Blog Tour: Sleeping with the Blackbirds

Hey guys, welcome to Confessions of a Bookaholic's very first blog tour! Alex Pearl, author of the YA novel Sleeping with the Blackbirds will be joins us in this thrill ride of a tour!

The novel has been described by author and screenwriter George Layton as "A delightful fairy story that deals sensitively and compellingly with real, modern-day issues like homelessness, single mums and abusive parents."

Here is the synopsis: 

Eleven-year-old, Roy Nuttersley has been dealt a pretty raw deal. While hideous parents show him little love and affection, school bullies make his life a misery. So Roy takes comfort in looking after the birds in his garden, and in return the birds hatch a series of ambitious schemes to protect their new friend. As with the best-laid plans, however, these get blown off course - and the lives of both Roy and his arch tormentor, Harry Hodges are turned upside down - but in a good way.

Find out more on Goodreads | Amazon | Website

There are a number of events involved from reviews and guest posts to interviews and giveaways.

The tour schedule is below, visit as many as you like! 

6th July - Book Wormie Spot - Guest Post

7th July - Mallory Heart Reviews - Review

8th July - CK Books Blog - Review 

9th July -  Mousiey Books - Review

10th July - Books and Barrels  - Review 

13th July - Daniela Ark's Blog - Interview

14th July - Lovely Paranormal Books - Guest Post
                 - Tanya Robinson 100 - Review

15th July - A.E. Albert: A Writer's Blog - Interview

16th July - A Cascade of Books - Interview 

17th July - Poseidon99 - Guest Post

Review and Book Tour: Warrior's Surrender by Elizabeth Ellen Carter

Series: Standalone 
Genre: Medieval Romance 
Release Date: November 7th 2014
Source: Received as part of the book tour in exchange for an honest review
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars 
Cover Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Synopsis: A shared secret from their past could destroy their future…
Northumbria, 1077. In the years following William the Conqueror’s harrying of the North, Lady Alfreya of Tyrswick returns to her family home after seven years in exile. But instead of returning victorious as her dead father had promised, she returns defeated by Baron Sebastian de la Croix, the Norman who rules her lands.
To save her gravely ill brother's life, Alfreya offers herself hostage to her enemy. As Alfreya gets to know her new husband, she finds he’s not the monster she feared, and their marriage of convenience soon becomes a bond of passion.
But Sebastian is a man with a secret—one that could destroy him. As a series of brutal murders haunt their nights, the man who betrayed Alfreya’s father returns claiming to be her betrothed. He has learned Sebastian’s secret and will use it to further his own ambition—using Sebastian’s own family—which will destroy Sebastian and mark him a traitor, and plunge an unprepared England into war with the Scots…
First Line: The flare of a pitch-soaked torch lit the corner of the timber long-house.

When I read historical fiction I really do tend to love it however I do not pick it up very often for reasons unknown even to me. Therefore, obviously, I haven't read very much historical fiction but I was a huge fan of Phillipa Gregory so I thought I'd give another historical fiction a try and I'm so glad I did. Carter's Warrior's Surrender vastly surpassed anything Gregory ever came up with, and that's not just because it name-dropped a few areas really close to where I live! In fact, it was by far the best book I have read in a very long time. I know reviews always say things like 'I couldn't put this book down' and I always look upon those reviews and recognise exaggeration but now I get it. I literally couldn't put it down. The moment I read the excerpt (which is below so that you can see what I mean) I was gripped, I had to read it. This is one of those books that you speed through all the while mourning how fast it is going. I wanted so much more.

The characterisation of a novel is always the most important part to me, as I know it is to many other reviewers. How can you possibly fall in love with a book if there are no love-worthy characters? It's impossible! I loved almost every character in this book, even the ones you were supposed to hate, because they were all so well developed and relatable. Alfreya, or Frey, was one of the best heroines I have come across. She managed to be both feisty and in love - at the same time. There are so many authors out there who keep their feisty heroines cold with the men in their life in order to keep their independent spirit (Katniss Everdeen comes to mind) but that is not how it has to be and Carter realised that in her portrayal of Frey. She managed to create both a tender and feisty character and that is so rare, I was very impressed. It is not often that I love the heroine of a story as much as the hero but in this case I did - Frey and Sebastian were perfect. Despite this, it was indeed Sebastian who I became most invested in, he had the typical characteristics to begin with: he was cold, guarded and witty. However, unlike most characters who fit these qualities, he had genuine reason to be - given that Frey was his enemy for a long time - and he did not keep these qualities any longer than he needed to. Sebastian, alike Frey, managed to balance his strength with his loving nature. Seriously guys, I loved these two!

