A Bond of Venom and Magic blog tour

A Bond Of Venom and Magic
Karen Tomlinson
(The Goddess and the Guardians #1)
Publication date: October 14th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

The Wraith Lord is hunting; his prize, the key to unleashing darkness and Chaos upon the eight Kingdoms.
For Diamond Gillon the war raging in the south seems a remote danger until her home is brutally attacked. Having lost everything she holds dear, Diamond is catapulted into a terrifying new world in which legendary beasts arise, magic is condemned and half blood fae, like her, have no rights. Despite her growing feelings for her saviour, Commander Hugo Casimir, he remains a paradox – not only is he a heartless killer, he is owned by the cruel immortal fae queen; a queen who will murder her own people for magic.
As Diamond’s circumstances become ever more perilous she is drawn deeper into Hugo’s world and discovers the lengths to which he will go to save what he holds dear. Will Hugo become her friend, her protector, or – an enemy not worthy of her trust?
A Bond of Venom and Magic is a tale of two people bound by magic and secrets, but trapped in the complexities of love and betrayal. It is the beginning of an epic journey, one that will test Diamond’s resolve and determination to battle an evil that threatens not only her world but that of Eternity, the land of The Guardians and The Goddess.

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Author Bio:
Karen Tomlinson is the author of The Goddess and the Guardians series of Young Adult fantasy books. Book one A Bond of Venom and Magic will be released October 14th 2016.
Karen has always been an avid reader. Her taste in books is eclectic but she likes nothing better than an exciting fantasy, set in a new and magical world. She lives in Derbyshire, England, with her husband, twin girls and her dalmatian, Poppy. Karen trained as a nurse and currently works as a resuscitation and clinical skills trainer, this involves training a wide variety of health care professionals and medical students in acute patient care. In addition to writing, and reading whenever she can, Karen likes to keep active. She has been training at Shotokan karate since being thirteen, likes walking, mountain biking and (for something completely different) cake decorating. She is currently working on book two in The Goddess and the Guardians series.
About me!
As soon as I could read I spent hours getting lost in the new worlds books could give me. Spending my pocket money had to be done (obviously) but not on sweets, well, not many…I spent my money on books. Back then it was Enid Blyton’s Famous Five which sparked my young mind. I didn’t rest until I had the whole set, then I migrated to the secret seven…(there was no Harry Potter then) As a teenager I would trawl through all my mum and dad’s discarded books. It was probably highly inappropriate for a thirteen year old to be reading swoony Mills and Boon romances followed by Ian Flemming, Alistair Maclean and Wilbur Smith!
Because I read anything and everything I could get my hands on back then, I now have an eclectic taste in books. I will read anything that catches my eye and absolutely love illustrated book covers! In my late teens I discovered fantasy and that genre has stayed my firm favourite. I am and will always remain a complete sucker for a fantasy with kick ass characters and worlds steeped in magic and romance!

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Jem's review of ABOVAM by Karen Tomlinson

Wow!

That word just sums up this whole book for me! But I feel this book deserve a whole lot more than just one word to describe it. So let me give you my thoughts on A Bond of Venom and Magic by Karen Tomlinson and hopefully once you've read this you'll click the link below to buy your copy.

I was lucky enough to be given an early copy of this book to read, and boy how lucky am I because if there is just one book in your life that you need to read, then this is it! This book is one of the best books that I have read in a while. Not only is it a breathtaking story, but it is very well written and edited.

This book grabbed me right from the very first few pages, and you just know that when a book does that you won't be able to put it down until you've consumed it all in one sitting, which is exactly what I did. ABOVAM has it all, action, fantasy, adventure, one hot, brooding, swoon worthy fae male and a building romance that'll have you begging for more.

Diamond, who is our main character is the perfect heroine. Yes, she is young and naive, but she has led a very sheltered and protected life until she is suddenly thrust right into the action and dangers of her world. I think she actually grows and adapts very well, especially with all the secrets she suddenly discovers about herself.  Towards the end of the book I think she'd really started to become a strong woman, rather than just a naive girl and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of her character development, flaws and all, as really that's what makes the best characters in books that they're not all perfect and I think Karen Tomlinson has written some great characters.

Hugo (the brooding, swoon worthy fae) is a complex character and I can't wait to discover more about him in future books. I found myself wondering at points during the book, do I like him? By the end I'd made my decision and I can see the reasons he is the way that he is and that a lot of his actions are because he is protecting himself and those he cares deeply about. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next with him, Diamond and a lot of the other characters too.

The world building in this book is another thing that has been well perfected. This really is one of those books where you can imagine yourself right in the action. I could clearly see the scenes and surroundings in my minds eye whilst reading and it really did transport me away to another world. That cover is also an exquisite piece of art and really catches your eye. I can't wait to have the paperback copy of this book and to place it right there on my bookshelf so I can see it everyday.

This book gets the full five stars from me for enjoyment, character and world building, fantasy (guys, how could I forget to mention there are dragons in this book, my favourite), action and romance. What more could you ask for?

I think I am still recovering from the book hangover reading this gave me, but to me that's the sign of a good book because it drew me in to its pages and embedded itself firmly into the depths of my mind that I won't forget it. I'm now impatiently awaiting the next book, and even though I know that'll give me another book hangover, it's more than worth it for having the chance to read something so amazingly beautiful and awesome. Seriously, buy this book now and step into it the wonderful treasure that is A Bond of Venom and Magic.

Buy links:

Amazon: http://mybook.to/ABOVAM

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobile/w/a-bond-of-venom-and-magic-karen-tomlinson/1123805544?ean=2940153020051

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=A+Bond+Of+Venom+and+Magic+%28Karen+Tomlinson%29&ac=1&acp=a+bond+of+venom+and+magic

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/636282

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/a-bond-of-venom-and-magic/id1114129973?mt=11

Jem's review of Bound By Magic by Jasmine Walt

With the silver murders solved and her training as a mage underway, Sunaya figured her life would get easier. But between the Chief Mage's packed schedule and the grunt work demanded of her as an apprentice mage, magic lessons are few and far between. Worse, her apprenticeship leaves little time for her job as an Enforcer, and without bounties Sunaya’s money pouch is drying up -- fast. 

Even so, when Shiftertown Inspector Boon Lakin asks for Sunaya’s help digging deeper into the murder of a fellow Enforcer, Sunaya has no trouble making room in her life to help him. The trail leads them to a series of crimes victimizing shifters for the entertainment of vicious humans. Sunaya and her friends race to identify the perpetrators and free the survivors, and the stakes are heightened when she discovers one of the victims has a connection to her. But if Sunaya is not careful, she may end up a very dead shifter herself... 

This is the second book in The Baine chronicles by Jasmine Walt and yes, I did read this in only a few hours, but it is a shorter book than the first one and looking at the third book which is currently out that's even shorter, only 82 pages!!! Now that makes me feel a bit cheated as it seems that we're getting into novella books rather than full books with them.

Anyway, I've digressed from my review. Whilst I still enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. I felt that it dragged a bit in places and wasn't as action packed, even though the book was shorter than the first the story just felt that it was missing something to keep me entertained. There also weren't as many scenes between Naya & Iannis, which I missed or as much of Fenris, who I definitely think is a great character and has a great story to tell. I did enjoy though that Boon Lakin had a presence in this book and even though I'm shipping Naya & Iannis as a couple, liked the flirtation between Boon & Naya.

I'm giving this book 4 stars as even though I'm still enjoying the series, I felt that this story was rushed and didn't hold the same capture for me as the first one did. There was not as much interaction between any of the characters and some of the characters who played important & entertaining parts in the first book only had very small appearances in this one. I feel that Jasmine has lost a bit of the pizzazz that was evident in the first book and I'm not sure if she decided to cut back or was made to cut back and cut scenes out but I do hope that she comes back in the rest of the series as it has a great story line and some interesting character potential. Nevertheless I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Jem's review of Burned By Magic by Jasmine Walt

In the city of Solantha, mages rule absolute, with shifters considered second-class citizens and humans something in between. No one outside the mage families are allowed to have magic, and anyone born with it must agree to have it stripped from them to avoid execution. 

Sunaya Baine, a shifter-mage hybrid, has managed to keep her unruly magic under wraps for the last twenty-four years. But while chasing down a shifter-hunting serial killer, she loses control of her magic in front of witnesses, drawing the attention of the dangerous and enigmatic Chief Mage. 

Locked up in the Chief Mage’s castle and reduced to little more than a lab rat, Sunaya resists his attempts to analyze and control her at every turn. But she soon realizes that to regain her freedom and catch the killer, she must overcome her hatred of mages and win the most powerful mage in the city to her side. 

Let me start of this review by saying how difficult I can find it to write a review when I've really enjoyed a book and just want to jump into the next one in the series and forget everything else. This is one of those books and as soon as I've finished writing this I am diving straight into the next and everything else will have to go do one until I've finished that!

I really enjoyed this book. It contains all my favourite things, shifters, magic, a steampunk feel to the setting, a spunky, kick ass female lead and a hot, mystery male where you can just feel the sexual tension between the two characters sparking off the page.

This book was recommended to me on Amazon as it's similar to other books I've read. The great news is that it's also available on Kindle Unlimited, which I think is a great lending service that Amazon runs (and also helps to curb my terrible buying habit when it comes to books)

The main character in this book is a shifter called Sunaya, or Naya which is the nickname she goes by. She is a hybrid, not a full blooded shifter and her form is a Jaguar, or a Panther as she prefers to be called. She's working as an enforcer in a world where humans, shifters & mages coexist, albeit not necessarily happily. The action and the mystery, which is the main theme running through the series, kicks of straight away and dragged me straight into the story that I didn't want to put it down. The side characters in the book, be they friend or for, also have substance to them and help to drive this story in a direction which keeps you engaged throughout.

The enter the hot, powerful but brooding male lead, and possible love interest, Iannis. What I loved about the book is that love is not the main theme of the story, but we are getting a slow build up of sexual tension between the two characters. It contains those kind of scenes between the two where you feel your own cheeks staring to warm up with the intense attraction between them but just when you think something might happen they get interrupted. I actually love that kind of romance where theyre not immediately jumping on each other and are both fighting the attraction between them, but it's so strong that they keep finding themselves in situations where they're drawn to each other. So far nothing has happened between the two, but for me that makes the anticipation of something you feel for sure will happen so much sweeter, I just hope it's not drawn out too long over the series as that can start to get boring.

For me this first book in the series contained just the right amount of intrigue, mystery and romance. The female lead epitomises my favourite type of heroine in a book in that she is capable of defending herself and has a sometimes too snarky tongue (this is my favourite kind of character as I can't stand a simpering female who doesn't stand up for herself).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it gets the full five stars from me. If you also love these types of books then I recommend picking it up. If you've never read a book like this before then I recommend this as the first one for you to pick up and try as I can guarantee you'll love it. Now I'm off to read the next book in the series be sure to look out for my review on that next.

Britt's Review of Elementals: Blood of the Hydra by Michelle Madow

Starting this review not even 24 hours after my last. And there's a good reason for that! I have a tad bit of an addictive personality, and once I get into a good book I am a bottomless pit of gluttony! So pull up a seat I have A LOT more to say this time! 

After posting my review of Elementals: Prophecy of Shadow I immediately went to Amazon and used up one of my SwagBucks gift cards I earned for browsing with their search bar, polls, and surveys. (I'm cheap lol, read for free, still pay the Author! It doesn't get better than that. You can join to: HERE)

Anyways back to the brain drug that is Michelle Madow's Elementals series. Book Two is called " Elementals: Blood of the Hydra" and, it's equally as amazeballs as Book One! Now because I posted Prophecy of Shadows Review yesterday, I'm not going to summarize. If your reading this review to see if you will like Blood of the Hydra, trust me. You will. But if you read any further spoilers may burn into your eyebibbles. You have been warned ;). If you have read it and are just enjoying a fellow bloggers nonsense then you don't need my summarization anyways, eh?

Before my ramblings start (And, to give the rebels who shouldn't be reading this far another chance to turn around) I'll post the blurb.

"A demigod who can kill with a touch. It's an ability that must be kept secret, even from those trusted most.

Finding out that she was a witch was strange enough, but now Nicole must face the realization that she has the rare power to kill with just a touch. No one can know her secret -- not even Blake, who she's had undeniable chemistry with since first moving to town. 

Now Nicole, Blake, and the three others with elemental powers must stop a series of monsters that they previously believed to be dead from rising once again and destroying the mortal world. The creatures they face on this journey will be more dangerous than anything they've encountered yet. Will they all survive the quest? And how long will it be until Nicole is forced to use her ability to kill in front of everyone, revealing the true darkness of her powers? 

Find out in The Blood of the Hydra, and join the Elementals on their quest to save the world -- or die trying"

We start off this story in the training room, where we get to see our Elementals honing their skills. When Blake walks in I get exactly what I want. We find out that between books Blake actually keeps his word and ends things with Danielle. But, our heroine still keeps her distance. Why? Because she's an amazing person and even though Danielle was horrible to her, she doesn't want to flaunt a relationship with Blake in her face. As we learned in book one, these 5 are a group that's going to have to get used to each other.

The character growth in Blood of the Hydra is PARFAIT. :3 Everything is moving along flawlessly. All of our favorite crew has explored and discovered new parts of their magic. Although I think Nicole has so much more potential then she knows. She explores her 'witch' magic completely, she's got that in the bag. But her Demigod powers? She hasn't even realised she can probably do any number of super frawsome things that the other more diluted witches wouldn't even think to try. 

I'm hoping in Book Three -Elementals: The Head of Medusa we will get so see that growth for Nicole. I would love to see her surpass Blake and Danielle in the 'cool shit I can do' category. Now she does have one new power that causes her some stress and turmoil, one she keeps a secret. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you've read book one. However so much unfolds to that part of the story, and without giving anything away I'm rather disappointed in our heroine for not figuring it out before the Head Elder in Greece had to spell it out to her. She has got to stop thinking of herself as a witch, she is a Demigod, but without demi-gods around to teach her will it ever happen?

We do get to meet more Demi-gods in Book Two, and it is pure roller coaster as long as they're around. Ethan and Rachel are the children of Zeus, who we also get to meet. 

One of my favorite things about Blood of the Hydra is the sneaky deaky way Apollo reaches out to Nicole. It's done well, he providers her with communication to him, but doesn't tell her. When she can't figure out her book, or her necklace, he leave a very straight forward note. Just like in any traditional Greek myth the God has love for its children but refuse to dote on them. They must work for what they want. I just abso-love it <3.

Bad boy Blake never gives up. And good on him, that's how you get the girl! I am very happy with the progression of Nicole and Blake's relationship. Michelle doesn't make you wait around for ever to get results. Once again her fast paced reputation is true. But not so fast that you feel there was no story, she's found a perfect medium.

And excuse me Mrs Madow, but when are we going to see straight-laced, reserved Kate throw caution to the wind and muckle hold of Chris's face and lay one on him? Lol, I know it's unlikely but I'd just love to see her explode after holding it all in and not hold ANYTHING back. I know there's a strong woman in her. And, Chris! OPEN YOUR LOOKERS, she may not be Rachael stunning, but Kate if so mad for you under Rule 164 Section 3 Line 34(b) "Opposites attract. Yin to her Yang, the Better part of you, don't ignore it"

See! Right there in PRINT. So it must be true right? It's been permanently posted into cyber space on the internet. That give it credit right? :P But then again is Michelle gave me everything I wanted now, there would be no story left for Books 3, 4, & 5! Yeeeehaw! Yes I said 5. If you're part of Michelle Madows newsletter you will already know but for those of you in the dark, let me she'd some light!

Michelle decided while writing book four that she wrote the perfect ending in the MIDDLE of the story, so she breaking them up! And because of that random writers premonition we get a whole 5th book. The Book Gods work in miraculous ways, don't you think?

Anywhoooo (it wouldn't be a Brittaini review without that word I feel ;).) The Elementals has earned Another 5 STAR review from this chickie boo boo #Booknerd right here! Much love to Ms. Madow, May you write long and prosper! I'll see you just around the bend for The Head of Medusa! <3

Brittaini Over & Out

Britt's Review of Elementals: Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow

Howdy doodlie Luvbugs!

I haven't been reading a ton lately as real life has gotten all complicated! But, our very own JemDazzle motivated me to read Michelle Meadows Elementals Series :).

I'm part of an amazing Facebook group called Myth 101, full of AMAZING readers and authors. Michelle happens to be one of them. I've had her book for awhile and have been intrigued just as long; there's just not enough time in life to read all the books I want too. Thankfully, I made time because this book was awesome.

I've often seen Michelle describe her writing as "fast". And it's true, it's a solid, well written fast paced story. I feel that the time spent on character building and imagery is perfect. You forge a connection to each character, and really get to know them.

" Witches are real. They're descendants of the Greek gods.

Nicole Cassidy is a witch descended from the Greek gods... but she doesn't know it until she moves to a new town and discovers a dangerous world of magic and monsters that she never knew existed.

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole and four others -- including mysterious bad-boy Blake -- are gifted with elemental powers. But the comet has another effect -- it opens the portal to another dimension that has imprisoned the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes, it's up to Nicole and the others to follow a cryptic prophecy in time to save the town... and possibly the world."

The story flows well, and any time jumps in the plot are perfectly placed. Writing unnecessary filler would have completely ruined the way this book is written. I love Michelle's take on the mythology of demi gods, and the dilution of blood creating witches as it gets weaker. It's a fresh spin, with traditional history; a blend of amazing proportions <3. 

I'm in a hurry to get to Amazon and buy book 2, so let's get on with the details, eh? If you don't want spoilers, your best bet is just to take what I've already said and go buy the book. The rest of this review isn't for you ;).

I compared this books romance sections a lot to the romance in the Dragonian Series. Well at least in the beginning. And, not because both male leads are named Blake >.< the fact that Blake has a girlfriend, and she's a T total bitch. That Nicole is the shiny new girl in town and turns out to be special. That both Blake's are bad boys with good hidden beneath their outward reputations. 

The similarities don't bother me. I loved both stories, and they were told differently enough to establish a completely different train of thought in the Authors :D!

Blake seriously needs to shit or get off the pot. Don't say you plan to do something and then wait.. Ugh! I could kick his perfectly scultpted ass. (No Michelle doesn't provide pictures.. I just imagine it would be amazing!) But other than his avoidance to do what he knows he has to, he's an amazing male lead :). They all have to have at least one flaw right? His girlfriend doesn't get a name.. She is here to for known as Crotch-cricket. Anyways she's spiteful, and definitely enjoying being on the wrong path. Michelle done a good job of writing a bitch you love to hate.

Our heroine Nicole goes through some crazy amazing things, and takes them on the chin & keeps on trudging. Ya know what I mean? She's got the resilience, and the open mind not to break. She's stronger then she knows.

I have my theories about their Professor. He just has a shady undertone to me. My heart was screaming for Nicole to take the book of shadows home with her. I was so disappointed when it was left with Darius.

Anyways like I said.. Drooling for Book 2 so keep your eyes open to see what I think tomorrow!