Cover Reveal - The Immortal Gene Trilogy - Soulless by Jacinta Maree

Title: Soulless: The Immortal Gene, Book 1

Author: Jacinta Maree

Genre: Dystopian / Supernatural New Adult

Hosted by: Lady Amber's Tours

Blurb:

Welcome to Soulless.

We are the generation that laughs at death.

Reincarnation; what was once considered a gift of immortality has become an eternity of nightmares.

Nadia Richards lives in a world plagued by reincarnation, a system of recycling souls where all past memories, personalities and traumatic events are relived daily in disjointed sequences. Trapped within their own warped realities, not even the richest and most powerful are saved from their own minds unraveling. Madness is the new human nature, and civilizations are crumpling beneath themselves trying to outrun it. 

Within a society that ignores death, Nadia appears to be the one exception to the reincarnation trap. Born without any reincarnated memories and with printless eyes, the hot tempered 19 year old quickly becomes the ultimate prize to all those wishing to end the vicious cycle, or for some, to ensure they could evade death forever.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26127014-soulless

Thunderclap: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/30416-soulless-release-day-blitz

Author Bio:

Born in Melbourne Australia, Jacinta Maree considers herself a chocoholic with an obsession with dragons, video gaming and Japan. She writes a variety of genres including YA paranormal, steampunk, horror, new adult, dystopian and fantasy. Winner of 2014 Horror of the year and bestselling author, Jacinta writes to bring enjoyment to others while fulfilling her own need to explore the weird and the impossible.

Author Links:
Site: http://jacintamaree.wix.com/jacintamaree 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jacinta.maree.10
Deviant art: http://jacintamaree.deviantart.com/
Twitter: jacintamaree6.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show

Buy Links: Pre-Order -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014ONKO9K

Excerpt: 

The world had turned to waste; immortality was never meant for man and it drove humanity to the edge of destruction. There had been plenty of stories about how the human race would end. Unlike the movies from Hollywood, there was no big bang like a sun exploding; there was no catastrophic moment where our world was flipped upside down like in a nuclear war or zombie virus outbreak. It was gradual, like a seeping virus that withered everything within its path until it ground us down into brittle, hollowed cores. It wasn’t out to destroy our bodies; it destroyed everything we once treasured. Hope, love, compassion, joy… even our mortality. It was all gone. And now it mocked us with a peace we could never achieve, death.

Deep Pre-Release Blitz

Excerpt #2

“Where have you been?” My sister rushed forward, catching me up in a tight hug. “I’ve been trying to call you all day. We checked everywhere and couldn’t find you.”

“Sorry. I just needed some alone time.” I squeezed her back, unable to stop from smiling. The thought of Anne turning her back on me had scared me more than I liked to admit.

“Well, I get you might want that.” She stepped back. “But you could have told someone.”

“You can’t just disappear like that.” And Ben kept right on frowning. “Shit, Liz, you’re pregnant.”

“Don’t upset her,” snapped Anne.

Ben ignored her. “I don’t know what the hell’s going on in your head. But you need to let me know where you are.”

My eyebrows went up and my mouth opened, ready to rip him a new one.

“She doesn’t answer to you. She’ll let you know if and when she decides to let you know,” said Mal, laying down the law to his bandmate before turning my way. “You will text your sister next time you decide to go wandering for a day, understood?”

My mouth, it still hung open.

“Christ, man.” Over and over, Ben’s hands rolled into tight fists before releasing again. “Can you cut the shit and get off my back for a fucking minute?”

“Don’t swear at him.” My usually sensible and staid sister poked a finger dead center in Ben’s broad chest. “You’re the one that caused this mess, thank you very much. She might still be a little young and naive, but you’re definitely old enough to know better.”

“That’s right.” Standing about as tall as a skyscraper, despite only coming up to Ben’s nose, Mal stared him down. Or up. Whatever. “This is a family matter. You can leave, thanks.”

Positive. With two little lines on a pregnancy test, everything in Lizzy Rollins' ordinary life is about to change forever. And all because of one big mistake in Vegas with Ben Nicholson, the irresistibly sexy bass player for Stage Dive. So what if Ben's the only man she's ever met who can make her feel completely safe, cherished, and out of control with desire at the same time? Lizzy knows the gorgeous rock star isn't looking for anything more permanent than a good time, no matter how much she wishes differently.

Ben knows Lizzy is off limits. Completely and utterly. She's his best friend's little sister now, and no matter how hot the chemistry is between them, no matter how sweet and sexy she is, he's not going to go there. But when Ben is forced to keep the one girl he's always had a weakness for out of trouble in Sin City, he quickly learns that what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay there. Now he and Lizzie are connected in the deepest way possible...but will it lead to a connection of the heart?

 Meet Ben and Lizzy on March 31st!

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Review: Hunters and Creators by Jacinta Maree

Title: Hunters & Creators (My Demonic Ghost #3)
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 17th November 2014
Publishers: Staccato
Rating: 5 stars
Available from: Amazon AU Amazon
Source: Own purchase

It’s been five years since the phenomenon that shook the world’s belief in the supernatural. It has become a worldwide obsession as crowds flock together in hopes of catching a glimpse of the spirits. That is most… except Rachael Hastings. 

Rachael, now at University, lives with a giant blank page in her memory from when she was fifteen years old. Plagued by nightmares of a green-eyed monster, Rachael tries to stay as far away from the paranormal as humanly possible. Despite her efforts, he stalks her through the shadows and appears in her dreams for reasons she can’t understand. 

Along with friends from school, Rachael returns to Whitehaven. During her stay she is caught up in the ongoing war between heaven and hell she had unknowingly escaped from years ago. 

Forced into the care of Gargoyle the Hunter, Rachael attempts to piece together her shattered memory. As emotions grow between them, a familiar green-eyed demon returns to her side, claiming that Rachael is his one true love. With the world falling apart around them, can Rachael remember who she loves and which side is right before it’s too late?

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Hunters & Creators is the third and final book in Jacinta Maree's My Demonic Ghost series. Set five years after Banished Spirits, we are again introduced to Rachael, now a young woman studying at university. She has no recollection of what transpired five years ago, but she is plagued by nigthmares of a green eyed demon. Unfortunately she is once again drawn the world of banished spirits, reapers and hunters & creators. I loved being immersed in the brilliant world Maree has created. It is rich and full of life; her characters are so well rounded they leap off the pages. It is one of those books that feel like home. 

Rachael tries to stay away from everything paranormal, but the more she tries to stay out of it, the more she is pulled into their struggle. Rachael is far from a damsel in distress, and even though she is thrown into some incredible and intense situations she always manages to keep her head. I loved learning more about the Hunters and how they interact with the banished spirits and reapers. They're not as unaffected and aloof as they portray themselves to be. Rachael and the Hunter Gargoyle are thrown together and she tries to gather the pieces of memory. Rachael begins to realise she wants to help Gargoyle, and the more time she spends with him she can feel something grow between them. 

With the reappearance of Lock (Evan), things really start to get complicated for Rachael. She has to figure out who he is and what happened between them so long ago. Gargoyle and Lock aren't exactly best of friends and they each have their own agenda with Rachael. She is caught up between two sides and doesn't know who to trust. Lock has to be one of my most favourite characters ever, and to read about him again made my heart sing. As Rachael pieces her memory back together she begins to find out more and more about Lock's tragic story and how it intertwines with her own. As the conclusion draws near, everything starts to spin out of control and they're all thrown together in a battle for their survival. 

Maree has created a compelling, thrilling and captivating story. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book and was so upset when it finished. It was such a fantasic ending to the series and I was so happy that Rachael and Evan got their happy ever after. If you're looking for a young adult series that is different from anything you've read, then give Jacinta Maree's My Demonic Ghost series a try.

Review: Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Title: Dance of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #2)
Author: Bethany Griffin
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 4th April 2013
Publishers: Indigo
Rating: 3.5 stars
Available from: The Book Depository Amazon AU
Source: Own purchase

In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.

Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.

With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.

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Dance of the Red Death is the conclusion to Bethany Griffins Masque of the Red Death duology. I really loved the first book, but reading book 2, I felt the atmosphere of this book was lacking and it was missing the spark that had made me love Masque. The first half of the book seemed to drag by, with not a lot happening. There is a new plague that is sweeping through the city called The Red Death. It kills quickly and has left much of the city and water supply contaminated. Everything points to Araby's father being the one to create it and Araby can't comprehend the father she loves could be the murderer everyone is branding him. The pace doesn't really pick up until the last 50 or so pages and is where it gets interesting. 

Araby has carried around a very haunted and depressed persona through book one and mostly through book 2. For the most part she is quite useless, but in the latter half of the book she does become more engaging and feels more alive. It takes her a while, but she does realise that she doesn't need anyone to save her and actually goes about doing things that need to be done. It was a nice change to see her taking action and thinking for herself; even though it wasn't always the smartest option.

I'm not a huge fan of love triangles, and really didn't enjoy the was the Elliot, Araby, Will triangle played out. I understand why, but Araby and Elliot together annoyed me. It felt like she was using him to wash away Will's betrayal, and even though Elliot had genuine feelings for her, they were taken over by the fact that he could use her to help his cause. He was more interested in her as the scientists daughter. It was almost like a tug-of-war between them. 

Elliot is the leader of the rebellion. He is trying to overthrow his uncle Prince Prospero, the tyrant who rules them. Elliot is a very charismatic character, but there is a dark side to him thanks to growing up under his Uncle's tutelage. He was the most driven out of all the characters, full of passion and ambition. He is incredibly smart and knows exaclty what he needs to do to save the city from his uncle. Even though I didn't like him and Araby together, I loved him as a character. He has the will to get things done.

For the most part, Will is just along for the ride and is trying to atone for his betrayal of Araby. He does what needs to be done and is willing to sacrifice himself if it will help. He's kind of pushed to the back during most of the book and I really missed his character. In book one he was cheeky and flirtatious, but he becomes quite withdrawn in book two. Most of what he does seems to be behind the scenes. 

Dance of the Red Death is full of drama, adventure, romance and death. Bethany Griffin has created a beautiful and haunting world. It's hard not to become immersed in the death and destruction she has created. If you're looking for a flawed heroine, Araby's story is definitely for you. I think it was a fitting end to their story.

Review: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Title: Not a Drop to Drink
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 24th September 2013
Publishers: Katherine Tegen Books
Rating: 5 stars
Available from: The Book Depository Amazon AU
Source: Own purchase

Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water. 

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world where water was scarce? Mindy McGinnis has deftly explored a dystopic future in which the world is quickly running out of water. It's a bleak tale of survival and if you have water, then you must protect it at all costs. Our protagonist Lynn is guarding a pond against any who would try to take it from her and her mother. They shoot first and ask questions later. Theirs is a daily struggle, whether it's the laborious task of purifying the water or hunting a deer and trying to smoke the meat. The constant threat of coyotes, groups of looters and the harsh weather that can make or break their survival. Both women have learnt to endure the world around them and it has made them strong.

Lynn is one of those characters you can't help but love. She's tough and a little rough around the edges; having had to kill since she was a child. Her mother taught her her that compassion was a weakness, they had to stay strong and do whatever they could to protect their small water source. After a tragic accident, Lynn is left to guard the pond by herself. Things start to to get dangerous for Lynn; there is a group of men that want her pond and will do anything to take it. She also has to contend with strangers that need her help. This is where we begin to see more to Lynn's character. Her conscience makes her question a lot of what her mother taught her, and she struggles to find a balance between the skills her mother taught her and her fierce new protective instinct. She realises that having friends is not always a bad thing, they give her a sense of hope. I think this is when she really comes alive as a character. Her small group is a target and she'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. 

If you're looking for a dark and gritty post-apocalyptic/dystopia that doesn't follow the usual trope, then grab a copy of Not a Drop to Drink. It is a story about survival, love, friendship and loss, and will leave you questioning how possible the waterless future Mindy McGinnis has created really is.