Temple of Ice - 3-Star Review

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the TEMPLE OF ICE by Christian Cura Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: TEMPLE OF ICE

Author: Christian Cura

Pub. Date: May 10, 2021

Publisher: Christian Cura

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 340

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/TEMPLE-OF-ICE 

Meet Tama, an adept winter mage of Khione, a beautiful, dangerous land. Bloodthirsty monsters roam the frozen wilderness, and the unforgiving elements are a constant. Tama and her friends—Kachina and Masou—are on the cusp of completing their education at the temple where they have trained for the past four years. They need only to do one more thing: earn the Goddess Tira’s final anointing. But to do that, they must fight through hordes of corrupted creatures and endure the perplexing obstacles within Mount Orodani.

The road before them is long and bloody, and Tira’s evil sister, Malsumi, won’t stop sending her minions until she is strong enough to break free of her prison. Tama fights valiantly to defend herself and her people from these twisted monsters. But she will soon discover the real threat is much closer than she initially thought…

Reviews:

". . . Christian Cura's Temple of Ice is a fast-paced, action-packed fantasy story full of thrills, suspense, and unsuspecting moments . . ."-Rolanda Lyles, Readers' Favorite 5 out of 5 stars
 
". . . a thrilling book to read."-ILoveUniqueBooks.com 4 out of 5 stars
 
"Temple of Ice is an action-filled sword and sorcery novel. With a well-crafted magic system, an interesting setting, and fascinating characters, fantasy fans will find plenty to love in Christian Cura's suspenseful novel."-Literary Titan 4 out of 5 stars

 

Review

TEMPLE OF ICE is definitely not what I expected it to be.  Cura weaves  this magical world together with a culture that feels almost Inuit. From the icy landscape to the religion of gods represented on totem poles in tribal areas, you'll want a cup of hot cocoa to sip on while you read this one. 

The story and character development was insanely good! I'm someone who typically sees most plot twists a mile away, but TEMPLE OF ICE kept me guessing. The story and wanting to know what happened next kept me from being able to put the book down until I finished it - in one evening. 

The only part of the book that was confusing, and what surprised me the most about it, was that the tone really seemed to develop with the story. At the beginning, the tone made the story feel very young adult genre and almost middle grade. I think it is more of a new adult genre based on the content and some of the scenes, but it is not so much that it is inappropriate for older young adult readers.

 

About Christian Cura:

Christian Cura is an independent writer who dreams of becoming a successful author. Ever since he read Lord of the Rings as a teenager, it has been his dream to write and publish a novel of his own. Christian's favorite authors include J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling and Robert Jordan. When he is not writing, Christian can be found getting beaten up at his MMA gym. His other hobbies include, drawing, photography, graphic design and eating.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive character portraits from TEMPLE OF ICE, US Only.

Ends April 18th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

4/3/2023	Writer of Wrongs	Excerpt
4/4/2023	Mythical Books	Excerpt/IG Post
4/4/2023	Author Z. Knight’s Guild	Excerpt/IG Post
4/5/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
4/6/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
4/6/2023	Jazzy Book Reviews	Excerpt/IG Post
4/7/2023	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post

Week Two:

4/10/2023	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
4/10/2023	Cara North	Review/IG Post
4/11/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
4/12/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
4/12/2023	Living in a Fictional Reality	Review
4/13/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
4/14/2023	Nonbinaryknightreads	Review/IG Post
4/14/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post

Control - 4-Star Review

Control by Melissa Cassera is a dark YA paranormal romance debut out now. It’s the first in a new trilogy–check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Control

Author: Melissa Cassera

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

4-Star Review:

Have you ever just had to read a book because the cover and title grabbed you and would not let go? Well, that is what happened to me with Control. When I started reading, all I knew about it was that it was in the young adult genre and let the rest be a surprise - and what a great surprise it was!

Melissa Cassera brilliantly wove the paranormal aspect into this story in a way that is unique to what I've seen before with paranormal and paranormal romances. The storyline feels fresh and new and is not at all predictable. 

You know the book is good when you get to the end and are eagerly looking to see if if there is a preview of the sequel because you are dying to know what happens next and you are hoping for a clue. Control definitely sets the stage for a really intriguing trilogy and I cannot wait to see where it goes from here!

About Control:

For Natalie Covington and Henry Thorne, only one thing is certain: things are about to get out of control. 18-year-old Natalie has big ambitions but very little control over her situation. She’s trapped at an elite boarding school on a private island, where cell phones are forbidden, militant guards line the iron gates, and her practically prearranged boyfriend has eyes for another girl.   Everything changes when a mysterious new student arrives named Henry Thorne. Henry is a “precog”—a hidden society of people who can see the future, and who are forbidden to reveal their powers. When Henry has a grisly vision of Natalie being murdered, he ultimately decides to save her and face the consequences. But the consequences of changing the future are more dangerous than Henry imagined, unlocking a wide conspiracy among his kind that’s linked to Natalie’s past, and a desire that threatens to consume them.   CONTROL is the first installment in The Lockwood Trilogy. This fast-paced Upper YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance is filled with thrilling turns, self-discovery, spicy language, light steam, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you obsessing for more.   Reader Discretion: this book contains graphic language, violence, and some heat. Best suited for 16+.

Get Your Copy!

Control Audio Coming Soon!

About the Author:

Melissa Cassera is a Professional Screenwriter, Author, and award-winning Publicity Expert based in Washington State.   Melissa and her work have been featured in Variety, LA Times, Success Magazine, and Fast Company. She was named one of the nation’s Top Personal Branding Experts by The Huffington Post.   On-screen, Melissa is the writer of THE OBSESSION THRILLOGY (Lifetime Network’s first trilogy of movies.) She is also the writer of the films SECRET LIVES OF COLLEGE ESCORTS, NIGHTMARE NEIGHBORHOOD MOMS, MOMMY’S LITTLE STAR, DADDY’S PERFECT LITTLE GIRL, HER STOLEN PAST, and GIRL FOLLOWED. Melissa also sold an eight-episode dark comedy series, ADDICTED, to Fullscreen. She has two additional feature films, WHO KILLED OUR FATHER and NIGHTMARE PAGEANT MOMS, coming to Lifetime Network in 2023, and six additional film projects in active development.   When Melissa is not whipping together obsession-worthy words, she can be found drinking too much coffee, playing at the lake with her dogs, or getting lost in the romance section of a bookstore.   Follow Melissa at her website: https://melissacassera.com/ or on Instagram: @Melissa.cassera  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Instagram | Newsletter

 

The Queen's Gamble - 5-Star Review

We’re so excited to share the release of Nicole Sanchez’s THE QUEEN’S GAMBLE! Check out the gorgeous series and get your copy today!

Title: The Queen’s Gamble

Author: Nicole Sanchez

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

5-Star Review:

This sequel is one that I can't stop thinking about days and even weeks later. It was THAT good! Book one was rollercoaster filled with twists and turns and I didn't think the second one could be as good. Man, was I wrong! It was better and I was surprised by each new twist and did not see them coming. I absolutely was captivated by the new spin on classic mythology. I may, in fact, be going a bit crazy waiting for the third book to find out what happens next. Fair warning, book 2 ends in a massive cliff hanger that will haunt your thoughts in the best way!

About The Queen’s Gamble:

No matter what move she makes, there will be consequences.   Daphne Hale has transformed from pawn to queen. Or has she?   Daphne's caught once more between the man she loves and the man who seeks to own her. Estranged from Essos and forced to cater to Galen, Daphne fights to navigate the dangerous waters of the Trials as she moves closer to the seemingly inevitable endgame - marriage to the man who murdered her.   As the Underworld itself trembles with unstable power and Daphne’s own magic weakens daily, every move could be her undoing. To protect those she loves, Daphne must go along with the charade. But no one ever won a game of chess by resigning.   This reborn goddess may be in check, but it’s her move.

Get Your Copy!

Catching Up with the Series:

The King’s Game

The Royal Gauntlet

 

About the Author:

  Nicole Sanchez has been writing stories on any scrap of paper she could get her hands since before middle school. She lives in New Jersey with her high school sweetheart and love of her life along with their two quirky cats. When she isn't writing or wielding the Force, she can be found traveling the world with her husband or training for her next RunDisney Event.

Connect with the Author:

  Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub

Control - Release Day

Control by Melissa Cassera is a dark YA paranormal romance debut out now. It’s the first in a new trilogy–check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Control

Author: Melissa Cassera

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

About Control:

For Natalie Covington and Henry Thorne, only one thing is certain: things are about to get out of control. 18-year-old Natalie has big ambitions but very little control over her situation. She’s trapped at an elite boarding school on a private island, where cell phones are forbidden, militant guards line the iron gates, and her practically prearranged boyfriend has eyes for another girl.   Everything changes when a mysterious new student arrives named Henry Thorne. Henry is a “precog”—a hidden society of people who can see the future, and who are forbidden to reveal their powers. When Henry has a grisly vision of Natalie being murdered, he ultimately decides to save her and face the consequences. But the consequences of changing the future are more dangerous than Henry imagined, unlocking a wide conspiracy among his kind that’s linked to Natalie’s past, and a desire that threatens to consume them.   CONTROL is the first installment in The Lockwood Trilogy. This fast-paced Upper YA/New Adult Paranormal Romance is filled with thrilling turns, self-discovery, spicy language, light steam, and a cliffhanger ending that will leave you obsessing for more.   Reader Discretion: this book contains graphic language, violence, and some heat. Best suited for 16+.

Get Your Copy!

Control Audio Coming Soon!

About the Author:

Melissa Cassera is a Professional Screenwriter, Author, and award-winning Publicity Expert based in Washington State.   Melissa and her work have been featured in Variety, LA Times, Success Magazine, and Fast Company. She was named one of the nation’s Top Personal Branding Experts by The Huffington Post.   On-screen, Melissa is the writer of THE OBSESSION THRILLOGY (Lifetime Network’s first trilogy of movies.) She is also the writer of the films SECRET LIVES OF COLLEGE ESCORTS, NIGHTMARE NEIGHBORHOOD MOMS, MOMMY’S LITTLE STAR, DADDY’S PERFECT LITTLE GIRL, HER STOLEN PAST, and GIRL FOLLOWED. Melissa also sold an eight-episode dark comedy series, ADDICTED, to Fullscreen. She has two additional feature films, WHO KILLED OUR FATHER and NIGHTMARE PAGEANT MOMS, coming to Lifetime Network in 2023, and six additional film projects in active development.   When Melissa is not whipping together obsession-worthy words, she can be found drinking too much coffee, playing at the lake with her dogs, or getting lost in the romance section of a bookstore.   Follow Melissa at her website: https://melissacassera.com/ or on Instagram: @Melissa.cassera  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Instagram | Newsletter

 

The Queen's Gamble - Release Day

We’re so excited to share the release of Nicole Sanchez’s THE QUEEN’S GAMBLE! Check out the gorgeous series and get your copy today!

  

Title: The Queen’s Gamble

Author: Nicole Sanchez

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

About The Queen’s Gamble:

No matter what move she makes, there will be consequences.   Daphne Hale has transformed from pawn to queen. Or has she?   Daphne's caught once more between the man she loves and the man who seeks to own her. Estranged from Essos and forced to cater to Galen, Daphne fights to navigate the dangerous waters of the Trials as she moves closer to the seemingly inevitable endgame - marriage to the man who murdered her.   As the Underworld itself trembles with unstable power and Daphne’s own magic weakens daily, every move could be her undoing. To protect those she loves, Daphne must go along with the charade. But no one ever won a game of chess by resigning.   This reborn goddess may be in check, but it’s her move.

Get Your Copy!

Catching Up with the Series:

The King’s Game

The Royal Gauntlet

Exclusive Excerpt:

"Don't pull this shit. You know why I locked you morons in that cabin a million years ago? It's because I knew that, when it came down to it, you were meant to be. There is no one in all of Solarem or on the face of Earth or in the Underworld that can bring my brother to life the way you can, same as he's the only person who can possibly have the patience for you. You bring out the best in each other. Your journey together has been long and hard, but it's not over. So don't you dare give up on him. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Because when it came to you, he never gave up. He pushed and pushed and pushed to get you back, so push for him. Fight for him."

 

About the Author:

  Nicole Sanchez has been writing stories on any scrap of paper she could get her hands since before middle school. She lives in New Jersey with her high school sweetheart and love of her life along with their two quirky cats. When she isn't writing or wielding the Force, she can be found traveling the world with her husband or training for her next RunDisney Event.

Connect with the Author:

  Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub

Gypsy Blood - 4-Star Review

Gypsy Blood

By: Jeff Gunhus

Mystery/Thriller/Horror

Synopsis:

When Corbin Stewart, a down-on-his-luck writer living in Paris, witnesses the brutal attack of an old gypsy man, he rushes to help. He chases off the attackers, three albino men wearing porcelain tragedy masks, but not before they stab the old man repeatedly. While Corbin tries to keep the man alive until help arrives, blood gets on his skin, in his eyes, into his mouth. The old man dies, but Corbin soon discovers that death isn't the end for the powerful gypsy, and that the blood in his body carries part of the man's soul with it. Soon, he's dragged into a bizarre world of the T'acho Rasa, an ancient splinter tribe of the Romani that lives secretly in the labyrinth of the catacombs beneath Paris, and the Fantomes de la Nuit, a maniacal group dedicated to stopping them. Corbin finds himself at the center of the blood feud between the two groups, desperate to find a way to destroy them both. If he fails, the T'acho Rasa, seeking revenge for the persecution of the Romani people, will release an unspeakable horror onto the world.

Review:

When I first came across the synopsis of Gypsy Blood, I was immediately intrigued, but not really sure what to expect. With so many twists listed right in the description, I was curious to see if the story could live up to the hype and still have more surprises in store. Let me tell you, I was not let down.

The style of writing and the type of plot twists reminded me a lot of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series (The DaVinci Code, Angels & Demons, etc.).  The way that Gunhus describes the Romani community is a nod to a secret society with it's own hierarchy, traditions, and governances. But it doesn't stop there. The conflict between the T'acho Rasa and the Gantomes de la Nuit is nothing short of intoxicating. It makes you step back and question who is in the right and who is in the wrong constantly. Through the course of the story, I found myself switching my support back and forth between the groups until the very end. 

All in all, it was a fascinating read and I simply was not able to put it down. It is beautifully twisted and keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the last page. Even though it got a little too intense for my taste at some points, I still enjoyed the book.

Buy Links:

Amazon

B&N

Scars - 4-Star Review

SCARS
(The Survivor Series, Book 1)

By: Eliza Bates

Scars is one of those books that linger on your mind after you’ve read the last page.  While the first chapter seemed a bit random at first, as you keep reading you realize just how much backstory is contained in those pages.  By the time I hit chapter 2, I was hooked and could not put the book down.  

This book was fresh and unlike any other story that I have read.  I was thrilled that at no point in time was I able to predict any future plot points or twists.  It kept me guessing through to the end 

and left me wanting more of the story.  Of course the tease of book 2 at the back of Scars was just enough to make me even more anxious for its release.  

I do have to admit that some of the side characters seemed a little under developed and a few 

minute details didn’t seem to line up (or possibly went over my head), but the story had such a 

tight hold of my attention that it didn’t even detract from the reading experience.  

Overall, Scars is a great book to curl up with and get lost in over a weekend. I was so pleasantly 

surprised with the complexity and unpredictability of the main characters that I could not put it 

down until the very end. I definitely recommend picking this one up!

Pick up your copy today!