Review Tour of A Magic Within by Sara V. Zook

Title:  A Magic Within

Author:  Sara V. Zook

Published:  June 18^th, 2014

Genre:  YA Paranormal

Synopsis:

Normalcy. I need to get back to a state of normalcy. What’s happened to me? Why am I here in this orphanage, and why am I forbidden to leave? Everyone is so very cruel here. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. It’s the paranoia getting to me. It’s like someone’s always watching, always listening. There’s a general fear around here, and for some reason, it seems fueled by my arrival, but why are they afraid of me? I didn’t ask for this. I don’t even know how I got here. I need to go home. My parents must be worried sick. There has to be someone here who can help me, who can give me answers and lead me in the right direction so I can get out of here. There is this one boy, Lydic. Could he be my key to getting out? I can see it in his eyes he feels sorry for me. He seems to know more than he’s letting on. These people aren’t like anyone I’ve ever met before.

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Excerpt from A Magic Within:

“What is that sound?” I asked in a whisper.  It was still far away but growing louder and closer by the minute.

            Lydic put his arm behind his back and opened his hand for me to take it.  I slid my fingers into his and waited for him to let me know what to do next.  My heart was pounding out of my chest.  Another second passed and then Lydic turned, his eyes locked on mine as he nodded his head.  We took off to try to outrun whatever it was that was coming for us.  We had only gotten two steps in before I felt Lydic’s grasp on my hand slip away.  I turned around to see what was happening.  I screamed out in horror as Lydic was frozen in place.  He was still on his feet, but his head was drawn back and his eyes rolling into his head as if in extreme pain.

            “Lydic!” I cried out.

            The old woman was behind him.  She had that stick, the same one I had tripped over, held up in the air and aimed at Lydic’s head.  There were bright colors, green and yellow, pouring out from the end of the stick and going directly into his skull.  The woman’s expression was one of determination.  Her eyes were closed and her lips pressed together as she mumbled something I couldn’t understand.

            What are you going to do?  Panic seized me.  Lydic was supposed to help me, not the other way around.  I didn’t know what to do.  I had to stop this, but how?

            The high-pitched whistling grew louder and more intense.  It was starting to hurt my ears.  My gut told me that if I didn’t make a move now, it was going to be too late.

            I took a step toward the stick and reached out and grabbed it with my hand.  I used all the strength I had to yank it from the grasp of the old woman.  Lydic fell to his knees.  The woman glared at me, a low growl escaping from her throat.  She lunged toward me.  Without having time to think, I instinctively swung the large stick at her, using it as a bat and she was the ball.  It collided with her head making a grotesque sound.  She collapsed to the ground.  Lydic looked up at me.  I was breathing hard, trying to understand what had just happened. 

            “What do we do?” I asked.  The whistling noise was almost to us, but I still couldn’t see anything.

            Lydic glanced over his shoulder at the woman.  “Run!” 

 

About the Author:

Sara V. Zook is a paranormal/fantasy writer. She is the author of the Strange in Skin Trilogy, Clipped and Evanescent, Book 1 in The Sempiternal Series. She lives in Pennsylvania with her 3 small children and husband.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website | Blog

  

Book Trailer:  http://youtu.be/aw49DFleZxQ

 

Facebook Event Page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1443420465906146/1443426789238847/?notif_t=like

 

Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

Two Custom Bookmarks, an eBook copy of A Magic Within, and a print copy of A Magic Within

Giveaway is US only, except for eBook. a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 

 

A Magic Within by Sara V. Zook
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was given this as an ARC for an honest review.

What in intriguing book, like nothing I have ever read before.

Camping with her parents, Riley goes to walk her dog in the woods around the camp ground. The dog breaks loose and she finds herself lost and afraid. Hearing noises around her, she tries to run from them to find her way out but she slips and falls. The last thing she remembers is strong arms around her and darkness.

This story is about Riley and an adventure to another realm. Magical and captivating, this book is such a great read. The writing is amazing and the details paint the complete picture for the reader. The characters in the book are real and you find yourself pulling for Riley and her new friends to beat the villain.

Plot twists and an unexpected ending lead you to want to know more about this magical word of the “magic within”. I hope there is a sequel to this! I need to know what happened to Riley.

I gave this book 4 stars.



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BLOG TOUR Facade of Shadows - Rick Chiantaretto

Title: Facade of Shadows
Author: Rick Chiantaretto
Genre: YA, dark fantasy

>>ADD TO GOODREADS<<

Judas Iscariot (portrayed as the first of the undead), the gods and myths of ancient Egypt, and vampires all play a role in this novel of the clash between good and evil on Earth. In Façade of Shadows, the supernatural beings of Egyptian lore work together with modern-day vampire slayers to wage a pivotal battle against the dark powers of the underworld. A group of young slayers and their immortal Protector, the son of ancient gods, travel through time and space while struggling to save the population of an unsuspecting town—the first target for domination by the vampires—in a conflict that foreshadows the fate of the world. If you enjoy action, humor, tragedy, even romance involving the genre of vampires and their nemeses, this is a riveting read to add to your collection.

Purchase:

Only 99¢

Amazon

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I've often been accused of having done more in my life than the average person my age but if I were completely honest, I'd have to tell you my secret: I'm really 392.

So after all this time, I'm a pretty crappy writer.

I have two books published and a bunch half written (when you have eternity, where's the reason to rush?). I've been favorably reviewed by horror greats like Nancy Kilpatrick, and my how-to-write-horror articles have been quoted in scholarly (aka community college freshmen's) papers.

I enjoy the occasional Bloody Mary, although a Bloody Kathy or Susan will suffice.

Mostly, I just try to keep a low profile so people don't figure out who I REALLY am.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

Facade of Shadows by Rick Chiantaretto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Far from my normal read, I ran across Rick’s debut novel at an author takeover and release party on Facebook. Intrigued by the cover and the story behind the book, I immediately had to read it.

I first have to say, what a ride. Writing this novel while he was still young and in high school, Rick’s writing style rivals even the most experienced writers of today. He captures you and pulls you in so deep; you become part of the tale.

A story about vampires, Egyptian Gods, and even a character modeled after his own persona (I think), you love the complexity of Lucas and Cassi. The tale of good versus evil, with twists and turns you never know what will happen next. This book kept me on my toes. Never knowing quite where I was going to land only added to the suspense building until the very last page. An ending that I never saw coming was fitting for this story.

This book is a super read for anyone, young and old. If you haven’t picked up one of Rick’s books, you should. They are all outstanding.
I give this 5 stars.


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HiT to Live by Margaret McHeyzer - Anna Brookes final installment

You should check out the final installment of the HiT series by Margaret McHeyzer.

USA: Hit to Live

http://amzn.com/B00LZ9OBWI

Hit box set

http://amzn.com/B00LZ9OE1G

UK: Hit to Live

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LZ9OBWI

Hit box set

ttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00LZ9OE1G

Aus: Hit to Live

http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00LZ9OBWI

Hit Box set

http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00LZ9OE1G

Blog Tour for Midnight Ballerina by Cori "C.A." Williams

Synopsis 

“When I grow up, I’m going to be a dancer. I just know it.” 

Of course, life doesn’t always work out how you want. Just ask Monroe Hartley. After burying her childhood dream, Monroe works toward a new one, determined to prove her independence. When life catches up with her, stripping away her resources, she slowly turns toward an unlikely profession. Miller Buchanan has enough on his plate; he doesn’t need to worry about anything or anyone else. Then a petite, dark-haired beauty falls into his lap and despite his personal demons, he can’t stay away. Temptation and possibility linger, but when the past comes knocking, will they trade their future for the familiar? Or will they continue on the path of the unknown?

Prologue

I GLANCED AT my watch, seeing it was just after midnight. I needed to get the hell out of here so I could get some sleep. Already overworked, I shouldn’t have promised her the favor but she’d always done right by me. I couldn’t keep putting it off. My feet froze when I passed by the open door of one of the rooms, eyes drawn to the lone figure in the center of the glossy, wooden floors, her back facing me. Hair as dark as the night sky in a tight bun atop her head enhanced her creamy white skin, body clad in a scrap of black material that offered as little coverage as a bathing suit. That must be what they wore, even when there weren’t many people around so late at night. Business must be good if the place continued to stay open almost twenty-four seven. I didn’t get the need for it, really. My attention snapped back as she gracefully raised her arms, completely in her own world, before balancing on her tiptoes and spinning around the room endlessly, making me dizzy. My eyes stayed glued to her perfomance, her legs drawing me in like a moth to a flame. While she was petite, her legs seemed to go on for miles, and were powerful and lean as she twirled across the floor, changing quickly into step after step. I was mesmerized. She moved fluidly, legs kicking in every which direction, perfectly in sync with the soft music playing in the background. I could barely make out the song as I focused solely on the ballerina, her body making a tempo of its own, creating a rhythm as she glided effortlessly. Back and forth, forward and backward, round and round. My whole body hummed as I shifted, pressing closer as I continued to observe, unnoticed. I didn’t want her to stop my private show, but it all came to an end too soon as someone walked past me in the hallway, pulling me out of my trance. I looked down to see that almost an hour had passed, cursing myself for letting the dancer distract me, and when I glanced back in the studio, she was gone. It was for the best, really. I walked back out to the front, gathering my tools, re- signed to the fact that I’d have to come back to complete the job another time. It wasn’t happening that night. My little midnight ballerina made sure of that.

Review

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About the Author

Cori "C.A." Williams is the author of The Journey Series, Full Count, Imperfect Perfection Series, and The Crush; all of the New Adult Genre. She  lives in Michigan and is married to her high school sweetheart. When she's not busy typing away at a new book, she's also trying to juggle three little ones. While being a stay at home to her three little ones, she likes to read and write, in between cleaning up messes and being a short order cook.

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcawilliams?ref=hl

Or friend me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorca.williams.1

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