Book review - Dark Hope by Monica McGurk

For years, Hope Carmichael, survivor of a shocking child abduction, has lived a sheltered existence under the protection of her fanatically religious father. Now, liberated by her mother, Hope prepares to start life over as a normal kid in an Atlanta, Georgia, high school.

Normal, that is, until Hope meets Michael, a gorgeous emancipated teen with a mysterious past and a strong interest in Hope. Soon, Hope’s life is filled with questions. What’s behind the angry looks Hope gets from Lucas, leader of a gang of students? Who’s responsible for sending Hope strange valentines inscribed with Bible quotations? How does this relate to the sinister business of human trafficking that operates on the periphery of Hope’s suburban world? And is Michael really a protector, or something more sinister—and just why does he seem so familiar?

In an epic narrative that takes readers from the back streets of Atlanta to the height of Vegas penthouses and beyond, Dark Hope introduces The Archangel Prophecies, a saga of vast mythological scope and great moral urgency.

(I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dark Hope by Monica McGurk.

The story started with a toddler girl who was abducted and was fortunately found 2 days later.

Fast forward 10 years or so and we have fifteen year old Hope who spent the majority of her life living with her Dad after her parents separated.

Hope requested to live with her Mom now, as she's had enough of the strict and watchful eyes of her Dad.

She found new freedom when she moved in with her Mom, who's always out of the country on business trips. She also got to start afresh at her new school.

She met Michael at her new school and their friendship blossomed. She had never really had a close friend in her previous school and found herself gradually attracted to him.

There was more than meet the eye with Michael and soon they embarked on an adventure to find an ancient relic that could save humankind.

I look forward to reading the next book, Dark Rising! :)

Goodreads link to Dark Hope

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Cover reveal - Saven Deception by Siobhan Davis

Today is the cover reveal for Saven: Deception (The Saven Series #1) by Siobhan Davis. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours.

Saven: Deception (The Saven Series #1)
By Siobhan Davis
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: December 15, 2015

Blurb:
I’ve fallen hard for an alien.
But he’s harboring secrets.
Massive ones that threaten the very essence of humanity.
How can I give him my heart when his race plan on taking my future?

Sadie Owens has been slowly dying inside. Bit by bit, piece by piece, day by day. Trapped in a life she hates, she relies on only one person: Herself.

Despised by her family, and betrayed by an unscrupulous government, Sadie dreams of a different life. When she is chosen to participate in the government’s new social experiment, she is ecstatic at the prospect of spending six months in Thalassic City, the shiny new city under the sea.

Immediately drawn to Logan Chandler, Sadie is captivated by the beautiful boy with the ocean-blue eyes. Logan seems to embody everything that has been forbidden, but he isn’t all he appears to be.

When Sadie finally learns the truth about why the Saven walk among us, will it be too late to save her heart and the human race?

You can find Saven: Deception on Goodreads

You can pre-order Saven: Deception here:
- Amazon USA
- Amazon UK
- Amazon Canada
- Amazon Australia

Excerpt:
Please note that this book is currently undergoing professional editing so this is an unedited sample. The final published version will be slightly different.

The stench of stale sweat, unwashed skin, and rancid body odor assaults my nostrils and I gag. The temp in the carriage must be pushing ninety degrees and a steady line of sweat coasts down my spine, gluing my shirt to my back. A craving to crawl out of my skin hits me like a bullet to the chest.
It’s not a new sentiment. It’s an urge I feel at least once every hour.
A potent desire to be anyone but myself.
To live any life but this one.
Heat rolls off the large body pressed into me from behind and the man grunts loudly. The desire to shed my skin accelerates and I shudder uncontrollably. Everywhere I look I’m confronted by a sea of grimy, male chests in dirty, sweat encrusted work wear. Being short sucks almost all of the time, but being stuck in the middle of an overcrowded, bursting-at-the-seams subway carriage, during one of the hottest heatwaves New York has ever known, sucks butt on a stratospheric level, and has me cursing the genes that stalled my growth at five feet one.
Claustrophobia swoops in, surrounding me in an anxiety-laced cloud, and I know I’ve reaching my tipping point.
I can’t bear this a second longer.
With my lungs screaming for air, I push my way forward, shuddering as I squeeze past more disgusting, heaving forms.
I fling myself out onto the platform in the nick of time. The train eases out of the station as my legs make a break for freedom. Bounding up the stairs two at a time, I thrust my tiny frame forward, propelling my legs as fast as they can go. My entire being strains for release.

About the Author:
Siobhan Davis is the author of YA science fiction romance series True Calling.
A self-diagnosed ‘teenager forever’—at least when it comes to books, music and movies; Siobhan is totally addicted to teen fiction and superhero/blockbuster movies. Siobhan loves baking, crime novels, shoes, bags, make-up, anti-wrinkle cream, anything pink, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, and Robert Pattinson (definitely Team Edward).
Siobhan has forged a successful corporate career, in Human Resources, over the last twenty years.
Siobhan resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.
Contact Siobhan at: www.siobhandavis.com

You can find and contact Siobhan here:
- Website
- Blog
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Google +
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Newsletter

Sample chapters, quotes, reviews and book excerpts are all available to download from the authors website

There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of Saven: Deception. You can win a 10$ Amazon Gift Card. For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book review - Blood in the Water by Tash McAdam

There have always been warps—tears between realities—and they’ve always been a threat to humanity. Most people are blind to them. But Hallie’s eyes are opening. Now that she’s going to school at the Protectorate, she’s learning there’s more to life than fun and games.

The truth is, she’s just become part of Earth’s only shield against the monsters of the warps. Before, she didn’t think she was anything special. Now, yanked from her relatively normal life, she realizes that she doesn’t have a choice.

When the emergency alarm sounds, calling everyone in the school to arms, even the young and inexperienced are needed. As one of the warp weavers—capable of closing the warps and stopping the monsters—Hallie must now work to save lives. And she must do it in the most complicated situation she’s ever experienced. Because there are sea serpents in the Thames, and Hallie has to close the doors that are letting them in.

The problem is, they’re underwater, and they’re hungry.

Now everyone is relying on her, and Hallie must find a way to do her job—with a brand new partner—before it’s too late. Because if she fails she’ll die, along with everyone who’s depending on her.

(I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review)

Blood in the Water is a prequel to the Warp Weavers series.

Hallie is an ordinary teenager until she's called to join the Protectorate which is a mystical school for warriors, warlocks and weavers. She's a weaver who has the power to open and close doors between dimensions. She's responsible for sealing up breaches to keep demons out from this world.

She's only been at the Protectorate for about a month or so before an emergency alarm sounded at the school, calling the help of everyone including the newbies who has had next to no experience.

So far she's only closed 4 breaches, 2 of them were training ones. She's completely clueless as to what they're dealing with and what she needed to do. She was sent to a team of experienced warriors and warlocks, her being the only weaver in the group.

Hallie partnered with an experienced warrior Ruble and they entered the river Thames in London, heading straight into a pool of sea serpents while looking for breaches to seal.

Overall, this was a fast-paced and exciting read and a brilliant introduction to the Warp Weavers series.

Blood in the Water is the second title I've read by Tash McAdam and I look forward to many more!

Goodreads link to Blood in the Water

Get your copy from Amazon UK