Hiya guys, today we have Lou Hoffmann popping in with her new release Key of Behliseth, Lou chats about finding the right balance for all ages in YA books and there is a fantastic excerpt and giveaway. So guys I will leave you in Lou’s more than capable hands, just enjoy my review and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~
Key of Behliseth
(The Sun Child 01)
by
Lou Hoffmann
On his way to meet a fate he’d rather avoid, homeless gay teen Lucky steps through a wizard’s door and is caught up in a whirlwind quest and an ancient war. He tries to convince himself that his involvement with sword fights, magic, and interworld travel is a fluke, and that ice-breathing dragons and fire-breathing eagles don’t really exist. But with each passing hour, he remembers more about who he is and where he’s from, and with help, he begins to claim his power.
Lucky might someday rule a nation, but before he can do that, he must remember his true name, accept his destiny, and master his extraordinary abilities. Only then can he help to banish the evil that has invaded earth and find his way home—through a gateway to another world.
Hiya guys, today we welcome Mars Novak and his Daily Dose Move as Water in a Basin, I got to interview Mars and he is a little bit shy, and I reviewed his interesting fantasy story. For your own chance to win this little number just leave a comment, and just to jog your memories 😉 click that Rafflecopter link for a chance to own all the Daily Dose collection <3 ~Pixie~
And the winner of Chloe Stowes Ravenscar is H.B.! Congratulations 🙂
Mended
Various Authors
Life comes with a bit of hurt, but luckily for these men, it also comes with the right amount of comfort to mend their breaks, both of the body and the heart. From facing deranged exes to economic trials, the men in these tales have faced trial by fire–or in some cases water–for the right to love and live. Step into their shoes as they rebuild their family after a gutting betrayal or traverse the stars with an unexpected partner. The Mended Daily Dose package delivers stories about all kinds of second chances built on love.
Publisher: Harmony Ink (Dreamspinner Press) (15th April 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Despite the suspicions Mother Dragon shared with Celestrian before her death, he may be the last surviving unicorn of Vrelenden—though most may simply think him some crazy person with a horn attached to his forehead. Nevertheless, Trian has nothing to hold on to but hope, and he’s about to hang that hope on an unlikely hero named Renwald Mallorian. Ren may have been born an accountant’s son, but he’s longed to be a professional hero for as long as he can remember, and he’s read every book on the subject he could get his hands on. When Trian arrives and hires him to find the last remaining unicorns, Ren jumps at the offer and their quest begins.
But the evil Father Denkham is intent on obtaining the last unicorn and sets a deadly assassin on their trail. If that isn’t bad enough, they’ll face a Vampire, Dragon, bandits, and zombies. Their only hope now is for Ren to prove he’s the hero he always dreamed of becoming—but no book in the world could have prepared him for what’s in store.
Review: Celestrian (Trian) has lived with Mother Dragon since he was a small foal. But, now it is Mother Dragon’s time to pass and she has some last words of wisdom for the young unicorn; find a Hero to help him look for the last remaining unicorns. Renwald (Ren) wants to be a Hero more than anything. He has read every book he could find on Heroes and adventuring and now he has overextended himself buying two Elven-made Named blades and he owes a lot of gold to the local coin lender. Trian walks into an Inn looking for a Hero and Ren is drinking and contemplating his sorrows. together they join up to go on the Quest to find the last unicorns. But, the rumor of a unicorn reaches the ears of Father Denkham who sends an assassin on their trail. But, that is the least of their worries as they face bandits, Zombies, Ogres, Trolls and Orcs.
This is a brilliant young adult story that will appeal to high fantasy fans of all ages and who like their Heroes less than perfect. Trian is a wonderful character who has a delightful outlook in life; he also has a trusting nature and believes everything Ren tells him. Ren is a bit of a bumbling Hero. He fumbles with his heroic duty and realizes that it is a lot harder than the books say. Together they make a great team who face dangers and discover a love between them that is tested to its limits.
There are many things to enjoy about this book from the characters and the dangers, but I have to admit to enjoying the bumbling ‘Monty Python’ moments best. they were absurd, funny and ridiculous but so suitable to the general feel of the book. Ren isn’t perfect and when Trian crosses his path he seizes the opportunity to take advantage of Trian’s trusting nature. Oh, he also thinks Trian is insane. Trian knows that they will face possible dangers in their quest to find any other unicorns and thinks he has chosen wisely in his Hero. When he discovers that Ren isn’t as experienced as he claimed accepts that Heroes have to start somewhere.
Ah, this book at times reminded me of my youngest son playing on his Xbox 360. Slashing and bashing as he screams at his online friends to grab health packs and dishing out his wisdom with weapon advice. The storyline is great, the flow perfect and the sexual elements we do see are nicely done. Just giving us enough so that we know what’s going on even if we don’t get all the detail, it is perfectly done for young adults. The adventure keeps you reading and so does the desperate need to see what Ren is going to do next. Trian is a great character, but it is Ren that makes this book special. Although we don’t get a happily ever after at the moment, we are left with hope for the future.
I have to recommend this to those who love high fantasy, young adult, adventure, developing love, great characters and whetting the appetite for further adventures.
The Cursed Ones. As the sheltered youngest son of a healer, Eiland of Summerton has heard of them all his life, the miserable creatures who share the great sickness brought down by the wrath of the gods. Yet unlike any of the illnesses Eiland’s father treats in the village, this one is not passed by touch or cough or poison. It’s given by the Cursed Ones. All it takes is three small words: I curse you.
It never occurred to Eiland that a Cursed One could be young. Or handsome. Until he meets Charon, a wandering outcast who bears the Curse. One stolen kiss changes everything for Eiland and sends the two young men on a dangerous journey that neither can hope to survive–unless they set aside their differences and give in to forbidden love…
Review: Eiland is a sheltered 17-year-old. He has never seen outside of his village and has only heard stories of the outside world. When he comes across another boy in the orchard, a stranger, he never realized that his life was going to change forever. Charon is a Cursed One. He is only sixteen. He has come in search of a healer who could help him. When he comes across Eiland, he is drawn to him, but he is Cursed and he can’t get his hopes up. But, Eiland knows much about healing, and Charon takes him on a journey that teaches them both the world.
This is a great YA story that takes two young adults on a journey that neither will forget. Eiland doesn’t realize that the boy he meets in the orchard is a Cursed One and treats him like he would anyone else. This bit of kindness will change his life forever. When Charon wants Eiland to come with him to show him how to make the salve that will help him, Eiland knows he doesn’t really have a choice. What a Cursed One wants a Cursed One gets. On the journey, Eiland realizes a lot about people, himself and the way of the world. He sees, also, first-hand what a Cursed One goes through, and he begins to understand why Charon is the way he is and does the things he does.
I enjoyed this story. it didn’t just take us to a new world, it showed us the world and the people in it from the unique eyes of a young man who had always saw his world only one way. This story is all from Eiland’s POV, so you get a large selection of emotions that he goes through on his journey, fear, anger, sympathy, hope, happiness, loneliness and understanding. Charon, your heart will break for, he lives with The Curse every day and his story is a very sad one, being cursed at a young age for a simple mistake.
I must admit to wanting to know more about The Curse. Although we are given a vague idea about it, you don’t get a real understanding about it. It leaves you with many questions about it. This story is really well written and flows well. Eiland and Charon are two very interesting characters and although they do exchange kisses that is about the extent of the romance, although Charon is very interested Eiland is unsure. I don’t know what Timshel means or why the book is called that, it is never mentioned once and I would love to know where the title came from.
I will recommend this to those who love fantasy, Young Adult, unsure feelings, being torn with what you want and two young men who have a difficult time of it.
![UnlikelyHero[The]LG](http://mmgoodbookreviews.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/unlikelyherothelg-e1368669430959.jpg)
