My TBR List Review ~ Origin ~ Jennifer L. Armentrout

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. I think it's a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Lux Series #4
Release Date: August 27, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he's facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don't seem entirely crazy, but the group's goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything.

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on?

And will they even be together?

Holy glowing aliens! I could never have guessed at the events that occurred in Origin or the direction those events would take Katy and Daemon. Y'all told me Origin was epic. It absolutely was! And I'm beyond anxious to see where this firestorm will lead Katy, Daemon, and company.

Origin begins with Katy a captive of Daedelus and y'all, I could not believe the things Katy endured at their hands. Thank goodness Katy is so strong - I'm not sure I could bounce back from some of that stuff even if I had Daemon to help. Daemon's rescue plans were pretty genius, honestly. But I worried how he'd deal with finding out all Katy had experienced. I liked the introduction of Archer, a soldier of Daedelus and an unlikely ally, as well as the other plot twists (more like explosions) JLA threw at us.

The complexities of everything Daedelus - their plans, their technology - and how it all affects Katy, Daemon, and his family and friends proved JLA's prowess in crafting a riveting story. I couldn't help but notice the relevance of Daedulus' end-game goals and the similarities to some scientific issues facing the world today. JLA wove that in with everything else delivering an action-packed, suspenseful, socially relevant romance. Seriously. Awesome.

The appearance of some characters was heartwarming and some others was devastating. Gah! The secrets revealed, the battle fought, the lines drawn...and that ending! There was so much epicness packed into Origin. And I just know it's all eading up to and ending the greatness of which I can't fathom. So, so happy Opposition is already waiting on my shelf!

Teaser Tuesdays #70

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB @ A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

***

Hereafter
Hereafter Series #1

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life - or her actual death - she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world...forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

***Teaser***

"You're fated to help me with my task--I knew it from the first moment I saw you." He shrugged again, but this time the movement looked decidedly less casual. "You have to help me, Amelia. Otherwise I'll have no choice but to trap you here and keep you from every going into the living world again..."

Review ~ The Ruby Circle ~ Richelle Mead

The Ruby Circle
Bloodlines #6
Release Date:
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased Hardcover
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
THEY WILL BE TESTED

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.

Their forbidden romance exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead's bestselling Bloodlines series.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, she and Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world and alter their lives forever.

Don't miss their unforgettable final chapter...

LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL

The Ruby Circle is a solid ending for the Bloodlines series. Mead incorporated all the elements she's known for - intrigue, action, mythology, and romance - and tied them all together to render an exciting and satisfying story.

As I said in my Silver Shadows review, I admire the way Mead takes details, from over the course of the series, that a reader might think inconsequential and uses them to create drama and bring everything full circle. Having the entire cast, so to speak, only enhanced my enjoyment. They all joined forces to find Jill and figure out what the Alchemists were up to. There was magic and drama and swoons. I will admit to starting into this a little dismayed with Adrian once again. But he once again proved why he's so lovable. There was on thing Mead left unanswered where Adrian is concerned but it didn't take away from the story.

What I enjoyed most about The Ruby Circle, and Bloodlines overall, has been watching Sydney and Adrian grow as individuals. Sydney was so set in her strict and conservative Alchemist ways that it was heartening to see her open her mind, to use her gifts, and love openly. Adrian was this pompous Moroi royal and, okay, so he didn't lose all his pompousness...this is Adrian we're talking about...but he also opened up, displayed his vulnerabilities and grew into a much more responsible and mature young man.

So, obviously I liked how things ended even if I didn't want things to end. However, I was thrilled to see in the acknowledgements that Mead said we haven't see the last of these characters. And she reiterated this at RT when I spoke with her about it. She said there's nothing definite but that these characters refuse to leave her head. I said "Woohoo!"

That's What HE Said #28 ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #7

That's What He Said is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies @Chapter Break. Here's the deal: every Thursday, post a line from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind, these are direct quotes from dialog in the books. The quote doesn't have to be romantic - just something our hunky hero said to his lucky lady. Be sure to link up over at Chapter Break as well.

My pick this week for That's What He Said is from:

The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

***

"Sydney," Adrian interrupted, cupping my face in his hands. "Never, ever think like that. I don't regret anything we've faced. Being with you is the best tings that's ever happened to me, the one perfect decision I've made in a lifetime of fumbling and poor judgment. I'd go through it all again to be by your side. Never doubt that. Never doubt how I feel about you."

*sigh*....Adrian....

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Is that them?" my mother called. "I thought I heard the door."
"It had better be," I said, taking a pan out of the oven and carefully setting it on the counter. "This roast is at peak deliciousness. I'm not waiting for them to dive in. It would be a crime. A declaration of war against fine cuisine everywhere."

No one does melodramatic quite like Adrian. But I'd deal with it to see him in an apron in my kitchen. ;)

**Cover Reveal ~ Shinigami Eyes ~ Cheree & Adam Smith**

I'm happy to be a part of the cover reveal for Shinigami Eyes by Cheree and Adam Smith.

***

Shinigami Eyes

(Shinigami Eyes #1)

Most children hope to grow out of their imaginary friends.

17-year-old Rin Waters’ only hope is that hers doesn’t kill someone, especially when said imaginary friend puts a boy in a coma. Finding herself shipped half-way around the world—to Japan, of all places—she is forced to live with grandparents she hasn’t seen for ten years and a cousin she can’t even remember.

Rin would rather just forget about the one night that ruined her life and pretend her imaginary friend doesn’t exist—if it was only that easy. When manga-obsessed otaku, Matt, won’t stop pestering her about a manga that sees the future and the tragic accident she’ll be involved in if she doesn’t listen to him, pretending becomes quite a challenge.

Suddenly mysterious accidents begin to happen to students in her school, and Rin has to wonder what length Matt is willing to go to prove his manga is real. Is it all a sham or is there really something that wants to see Rin and her new friends dead?

Coming October 31st, 2014

Add Shinigami Eyes to your Goodreads list!

Cheree Smith

Cheree Smith lives in the coastal city of Newcastle in Australia where she is studying graphics design and photography. When she is not hard at study, she is busy writing paranormal, horror and dark stories for young adults. She enjoys listening to and learning about legends and myths, watching scary movies and dreaming up new worlds where monsters can come alive. When she is not in her writing cave she can be found listening to music, even dabbling in the occasional writing of music or reading.

Website –  Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads

Adam Smith

Adam Smith has always loved the Japanese culture, which began with his love of anime and manga. This helped him accomplish his goal of moving to Japan to become an ALT (assistant language teacher) in Iwate, Japan. When he’s not reading, writing or speaking Japanese, he is working on paranormal, horror and dark stories for young adults with his sister, Cheree.

Goodreads

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Captivate Me & Iris ~ S.J. Pierce**

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Captivate Me & Iris, by S.J. Pierce. My stop includes my previously published review of Captivate Me, my review of Iris, and a giveaway!

You can follow all the blogs on this tour by clicking here. 

***

Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce

Publication date: April 1st 2014

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Source: I received an eARC as part of the tour in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms

Synopsis:

“My mom had always told me – when you meet “the one”, you’ll know; they’ll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom’s words of wisdom were finite – if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering.”

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted – a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it’s always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can’t handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak – even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school – Levi. Everything feels normal again… or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she’s never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen – students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice – will she settle for ‘great’ Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across ‘amazing?’

From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

***Previously Published on March 31, 2014***

Captivate Me is a YA spinoff of Ms. Pierce's Alyx Rayer Chronicles, although you don't have to read that series to enjoy Captivate Me. I quite enjoyed my introduction into Kat's world.

Kathrin Walsh has always been able to hide her special ability from the outside world. However, following an incident that was the result of a simple mistake made when she was running late, Kat now finds herself at Midland Pines, a school for the Gifted. Here she finds there are others like her, and she can finally be herself.

In the midst of making new friends and worrying over finding that special one, Kat begins to feel a pull to the woods beyond the school grounds. It is there she meets a young man. The young man that's been visiting her dreams. He introduces her to his small group he calls family, who share even more startling information about her life. As Kat tries to come to terms with this new information, as well as explore her pull towards Gabriel, students begin disappearing.

The story line is initially heavy on the romance - finding it, figuring out what true love might feel like. However, just as it was beginning to wear on me, the mystery and action kicked in. These elements amped up my pleasure. Once all the dust settles, Kat has some important decisions to make.

Kat, despite her ruminating on romance, is a likable heroine. Kat is smart and brave and I liked that Ms. Pierce gave her her father's artistic gifts. She's dealing with normal teenage things like making friends, finding the perfect dress for a school dance, and taking exams. She's also missing her family, whom she's close to, now that she's moved to the States. And she also is learning how to embrace her gift and those of others, along with how the information she learns from Gabriel. It's a lot for a teenage girl and it was gratifying to watch her handle it all.

The supporting characters are all likable as well. I'm curious to learn more about Sarah, Anna, Dawson, and Ronnie, Kat's friends at school. And I'm eager to find out more of Piper, Aubrey, Brad and Colton's history. We don't get to spend much time with some of them and I want to get better acquainted with them. Levi, Kat's first love interest, is sweet, compassionate and gentlemanly. I liked that he wasn't a typical boneheaded high school boy.

But it was Gabriel that stole my heart despite not getting to spend much time with him. Ms. Pierce did well in defining his character in a short period of time. I felt a pull to him as Kat did. He's charming, protective, and even though he wasn't initially completely honest with Kat, he rectifies that issue. I was able to feel the chemistry between he and Kat from the beginning. 

I'm fascinated with all that's been revealed to Kat and I'm excited to spend more time her her world. I want to see where she and her cohorts go from this point forward.

***

Iris (#1.5)

Release Date: September 1, 2014

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Source: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis

***This book is meant to be read after Captivate Me.***

Set before the events in Book One of the Captivated Series, Iris explores the depths of family bonds, new bonds, and the lengths a person would go to save the life of a dying sibling. In this novella, get to know Iris and her two sisters more intimately, as well as Gabriel, the first angel-human hybrid who agrees to live under her protection.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

Iris is a nice companion novel for the Captivate series. It added a lot to the character development of the antagonists in the series. We learn more about Iris, her sisters, Rose and Lilliana, and Kai, all of whom we meet in Captivate Me.

The glimpse at Iris' home life, the tragedies she and her family have endured, gave me some insight into the reasons she'd undertake the plan she did. I could feel the love and loyalty Iris felt towards her sister, Rose, which eased my discomfort over her willingness to do something I consider morally reprehensible. Rose, for the little we see her, is very caring. She gave up so much in order to take care of her sisters once their parents died. Lilliana, however, didn't win me over. I felt like she's rather self-centered. Her participation in the plot was for more self-serving reasons, in my opinion.

Getting some background on Kai was also enlightening. His feelings for Iris and her family explained his involvement in this plot. But his compassion did make me question how he could participate in it. 

I also liked the introduction of the council the witches answer to as well as other beings that I assume we'll see in the future. And I really enjoyed the look at how Gabriel joined Iris' group too. That was something I'd been curious about. And it gave, maybe, a glimpse into things to come.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy and Sci-fi novels. 

Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex storytelling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her first publishing credit was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to 'life happens', but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook

**Sidekick Showcase ~ #51**

Sidekick Showcase (previously known as Sidekick Saturday) is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jaclyn at JC's Book Haven. There are many secondary characters that are as great as the primaries. In some cases, the sidekicks actually steal the show and you like them better than the heroine or hero. Maybe they didn't have enough page time for how great they were. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Choose a sidekick *or someone other than the hero or heroine* that you would like to put in the spotlight that fits in this week's type
• Share a picture (if possible) and information about the character
• Give the title and author of a book the character can be found in
• Please don't include too many spoilers when describing why the character is such a great sidekick
• Put your link in the Linky thing and comment

**********************************

August's themes are Artistic, Musical, Twins, Humanitarians Adventureer, Has or Should Have a Motorcycle ~ a little something for everyone ;)

My pick this week:
Derek Souza
from Kelly Armstrong's Darkest Powers Series

Hmm, I was thinking Derek would serve as a guy who should have a motorcycle. I mean, is a werewolf, and as such, he's tall and broad. And he absolutely looks like he should be in a bike even though he's only 16. But he could also serve as humanitarian for his efforts to save the kids being experimented on by the Edison Group. And in that way, he could also be seen as an adventureer since he has to do some crazy things in order to accomplish that end. 

Derek is extremely protective of his foster brother, Simon, and particularly Chloe Saunders. Actually, he's very protective of anyone whom he loves and would lay down his life for them. But if you don't fall into that group, don't expect him to lift a finger to help you. Derek is super-smart. He's very advanced academically and he's also quite street smart. He has some self-esteem issues since he's been treated like a monster for most his life. But he's also sweet and he can be kinda funny, too.
Bottom line, Derek is pretty awesome! ;)

***

"You saw a ghost, didn't you?" he said.
To my relief, I managed to laugh. "Hate to break it to  you, but there's no such thing as ghosts."
"Huh."
His gaze traveled around the laundry room, like a cop searching for an escaped convict. When he turned that piercing look on me, its intensity sucked the backbone out of me.
"What do you see, Chloe?"
"I -I -I don't s-s-s"
"Slow down." He snapped the words, impatient. "What do they look like? Do they talk to you?"
"Yeah."
I chewed my lip, then lifted onto my tiptoes. He bent to listen. "They wear white sheets with big eye holes. And they say 'Boo!'" I glowered up at him. "Now get out of my way."
I expected him to sneer. Cross his arms and say, Make me, little girl. His lips twitched and I steeled myself, then realized he was smiling. Laughing at me. He stepped aside. I swept past him to the stairs.
-Derek & Chloe, The Summoning

"Here," Derek whispered, pressing an empty Mason jar into my hand. He'd pulled me aside after class and we were now standing at the base of the boy's staircase. "Take this up to your room and hide it."
"It's a...jar."
He grunted, exasperated that I was so dense I failed to see the critical importance of hiding an empty Mason jar in my room.
"Its for your urine."
"My what?"
He rolled his eyes, a growl-like sound sliding through his teeth as he leaned down, closer to my ear. "Urine. Pee. Whatever. For the testing."
I lifted the jar to eye level. "I think they'll give me something smaller."
...
"You took your meds today, right?" he whispered.
I nodded.
"Then use this jar to save it."
"Save...?"
"Your urine. If you give them some of today's tomorrow, it'll seem like you're still taking your meds."
"You want me to...dole it out? Into specimen jars?"
"Got a better idea?"
"Um, no, but..." I lifted the jar and stared into it.
"Oh, for God's sake. Save your piss. Don't save your piss. It's all the same to me."
-Derek & Chloe, The Summoning

"And stop doing that," he said. "Backing away, giving me that look."
"Like you're scaring me? Maybe you are."
He stepped back so fast he wobbled and caught himself, and the look on his face - It vanished in a second, the scowl returning.
"I'd never hurt you, Chloe. You should know--" He stopped. Paused. Then wheeled and started walking away. "Next time? Handle it yourself. I'm done taking care of you."
-Derek & Chloe, The Awakening

"You were just worried about me."
An exhale, relieved that I'd understood. "Yeah."
I turned. "Because you think I'm worth it."
He put his fingers under my chin. "I absolutely think you're worth it."
"But you don't think you are."
His mouth opened. Shut.
"That's what this is about, Derek. You won't let us worry about you because you don't think you're worth it. But I do. I absolutely do."
-Chloe & Derek, The Reckoning

**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Shattering Halos ~ Sunniva Dee**

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Sunniva Dee's Shattering Halos. I have all the details on the book, my review, and a giveaway for y'all. 

To follow all the tour stops, click here.

***

Shattering Halos by Sunniva Dee
(Halos #1)

Publication date: February 24th 2014

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal
Source: I received an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.25 Bookworms

Synopsis:

I traded my death for love. I wasn’t given a choice. His decision has caught up with us, so now I am a living, breathing catalyst to war between Heaven and Hell.

The violations he committed saved my life. Since the collision, he’s appeared everywhere. In my hospital room, my school, even my house. He shows up in my paintings, my drawings, in all of my art projects. I can’t stop thinking about him.

He says his name is Gabriel, and he doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. He doesn’t know how I can see him or why he wants me in ways that should be impossible for a Celestial.

My obsession grows. I need him to hold me, kiss me—give all of himself. For every day he protects me, the consequences loom darker and taller. Soon, they’ll crash down on us.

The war is about to begin.

When I started Shattering Halos, I was sure it was going to be a 3-3.5 Bookworm read for me. I don't know if it was the initial world building or what, but I was having a hard time connecting to the story and characters. Then about a quarter of the way through, it morphed into a 4-4.25 Bookworm read. I became so intrigued with the hows and the whys of the connection between Gaia and Gabriel. Ms. Dee's use of angels and demons, Heaven and Hell mythology, began to reel me into the story and suddenly I was very invested in Gaia and Gabriel's story and its possible outcomes. By the end, Shattering Halos was engrossing, exciting, and exhilarating.

Gaia Samuelle is 17 when she's involved in an accident that claims the lives of her friends and should have taken hers. It's the night of the accident she first sees Gabriel. As Gaia recovers and continues on with her life - graduating high school, starting college - she and Gabriel work at trying to create a relationship that will work for them both. Gaia was a contradiction for me at times. She was very mature, having experienced what she had but at other times she was very much the 18 year old she is. She is a good daughter, sister, and friend. And despite her determination to be the cause of Gabriel's fall, her love and loyalty for him is unquestionable.

Gabriel has been protecting Gaia since she was born. Somewhere along the way, though, he began having human feelings for her. He has fought it, he doesn't understand it, but he can't deny it. Saving her the night of the accident - her being able to see him - changed things. And neither he nor Gaia could guess at the repercussions. Gabriel is everything angelic, really. He loves Gaia and does whatever he can to protect her, and give her her heart's desire.

Cassiel is a Fallen and is Gabriel's brother. He is essentially sex on a stick and human women literally fall at his feet swooning. Cassiel has always enjoyed this perk of being a Fallen. But his future is tied to Gabriel and Gaia's, for whatever reason. And he works in conjunction with them in trying to figure out what's simmering between Heaven and Hell. Cassiel is cocky and full of snark. I quite enjoyed his scenes.

The war between Heaven and Hell, that Gabriel and Gaia seemingly instigated, was exciting. I liked trying to figure out what was going to happen - I didn't - and all the biblical mythology made it that much more riveting. Being told from both Gaia's and Cassiel's POVs enhanced the pleasure of this story. I particularly liked getting into Cassiel's head. ;) And with the exception of the beginning, the pacing was great.

Those of you that don't like cliffies will be glad to know this doesn't end in one. However, I'm very eager to see where this story is going to go from here. This is a great debut!

**4.25 Bookworms ~ my worms don't like being quartered ;)**

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I write New Adult fiction with a paranormal twist and don’t shy away from romance and heart-wrenching passion when necessary.

I moved from Norway to the United States in 2001, and the first awesome five years I spent in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Then I read “The Book,” aka Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which spurred my husband and me to move cross country to beautiful Savannah, Georgia.

I’m currently on my seventh year in the Deep South, where I enjoy the heat and the humidity. Besides writing, I spend my time with our “petting zoo” as in an opinionated parrot, a herd of cats that are experts on keyboard shortcuts, and puppies that…uh, bark.

I hold a Master’s degree in languages, with concentrations within literature and linguistics. I taught at college level for a decade before settling in as a graduate adviser at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Writing is my passion, my joy, and my addiction. When I’m not writing, I read.

Shattering Halos is my debut novel, and its standalone sequel, Stargazer, is due out later this year.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook