Review | From The Grave | Karina Espinosa

From the Grave, is the first book of the Mackenzie Grey Trials.

About The Book

Secrets don’t stay buried forever.

Mackenzie Grey is a lone wolf who’s earned her fair share of battle scars from the past, but that’s all over now. Or so she thought.

Known as the Freedom Princess, her heroic deeds have come with a heavy price when a mysterious new villain emerges, one who’s intent on killing Sebastian. As a new breed of danger lurks on the horizon, secrets between Bash and Kenz pile up and her worst nightmare is realized.

Mackenzie spent the last three years learning who she was in Origins. Now she will face her greatest challenges in Trials…

Amazon   |   Goodreads

My Thoughts

I was provided an ARC copy of From The Grave for my honest review.

The MacKenzie Grey Trials is new set of books set in the world of Miss Espinosa’s Origin series, but takes place after the revolution.  Although it is not necessary to have read the 4 novels in the Origin series, it does help with some of the references made in From The Grave.

First I have to say, that I love the way Karina Espinosa writes.  In her past works,  she has crafted words to paper and made them come alive in the readers minds.  From The Grave is no different.

MacKenzie Grey is a stubborn, but strong willed and independent female lead, which personally I love.  And Bash, really knowing he has no choice, wisely lets her have her freedom.

From The Grave is full of plot twists and sneaky turns.  A great start to a new series for Karina Espinosa.

After reading this 4 star urban fantasy novel, I am looking forward to digging into Book 2.

About the Author

Karina Espinosa is the Urban Fantasy author of the Sins of the Fallen series and the Mackenzie Grey novels.  Infatuated with travel, pop culture and the need to write everything down, she spends much of her days in front of a computer working on her next book, shopping online and listening to music.  With nomadic tendencies, she is currently resting her head in South Florida until the itch to move strikes again. You can usually catch her on Facebook, Instagram and live-tweeting during episodes of Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead and Orphan Black.  Follow her on social media!

Website   |   Amazon   |   Goodreads   |   Facebook   |   Twitter

 

This blog tour was hosted by Lady Amber’s PR

Review | Touched | A.J. Aalto

Touched is the first book in A.J. Aalto’s Urban Fantasy series The Marnie Baranuik Files.

About The Book

The media has a nickname for Marnie Baranuik, though she’d rather they didn’t; they call her the Great White Shark, a rare dual-talented forensic psychic. Twice-Touched by the Blue Sense–which gives her the ability to feel the emotions of others, and read impressions left behind on objects–Marnie also has a doctorate in preternatural biology and a working knowledge of the dark arts. She is considered without peer in the psychic community.

Then her first big FBI case ended with a bullet in one shoulder and a chip on the other, a queasy heart and a serial killer in the wind, leaving her a public flop and a private wreck. When the FBI’s preternatural crimes unit tracks her down at a remote mountain lodge for her insight on a local case, her quiet retirement is promptly besieged by a stab-happy starlet, a rampaging ghoul, and a vampire-hunting jackass in tight Wranglers. Marnie figures the only real mystery is which one will kill her first.

Too mean to die young, backed up by friends in cold places, and running with a mouth as demure as a cannon’s blast, Marnie Baranuik is about to discover that there’s no such thing as quitting time when you’re Touched.

Amazon  |  Goodreads

My Thoughts

Touched was my first novel written by author AJ Aalto and what a great start to a new reading venture.

Touched is an unique twist for anyone looking to move past the overdone world of sparkly romanticized vampires.  This is not a typical paranormal romance novel where the vampire bites the heroine and they fall in love.  Touched is far more than that.  With strong sexual references and lots of steamy tension, AJ Aalto takes the reader down a wonderlandic path of pent up lust and desire.

The characters of Touched are so well contrived that you can easily have them imprinted into the walls of your mind.

I thoroughly enjoyed Marnie Baranuik’s personality in this book.  She is strong willed and determined and a bit clueless, in the most charming way.  Oh and not to mention quirky as hell.  She had me laughing more times that not.

Miss Aalto is a clever and imaginative writer.  Touched was an original and inventive read.  Witty and entertaining from the first page to the last.

The is a must read for all of you Urban Fantasy/ Paranomal readers looking for a change in pace.  I give Touched 4.5 stars and I see book 2 Death Rejoices in my very near future.

About The Author

AJ Aalto is the author of the paranormal mystery series The Marnie Baranuik Files. Aalto is an unrepentant liar and a writer of  blathering nonsense offset by factual gore. When not working on her novels, you can find her singing Monty Python songs in the shower, eavesdropping on perfect strangers, stalking her eye doctor, or failing at one of her fruitless hobbies. Generally a fan of anyone with a passion for the ridiculous, she has a weak spot for smug pseudo-intellectuals and narcissistic jerks; readers will find her work littered with flawed monsters and oodles of snark.

AJ cannot say no to a Snickers bar and has been known to swallow her gum.

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Review | The Last Valkyrie | Karina Espinosa

About the Book

Raven Romero is a washed up Valkyrie who is unable to return to Valhalla, spending her days in a haze of sex, drugs, and alcohol.

When she is wrongfully accused of murder, Raven has two options: run or clear her name. With a laundry list of enemies, she has no idea who could be framing her. One thing is for sure: they know what she is and they’ll stop at nothing until she’s behind bars or dead.

With no choice but to delve into the supernatural underground she tried so hard to avoid, Raven seeks aid and learns what it means to be human.

The world believes her kind no longer exists, but Raven Romero is The Last Valkyrie

Amazon   |   Goodreads

My Thoughts

I was provided an ARC of The Last Valkyrie from Lady Amber’s PR for my honest thoughts.

This is was my very first read from Karina Espinosa and it has left me wondering, “Where the hell have you been all my life!” She’s a reader’s dream UF writer.

The Last Valkyrie is a fast paced, well plotted read. The female lead, Raven, is fierce, strong and independent. The book is full of twists and turns that made it very hard for me to put it down. Add in some Norse Mythology and the foreshadowing of a love triangle and you’ve one of the best first books in a series that I have read in ages.

I knew after 25% of the book that I would be giving The Last Valkyrie 5 stars, but I enjoyed it so much, I’m throwing in a glass of whiskey too.

If you are a fan of the UF genre, you do not want to miss out on reading The Last Valkyrie. I’m already on the lookout for book 2.

About the Author

Karina Espinosa is the Urban Fantasy author of the Sins of the Fallen series and the Mackenzie Grey novels.  Infatuated with travel, pop culture and the need to write everything down, she spends much of her days in front of a computer working on her next book, shopping online and listening to music.  With nomadic tendencies, she is currently resting her head in South Florida until the itch to move strikes again. You can usually catch her on Facebook, Instagram and live-tweeting during episodes of Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead and Orphan Black.  Follow her on social media!

Website   |   Amazon   |   Goodreads   |   Facebook   |   Twitter

This blog tour was hosted by Lady Amber’s PR

Release Day | The Last Valkyrie | Karina Espinosa

Happy Release Day Karina Espinosa!!!

The Last Valkyrie, an adult Urban Fantasy novel,  is live today!

About the Book

Raven Romero is a washed up Valkyrie who is unable to return to Valhalla, spending her days in a haze of sex, drugs, and alcohol.

When she is wrongfully accused of murder, Raven has two options: run or clear her name. With a laundry list of enemies, she has no idea who could be framing her. One thing is for sure: they know what she is and they’ll stop at nothing until she’s behind bars or dead.

With no choice but to delve into the supernatural underground she tried so hard to avoid, Raven seeks aid and learns what it means to be human.

The world believes her kind no longer exists, but Raven Romero is The Last Valkyrie

Amazon   |   Goodreads

About the Author

Karina Espinosa is the Urban Fantasy author of the Sins of the Fallen series and the Mackenzie Grey novels.  Infatuated with travel, pop culture and the need to write everything down, she spends much of her days in front of a computer working on her next book, shopping online and listening to music.  With nomadic tendencies, she is currently resting her head in South Florida until the itch to move strikes again. You can usually catch her on Facebook, Instagram and live-tweeting during episodes of Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead and Orphan Black.  Follow her on social media!

Website   |   Amazon   |   Goodreads   |   Facebook   |   Twitter

Friday Fivesome with Casey L Bond

On the day after her newest release Unlocked,  Casey L Bond, author of The Frenzy Series,  Keeper of Crow series and The Seven Kingdom fairy tale books Rags to Riches and Glamour of Midnight, has joined us for this week’s Friday Fivesome.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading and reviewing some of Miss Bond’s work and every time I am left wondering what goes on in her mind.  Her stories are creative and wildly imaginative.  A must read for any Urban Fantasy enthusiast.

So here we go,  5 random questions for Casey Bond:

 

You’re getting a reality show.  What would it be called?

Hot Mess

A new crayon is be made after you. What color would it be and what would it be called?

Ruthless (and it would be purple/red)

Pretend the last text you sent was for Santa.  What did it say?

Extra cookies if you pretend you didn’t see that…

If you could co-write with any author who would it be?

Sarah J. Maas

What movie can you watch over and over again and never get tired of?

Twlight

About Unlocked

Princess Raya of Paruth lived alone on a deserted island in a towering lighthouse, forgotten by time. With only a loyal albatross as a friend, she had little hope or joy in her life until he washed up on her shore in the middle of a raging winter storm.

Prince Trevor of Galder left his father and kingdom behind to travel north in search of a wife. It was time to settle down and forget Ella Carina, the woman who chose to love a peasant and follow her heart instead of choosing Trevor and fulfilling her duty to her people. He didn’t heed the warnings about the North Sea in winter, and his ship, crew, and captain paid the price.

Raya and Trevor must work together to find a way off the island, or risk being trapped there for the rest of their lives. But sometimes the simplest lessons are the hardest, and each will have to learn that the only thing that can truly set you free is love

Grab your copy of Unlocked on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

Add it to your Goodreads TRB list.

 

Meet Casey L Bond

Award-winning author Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. She loves letting the figments of her imagination spill onto the blank page.

You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links:
Website: www.authorcaseybond.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcaseybond
Twitter & Instagram: @authorcaseybond