anna applegate

Awakened by Anna Applegate – Cover Reveal and Giveaway! :) @applegak

I cannot being to describe my excitement for this book! I am actually a character in the book, so I’m quite excited to see what’s next for Ariya and her crew of vampires! 🙂

Genre: New-Adult, Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

Nothing is ever quite as it seems, at least not for Ariya Adams. She’s only recently discovered the supernatural world is real, and that world wants something from her. Her blood. Her unique ability to heal both werewolves and vampires with a few drops of it has put her in inexplicable danger, danger that elicited her introduction to James, the sexy vampire who has become more to her than just her Protector.
James has done well to protect Ariya in the past, but when defending against a new, more powerful and manipulative evil, it may be more than they can handle. Ariya’s forbidden affair with him makes her more vulnerable to the deception that this new enemy brings along. Her grasp on reality will be tested and twisted as she battles to save James, her friends, and herself.
Despite her determination, she may be faced with a pain greater than she ever thought possible. This time, the power of her blood might not be enough to save those she loves most. And if that happens, will Ariya survive?

Series Order:

Protected (Book 1 in the Ariya Adams Trilogy)

Awakened (Book 2 in the Ariya Adams Trilogy)

If you haven’t yet started this series, check it out. First book is great! Action, Mystery, romance, but not overly heavcy romance, plot comes first here! 🙂 Grab the first book and get ready for number 2! 🙂

Giveaway!

Anna Applegate is holding a giveaway to celebrate, and you are invited to enter! 🙂

The rafflecopter link to the giveaway is: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ODQ2OWU4ZDc2NWM5MGEzYjA0NDk0MDg0NzdjMGFmOjE=/

The prizes are:

1 e-copy of Protected (Ariya Adams Trilogy Book 1)
1 e-copy of Awakened (Ariya Adams Trilogy Book 2)
1 Ariya Adams Prize Pack (Protected AND Awakened)
1 Kali Lockton Prize Pack (Dreamer AND Tell Me I’m Dreaming, Books 1 and 2 in the Kali Lockton Trilogy by Cover Designer and Author J.L. Durfey)

Cover Reveal: Protected by Anna Applegate! This cover rocks! :) Giveaway too!

So I’m extremely pleased and honored to be able to be a part of Anna’s cover reveal! She’s debuting a new cover for Book 1 of her Protected series! She’s on the wake of releasing book 2, and this is such exciting news I’m so glad to share it!

So for those of you who don’t know, I have already spotlighted and reviewed protected, so check that out, I’ve also done a dream casting! I love this book.

Old Cover:

Synopsis:

Genre: New Adult/ Paranormal Romance

At the start of her senior year at Kingsbrook College, a small school in Northern Michigan, Ariya Adams has a perfectly normal existence. Determined to make this her best year yet, she attends her classes and hangs out with the friends she has come to love more than life.

With the arrival of the sexy and mysterious transfer student James Rymer, Ariya Adams’ world is turned upside down. Not only does the new stranger bring out emotions she’s never felt, but he seems to be intertwined in her existence even more than she could have imagined. She discovers that “normal” isn’t what she thought it was and that the lines between fantasy and reality don’t exist, at least not for her.

Danger soon comes for her and she discovers that everyone has been keeping secrets. The battle between one’s duty and what feels right will have to be fought and it may be a struggle for Ariya to stay alive.

New Cover:

Don’t you just love this cover? James looks amazing on it, and so does Ariya! 🙂

Cover designed by J.L Durfey – check her out here!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Day 16: Top 3 Badass Female Characters. Helena, Lily and Ariya! :)

For this Book Slut challenge I’m forced to pick 3 badass female characters.

This hard as lately, I’ve read a lot of female centric books, which had some amazing kick ass women in them! 🙂

Top 3 Badass Female Character (No order)

1. Helena (Hells) Hawthorne

The Risen: Dawning by Marie F. Crow

This is an amazing novel. It’s not a just a zombie novel, it’s not just meant for lovers of the campy horror, it’s for lovers of strong writing and amazing characterization. That’s this novel. It harkens back to better time of horror, and writing in general. Her main character, Hells, is just a wonderful example of a bad ass female character. She kicks ass, takes names, and really drives this story. She’s a wonderfully written character and does a lot for the story as a whole.

2. Lily Ruckler

King Hall by Scarlett Dawn

Another amazing book with such a great female lead. Lily, the mate of the soon-to-be King Shifter, suddenly finds her world turned upside down. She’s now King Shifter in training, her mate is dead due to Com (human/non magical) violence, and they are basically on the brink of a war. She’s got a secret that she needs to protect and didn’t expect to have this new life, but she handles it, doesn’t whine, and kicks major ass. She’s badass, sexy and doesn’t take shit from anyone. She’s a fantastic character, and I can’t wait for book 2!

3. Ariya Adams

Protected by Anna Applegate

Ariya Adams, human, doesn’t think there’s anything special about her life.. turns out she’s completely wrong and there’s a whole lot more to her life and even the world around here. Vampires, werewolves, magic, and so many more twists I don’t want to just reveal to you. You need to read this book! 🙂 She gets thrown into a basically a shitstorm of drama, and this girl doesn’t back down. Yes, she’s emotional but they explain that, but she also doesn’t pull a “Bella” and pout, whine or otherwise degrade herself. She’s awesome, spunky and kick ass.

Don’t forget to check out Tiffany’s Book Hangover for her Kick ass Females! 🙂

Day 15: Book That Will Make a Fantastic Movie – Protected, Hopeless, King Hall and more!

Ohhhh man, this one is super hard because I’ve read so many amazing books recently by indie authors that I’d love to see on the big screen, so I’m just going to make a little mini list!

King Hall by Scarlett Dawn

Protected by Anna Applegate

Branded by Abi & Missy

The Risen: Dawning by Marie F Crow

Casted by Sonya Loveday

St Charles at Dusk by Sarah M. Cradit

Hopeless/Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover

These are a few of the books I’d love to see have a chance at the big screen! They are wonderful stories, well written, interesting!

Don’t hate me if your book didn’t make the list, I have read so many more I could list but it was only supposed to be one and I’m cheating anyway! But honestly, they are amazing! Click on the links and check them out!

Day 10 – Top 9 Book Boyfriends :)

So, today… a wonderful post! 🙂

Top 9 Book Boyfriends

Random number 9, for day 10, but oh well, let’s go for it! 🙂 This will be a mix of indie books and popular books! These are in no particular order.. I love all of them equally!

1. Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice 🙂 The original book boyfriend, the perfect guy! I mean, really, who doesn’t love him? I’ve read so many, much racier spin offs of P&P just for him!

2. Jace from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. Such a conflicted character, but so so lovely, and such a book boyfriend! He’s handsome, strong, and has such a heart!

3. Will from Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare.. oh Will, so tortured, so smart. He love to read. He loves books. He’s perfect.

4. Holden from Hopeless/ Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover. Oh Holden! He’s such a gentleman in a time where those are few and far between. He has been searching for the girl he loves almost all his life. He changes her life. He’s patient, kind, good hearted, and not to mention very very good looking 🙂

5. James from Protected by Anna Applegate. Vampire with a soft side. You can’t ask for much more than that, except if he’s dedicated to spending his life by your side protecting you. He can also play hockey like no one else. I found a look a like, the hairs a little darker than I’d like!

6. Ezra from King Hall by Scarlett Dawn. He’s a vampire, who doesn’t want anyone to know he has a heart. He’s a fighter, a King Vampire, and a complete ladies man. He’s cunning, smart, dead sexy and deep down has a soft side. Ohh. I love him!

7. Cole from Branded by Abi & Missy, he is the white knight. Soldier, lover, and all around good guy. You don’t expect him to be as caring as he is, but he surprises you, and then you can’t turn away. He’s deep, caring, and an all around bad ass. He can fight, and he’s willing to fight for love. 🙂 Thanks to Devoured Words for this amazing image!

8. Nicholas from House of Crimson & Clover Series. I know he’s not a main character in either book, but I’m so glad he’s going to be more of a focus in the next book. He’s interesting, a bit funny, definitely funny. He’s got such a different outlook on life, and it shows through. He’s got the best smile, or so I think 🙂

9. Last, Aragorn, from Lord of The Rings. I’ve always loved this ranger from the North. He’s rugged, handsome, honorable, and a king. He put people first, and does what’s needed of him, despite the consequences. I’ve love him since I was about 10 years old. He’s my king!

So those are my book boyfriends… who are yours? Check out Tiffany’s Book Hangover to see what book boyfriends she has! 🙂

Review Time: Protected: Book One in Ariya Adams by Anna Applegate! @applegak

So, I have gotten around to finishing my review for Protected by Anna Applegate! 🙂 I’m so excited to share this review with you guys, because I was pleasently suprised by this book myself. I spotlighted it last week, as I was finishing up, and you can check that out here.

Grade: A-

Generally, I can take or leave vampire/werewolf tales. I am not a giant fan of them, because usually they are overdone. Anna Applegate does a great job of interesting me in a mixed vampire/werewolf novel. Her characters are lively, they have a bit of mystery, and this isn’t your typical vampire/werewolf tale.

The main character is a typical tomgirl, except for her soft side. She can play sports, kick butt in kickboxing, and generally run circles around you, but she doesn’t plan outfits well, or have the master touch for makeup, but she does love a happy ending. Ariya Adams is hopeful, romantic, and general sheltered. She loves her small home town, and her small college town and her small group of friends.

There are quite a few swoon-worthy men in this novel as well. James, the secretive protector, Riley, the comedic best friend, Nick, the best friend’s boyfriend, all happen to be major hunks with a soft side. Each man has a way with words, and there is no question why these hunks feature prominently in these novels. (I hear a rumor that Anna is supposed to be setting up and interview with James shortly on her site, I cannot wait for that!) James is such a great character in this novel, and the emotional connection that seems to be building between him and Ariya feels realistic, and relatable.

The plot of this first novel was pretty spot on, though it stretched over a whole college semester, the pace was quick, the writing was good, and the story was interesting. I called werewolf story pretty early on (I don’t always read blurbs before reading, think it gives more excitement) but I did not see the vampires coming. I enjoy this representation of vampires quite a bit honestly; it’s refreshing to see vampires protecting humanity (though they do have a self serving goal a bit in Ariya). The back story to Ariya and how she relates to these vampires is actually very well written and falls on the logical side of fantasy. This is something that you could see happening, if you were inclined to believe in these things.

The werewolves weren’t so prominent in this one, besides Devon who, if he didn’t want to kill Ariya so much, could be quite a sexy man himself. His presence resonated as creepy and definitely left an icky vibe with every appearance. I called him as the wolf early on, but I think that was intended because he really is the main villain throughout, or at least the main one everyone knows about.

I really was pulling for Ariya/James from the moment we meet them, partly because we learn Ariya’s been hurt before and we’d like to see her with a nice guy for once, and partly because their character descriptions fit together well, which is something a good writer can manage. A flaw for me, small, very small, would be every time Ariya mentions James “seems old”, “seems mature” ect. It clued us into the vampire reveal a little too soon in my opinion, but it also could be that personally I’d rather have the less clues as a reading preference.

There were twists I didn’t see coming both in the middle of this book, and of course the end, and I love that. I love not knowing how the book is going to end, and also not having a pretty little bow put on life, because nothing is that simple for humans, let alone vampires and werewolves!

Anna’s style is spot on, her technique is impressive, and I am truly excited for book two, and will be quite honored if I’m considered for reviewing the next book as well. I have high hopes for this book, and believe that if you enjoy a GOOD vampire/werewolf novel, then you don’t need to look any further the Protected, by Anna Applegate!

Contact Anna:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annaapplegateauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/applegak

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/adreamisawish12/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7132938.Anna_Applegate

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Anna-Applegate/e/B00DL33RPI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Website: http://annaapplegate.com/

About Anna:

Anna Applegate lives in rural Maryland with her husband and golden doodle.
She loves reading, romance of all kinds, sappy chick flicks, paranormal literature, shooting stars, Disney, traveling, and having an imagination.

If you are interested in staying up to date when she releases new books,
teasers, and more, please sign up for her e-mailing list at
http://annaapplegate.com under the Contact Me tab.

Just put a note in that you’re interested in joining the mailing list.

** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own 🙂

Protected: Book One in Ariya Adams by Anna Applegate! @applegak

Today I’m doing just a little spotlight for Protected by Anna Applegate. I’m currently in the throws of reading this interesting novel, and thought I’d throw it out for some discussion before I post my review! 🙂

Blurb:

That is until the arrival of the sexy and mysterious transfer student James Rymer, who captivates her affections almost instantly. With her emotions on the fritz for no apparent reason, and unsure if he shares her feelings, Ariya finds herself on an emotional rollercoaster in which everything she knows and loves is questioned.

When fantasy and reality mix, Ariya’s world is turned upside down and she learns that “normal” isn’t what she thought it was. Danger soon comes for her and she discovers that everyone has been keeping secrets from her. The battle between one’s duty and what feels right will have to be fought, and it may be a struggle for Ariya to stay alive. When Ariya’s life and the lives of the people she cares for most are endangered, she learns to never underestimate the power of blood.

GENRE: New-Adult, Paranormal Romance

Check out Anna Applegate on her website, Facebook, Twitter, amazon and Goodreads.

You can get Protected on Amazon, believe me, I’m loving it already!