Review: Stones and Finger Bones by Jessica Minyard * Xpresso Book Tours*

Stones and Finger Bones by Jessica Minyard  

(The Black Towers #1)  

Publication date: February 10th 2015 

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Aurelia Barone, Jewel of Starry Stone, harbors no illusions about the purpose of her life as heir to the throne. But after two failed betrothals, she starts to feel like nothing more than a pawn being moved aimlessly about a game board.
Until the night she loses everything.
Kidnapped by a wise-cracking mercenary with more than one identity, Aurelia embarks on a mission across land and sea to avenge her father’s death.
But an evil is rising from the ashes of memory. Insidious magic is stirring. The dregs of a once-powerful nation are thirsty for blood and revenge.
They seek to harness Aurelia. To tempt her. To manipulate her.
And if necessary, to destroy her. 

My Thoughts

Wow this was such a pleasant surprise. I saw the blurb and had to jump on board!! I am such a sucker for court politics and  magic and I was not disappointed in the least!!

This book started off a bit slow in the beginning but then once it took off I was able to see this captivating world that was created. There was bits of magic and twists and turns galore. The setting was definitely a favorite part of mine as I felt the world building was definitely one of the stronger points of the writing.

Another part of this book was the fact that the characters while fiction, seemed incredibly life like. They are had a certain shade in grey in terms of good vs. evil and I think that just add so many layers to the characterizations. It also makes for a much more believable story since let's face the is very few true good and true evil in the world. It always seems to be bit of both. There was an alternating narrative with a clever use of ancient diary to fill in the missing history and plot points. Even thought there was a lot of changing of perspective it still felt like a very subtle transition for me which was great since it didn't pull me out of the story once!

I am so very lucky to have been part of this tour! I would be remiss had I missed out on this unique title. I cannot wait to see more of Aurelia and if there are any upcoming books! If you are a lover of fantasy and just a strong plot this one will suit you!

4 Snowflakes

FIND IT!!

Goodreads: 

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24471961-stones-and-finger-bones 

Purchase: 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TGQKXLK --

B&N: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stones-and-finger-bones-jessica-minyard/1121202981?ean=2940151696135&itm=1&usri=2940151696135&cm_mmc=

iTunes: 

 https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id966441279 

--Kobo: 

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/stones-and-finger-bonesutm_source=linkshare_us&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=linkshare_us&siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-HV0mBotgLnAHmCQ83yJSbA

About the Author

Jessica wrote and illustrated her first story in the fourth grade. “The Dragon of Grindley Grun” was about an evil wizard, a princess, and a dragon who was actually a prince. She likes to think her writing has evolved since that very first story, even though she still writes about magic and evil wizards...sometimes.
She likes to sing loudly and dance on occasion without being particularly talented at either. Her interests include reading, writing, procrastinating, animal advocacy, musicals, accessories, memes, Harry Potter, and sweet tea.
Jessica lives in Kentucky with a spoiled pitbull.

Author links:

http://jessicaminyard.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12566450.Jessica_Minyard

https://twitter.com/jl_mizzle

https://www.facebook.com/jessicaminyardbooks

Giveaway: 

Tour-wide giveaway --
A signed paperback of Stones and Finger Bones and 4 prints of hand painted, original character portraits.  - ends April 9th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:
Week One:3/16/2015- Moonlight Gleam Reviews- Interview3/17/2015- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review3/18/2015- YA Bibliophile- Guest Post3/19/2015- Owl Always Be Reading- Review3/20/2015- Library of a Book Witch- Interview
Week Two:3/23/2015- Gone with the Words- Review3/24/2015- Bookhounds ya- Guest Post3/25/2015- YA Series Insiders- Interview3/26/2015-Winterhaven Books- Review3/27/2015- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

Cover Reveal: Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce

Today WinterHaven Books is participating in the cover reveal for Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce!

Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

“My mom had always told me – when you meet “the one”, you’ll know; they’ll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom’s words of wisdom were finite – if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering.”

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted – a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it’s always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can’t handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak – even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school – Levi. Everything feels normal again… or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she’s never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen – students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice – will she settle for ‘great’ Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across ‘amazing?’

From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

About the Author:

Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy and Sci-fi novels. 

Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex storytelling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her first publishing credit was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to 'life happens', but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook




 

Cover reveal: Destiny Gift by Juliana Haygert

Today WinterHaven Books is joining in the fun with Xpresso Book Tours to reveal the cover for Destiny Gift by Juliana Haygert. This cover is stunning! Take a look!

 Thirty years in the future, a sinister New York City exists in permanent darkness.

A student at the secured NYU, nineteen-year-old Nadine has visions of Victor Gianni, an imaginary guy she has real feelings for. Afraid of being truly insane, she explains the visions away as simple daydreams, but she can no longer deny them when she bumps into Victor in real life. But this Victor doesn’t know her, and turns her away. After the encounter, Nadine’s visions change to those of eerie fates, gods she’s never heard of, demons with sharp claws they are not too timid to use … and instructions.

To discover if she’s losing her mind, Nadine follows the vague directions—with the real, rude and reluctant Victor—leading to a man who knows it all: Nadine can restore an ancient creed by unveiling the clues on her visions, and bring sunlight and peace to the world again. But that’s only if the demons and the other evil forces behind the darkness don’t stop her first.

About the Author:

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Author Links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

So what does everyone think??  I am in love with it and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Also don't forget to stop by HERE for a chance to win Destiny Gift!

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: VOLITION by Lee Strauss

Today WinterHaven Books is joining in the fun with Xpresso Book Tours to reveal the cover for VOLITION by Lee Strauss! 

Introducing VOLITION!

Book 2 in the dramatic PERCEPTION Series coming April 16!

VOLITION by Lee Straus

Release date on April 16, 2013 by ESB Publishing

About the book:

What doesn't kill you...

Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody.

They're in love.

Or at least that’s what he tells her. Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike—thin and fleeting. Her heart can’t be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.

Senator Vanderveen’s new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.

And their fight for survival has only begun.

VOLITION is the exciting continuation of Noah and Zoe's story from Perception.

Eternal Life is To Die For.

Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along-side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.

Her brother Liam is missing.

Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.

Want to read PERCEPTION? It's available on Amazon, Kobo, itunes, and Nook.

About the Author:

Lee Strauss writes historical and science fiction/romance for upper YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff under the name Elle Strauss. To find out more about Lee and her books check out her facebook page. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/elle_strauss To find out about new releases sign up for her newsletter at www.ellestraussbooks.com

Don't forget to enter this tour wide amazing giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway