Cover Reveal + Waiting on Wednesday #41: Tempest by Karen Ann Hopkins

Today not only will I be sharing what book I'm waiting on this Wednesday but also the BRAND NEW cover for Tempest by Karen Ann Hopkins! I'm so excited to read the 3rd book in the Wings of War series. I can't wait to see what happens next! 

and

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Tempest by Karen Ann Hopkins

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The Angels of destruction have arrived, and only Ember stands in the way of their mission to carry out God’s wrath and annihilate His enemies.

When the barrier between celestial creatures and humans beings is broken and Angels descend to Earth, Ember soon learns there’s a fine line between good and evil. As she faces a world full of monsters and magic, a terrifying darkness rises and threatens to destroy everything she’s fighting for.

In the riveting third installment of The Wings of War series, Ember and her friends embark on an epic journey, where unlikely allies are forged and age-old beliefs crumble to dust. And just when Ember accepts love in her life, it’s ripped away from her in the most terrifying way possible.

Ember must stop the apocalypse from happening, but at what cost?

Add Embers on Goodreads

Purchase Embers on Amazon | B&N

Add Gaia on Goodreads

Purchase Gaia on Amazon | B&N

About The Author: Karen Ann Hopkins

Find Karen @
Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

You can visit Karen Ann Hopkins at her website: www.karenannhopkins.com.

Karen Ann Hopkins resides in northern Kentucky with her family on a farm that boasts a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats. Karen's main job is home schooling the kids, but she finds time to give riding lessons, coach a youth equestrian drill team, and of course, write. She was inspired to create her first book, Temptation, by the Amish community she lived in. The experiential knowledge she gained through her interactions with her neighbors drove her to create the story of the star-crossed lovers, Rose and Noah.

Karen grew up about a mile from Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. She was bitten by the horse bug at the age of five, and after diligently taking riding lessons for several years, was rewarded with her first horse at the age of eleven. The feisty horse's name was Lady, a Quarter Horse-Thoroughbred cross, who became Karen's steadfast companion. Through the years, the constant force in her life was horses. Eventually, she found her place as a riding instructor herself. Before accepting her fate in the barnyard, she worked a short stint as a paralegal, traveled abroad, and guided tourists on horseback riding tours in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Karen is currently working on her Amish mystery series, Serenity's Plain Secrets, along with the YA paranormal/fantasy series, The Wings of War.  Karen is also excited to announce the Temptation series has been optioned for TV by Pilgrim Studios and is available on Audible.

What are your thoughts on the new cover?
and
What book are you waiting on this week?

Blog Tour: Gaia by Karen Ann Hopkins || Review & Giveaway!

Welcome everyone to the GAIA by Karen Ann Hopkins blog tour! Today is my stop on the tour and I will be sharing my review on this amazing new novel. There is also a giveaway at the end of this post. Be sure to check it out before you go. :)

Enjoy!

Title: Gaia 
Series: The Wings of War #2
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Kindle, 294 pages
Published: August 2015 by author
Genre: YA - Paranormal Romance 
Source: eARC via author
Purchase at Amazon

As the Demons grow bolder and the walls between the planes of existence weaken, Ember is forced to develop her powers as quickly as possible, and she seeks out a powerful earth Watcher to continue her supernatural lessons. Her glimpse of the future demands she fight the dark forces spreading across the earth.

But her new mentor has his own agenda, making her question everyone and everything she ever trusted. When Ember is thrust into the world of the Watchers, she learns of their plans—ones that defy the scripture and make them enemies of the Celestial Host. Ridding the world of evil gets complicated when it becomes impossible to take sides.

As Ember struggles with morality, she soon discovers that there’s something more frightening than anything she’s faced before.

Back in November of last year I read an outstanding YA Paranormal Romance novel called Ember. First in the series, Ember was unlike anything I have ever read before and I went on to gush excessively about the book in the review I wrote which you can see here. So when I was given to opportunity to read Gaia, the next book in the series, I was overjoyed. To be perfectly honest, there hasn't be one book that I did not fall in love with that the author has written. No surprise here, Gaia was no different. 

*Warning! This part of the review will contain me gushing a LOT over how awesome it is. XD*

Gaia directly picks up right after Embers left off. Ember, her demon boyfriend/guardian, and their friends are still recovering from the deadly battle fought between good and evil. Ember is now tasked with finding an Earth Watcher named, Insepth so he may begin teaching Ember to learn as well as use her Earth power, Gaia. With the end of times almost here, Ember must learn how to use her powers to help fight the evil that is coming. Her journey will not be an easy one. She will need to fight for the ones she loves and choose who's side she is really on. Ember quickly learns much more about her powers, and how strong of a Watcher she truly is. But there are secrets she is not being told....things that could be the key to winning the war. 

(normally I would give more details about the story itself but since this is the second book in the series and a lot of major things happen I didn't want to spoil it for anyone.)

What can I say? Once again I was blown away by the epic awesomeness of this book! I knew it would be good because well all of the authors books are, but Gaia went way above my expectations. The story was unbelievable amazing! There was so much going and so many different parts that just had me reading faster and faster to find out what would happen next. The adventure, the elemental battles, the romance, and the discovery of Embers powers all leading up to the ultimate battle between Good and Evil. I don't know what else to say or how tell you how truly wonderful this book is. I know that sounds cliché, but sometimes the best thing to do would be to read it yourself. Trust me you'll be glad you did. I highly recommend Gaia and Ember if you haven't read book one to anyone who loves exciting paranormal romance novels. 

Karen Ann Hopkins never ceases to amaze me. Each novel she writes just keeps getting better and better. The Wings of War series is nothing short of extraordinary and I can't wait to find out how the story ends.

Totally EPIC! One of the best books I have read. A MUST read!!

 Here's all about Embers, book #1!

Purchase at Amazon | Add on Goodreads

There are descendants of angels walking among us. Ember is one of them. And she may be the only hope mankind has as the rapture approaches and evils rises. 

Embers is an epic paranormal adventure about a seventeen year old girl who discovers that she's immune to fire and any other injury when she’s in a horrific car crash that kills her parents. Following a violent episode with her aunt's boyfriend, Ember flees Ohio to live with an old relative in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Ember's exuberance at escaping a bad home life soon turns to trepidation when she finds out that she's a Watcher, a descendant of angels. While Ember learns about her heritage, and the powers that go along with it, she strikes up friendships with two teenagers who live in a frightening walled compound in the forest. Inexplicitly drawn to one of the young men in particular, an impossible romance develops. But it is cut short when Ember discovers that her new friends are fighting on the opposite side of a war, one that’s been raging between two factions of Watchers for thousands of years. When the compound’s inhabitants threaten the townspeople, Ember takes action, sealing her fate in the ancient battle of good versus evil, and the grayness in between. Ember is up to the challenge, until she realizes that she isn’t only fighting for the lives of the locals and the souls of her new friends. She also might be one of the few champions who will make a stand for all of mankind as the rapture approaches and the end of days begin.

Embers is a dark and gritty YA novel that’s the first book in the series, The Wings of War.

About The Author: Karen Ann Hopkins

Find Karen @
Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

Tour Giveaway Info:

One lucky winner will receive a $50 gift card (Amazon, B&N, iTunes), as well as a complete set of Karen’s YA books, including Embers, Gaia, Temptation, Belonging, Forever, and Rachel’s Deception! 

Please enter via the Rafflecopter form. Giveaway is open internationally.

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Tour Schedule: Week 1

Monday, August 24th

Bittersweet Enchantment (Review)

a Bookish Escape (Review)

Tuesday, August 25th

Behind The Pages (Guest Post)

Lose Time Reading (Review)

Wednesday, August 26th

Taking It One Book at a Time (Guest Post)

Thursday, August 27th

Such a Novel Idea (Review)

The Perks of Being a Book Girl (Guest Post)

Friday, August 28th

Avid Reader Musings (Review/Guest Post

Books and Things Review together with Guest Post

For the FULL tour schedule, click here.

Book Blitz: Persuasion by Jannette Fuller + Giveaway!

Hello and welcome to the Book Blitz for Persuasion by Jannette Fuller!

Persuasion (Ambrosial Acres #1)

by Jannette Fuller
Paperback & ebook, 160 pages

Release Date: 04/29/15

Publisher: Splice Publishing
Genre: YA - Paranormal 

Agent Yagil is a seasoned Guardian Angel, but his newest assignment is going to take every bit of strength and commitment he has.

Seventeen year old Amber Reynolds is looking for freedom and independence from her ridged lifestyle. Going behind her parents’ back, she takes a part-time job at the renowned Inn located within Ambrosial Acres.

As Agent Yagil watches over Amber, he discovers that despite its mysterious beauty, Ambrosial Acres hides a dark and supernatural secret.

Between Amber’s new coworker crushes, her menacing stalker, a mysterious online stranger, and the evil Agents out to lead her down a path of self destruction, Agent Yagil faces the fight of his career.

Life is all about choices. Can he help Amber make the right ones, before it’s too late? 

Buy Links: 
Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books│Smashwords

Amber’s eyes shimmer with fascination. “What is this place?” she says, staring out into the meadow of dandelions underneath the moonlit sky.

“Honestly, it’s just an extension of our backyard. But I call it Arcadia. The place where the supernatural exists,” Josh replies.  

She looks over at him, eyes wide.  

“What?” he says with a small grin. “I’m serious. I’ve seen things here.”

“Like…what?” she asks, her voice dropping a few octaves.

“Angels,” he says with a solemn expression.  

Amber stares at him—stupefied.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

“Well, you did. But not in the way you think,” she begins. “Millions of people believe in them, and so do I. It’s just when you said it…the way you said it…something resonated within me. Like a confirmation that maybe—I’m not crazy after all.”

“Trust me. You’re not. They really do exist.”

She smiles at him, looking relieved. “Well, that’s good to know.” And after a pause, she adds, “I don’t know about you, but when I see them, they look like—”

“Balls of energy,” he says, finishing her sentence.

“Yeah,” she whispers, giving him a sidelong look.

Josh takes her by the hand and leads her across the meadow. They stop at the bottom of the hill and as I tower behind them, I gaze up at a weeping willow shimmering beneath the starry sky. A summerlike breeze sweeps over the tree, unveiling a tire swing underneath its long, narrow leaves.  

   

Jannette Fuller is the author of Persuasion (Book One in the Ambrosial Acres Series).  She lives in the beautiful and majestic mountains of Boone, North Carolina with her husband and children. And even though she loves coming up with fantastical ideas for her stories, and bringing them to life, she fancies other things as well: exercising, going on nature walks, watching Netflix, recording on Singsnap, drinking coffee, and she enjoys foot massages too, but that only happens when her husband's in the mood to give her one.

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Blog Tour: Embers by Karen Ann Hopkins || Review & Giveaway!

Today I am so very excited to be part of this fabulous book tour for one of my very favorite authors, Karen Ann Hopkins! I will be sharing my review for her book, Embers below and there's a giveaway too! You could win some amazing prizes. One winner will receive a $100 gift card, another will receive a signed Temptation Series book set, including Temptation, Belonging & Forever, and ten lucky winners will receive an eCopy of EMBERS!

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy!

---

Title: Ember 
Series: The Wings of War #1
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Kindle, 357 pages
Published: October 21st 2014 by author
Genre: YA - Paranormal Romance > Angels
Source: eARC via author
Purchase at Amazon

There are descendants of angels walking among us. Ember is one of them. And she may be the only hope mankind has as the rapture approaches and evils rises. 

Embers is an epic paranormal adventure about a seventeen year old girl who discovers that she's immune to fire and any other injury when she’s in a horrific car crash that kills her parents. Following a violent episode with her aunt's boyfriend, Ember flees Ohio to live with an old relative in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Ember's exuberance at escaping a bad home life soon turns to trepidation when she finds out that she's a Watcher, a descendant of angels. While Ember learns about her heritage, and the powers that go along with it, she strikes up friendships with two teenagers who live in a frightening walled compound in the forest. Inexplicitly drawn to one of the young men in particular, an impossible romance develops. But it is cut short when Ember discovers that her new friends are fighting on the opposite side of a war, one that’s been raging between two factions of Watchers for thousands of years. When the compound’s inhabitants threaten the townspeople, Ember takes action, sealing her fate in the ancient battle of good versus evil, and the grayness in between. Ember is up to the challenge, until she realizes that she isn’t only fighting for the lives of the locals and the souls of her new friends. She also might be one of the few champions who will make a stand for all of mankind as the rapture approaches and the end of days begin.

Embers is a dark and gritty YA novel that’s the first book in the series, The Wings of War.

Oh where, oh where do I begin? *pausing to find significance words*

In all honestly, I truly don't feel I could ever find the right or perfect words to say to proclaim how much I dearly loved this book, Embers! I am utterly speechless but of course that's the point of a review is to tell you everything I loved about this book. ;) So I will try my very best. 

*crossing fingers*

*uncrosses fingers because well...I need to type) XD

First, if you don't know already I have read/reviewed ALL of author Karen Ann Hopkins novels. She is one of my favorite authors and for good reason. There hasn't been a book she's written that I didn't absolutely adore and couldn't put down. Embers was no different. In fact, I wholeheartedly believe Embers is her best book yet! 

Ember is the lone survivor of a horrific fiery car crash which killed both of her parents. Somehow Ember survived... 

While at her parents funeral a priest comes to speak with Ember telling her there is a reason she was not killed, that she was meant for something more. Swearing that an angel told him to relay this message. Confused by the holy man's words, Ember begins to wonder what this all means. Soon after the death of her parents, Ember is sent to live with a friend of her Mom's way out in the country, to stay with a woman she has only meet once before. Soon after Ember arrives she is told the truth about who she really is and why she didn't parish in the fire along with her Mom and Dad. 

She is a decadent of an Angel, a "Watcher". A Watcher is able to yield powers from the elements, Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind. Ember soon learns she is able to yield the element of fire and earth. She must now learn how to work and control her newfound powers for someday the world will be ending and Ember.... is the KEY. 

Side note: I know usually I go much more into detail about the story (without spoilers) but I feel if I did this time it would ruin the story for anyone is wants to read the book.

Everything about this book was beyond perfect. The world-building was beautiful done with such dimension and depth. The characters all were so brilliantly done and each of them fitting perfectly into the story. I was blown away by Ember. She was such a deep and compelling character. Oh, and her powers?!  WOW!!!! I was blown away by what she could do, not only with fire but with healing. Ember is my own personal super-hero! Fighting for all that's good and for the ones she loves. I really also loved Sawyer. *swoons* Especially, toward the ending of the book. (not saying why :P)

Karen Ann Hopkins seamlessly blurs the line between Good and Evil, Angels and Demons, and everything in-between. Her story, Embers is without a doubt one of the most exquisite, breathtaking, and romantic novels I have ever read. All I can say is bring on book 2! I can't wait!!! 

Totally EPIC! One of the best books I have read. A MUST read!!

About The Author: Karen Ann Hopkins

Find Karen @
Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.

Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter.

One winner will receive a $100 gift card, another will receive a signed Temptation Series book set, including Temptation, Belonging & Forever, and ten lucky winners will receive an eCopy of EMBERS!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I would love to hear what everyone thinks of my review. Leave me a comment. ;)