Risen from their literal hole in the ground, Thia, Lance, and her ‘Maly’ brethren have escaped The Hive and now face a full-on war. Welcoming the distraction from her abysmal love life, Thia throws herself into training the troops and claiming Nary bases.
Grateful to be of service again, Evan focuses on maneuvering their forces while fighting to break the icy bonds of betrayal still clutching Thia’s heart.
After a startling vision by his mother, Lance learns that Gigi is alive and trapped within The Hill. Now, he will stop and nothing to save his favorite icy blonde.
Stuck deep in enemy territory, Giselle DuBeau isn’t waiting for anyone to rescue her. Following her growing abilities, she becomes a force far beyond what her friends knew her to be. Yet, when a threat greater than anything the team has faced arises, Gigi is left to wonder exactly who has Command Control.
What another amazing and fast paced read!! I was glued to this book from beginning to end and was so sad when I got to the end of the book in just a couple of hours.
The characters in this story were fantastic!! I was still in love with Thia, Lance, Gigi and all the rest of the crew. I also loved learning more out Gigi's mother and the new characters that were introduced into the story.
The story-line was phenomenal!! I could still see the personalities of Rourke and Thawer within the pages of this book. This book was packed full of mystery, wonder, suspense and humor all rolled into one neat little package. This is an edge of your seat read that will keep you guessing and craving more. The cliffhanger has left me wanting more!! NOW I NEED BOOK 3 PLEASE!! I highly recommend this read. Make sure to keep your hands and feet inside while reading this wild ride!!
RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013
Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Adapted for Film. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.
Award Winning Author, Tish Thawer, writes paranormal romances for all ages. From her first paranormal cartoon, Isis, to the Twilight phenomenon, myth, magic, and superpowers have always held a special place in her heart.
Tish is known for her detailed world-building and magic-laced stories. Her work has been compared to Nora Roberts, Sam Cheever, and Charlaine Harris. She has received nominations for multiple RONE Awards (Reward of Novel Excellence), and Author of the Year (Fantasy, Dystopian, Mystery), as well as nominations and wins for Best Cover, and a Reader’s Choice Award.
Tish has worked as a computer consultant, photographer, and graphic designer, and is a columnist for Gliterary Girl Media and has bylines in RT Magazine and Literary Lunes Magazine. She resides in Colorado with her husband and three wonderful children and is represented by Gandolfo, Helin, and Fountain Literary Management.
Political propaganda would have us believe vampires are our friends. Fanged teddy bears misunderstood thanks to archaic lore. Activists picket for them to be welcomed into our society.
They claim vamps don't kill.
They preach we are safe.
They ... are dead wrong.
One year ago a hive slaughtered my family and left me for dead. Found by a team of scientists with their own agenda, I was forged into an unstoppable weapon.
I possess their strength, with none of their weaknesses.
I can move among them free from their crippling hunger.
I am their greatest threat.
Armed with this arsenal, vengeance will feed my desire to penetrate the seedy underbelly of their fetishized lifestyle and expose them for the monsters they truly are.
This was an interesting story and one is a one of a kind, but it kept me addicted from beginning to end and on the edge of my seat. Once I started reading, I was sad when I finished it. I just wasn't ready for the story to end.
The characters were amazing. I loved how they came to life right out of the story. I loved how the author used other characters that we know and love and forced them into present day. I also really loved the main female character, Vincenza, in this story as well. This character is just so Rourke's style. She is as sassy and vivacious as the author herself.
The story-line was phenomenal. This was a unique way of bringing forth an amazing adventure full of suspense with a refreshing new look on vampires. I must warn that they author does skip back and forth from the present to the past but it will in the end, catch up with each other and make a lot of sense.
As the author says at the beginning of the book:
"Disclaimer: Every action has an equal and apposite reaction. Make note of the experiment days to line causes from their past to their effects in the present."
I am completely and utterly in love with this story and I highly recommend others to enjoy this wild ride just as I have.
RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013
Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Adapted for Film. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.
“Comparing us to aberrant criminals? How do you justify making such a bold leap?”
“With centuries of murders, torture, and feedings!” he exploded, hopping in his seat as if suppressing the urge to leap onto the tabletop and douse me with holy water. “All of these vile acts have been committed under the teachings of your demonic demi-god, Vlad Draculesti. Your immortal Lord Impaler.”
One corner of my mouth tugged back in a knowing smirk. “And no one has ever killed, maimed, or committed genocide in the name of Christ?”
“It’s a sorry argument to use our history against us!”
“Yes, it is!” I vehemently agreed. “And yet that is exactly what humans subject us to. You fault us for the mistakes our kind has made in the past, mocking our deity without truly understanding his teachings. Meanwhile, you fetishize our culture and use it in your foreplay. Statistically speaking, human on human deaths outweigh vampire-on-human deaths twenty-three hundred to one. And why is that? Because humans take their passions too far, while when we pair with a human we focus on building a lasting relationship built on trust, safety, and security.”
“Humans you keep around for feeding and screwing!” my opponent hollered, spittle bubbling in the corners of his mouth. “You’re vicious killers!”
“My apologies to our viewers for that use of inappropriate language,” the prim and poised moderator stated into the camera before fixing her critical gaze on the frothing conservative. “Mayor Donaldson, I again ask you to control these outbursts or we will have no choice but to conclude our debate.”
Before his mouth could open to protest further, I leaned in and caught him with my narrowed gaze. “Show me proof. Where is the recorded documentation of these crimes you’re accusing us of? I tell you what, while you hunt to find that, I will wander into any costume shop or Halloween store and snag a set of fangs and a gothic cape that misrepresent us as night prowling fiends. The so-called facts you are basing your viewpoint on are myths formulated by your own kind to make us these legendary creatures that go bump in the night. Thank you, for granting me more power than I can fathom. That said, you should know I can’t turn into a bat, I spend as much time in front of the mirror as the next gal, and I enjoy a few extra shakes of garlic on my pasta. I’m not a monster, Mayor Donaldson. I am a vampire citizen who wants the same rights you take for granted.”
Political propaganda would have us believe vampires are our friends. Fanged teddy bears misunderstood thanks to archaic lore. Activists picket for them to be welcomed into our society.
They claim vamps don't kill. They preach we are safe. They ... are dead wrong.
One year ago a hive slaughtered my family and left me for dead. Found by a team of scientists with their own agenda, I was forged into an unstoppable weapon.
I possess their strength, with none of their weaknesses. I can move among them free from their crippling hunger. I am their greatest threat.
Armed with this arsenal, vengeance will feed my desire to penetrate the seedy underbelly of their fetishized lifestyle and expose them for the monsters they truly are.
99c for 4 more days
This was an interesting story and one is a one of a kind, but it kept me addicted from beginning to end and on the edge of my seat. Once I started reading, I was sad when I finished it. I just wasn't ready for the story to end.
The characters were amazing. I loved how they came to life right out of the story. I loved how the author used other characters that we know and love and forced them into present day. I also really loved the main female character, Vincenza, in this story as well. This character is just so Rourke's style. She is as sassy and vivacious as the author herself.
The story-line was phenomenal. This was a unique way of bringing forth an amazing adventure full of suspense with a refreshing new look on vampires. I must warn that they author does skip back and forth from the present to the past but it will in the end, catch up with each other and make a lot of sense.
As the author says at the beginning of the book:
"Disclaimer: Every action has an equal and apposite reaction.
Make note of the experiment days to line causes from their past to their effects in the present."
I am completely and utterly in love with this story and I highly recommend others to enjoy this wild ride just as I have.
HUGE RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY!
Win a FREE Kindle Fire, a signed copy of Veiled, an exclusive NPI Bill, and an "I voted, #backthefang" sticker!
Political propaganda would have us believe vampires are our friends. Fanged teddy bears misunderstood thanks to archaic lore. Activists picket for them to be welcomed into our society.
They claim vamps don’t kill.
They preach we are safe.
They … are dead wrong.
One year ago a hive slaughtered my family and left me for dead. Found by a team of scientists with their own agenda, I was forged into an unstoppable weapon.
I possess their strength, with none of their weaknesses.
I can move among them free from their crippling hunger.
I am their greatest threat.
Armed with this arsenal, vengeance will feed my desire to penetrate the seedy underbelly of their fetishized lifestyle and expose them for the monsters they truly are.
—
RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013
Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Crane 2015
Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Reel Romance Series. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.
Well, another successful year for the second annual Once Upon A Book Author Signing has come to a close. It has taken me a bit to come down from the excitement and get my thoughts together to put this post together. So, here we go......
As most of you know Once Upon A Book Author Signing was held this past weekend in Frankenmuth, MI and of course Marvin and I were able to go.
Marvin and I decided this year that we were going to make a vacation out of this trip. So, we left Thursday morning.
Here we are getting ready to leave for Michigan, Thursday morning, August 10th.
We made it to our motel at about 2:30 pm on Thursday. This is where we stayed last year and they even gave us the same room too.
BAVARIAN INN LODGE
(where the event took place)
We were once again featured on their sign
(Photo provided by Stacey Rourke)
This sign was shown as we drove into the Lodge.
The entrance to the Lodge
As we walked in, we saw this sign.
This of course was the schedule for this year.
Registration was at 10 am Friday morning and below is the the totes with the swag that we got when we registered. Marvin and I each got a tote and had Golden ticket passes to be a part of everything.
FRIDAY: PANELS
Before, I go on, I wanna add something. I tried to make t-shirts on my own for the event, but alas, I had failed....but I did find someone who could do it for me. Thank you Amanda Beal for making this girl a happy one!!
Here are pictures of Marvin and I each wearing them. We wore them on Friday during panel and again Saturday during the signing.
On Friday at 12 pm, I got the privileged to be part of a discussion panel. I got to actually sit with three other amazing women at the Pulse of the Reader panel. Lynn Shaw, Ashley Cestra, and Tina Donnelly and I were a part of this team and authors got to pick our brains a bit and find out what we like, don't like, and what is new and hip in the book world. The video was provided by Jocqueline M Protho of Bookin Around Town.
CAUGHT IN THE CLASSICS BALL
My costume was planned and I was to dress as Ireland from Stacey Rourke's Crane Series. Sadly, face paint and glasses don't mix and I ended up washing it off before we left for the ball.
Marvin and I at the ball
Here is the fantastic opening for Caught in the Classics Ball. Video provided by Jocqueline M Protho of Bookin Around Town.
Here are some of the photos too from the opening.
Stacey Rourke, our hostess with the mostest.
This year, Stacey dressed as Katniss Everdeen and I believe she rocked it.
(photo provided by Lynn Shaw)
THE FOOD
This was a buffet style dinner. The salad and dessert was delivered to our tables but we got in line for the main course.
Salad
What I had for the main course
Dessert
THE KIDS
After everyone finished eating, Stacey had the children come up to the stage for a bit of fun.
The kids danced to the Dinosaur Song and then all of a sudden some T-Rex's came out to dance with them.
As most of you know, I was nominated this year for two awards. Sadly, I did not win either award this year, but that is ok. I was up against some really awesome ladies this year. I was nominated and that to me was just awesome anyway and it made for one wild ride for 2017!! I would like to thank everybody who voted for me and supported me this and every year for the past 5 years!! Plus, I can always try again for 2018!!
Best Book Blog Winner
3 Girls and a Book by Lynn Shaw
(photo provided by Lynn Saw)
Die-Hard Reader of the Year Winner
Tina Donnelly
(Photo provided by Tina Donnelly)
After Stacey had announced Tina as the winner, she asked the other nominees to come up to the stage. She had a surprise for all of us. Each nominee got an awesome potted plant that we each got to choose from and take home.
I ended up with two plants because Lynn Shaw couldn't take hers home with her on the plane, so she had me take hers. So, Marvin helped me pick out two of them.
SATURDAY: THE SIGNING
As most of my friends knew, I was working on a surprise for Stacey Rourke and my plan was to present it to her Saturday morning before the signing was open to the public. And my plan worked.
Here is what I presented to Stacey..
THE CANDY DISH
This Candy Dish is a one of a kind masterpiece made by Gary Konkle of Konkle Kreations. I loved Stacey's book Rise of the Sea Witch so much that I had a candy dish made for her.
AND
THE LAP BLANKET
I fell in love so hard for Stacey Rourke's Legends Sagathat I decided to make a lap blanket to represent that book. Yes, sugar skulls. 6 skeins of yarn, 80 individual skulls, and six weeks later, this blanket was complete and ready to be delivered.
NOW ON TO THE REST OF THE DAY
I took 100 pieces of swag with me and business cards to hand out during the signing. All of my swag was made by Jennifer Konkle of Konkle Kreations. And there were so many authors there that I ran out before I was done. SO EMBARRASSING!! Our plan is to make more for next year. I have a feeling that it will be bigger!!
ATTENDING AUTHORS
I have to admit, I fangirled during this event and forgot to take some pics with people, but here are a few that I did think about when the time came.
Stacey Rourke
(pic taken by Heather M. Mullins)
Heather M. Mullins
Casey Bond
Mary Ting
Solease M. Barner·
(photo taken by Amber Garcia)
Amber Garcia
I went through this entire event and spoke to every single Author that was there that day. It took me from 9 am that morning to 3 pm that afternoon when it was over to see everybody!! It was amazing!!
AND AS PROMISED..
THE SIGNED TOTES
One of these awesome totes full of swag from Once Upon A Book is up for grabs in the giveaway that is going on now!!
Marvin and I went back to our motel and brought everything in from the author signing and went through it all that afternoon.
I got some really awesome presents this year too!! I kind of wanna show them off.
A coloring book from Lynn Shaw.
A Frog, a handmade paper frog, and handmade bracelets by MCV Egan.
Beautiful pink bracelet and earrings set from Mary Ting that she brought back from Hawaii.
AND
An adorable little insulated purse from Deedle Miyares, daughter of Delphina Miyares.
NOW THE OTHER STUFF
My book haul for 2017
My signed coloring book from Mary Ting
My signed book by Jessica Cage
I also got.....
A beautiful flower arrangement from MCV Egan
AND....
I won a gift basket from A. J. Norris.
Children's books
Some of these books will be sent to our child reviewers.
ALSO...
Handmade bags with swag for our child reviewers.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST
This tote is full of books and swag that I will be giving away throughout the year and some of it is in one of the totes that I am giving away now.
And of course, I can't forget Marvin's favorite part....the candy he picked up. 😉
SUNDAY MORNING
Marvin and I checked out of our motel and started our trip back home to Warsaw, IN.
MONDAY MORNING
(overall video of what we came home with)
FINAL WORDS & RATING
I want to take a moment to thank Stacey Rourke and her volunteers for all their blood, sweat, tears, and hard work to bring this event to life. I had an amazing time..Words can't express how much it means to me to have an event so close to home and be able to look forward to it every single year.
I also wanna thank all the authors who were there for me to stop and talk to, learn about their particular genres, and pick up books and swag from them to pass along to all of you.
I am also extremely glad, that I FINALLY, after 6 years, was able to meet MCV Egan and Amber Garcia in person. I love you ladies!!
And if this was a book review, I would give this event my 5 book review.
It's an awesome family friendly event that I highly recommend for all to enjoy!!
AND NEXT YEAR HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED
The tables are now up for sale at the WEBSITEso that way you can sign up now!! Keep a lookout for the ticket sales that will be coming soon.
