks I’m so easily broken.

The Commander doesn’t know anything about me, what I grew up with, what I endured—the father I lost, the mother I hate, the brother who walked out of my life, and the stepfather I was forced to accept. He thinks since I was rich, making me poor will cause me to give up. What he doesn’t understand is that, after my father passed away, I grew up behind walls of hatred. I had nothing, but had everything at the same time. I owned expensive clothes, enjoyed good schooling, and lived in a nice home. But my body was just a shell protecting an empty, desperate heart. My life was a colorful façade.

I had so much time to sit and think. I spent the majority of my life between four walls. I was abandoned, neglected, starved, betrayed, and abused. I’ve already been treated like the scum of the earth, so the Hole is nothing new. He wants to erase every sign of my existence on this earth, but I won’t let that happen. He can strip me naked, but he’ll never reach my soul.

It’s personal, completely personal.

***

About The Authors:

Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredible adventure.

| Website | Abi's Goodreads | Missy's Goodreads |
| Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest |

Audio Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars By John Green

The Fault In Our Stars 

By John Green

Type: Audio Book

Length: 7 Hours and 14 Minutes

Published: January 10th 2012

Publisher: Dutton Books 

ISBN: 0525478817 

ISBN13: 9780525478812

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Available At:

| Amazon | B&N | Audible |

My Review:

I promised myself that I would find time and a way to read this book BEFORE the movie released. I did this because I watched Divergent and DIDN'T read the book first and I still hate myself for that. I knew that this type of book just wasn't my first choice to actually read so I went ahead and got the Audio Book. My logic was: If I can't stand to READ it, I can stand to LISTEN to it C;

I loved Hazel's voice, not the woman who was reading, but how the character thought and considered her actions. She sounded more like an adult (especially with the big words she threw around so effortlessly), then the 16 year old the author made her out to be. 

Gus was Gus. He was kind, sweet, thoughtful, and wanted to give Hazel the best of her days. Though, since Karma is a bitch, it was actually the opposite that happened. I can't really go into much because it's such a big spoiler.

Hazel and Gus's love was so pure and sweet. Your heart broke, from the beginning for them, because you knew they had a shorter infinitely, then the rest of us. If you consider it, the relationship was hopeless from the beginning. I'm tearing up while writing this, but, MY GOD, this touched my heart...

I HATED that ending. I believe that EVERY character I read about has to have an end. Be it dead, with a family, or just plain suffering in a hospital bed for eternity. I will never get an end for Hazel and (if you read the book) you'll know how ironic it is because it's the same dream that Gus tried to fulfill for Hazel.

Final Conclusion: You start out the story thinking it'll go one way, but you get the rug pulled out from under you by the last third of the novel and boy, was I breathless when that happened.

Audio Book Review:

I loved the woman's voice for this (Her name is: Kate Rudd). I found it cute that she actually made an effort to change the severity/tone of her voice for me to actually realize that it's another character talking and not just Hazel day dreaming.

Favorite Quotes:

No quotes this time! I actually listened to this at night so even if I wanted to burn my retinas and write down the quotes I was just TOO lazy to preform the act C;

My Rating:

The Power Of Book Covers: Cipher By Aileen Erin

They say don't judge a book by it's movie...err...COVER. 

BUT they never said we couldn't PRAISE them.

This week's cover:

Cipher 
By Aileen Erin

Expected Release Date: October 14th 2014

In the not-too-distant future, the color of your helix tattoo shows exactly how your DNA was modified—green for super-smart scientists, black for pumped-up warriors, white for the immortal Seligo—but Cipher’s red helix is a death sentence. It’s a sign of unstable DNA, which is probably the reason she can manipulate electricity.

When she was eight years old, Cipher made the mistake of showing her uncle the tattoo. In return, he killed her parents and tried to kidnap her.

She’s been on the run ever since, and twelve long years later, Cipher is tired of hiding. Survival isn’t enough anymore. She wants her life back.

Hacking into the Citadel mainframe is a huge risk, but it pays off when she finds a database on red helixes. Before she can copy it, she loses control of her power, charring her last processor, and the only person in the Arizona Voids that can get her back online is her oldest friend, Knightly. She hasn’t seen him in person since she started running, and Knightly 2.0 is fully upgraded with a six-pack and knee-melting smile.

For a girl like Cipher, trust doesn’t come easily, but Knightly makes her yearn for a life she knows she can’t have, especially when every secret she reveals endangers them both.

Blog Tour: Black Abaddon By Sasha Hibbs

Tour Schedule

Black Abaddon

(The Vulcan Legacies #2)
By Sasha Hibbs

Ally Watson struggles to live with the choices she made, the worst of which resulted in her soul mate's death. Michael’s sacrifice to save the girl he loved may have reversed the Apocalypse, but not the permanent damage inflicted by living with his loss.

Ally begins a journey where she soon discovers that death is not always the end, but sometimes the very beginning. With old friends, she journeys to the Nosferatu Nation where she meets with new alliances willing to help her in her quest to defeat the Devourer. At every turn, Ally unearths secrets that threaten to destroy those she loves.

The second installment of The Vulcan Legacies series will put Ally to the ultimate test, forcing her to face her fears and the true destiny she will fulfill as Azrael, the Seraph of Death.

Available At:

| Amazon |

Check Out The Other Books In This Series:
(Linked to my review)

My Review (Of Book #2):

*I was provided a free eCopy by the author in exchange of an honest review.

This book was awesome! It was a very nice continuation compared to the first book in this series. It doesn't pick up RIGHT where book 1 left off, but a little while after it. 

Ally still has more questions then answers. Because of that, the first half of this book dragged on and on. I was being slapped upside the head with plot twists left and right. They weren't revolutionary plot twists. No, these were really annoying little problems that just kept popping up. Every. Single. Page. It got annoying VERY fast. After the first 50% passed, the book started going somewhere. Answers came slow, but steadily. Though, by the end I still had more questions then answers. 

I just don't know if I liked either "hero". I just have mixed feelings when referring to Marik. Sure, what happened in Book 1 got resolved this time around. BUT, I still don't know if I can really trust him after he proved to be so easily persuaded because of a "magical" vision.

Michael this time around, just proved my point. He was the wholesome, all around, cute guy. The key word in that last sentence is WAS. He proved that he could also be manipulated VERY easily. I just think Ally deserves more from a guy. 

Ally's mother/sprit/suspicious-person-numero-uno, was just there to complicate the story. Until now, no one even knows what she's up to or which side she's on. I don't know how the character's even trust her. Just because she's Ally's mom, it doesn't mean she's on the "lesser evil" side.

The ending had a MAJOR plot twist. I was SO surprised. The whole novel was building up to that EXACT moment. Now that was a revolutionary plot twist. Because of that ending I will be rocking in a corner awaiting the release of Book 3.

Favorite Quotes:

"Love does not destroy. Love has many faces to it. Love heals and comes in the most unexpected places and when you are in your darkest hour, that same love will find you and life you back up."

"They were all robbed. All of her tomorrows were gone. She could see a world stretching out before her, one filled with chaos, with fire, with death and destruction."

"After moving heaven and earth he finally found her."

My Rating:

***

**Excerpt**

“You were given Vulcan’s fire, wings from the Gates, immortality and you wanted none of them. Now they are gone, you want them back,” the Authority said. “Those were gifts. And they were taken as a consequence of your decision to maintain the balance.” He stopped at Michael’s grave. Ally looked down at her terrible mistake; it had been covered up by six feet of dirt.

“Remember, you are in the winter of your life. You must learn to forgive and it must come from within. I will not give your gifts back. That is for another to decide. For where there is life, there is death. Where there is death there is destruction. Where there is destruction, new life will rise up to replace what was taken,” the Authority said. He waved his hand over Michael’s grave, big stalks of black amaranth springing up.

“I want to make it right. I want to save my friends. I’m so sorry…”

“Remember this, home is where the heart is,” the Authority turned to face her. He lifted his hand and rested his palm against her dreamcatcher.

A white light burst out from it so bright she had to close her eyes. She clutched onto the black feather for fear it would incinerate against the hot wind blowing up against her. Miss Elma let out a howl.

“I have commanded time to stand still. When you open your eyes, time will resume. You will be with your companions. I will not show myself again and it will beas though I never did. You will remain silent and tell no one I showed myself to you. Keep me in your heart and let your winter pass,” he said. His voice began to fade.

“No, wait!” Ally said, opening her eyes.

“For what? We’re here,” Brandi said.

Ally looked around. Dave was glued to Lucy’s side. Uncle Argyle and Parthenia were to her left, looks of confusion on their face.

“Where are we?” Ally asked.

Beside Elizabeth, Jessica raised an eyebrow. Eli and the High Sons were standing by gates that stretched so high, Ally couldn’t see their peaks in the darkness. Mariah and her guards went through the creaking gates first.

“The Nosferatu Nation,” Belle Crow said, the Ravenscraft sisters behind her.

***

About the Author:

By age 5, Sasha Hibbs' favorite movie was Gone With the Wind. By age 12, she completed her 7th grade book report on the sequel, Scarlett. By 18, she met and married her very own Mr. Rhett Butler and as it turns out, she never had to worry about going back to Tara to win the love of her life back. Fortunately, he stuck with her.

With a love of all things paranormal, the ambiance of the South with its gigantic antebellum mansions and canopies of Spanish moss, and a love for her husband’s rich storytelling of blacksmiths and the mythology surrounding their origins, it wasn’t long until the world of her debut novel, Black Amaranth, was born.

When not working her day job as a nurse, you can find Sasha dreaming of her next beach trip, reading the latest YA novel, and drinking more white chocolate mocha than she should.

Sasha lives in mountainous West Virginia with her husband, Tim, and their two daughters, Aeliza and Ava. She is currently hard at work on book two in The Vulcan Legacies series.

| Facebook | Blog | Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Publisher |

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**Giveaway**

$50 gift card to Evernight Teen (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Looks #9: Broken Skies By Theresa Kay

Hiya My Little Predators!!

I'm adding a NEW-ish Weekly Meme onto my blog schedule!!

Have a look below C:

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Book Looks was created by @Jen and Books and Other Happy Ever Afters.

I've been seeing A LOT of these lately and I became inspired to create my own! They seem fun and the dresses and accessories I've seen are simply stunning. 

This will (maybe) be a Weekly Sunday Meme on my blog, since I never have anything to post on weekends C:

This Week:

Broken Skies By Theresa Kay

For my previous Book Looks click here!
For My Review Of This Book Click HERE!!
Follow me on Shoplook for more!