The plot itself was unbelievably tense! A compromise for many authors who focus on characterisation is that they sacrifice the plot, it gets slow and uneventful a lot of the time. Once again, this was not a problem for Carter. The plot really kept me on my toes - me! The queen of working out endings in record time. From start to end the plot kept me wanting to turn the pages (aka swipe my phone screen) faster than humanly possible. I will definitely be re-reading this one, it was too good not to. As many of you know, one of my favourite series' of all time is the His Fair Assassin series and this book reminded me of it so much. Yes it lacks nuns, assassins and the god of death but in writing style and characterisation it was on par. Anyone who loved HFA like I did will absolutely love Warrior's Surrender. I can't wait to read more of Elizabeth Ellen Carter's work and I fully intend to get my hands on some more very soon. In the meantime I am praying for a sequel.

Seriously, enter the giveaway or you will really regret it!

Excerpt:

By the light of the fire she could see the abandoned chair. To see the second chair Frey must peer around the door. 
It too was empty.
Frey frowned. Did she doze and Sebastian slipped past her unseen? She took a further step or two into the room and looked.
The bed was…
Before Frey could complete the thought, she was grabbed roughly from behind and held firmly against a man’s broad chest. A large hand covered her mouth and suppressed an involuntary scream.
The man recognised her and relaxed but did not remove his hand.
“You picked the wrong night to slit my throat while I slept, princess.”
Sebastian’s whispered voice filled her ear. He held her still for long moments before speaking.
"Are you recovered? You will not scream?”
Frey nodded and shook her head in answer to each question and she was released, her heart pumping furiously.
“Do you suggest I pick some other night then?” she said, wiping her mouth to rid the sensation of his hand. 
Sebastian ignored her barb and poured a small measure of spiced wine into his goblet. He handed it to her and watched as she drank.
“Why do you assume the worst of me?” she asked.
“Habit,” he answered, arms folded across his chest.
“Now tell me what you’re doing in my chambers while others sleep.”
“I have to speak to you.”
Sebastian’s eyebrows rose in surprise. It might have been scepticism, but Frey couldn’t be sure.
“And it couldn’t wait until morning?”
All of a sudden Frey’s courage left her and she wondered if her senses had taken leave of her too.
She was an unmarried woman, alone, late at night in the bed chamber of a man whose mere presence made her feel powerful sensations that she struggled to understand. What on earth was she doing?
She shook her head softly. 
“This was a mistake.”
As she turned to leave, Sebastian grabbed her wrist.
“It’s a mistake to not finish what you start.”

About Elizabeth:

A future with words was always on the book for Elizabeth Ellen Carter who started writing her own stories when she ran out of Nancy Drew mysteries to read when she was 10.
Using her mother’s Olivetti type writer with the italic keyboard, she spent endless school holidays making up her own stories and then using the Dewey Decimal System to arrange and categorize her bookshelf. Somewhere around the age of 13 she determined to become a journalist and at 17 was awarded a cadetship to the Gold Coast Bulletin. She covered news, council, education, health but had the most fun as the paper’s entertainment and features reporter covering film, TV
and music. Best of all she met her husband there and together they started a small award-winning media, marketing and advertising agency and now she works as marketing manager for an international organic skin care company. In 2012, Elizabeth also returned to the keyboard to write
stories (and laptops are so much better than manual typewriters). Her debut, Moonstone Obsession  was shortlisted for the 2013 Romance Writers Of Australia’s Emerald Awards for unpublished
manuscripts.

Author Links Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Web site & Blog

Buy Links Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes/iBooks | All Romance eReads

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Oracle of Delphi Blog Tour - Review and Giveaway

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Diantha Jones' Oracle of Delphi series so it's only natural that I would participate in the blog tour for book three. I warn you this is going to be a long post but don't fret reading it will be worth it. And there may be a giveaway in it for you if you reach the end...
But first things first - my review!

Series: The Oracle of Delphi #3
Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology 
Release Date: July 15th 2012
Source: From author for review
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars
Synopsis: Summer Solstice is here. Let the games begin.
Nothing but lies (some of them her own) and deceit have brought Chloe to Olympus for the Solstice Olympic Games. As the Oracle and the special guest of the King of Myth, Chloe becomes immersed in a life of unfathomable luxury, taunting history, and overwhelming excitement. Though scheming and untrustworthy, the gods remain on their best behaviour as the tension and anticipation builds around the outcome of the Quest of the Twelve Labors, the deadliest competition of the Games. All seems well on the celestial front...until athletes start turning up dead and a philosopher missing for months returns with a most terrifying story...
But that’s not all. As Strafford confronts his troubled past and more is learned about the Great Unknown Prophecy, Chloe grows close to another, setting off a chain of events that will bring her face-to-face with a truth that will rock both of her worlds to their core.
And it’ll all happen before Solstice’s end...
First Line: Besides hating to be stared at and despising P.D.B.H (Public Displays of Boo-Hooing), Chloe hated to wait.

The problem with sequels is that more often than not they do not live up to their original counterparts. The second book in this series managed to be just as good but the third has exceeded them both. Book three carries on quickly after two ended with Strafford training for his Olympic quest. The quest had always intrigued me so this was a promising start for me. I was worried for a second that we wouldn't see much of the Olympics but luckily for me Chloe was also invited so I got fully involved in all the action the quest brought forth. Add to that the fact that the gods may be approaching war and Chaos is threatening to destroy Myth and you have the perfect plot line.

I always go on about how much I love the characters in this book. Chloe, although badass, just can't live up to the amazingess that is Ace Remedy. I love Strafford also of course but Ace is just... incomparable. My thoughts about the main characters are literally the same as in the other two books so I will not bore you with repetition but will instead tell you about my newly found loves. The first being Torrent. Yes, I know he was the villain of the last book but there is something about him that intrigues me, something good and brave in him. I may be totally wrong but his tortured soul vibe makes me believe there is something deeper to him. The other character that surprised me was Apollo, again he's played off as the villain but I do sense that he's not as bad as everyone makes out. I believe he really does care but his need for power often gets in the way - he may be cold hearted but I don't believe his soul is totally corrupt.

This series is a favourite of mine partly because of the many dimensions of the characters but also the amazing world building. The rich detail that's put into the mythology that is always in the background is astounding and the authors ability to give the many characters individual personalities that reflect their original myths or heritage is hugely admirable. I am a huge fan of Greek Mythology but most books I read on the subject are let downs using the myths as a basis for undeveloped romance. I can truly say that the Oracle of Delphi series is not one of these books and if you're going to read a mythological book it should be this one.

Diantha Jones was born the day thousands of turkeys sacrificed their lives to fill millions of American bellies on November 22 which also happened to be Thanksgiving Day (Her mother says she owes her a turkey). She is a Journalism graduate who wants to be a career novelist (of books, not Facebook posts). When not writing or working, she is reading on her Nook, being hypnotized by Netflix or on a mission to procure french fries. The Oracle of Delphi fantasy series is her first series. She is also the author of Mythos: Stories from Olympus, a companion series, and there is another fantasy series in the works. She also writes (new) adult fantasy/paranormal romance under the name A. Star. Invasion (An Alien Romance) is her first title released under this pen name. Future releases under A. Star include, the Love & Steampunk series, the Purr, Inc. stories, and more.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  

Pinterest  |  DJ's Book Corner

The Oracle of Delphi Series
Click the link above to visit the series page for synopsis' and reviews.

Book One

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Book Two

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Mythos, Book One (OOD #2.5)

Visit the series page

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon

Goodreads

Read My Review

Book Three

eBook: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Paperback: Amazon (Coming Soon!)

Goodreads

The Unknowing Series

    

Unleash Coming Soon!

(Available in eBook only)

Unknowing: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Unburden: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

Unchain: Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

An Alien Romance by A. Star...

I did not want to come here. Earth is but a lifeless ball of matter. Yet, it is worth more than all the galaxies combined. These creatures, these hu-mans, are not worth the labor we exert keeping them alive. But we need them. And I need him. The hu-man who has turned me from my duties, has made me forget my purpose. Everything has changed now. And we are all going to die.

Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble

For a list of future releases, click here.

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I hope you enjoyed my stop on the tour and make sure to hop over to the other stops using the button above!

Blog Tour Stop: Oracle Of Delphi Series By Diantha Jones

Hello and welcome to my stop on The Oracle Of Delphi's blog tour. The tour is to celebrate the release of Diantha Jones' new book, The Prophecy Of The Setting Sunrise, the second book in the Oracle Of Delphi series.

There is a lot going on at my stop. I have a review of the latest book (though I don't advise reading that unless you've read the first since the last thing I want to do is spoil it for you), I have a video interview with the series' author, a cover reveal and of course the giveaway that is advertised on the button to the right. So much to pack into one post so I will be posting the review separately. The giveaways will be last since they are so long.

So lets begin with an introduction to the series so far:

Series: The Oracle Of Delphi #1

Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance

Release Date: March 1st 2012

Synopsis: Constant hallucinations and the frequent conversations with the voices in her head, have earned eighteen-year-old Chloe Clever the not-so-coveted title of "Whack Job" in her home town of Adel, Georgia. After living through an attack from her worst nightmare, she awakens to find herself far from home, surrounded by glorious riches and servants…and a few demigods who enjoy killing things. Upon learning that her favorite rockstar is an Olympian god, she is thrust into her new life as the Oracle of Delphi, the prophesier of the future, and the great Pythia that the gods have been anxiously awaiting to arrive for centuries. Setting out to fulfill the prophecy she has been given and to keep her family safe from a demigod Princess that wants her dead, Chloe learns of how great she is to become, all the while fighting mythical monsters, evading divine assassins and trying to outwit the ever-cunning Greek gods who harbor secrets of their own. In the hopes of discovering the Most Beautiful and the truth of her destiny, she strives to uncover the mysteries of the demigod Prince who has sworn to protect her with his life…and threatens to win her heart in the process.

Read my review.

Buy it on Amazon

Series: The Oracle Of Delphi #2

Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance

Release Date: November 12th 2012

Synopsis: (May contain spoilers if you haven't read the first.

 It’s official. Myth is doomed. 

And it’s all Chloe Clever’s fault. Still as whacked out as ever, Chloe is now faced with an even uglier truth: Not only is she the Pythia of the Great Unknown, but she is more powerful than she ever imagined and only the manifestations of her prophetic mind can save them all now. With her Prince boyfriend, Strafford, and the Quad Fraternity always armed and ready to annihilate the opposition, she will embark on a mission to stop a great power that could consume every god in Myth...and everyone else she’s come to love. But the worst is still to come. Dark, painful secrets are revealed, threatening to tear Strafford from her arms, and just when she thinks the future could not look more grim, she is betrayed in the worst way. With the heavens crumbling down around her, she must hurry to find a way to set things right. But will she be in time to save the one she loves most in the world from a fate that may be more dangerous than her own?

Read my Review

Buy it on Amazon

And coming soon...

Cover Created by Colin F. Barnes

Series: Mythos: Stories from Olympus #1

Genre: Young Adult, Greek Mythology, Romance

Release Date: April 23rd 2013

Teaser: Before he was the guardian of the Oracle... 

Before he fell in love with Chloe... 

Before he was the disgraced Prince... 

He was Solar, Prince of the Sun. 

Now for my very first video interview and I must say I don't think it will be my last, it was very entertaining.


Like the look of them? Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win one of three sets of the first two books in the series.
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There's also a giveaway to win a $25 giftcard:
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For this one no giving away the answer in the comments please, if you do your comment will be deleted.

About The Author: 
Diantha Jones was born the day thousands of turkeys sacrificed their lives to fill millions of American bellies on November 22 which also happened to be Thanksgiving Day (Her mother says she owes her a turkey). She is a Journalism graduate who wants to be a career novelist (of books, not Facebook posts). When not writing or working, she is reading on her Nook or playing the most ridiculous app games on her iPhone.


I grabbed the bio from her Goodreads Page.
Visit her author site and her book blog.

For a full list of blogs participating click here.

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK