Review: Take Two

Description Provided by Goodreads: He’s ready for his close up, but she’s the one calling the shots. 

On the night of her graduation from film school, straight-laced Maddie Bauers fell completely out of character for an oh-my-god make-out session with a perfect stranger. Complete with the big O.

Seven years later, that romantic interlude is still fresh in her mind. That stranger is now a rich and famous actor. And she’s one very distracted camera assistant working on his latest production. She might consider another tryst…if he even remembers her.

Micah Preston does indeed remember Maddie. Too bad he’s sworn off Hollywood relationships. He allows himself as much sex as he likes—and oh, he does like—but anything more is asking for trouble. For the woman, not for him. Yet knowing Maddie could want more than a movie-set fling doesn’t stop him from pursuing her like a moth drawn to hot stage lights. 

But as the shoot nears its end, it’s decision time. Is it time to call, “Cut!” on their affair, or is there enough material for a sequel?

Amazon, Goodreads, iTunes, Barnes&Noble

Story line: This story begins seven years before when Micah and Maddie first meet, before Micah became famous. It then switches to the present where Maddie finds out that she now has to work with a pompous director that blacklisted her and the devilishly charming player that is Micah. I loved that the story was told in both Maddie and Micah perspective because some scene just need to be told in different points of view. The story took some twist that I hadn't expected but was overall entertaining!!

Relationship: Micah and Maddie had great chemistry from the very beginning that I knew their relationship was going to be explosive. They hit some bumps on the road but they always seem to attract each other again. The book ended their relationship so perfectly that it summed up the seven years that they had pined for each other.

Characters:
Maddie: Maddie's character was a fresh character in a book about Hollywood. She didn't try taking advantage of Micah and his resources, even going as far as rejecting his help. Her love of movies really came through, which I love to read about. I also loved that she too had such human emotions like love, longing, and jealousy that make her character more than simply just a book character.

Micah: Micah acts all flirtatious and like nothing bothers him; however, underneath all the talk and swagger, Micah is scared of getting hurt. This deep emotion really pulled me into his character and made me love him that much more, even when he went bipolar lol!! His character is charming, sweet, caring, protective, confused, scared, and a little douch baggy (lol!). All these qualities make him do human like that you can't help but fall in love with him too!

Overall: This is a steamy romance from the beginning to the end that will have you falling in love with the characters and experiencing their emotions right along with them!

Rating: I would give this book a 9 out of 10!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review Lucifer (Giveaway Included!!!)

Description Provided by Goodreads: Have you ever wondered what could be hiding in the shadows?

Well, for eighteen-year-old Zahara Faraday, she doesn’t have to wonder. You see she comes from a lineage of Light Witches, those who have chosen to help protect and serve between the supernatural world and the human world. The only problem is Zahara, like her father Solomon, is as human as a human being can be whereas her mother, Mia, and her Aunt Catalina, were born as Light Witches. As a family they hunt down rogue supernaturals—creatures who harm humans or who have committed an act against their kingdom. 

Zahara’s hunting skills are usually kept dormant since her parents would prefer she live life as a normal human girl without knowledge of the supernatural world. She plans on doing just that—except when she finds a couple being attacked by fairies, she has no choice but to step in. Before she can return to pretending to be blissfully ignorant, Zahara encounters a problem she isn’t the least equip to handle: Bryan Hamilton, the good looking new co-worker she has to help train. In a heartbeat, her best friend, Becca King, has set her up on a double date with herself and her new crush, Rekesh Saint-Louis, who happens to be the most powerful leader of the biggest Imago Coven in South Florida –supernatural creatures with the ability to control water . . . and suck out human souls. 

Zahara has no time to focus on how she’s going to explain her double date with her best friend and the enemy they have a tentative truce with to her parents because soon one of the members of Mia and Catalina’s coven is found murdered with a strange tattoo of a snake with wings carved into his arm.

Zahara is then thrown into a whirlwind battle with an angel determined to have revenge against God, an Imago coven she doesn’t think they should trust, and slew of dream-eating fairies and powerful Nephilims, hybrid children of angels and humans, more than happy to rip her to shreds.

Normal just got a deadlier definition.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Goodreads

Story Line: This story line was really interesting and while reading it, I was sort of reminded of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I thought that it was really interesting that it was told in different perspectives and I especially enjoyed reading this story from the villain's, Lucifer's, perspective. This book was great all throughout and especially at the ending with the huge cliffhanger that left me ready for the next book!!!

Characters:

Zahara: Zahara character pulled me in from the very beginning. While both her mom and aunt have powers and she does not that did not stop her from being willing to fight, which in my eyes made her extremely brave. I also loved reading about all the things -which I will not detail as to not spoil anything ;) - that she did to protect those she loved, it really made her human like and relatable.

Bryan: I liked Bryan's character from the start because he is really sweet and protective. While his purpose for being there is a little odd (again won't go into detail) I liked that his character was included. Plus, I just plain loved his character because he is an angel lol!!

Overall: This is a good read even if it has a little too much detail that could be cut in some places. The characters are fun and the story line will keep you entertained until the very end!

Rating: I would give this book an 8.5 out of 10!!

Description Provided by Goodreads: Zahara Faraday looks like a normal eighteen-year-old and lives in a quiet neighborhood with her overprotective parents. She works at a bookstore and hangs out with her best friend Becca King on a daily basis. But underneath the normal lies a secret life filled with dangerous supernaturals. Zahara belongs to a world made of Light Witches, rogue Imagoes (supernatural creatures with super strength, speed, and silver skin when the moon is out), fallen angels, and Nephilim (hybrid children born half-human, half-angel). Where her father Solomon Faraday is human, her mother Mia and her Aunt Catalina are Light Witches. They help protect the human world by hunting down rogue supernaturals who commit heinous acts against humans. What they never expected was the possibility of having to hunt down the one rogue coven they had befriended and come to trust in their battle against Lucifer. Rekesh Saint-Louis is the leader of the most powerful Imago coven in Florida and now he’s the most suspected. Supernatural bodies are starting to pile up with an ancient ritual long forbade being used to murder them and the symbol, one large cross with four smaller crosses around it—which represents Rekesh’s coven— being left behind. Rekesh and the Elders of his coven set out to find who is behind the murders and clearing his name before a war between the covens begins. To make matters more difficult, Rekesh also has to deal with the return of someone he has been keeping a secret.

Meanwhile, Zahara and Becca are spending more time brushing up on their training, knowing an attack from Lucifer can come at any moment. Between patrolling neighborhoods and hanging at the boarding school created by Charles Stephens—a fallen angel who created the school to protect the children of rogue supernaturals—they are thrown into one battle after another. Zahara begins to develop a closer bond with Jason as they train and chase down clues to clear Rekesh’s name. What she doesn’t know is the very powerful secret Jason is keeping; a secret that will change the course of the fight with Lucifer.

But Rekesh’s coven being set up isn’t the only danger. A new powerful and lethal drug has emerged from the shadows of the supernatural world called Inferi. The drug has two deadly side effects: it leaves the supernatural hungering for blood—both human and supernatural—and grants them the elemental power they had once possessed.

Lucifer is on the move and he will stop at nothing to get his hands on Zahara and complete the first act of his plan. A battle is about to begin. One that may cost the Faraday family everything they hold dear.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Born and raised in the sweltering suburbs of South Florida, Annabell Cadiz grew up fine-tuned to the cuisine of various Spanish cultures, learned to master the art of Puerto Rican cooking thanks to her parents, and learned to converse crazy thanks to her band of siblings. She is now working toward attaining a B.A. in Psychology at Trinity International University to better understand how to converse with the weirdoes and crazies of the world. (After all, she is one of them.) A self-proclaimed nerd and a book-a-holic (her room holds dozens of shelves with much evidence to prove that her claims are indeed true), she created TeamNerd Reviews along with her best friend, Bridget Strahin, to showcase their EXTREME love for all things book related. She published her debut novel, Lucifer (Sons of Old Trilogy #1), in January 2013. The second novel, Michael (Sons of Old Trilogy #2) will be released on May 28, 2014. And the final installment in the Sons of Old Trilogy, Nephilim, will be out in Spring 2015.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Review: Son of Set (Giveaway Included!!!)

Book Description Provided by Goodreads: “. . . the Sons would never just let him go—alive.”

Seth O’Keefe has broken the laws of his god. He never thought he would sacrifice his own future to protect a Daughter of Isis. But when the Sons of Set discovered Natti is the Secret Keeper, he had no choice. Now, Seth and Natti are on the run from his father, who wants nothing more than to see Seth dead. With no allies, Seth turns to the Daughters of Isis for help, hoping they would protect Natti. But when they meet the Daughters, he discovers a secret that puts both their lives in more danger. Low on options, Seth sees only one possibility for survival. He must help Natti solve an ancient puzzle and find the secret name of Ra. 

Natara “Natti” Stone is having a hard time swallowing the truth. She can’t believe what she has learned in the past twenty-four hours: Seth is a Son of Set blessed with charm; she is a Daughter of Isis blessed with a sliver of Ma ‘at; the locket her grandmother gave her holds an ancient Egyptian secret linking to Osiris and Isis. That along with being tortured and brutalized by the Sons of Set, she can hardly hold herself together. Thank God for Seth’s touch! That warm, tingling sensation that drowns it all out. Yet her heart struggles to stay focused. She must quickly embrace her destiny before the secret name of Ra falls into the wrong hands.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Goodreads | Kobo | Smashwords

Story Line: This story line picks up rights where the first book leaves off, which is when Seth and Natti run from Sean, Seth's father, after he tries to imprison Natti's essence. From there, it just keeps getting better and better as Seth and Natti try to outrun Sean and try to stop his nefarious plan of trying to raise Set.

Relationship: It was fun to read about Natti and Seth's new relationship in this book compared to the one they had in the first book, Daughter of Isis. In this book Natti finally admits to herself that she has definite feelings for Seth, yet she still debates acting on them. I also enjoyed reading about Seth admitting his feelings for her as he's constantly showing Natti how much he cares for her by protecting her from his father!

Characters:

Natti: Natti, even while under a spell by Sean, continuous to be strong, which is one of the qualities that I really enjoyed reading about in her character. I loved that she was a witty, strong, stubborn, and smart heroine. She quickly has to adapt to new challenges in this book and get past pride and prejudice (lol!) to overcome them.

Seth: I fell in love with Seth's character even more in this book!!! Compared to the first book, Seth has grown so much as a character!! Now in this second book, Seth doesn't just think about himself but he's constantly trying to protect Natti (when he doesn't want to kill her for being so stubborn lol!!!). Plus I loved that more of Seth's good side is revealed in this book compared to his dark side in the first book!!

Overall: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and couldn't seem to want to put it down! The characters, their romance, their struggles, and even the villain make this book completely awesome!! 

Rating: I would give this book a 9 out of 10!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate. Daughter of Isis is her debut novel.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

Messenger (Giveaway Included!!!)

Messenger - Week Blitz

By Laury Falter

Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Date Published: May 8, 2014

  

  

Maggie does not know she is a Messenger. She has never met her eternal lover. She has never survived a Fallen One. All this changes when a Messenger awakens in the Hall of Records only to die moments later, never to return.

As Maggie sets out to determine why the Messengers are suddenly beginning to die, she crosses paths with the infuriatingly appealing Eran and their story begins.

In this riveting account of Maggie's first life on earth with Eran, the star-crossed lover's romance transpires amidst treacherous enemies, their friends' resistance, and their own opposing wills. With the odds against her, can Maggie survive long enough to admit the feelings she has so carefully denied?

Messenger is the first prequel to the bestselling Guardian Trilogy - the breathtaking romantic saga about a love that has lasted centuries between a Messenger and her Guardian.

EXCERPT

He strode to me and crouched at my hip. His shirt was already off and the nearness of his well-built chest made it a challenge to stop myself from glancing at it. To my astonishment, he seemed not to notice my internal plight, not even the tremble that shook me when he tenderly took my chin and turned it toward him.

"You're healing nicely," he observed, concentrating on my forehead.

"Mm-hmm." It was all I could muster.

This was the closest we had ever been. His lips were no more than a few inches from me and drew my attention.

"I don't think you'll even scar."

When I didn't answer, I felt a shift in his presence and my eyes darted up to find him staring back with his striking blue-green eyes.

We froze in place.

Only our chests rose and fell, and they did it more rapidly the longer we stared at each other.

As his eyes lowered to my lips, his fingers tightened gently around my chin.

The flare of his nostrils and the intensity of his stare mesmerized me, made me want him closer. And it told me that he was struggling too and was in profound debate over what we were doing. No ward should be this close to their guardian, even if the ward didn't recognize them as one. It was taboo, unheard of, an abject insult to the role the guardian had been given. Yet, here he was, looking at me, at my lips, tensing at the sight of them.

And he wasn't alone in the struggle. For the first time, I forgot my urge to throw him off balance, my need to establish my independence. I was the one quickly losing my poise and forgetting who was dominant. The charm I fought so hard to deny, the very one that drew all others to him, took hold of me. And I gave into it out of my own free will.

About the Author: Laury Falter

Laury Falter is a bestselling author of young adult romantic suspense and urban fantasy. She is also an animal rights activist, a sailor, a one-handed golf putterer, and a Colorado River conqueror.

She has three series out: the Guardian Trilogy, the Residue Series, and the Apocalypse Chronicles.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

GIVEAWAY

First three books of the bestselling Guardian Trilogy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Perfect Opposite

Book Description Provided by Goodreads: Their wishes were simple and modest. Fate had other things in store though, and she can be a real bitch sometimes.

All he wanted was to get the job done and somehow to endure those long months playing nanny to a spoiled little rich girl. Without strangling her with his bare hands in the process. Well, it is going to be much easier said than done.

All she wanted was to escape the past and live like any other nineteen-year-old girl. Her plan definitely didn’t include the arrogant, tattooed savage, with his awful mohawk hair and lack of social graces, whose only mission was to stick real close and mess up her life.

But, people aren't always what they seem to be, are they? 

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Goodreads | Kobo

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

A teenager in an adult's body. A rebel in the guise of an ordinary citizen. A lady with very unladylike language. A dreamer with a rational mind. A woman born into the wrong era, she still believes that chivalry's a feat to define the perfect man.
Zoya spent years doing volunteering work all across Europe, from cleaning school basements in Northern Russia to excavating Stone Age artifacts in Euskadi (the Basque country) and renovating castles from the middle ages in Southern France. She always dreamed of working with 'Doctors without borders' somewhere out in Africa, but ended up doing an 'ordinary job' in one of the smaller European countries.
Her greatest passion is devouring each and every book that comes within her reach.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Where There's Smoke

Book Description Provided by Goodreads:

There is something to be said for letting go. Ryland Roberts knows that better than anyone. He'd let go of his ambitions, of his family and—most of all—of her. He'd perfected the art of putting his past behind him and accepted the fact that the town he wanted to leave in his rearview was the place where he was going to live out his days. But sometimes the past doesn't just go away. Sometimes it comes back to haunt you.

Piper Jameson convinced herself that she left for all the right reasons. She'd saved people by leaving—made sure that they weren't tainted by her rebellious ways. When her little sister asks her to come home and say goodbye to their ailing mother, she's forced to see that things aren't always as they seem. The people who she'd left behind might not have been saved at all.

In the amount of time it takes a bullet to travel from point A to point B, Piper and Ryland will have to put their feelings for each other aside and make a choice. Forced on the run with Piper's sister, they begin to understand that the future they thought was gone was never really lost.

Amazon | Amazon UK | Goodreads | Barnes&Noble

Story Line: This story line was surprisingly fresh and new. It has murder, love, forgiveness, heart, sister relationships, morales, and overall great characters. There are multiple majors twist in the story that kept me guessing what was to come next, which I thought was great because I was never bored throughout the book. Plus this book's ending sets up the perfect suspense for the second book about Piper's sister.

Relationship: Piper and Ry's relationship is so sweet! She left him, unwillingly, at a young age expecting him to move on with his life and be a success; however, when she comes back into town she finds that this is far from the case. As they are forced to interact with each other again, they discover their feelings for each other have not changed in their years apart. It was really heart melting reading about how they come to terms with the fact that they are still completely in love with each other.

Characters:

Piper: I enjoyed reading about Piper's character because she started out as the rebel girl who ran away but turned into the loving and caring woman who fights for those she loves. I really liked her tough attitude against her stepfather and the fact that she wouldn't let others tell her what to do!

Ry: Ry goes from being the awkward geeky guy to the tough bartender; however, his kindness is still the same. I fell in love with his character from the very beginning! He's protective of those he loves and will fight to the death for them, which is one of his best qualities.

Overall: This book is a surprise with a plot twist that you won't see coming. It's a fun, sweet, deep, and easy to read book. Totally great for summer reading!

Rating: I would give this book a 9 out of 10!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author: When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand.  Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination!  Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Syrena Legacy

Description Provided by Goodreads: Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Goodreads | Kobo

My Thoughts: The first book in the series captured my attention from the beginning and as I started reading the book I just fell even more in love with the characters, especially Galen!!! He's really sweet and innocent to the human ways of life, that he would be adorable if he wasn't so sexy lol!! I also loved Emma's character and found her to be my literary twin! Plus the ending completely threw me for a curve that I just couldn't wait for the second book!

Book Description Provided by Goodreads: Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half-Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Once again, Anna Banks infuses Emma and Galen's points of view with humor, intrigue, and waves of romance.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Goodreads | Kobo

My Thoughts: I was so excited when the second book came out because it meant that I got to read about and be entertained by Emma and Galen all over again! As I got back into their story line, I fell in love with them all over again. Galen is still his charming and lovable self and Emma is still her assertive and awesome self too! AND there's more Rayna and Toraf scenes!!!! This book definitely lives us to my expectations after the first book! Plus this book ended so nicely that it really made me want to read the third book to see what will happen!!

Book Description Provided by Goodreads: Emma and Galen’s kingdom and their love is threatened by long-lost Syrena in the brilliant conclusion to Anna Banks bestselling trilogy.

Emma, half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean and the land-dwelling, freshwater Syrena. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love but their ocean kingdoms.

In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Goodreads | Kobo

My Thoughts: I'm SUPER excited to read the last book in the series; however, after reading the books and growing attached to the characters I'll definitely miss them! My prediction for this book is that Galen is going to have a show down with Reed and go all macho and protective over Emma!! I also predict that there will be some (lots lol!) of fangirling by me while I read this book and maybe a couple of tears when it come to an end! 

P.S.- You still have time to pre-order the book as it come out tomorrow, giving you the chance to get an exclusive chapter from the book AND an exclusive bonus short story from Rayna's POV (which will go away forever TOMORROW!!!)

About the Awesome Author:

New York Times Bestselling author of The Syrena Legacy series.
Grew up in a town called Niceville. No, seriously. I graduated from Niceville High School. So did J Lo's second husband. And the guy that plays Aqua Man on Smallville dated my best friend.
Now I indulge my tendency to lie by writing the lies down and selling them to publishers. Well actually my agent sells it, so she's an accomplice to lies. One of my lies is called OF POSEIDON. The sequel is called OF TRITON. I'm still making up the third lie, OF NEPTUNE.
And um. I also write adult fiction under pen name Anna Scarlett. One of the adult lies is DEGREES OF WRONG.
That is all.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

For King and Country Promo

Description Provided by Goodreads: When he kissed me, I was shocked. He was a stranger and still so familiar. It wasn't until I woke up to my picture splashed on the cover of tabloids that I realized I knew who he was.

Prince Alexander of Cambridge.

Royal bad boy.

Exiled heir to the throne.

He isn't Prince Charming. He's controlling. He's demanding. He's dangerous. And I can't say no to him.

We both have secrets—secrets that could tear us apart or drive us closer together—and as the paparazzi exposes each one, I have to decide just how far I'm willing to go for King and Country.

Don't forget to add it to your goodreads and join the Facebook Party on the 7th!!

About the Author:

Geneva Lee prefers fantasy to reality, especially fantasies involving powerful, dangerous, and sexy men. You can find her devouring a good romance while avoiding the laundry and the children. She lives in Seattle with her family.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Son of Set (Giveaway Included!!!)

Description Provided by Goodreads:

“. . . the Sons would never just let him go—alive.”

Seth O’Keefe has broken the laws of his god. He never thought he would sacrifice his own future to protect a Daughter of Isis. But when the Sons of Set discovered Natti is the Secret Keeper, he had no choice. Now, Seth and Natti are on the run from his father, who wants nothing more than to see Seth dead. With no allies, Seth turns to the Daughters of Isis for help, hoping they would protect Natti. But when they meet the Daughters, he discovers a secret that puts both their lives in more danger. Low on options, Seth sees only one possibility for survival. He must help Natti solve an ancient puzzle and find the secret name of Ra.

Natara “Natti” Stone is having a hard time swallowing the truth. She can’t believe what she has learned in the past twenty-four hours: Seth is a Son of Set blessed with charm; she is a Daughter of Isis blessed with a sliver of Ma ‘at; the locket her grandmother gave her holds an ancient Egyptian secret linking to Osiris and Isis. That along with being tortured and brutalized by the Sons of Set, she can hardly hold herself together. Thank God for Seth’s touch! That warm, tingling sensation that drowns it all out. Yet her heart struggles to stay focused. She must quickly embrace her destiny before the secret name of Ra falls into the wrong hands.

Available at: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords 

SETH IS BACK!!! After all this time the wait is finally over!! I absolutely loved the first book and can't wait to read the second!! ALSO...for those of you new to the world of Kelsey Ketch, the first book is currently free on Smashwords or Kobo!

Excerpt:

Seth wrung a blood-soaked hand towel until the fabric pinched the flesh of his aching palms. 

Droplets of Natti’s diluted blood trickled into the running water. When the cotton began to dry, 

he drowned it again and wrung it out even tighter. Yet, no matter how sore his hands were, the 

haunting bloodstains on the towel wouldn’t wash away. Exhausted and frustrated, he tossed 

the towel into the basin. He slammed the faucet off, leaned over the counter, and stared at his 

reflection. Dark circles and black kohl accented his turquoise eyes. Large, swollen bruises coated 

his lightly tanned skin, each screaming with the slightest movement. Dry blood encrusted his 

wrists. His back ached and his knees were coated with grime. Even so, his injuries carried little 

pain compared to the memories he was still trying to process: his own father, Sean, drawing 

Seth’s Glock 38 on him at the hospital; being chained down in Set’s Temple and listening 

to Natti’s screams while his father dosed her with synthetic scorpion venom; watching Sean 

enslave her essence; seeing the ceremonial dagger poised over her breast. Seth shoved his fingers 

through his copper hair, trying to force the images out of his mind.

A soft moan, a harsh groan, and then a scream echoed from the next room. Seth’s overwhelmed 

system surged with adrenaline. He raced into the bedroom of the hotel room. Natti had her back 

pressed against the pillows and headboard as she manically swiped at the old, floral bedcover. 

She abruptly withdrew her hand with another scream and began to cower, her knees brought up 

to her chest.

“I don’t know,” she bellowed. “I don’t know.”

“Natti?” Seth rushed to her side. He stared at the bedcover, trying to determine who or what she 

was shouting at.

Natti turned her glassy eyes to him with a gasp. She scrambled sideways, and Seth had to catch 

her before she fell over the edge of the king-sized bed. Her panicky screams transformed into 

desperate cries for help. Afraid someone would hear her, Seth quickly covered her mouth. She 

struggled against him for a brief moment before she finally went limp in his arms. Her silver-

violet eyes were filled with fear.

“Shh,” Seth cooed, trying to keep his own heart from leaping out of his chest. He stared into the 

eyes that had bewitched him on the first day they met. When she looked back at him, it was like 

she was gazing at a stranger. He swallowed a lump that formed in his throat and slowly raised his 

fingers from her lips.

“I don’t know,” she whimpered. “I don’t know. I swear, I don’t know.”

“Natti, it’s me,” Seth whispered, mentally begging the gods to help her. “It’s Seth. We met at 

school in mid-September. I rescued you at the festival. I helped you escape from the temple. 

Don’t you remember?”

Her body tensed under his hold, and her gaze went wild while she scanned the room. “Oh God, 

please. . . . I don’t know.”

“Natti.”

She wasn’t paying any attention to him. Her eyes were beginning to dilate, and her body vibrated 

with fear. Seth finally called on his blessing from Set, his magical charm, to try to calm her, but 

her mind was too wired and her veins throbbed under his touch. She suddenly screeched and 

thrashed violently in his arms.

“No. No, stop. I don’t know.” Her anxiety was building. Grabbing hold of her flying fists, Seth 

pinned her down on the bed. Her back arched and her legs kicked while she attempted to wrench 

herself from his grasp.

“Natti, stop,” he ordered. “Stop!”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.

For more information, please visit her Website, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook