Monday, January 29, 2018

Blog Tour: A Wild and Unremarkable Thing by Jen Castleberry...Review & More!


Have a fun new fantasy to tell you about today...and let’s just say, “There be dragons!”
Plus, find out some of my favorite fictional dragons.


A Wild and Unremarkable Thing

Publisher: The Parliament House
Release Date: January 23, 2018
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

Fifteen years have passed since a Fire Scale scorched Cayda’s village.  Fifteen years of beatings, of bare kitchen cupboards and sloppy swordplay.  Fifteen years of biting her lip for her father’s cane while her younger sisters did the same for the grimy patrons of the village brothels. Fifteen years of staring steadfastly after beauty in an increasingly ugly world.

Now, with hair shorn and breast bound, Cayda marches into the Summer Alps as Cody, a hopeful Champion seeking a dragon-slayer’s reward, with the full weight of her family’s survival on her shoulders.

But the road between poverty and prosperity is rife with beasts, betrayals, and baser temptations. Sensible Cayda soon discovers that she is not the only Champion with her eye on the prize, or the only one wearing a disguise.
With monsters, gods, and royalty hot on her heels, Cayda must ask herself if victory is worth sacrificing her identity for – or her life.

A Wild and Unremarkable Thing pits girl against dragon in a stunning blend of Greek mythology and medieval lore. Readers will not quickly forget the diverse cast or the thrilling, sexy ride!




Jen Castleberry lives and writes in Virginia Beach.
Her background is in Animal Welfare.
All of her pets are named after superheroes.





Title: A Wild and Unremarkable Thing
Author: Jen Castleberry
Format: Digital ARC
Source: Publisher/Blog Tour 

A Wild and Unremarkable Thing is a fascinating tale about a young woman’s journey to fulfill a task that she has been raised for...to kill a Fire Scale, a dragon-like creature that hibernates or hides and only comes out during an event that happens every 15 Years known as the Emerging.

Thanks to her father’s harsh training and determination, young Cayda is gone and where she once stood is now a tough, young “man” named Cody. Cayda has been forced by her father to act as a male because “girls shouldn’t kill” Fire Scales and her family needs the money killing one during the next Emerging would bring. When her father is injured, Cody must make the dangerous journey alone to the tournament in hopes of helping her struggling family. Cody faces dangers not just from nature, but also man. If her secret is revealed it could be dangerous.

Along the way we learn more about Cody, but we also meet some other fascinating characters such as Penn, a man with a fascinating secret past, Wolfe, who is more at home in a library than a battleground but who yearns to prove himself, and Wolfe’s friend, Fares, the crown prince who just wants to have a good time. All are on their way to the same destination...the site of the next Emerging. Each of the four have secrets they don’t want to share and their own reasons for traveling to the Emerging.

The first half this beautifully-written and at times emotional story focuses on the journey to the Emerging. There is not a lot of excitement really, but it gives us a chance to get to know our main characters a bit and see how they interact with one another and reading the different viewpoints allows us to see the other characters in a different way. I was never quite sure what to expect or think, however, when it came to the prince...he’s a tough one to figure out at times. But as I said they all have interesting and distinct personalities and it slowly becomes clear just why each has taken this journey.

As for the second half, things start to pick up as they near their destination and the Emerging approaches. Secrets are revealed, relationships are forever changed, and more. Plus, our characters finally come face-to-face with some of the beasts and creatures hinted at in the first half including the Fire Scales.  There are even a few unexpected twists thrown in as well...or at least, I didn’t expect them.

I really loved the author’s incorporation of both fantasy and mythology to tell this story. It definitely made it more interesting and the elements she chose to use raised the stakes a bit for some of the characters making their success during the Emerging even more critical. I can’t say too much because I am trying not to spoil the story, but it was definitely fascinating.

Overall, A Wild and Unremarkable Thing was just what I had hoped it would be...an entertaining read with likable characters and a world I wouldn’t mind seeing more of someday.


*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*
So if you read my review above, you’ll see that A Wild and Unremarkable Thing features Fire Scales or as I’d probably call them...Dragons.

I have long been a fan of all things dragon and I am not exactly sure when this love of mine started.  I thought I’d share a list with you of some of my favorite fictional dragons. As I sat down to compose this list, I began to see that my love for these fire-breathing beasts started young...perhaps one of these dragons is responsible for my passion.

The first thing I want to point out about dragons is that there are so many different types...I mean, anything goes when imagining these fictional creatures. I remember giving my nephew (another dragon fan) an encyclopedia of dragons when he was little and it was so fascinating reading about these fantastical creatures as if they truly existed.

Dragons can also vary when comes to personalities...sometimes they’re the enemy and sometimes they’re our friend. And that can be said about all of the dragons on my list.

So the list...that’s what you really wanted...not me rambling.

Okay, in no particular order, here are some of my favorite fictional dragons...

Up first, we have Maleficent. Technically, she’s not a dragon, but there’s a scene that has stuck with me since early childhood where Prince Phillip is battling our villain to get to Aurora and I can clearly remember sitting there watching as she transforms into this big magnificent beast of a dragon. This was long before Beauty & the Beast was released and became my favorite Disney movie so I would watch Sleeping Beauty, my second favorite, multiple times a day and this scene has always stuck with me.


Another favorite dragon also comes from childhood, but this one was in a book. I’m not even sure the dragon has a name, but when I was little I was obsessed with the book There’s No Such Thing As A Dragon by Jack Kent. It was one of those books that came with a cassette tape for you to “turn the page at the chime” so I’d read and listen for hours even falling asleep to it playing on the stereo. The yellow & orange dragon was my dream pet for a bit.

My next all-time favorite dragon will always be my favorite...Elliot from the 1970s version of Pete’s Dragon. Another movie I watched over and over, yet I couldn’t tell you much about the plot, Pete’s Dragon featured my favorite invisible dragon, Elliot. He was just so cute and so much fun...plus he took care of Elliot...he had a good heart.

It wouldn’t be a list without Puff the Magic Dragon. This is one of my dad’s favorite songs and it has become one of my favorites as well. I know the rumors that surround the song, but I choose to believe in the innocent nature of Puff, the Magic dragon.



One last favorite before I wrap things up (although I could easily add about 10 or so more), Draco from Dragonheart. Not only does he have an awesome voice (thanks to Sean Connery), he does his best to help change the world around him and how people view dragons.  I love this movie so much and it’s got a lot to do with Draco. He’s such a fabulous character.

So those are some of my favorite dragons...do you have any favorites?




  • Prize: 1 signed paperback copy of A WILD AND UNREMARKABLE THING by Jen Castleberry
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Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Book Blitz: Falling For Her Brother’s Best Friend by Noelle Adams...Sale Plus Giveaway!


Fifteen years ago, three girls were thrown together because their brothers were best friends. Now they’re all grown up, and their brothers are grown up too. The Tea for Two series tells their stories. Fans of contemporary women’s fiction will become engrossed in this new series by New York Times Bestselling Author, Noelle Adams.

Keep reading to find out more and to enter a fantastic giveaway!
Title: Falling For Her Brother’s Best Friend
Author: Noelle Adams
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 7, 2017
Publisher: Noelle Adams
Series: Tea For Two
Format: Digital eBook
Digital ISBN: 9781386206675

After too many bad decisions in romance, Emma is going on a man-fast. For the next six months, she's fasting from men. No sex. No dating. No soulful gazes. No fond memories of her first crush. She's going to spend the time focusing on her career, getting in touch with herself, and helping her two best friends with the launch of their new tea room. No men.

And that includes her brother's best friend, Noah Hart, who has just returned to their hometown.

She doesn't want Noah anyway. He might be even hotter than he was before, but he's not a nice guy anymore. He's made a fortune by acting ruthless in business, and the last thing he's looking for is small-town domestic life. He doesn't even want to be in town again, but a sick grandmother guilted him into it. Then he has nerve to not even recognize Emma when he sees her again. Maybe it's been seven years, but a decent guy would remember his best friend's little sister.

Noah is not a decent guy. Anyway, Emma is on a man-fast. And she doesn't want Noah.

At all.

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

AVAILABLE FOR FREE AT:
Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes
Noah felt an emotional pull toward her, that she seemed to understand him so well, even when he wasn’t sure he understood himself.
But he shouldn’t—he really shouldn’t—be feeling that way.
He cleared his throat. “And I noticed your Man-Fast flew out the window.”
She gasped and straightened her spine, which unfortunately called attention to the curve of her breasts. “What are you talking about?”
Struggling not to gaze too fixedly on the slight outline of nipple he could see beneath the white fabric of her dress, he managed to say, “Your Man-Fast. With all the flirting you were doing, I figured you’d given up on it.”
“I was not flirting!”
He lifted his eyebrows.
“Don’t you give me that snide look,” she said, her lush lips turning down in a frown. “I was talking to some people I know, same as you.”  
“There was definitely more than talking going on over here.” He had no idea why he was pursuing this. It was stupid. Futile. It would just make things worse. 
But he’d been bristling for too long about all the guys falling over themselves around her, and it was going to come out one way or the other.     
“What are you talking about?” she demanded. “I didn’t do anything but talk.”       
“Right. You didn’t smile at them and show them all that skin and make them think they might be getting lucky later on.”        
She gasped again. “I did nothing of the kind.”
“Okay.”
“I didn’t! I was talking. A girl can talk to guys without being accused of leading them on. I could say the same thing about you—every time you talk to and smile at women.”
“I haven’t been talking to women tonight.”
“You talked to a few.”
He tried to remember back to the people he’d chatted with and only remembered two young women. “They were married. I knew them from high school.”
“So? What’s your point? You can flirt with married women, you know.”
“Are you saying you think I’m the kind of guy who would do that?” His voice was now as angry as hers was.
She opened her mouth with some sort of sharp reply, but she must have rethought it. She slumped slightly. “No. I know you’re not.” 
“Good.”
“It would be nice if you’d know I wasn’t like that either.” 
“I’d never think you’d come on to married men.”   
“You just think I’m some kind of tease, torturing men for fun.   
Noah sighed and leaned against the counter. “No. I really don’t.”  
“Then why were you acting like that then?”  
Good question.  
And a question he couldn’t possibly answer honestly.  
I was just being an ass.”
“Yes. You were.”
“Sorry.” 
Her frown was relaxing slightly, and she was peering at him closely. “Okay then.” 
“Okay?” 
“Yes. Okay.”    
He felt a little better, now that she wasn’t so mad at him. But it just made him want to touch her even more.
He really needed to get out of here.
“I already have an older brother,” she said, still scrutinizing his face. “I don’t need another one.”
Damn it.
She thought he was acting like an older brother.
She had no idea he felt like a jealous boyfriend, resenting the fact that any other guy was thinking about what was his.
Could things be any more of a mess for him?  

Copyright © 2017 Falling For Her Brother’s Best Friend by Noelle Adams


******
Other Books in the Tea For Two series:

Winning Her Brother’s Best Friend

Ginny Hart loves men. And she loves dating. She just doesn't want a serious relationship. She's tried it before--with her brother's best friend, Ryan--and it's clear she's not cut out for it. So she'll keep having fun and focusing on the new tea shop she recently opened with her best friend.

That's all she needs in her life.

She definitely doesn't need Ryan, who is always hanging around and has turned into a real player. When he challenges her to prove which of them is more popular with the opposite sex, she takes him up on the bet. One month. Four Saturday nights. She'll show him she's not still holding on to old feelings. It doesn't matter if she can't seem to keep her hands off him.

She's not about to let him win.

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

Seducing Her Brother’s Best Friend

After too many years being overlooked by men, Carol is ready to take action. She wants a man, and she knows which man she wants. Her brother’s best friend, Patrick Stevenson.

Patrick is funny and brainy and the sexiest man she’s ever known, but he has never looked at her as anything except his friend’s little sister. That’s going to change.

Carol isn’t good at flirting. Or seduction. Or anything that requires putting herself out there. But she’s going to make sure Patrick sees her as a desirable woman—and one he wants for more than one night—even if it turns her whole world upside down. He already likes her a lot. He just needs to open his eyes to how good they’d be together.

After all, how stubborn can he be?

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Pre-Order at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes


Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she reads any book she can get her hands on and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  BookBub

Noelle is offering one (1) lucky Grand Prize winner a $20 Amazon Gift Card and one winner an eCopy of one Noelle’s backlist titles. To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:


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