IE Reviews~Glimpse

Every now and then I read a book that makes me feel at home. Glimpse, by Stacey Wallace Wallace Benefiel is that kind of book. And not just because bits of it take place in Portland, Oregon, my old stomping grounds. And, right now the ebook is FREE on both B&N and Amazon, so you can't go wrong.

I give it:

****

Glimpse starts out sweet and light, almost so sweet and light that you start to worry if you don't like that kind of thing. But trust me, stick with it. It becomes richer and darker as it goes, deepening in both character and plot. Reading this novel felt like going back to high school, but not in a bad way. The description and character development was that good. I felt for Zellie almost instantly. 

Here is a bit about it:

Zellie Wells has a devastating crush on Avery Adams, the son of her mom’s high school sweetheart. At her sixteenth birthday party, held in the basement of her dad’s church, she finally finds the courage to talk to him. Turns out, the devastating crush is mutual.

As Avery takes her hand and leads her out onto the makeshift dance floor, Zellie is overwhelmed by her first vision of his death; shocking because not only are they both covered in his blood, but they’re old, like 35, and she is pregnant.

Afraid to tell anyone about the vision, (she’d just be labeled a freaky black magic witch, right?) Zellie keeps the knowledge of Avery’s future to herself and tries to act like any other teenager in love. When they get caught on their way to a secret rendezvous by her mom and his dad, they are forbidden to see each other.

Convinced that their parents are freaking out unnecessarily, Avery and Zellie vow to be together no matter what. They continue their relationship in secret until Zellie learns that their parents are just trying to prevent her and Avery from suffering like they did. The visions are hereditary, they’re dangerous, and if they stay together the visions will come true.

Now Zellie must choose between severing all ties with Avery, like her mom did to prevent his father’s death, and finding a way to change Avery’s future.

Where to find Glimpse:

Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

IE Reviews~Celestial Seduction

As you know, we here at the Indie Elite are a diverse group, including middle grade, young adult, and adult authors. Today's review is for the adult readers out there.

I give it:

*****

While on vacation I recently read Jessica E. Subject's Celestial Seduction. If you've never thought of the stars as steamy, this novel will  have you rethinking the entire sci-fi genre. It kept me turning the pages with a strong story line and intriguing characters that I immediately sympathized with and grew to feel deeply fore. While it's certainly not for the under aged, it boasts a great story as well as hot elements, which is not an easy balance to strike with this type of adult fiction.

Here is a bit about it:

At the end of his obligated commitment to the Space Service, Frey Berger decides to stay on Earth to further experience human emotions rather than return to Ginnun where his intended has already mated with another. Looking for real love and someone to accept him for what he is, Frey enlists in Madame Evangeline’s popular dating service. Although he does not understand the concept of a one-night stand, he hopes to find his perfect mate.

Carrie Cooper’s husband divorced her for someone who could provide him with children, leaving her with little self-confidence and no desire to let a man hurt her again. Her best friend convinces her to join a dating service, claiming Carrie needs to get laid, while not winding up with a broken heart since her date requires no commitment after the night is over.

Although several misunderstandings nearly derail them before the date has even begun, Carrie and Frey end up becoming closer than they ever believed possible. Still, Frey will need to convince Carrie that her perfect mate isn’t human at all, and that one night can lead to a forever love.

Celestial Seduction:

Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Review Of Born Of Fire

A short while ago Heather McCorkle released her channeler novella, Born Of Fire and it's been gathering some
great response. Shana of Sizzling Reads had this to say about it:

Shana: Heather's writing flowed throughout the story, creating a very visual and imaginative read. I got glimpses of what to expect and I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw.

To read the rest of Shana's review click here. You can find Born Of Fire on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Hunted by Denise Grover Swank Hits #1 On Amazon

Congratulations to Denise Grover Swank are in big order tonight. Her novel Hunted, sequel to the outstanding Chosen, has just hit #1 on Amazon's Best Selling New And Future Releases in Romantic Suspense! If you haven't had the pleasure of reading her books yet, the incentive doesn't get much better than that. I haven't had the pleasure of reading Hunted yet but I've recently finished Chosen and I loved it so much that the only thing holding me back from buying Hunted, is my family-imposed ban on buying anything for myself until after the holidays. Suspense, action, danger, romance, Chosen had it all and according to sales and reviews, it looks like Hunted doesn't disappoint either.

Hurry and put these on your wish list, you won't be disappointed! While you're at it, pick up a few copies for the ladies on your holiday shopping list. Trust me, they'll love you for it.

New Novel By Denise Grover Swank

If you aren't already aware, our own Denise Grover Swank, has a fantastic new novel that you must check out, Chosen. It's an adult paranormal that will get your heart racing from the very first page and never let it slow down. I'm currently in the middle of this one and I've got to tell you, it's blowing me away. She has outdone herself with this one. Here is a bit about it:

Everything Emma Thompson owns fits in a suitcase she moves from one roach infested motel to another. She and Jake, her five year old son who can see the future, are running from the men intent on taking him. Emma will do anything to protect him even when it means accepting the help of a stranger named Will. Jake insists she needs Will, but Emma’s never needed help before. And even though she’s learned to trust her son, it doesn’t mean she trusts Will.

Mercenary Will Davenport lives in the moment. Hauling Emma to South Dakota should have been an easy job, but his employer neglected to tell him about Emma’s freaky son and the gunmen hot on her trail. Instinct tells him this job is trouble, but nothing can prepare him for Jake’s proclamation that Will is The Chosen One. Who must protect Emma from the men hunting her power. A power she doesn’t know she has.

You can order a signed copy of Chosen, and it's sequel Hunted, from Denise's blog. These are two books that you are definitely going to want to put on your holiday wish list!

Indie Author Turned Traditional

Whenever an independent author is so successful that they’re picked up by an traditional publisher it makes many of us stand up and cheer. It is proof that there are amazing independent books out there and that the industry is starting to recognize that and pull from it. Another independent author’s unprecedented success has gained the attention of a fantastic traditional publisher. Elfhunter, by C.S. Marks, has been picked up by Sea Lion Books which publishes such renowned authors as Anne Rice, Richelle Mead, and Becca Fitzpatrick, among others.

Here is a bit about Elfhunter by C.S. Marks:

A monster roams the last refuge of the elves—a creature who has sworn to destroy them one by one until none remain. One headstrong heroine is determined to stand between her people and extinction—wood elf Gaelen Taldin. When powerful dark magic creates a terrible and irrevocable spiritual link between them, the result is a journey of terrifying transformation. Elfhunter tells a story of savage combat between predator and prey—a deadly dance wherein the hunter becomes the hunted. Who will prevail?

I don’t know about you, but I’m totally hooked after reading that! I’ll be checking out Elfhunter for sure! You can read more about C.S. Marks here.

The Secret of Spruce Knoll Giveaways

There are two giveaways of signed copies of The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle going on right now. The first is with Jen at the blog I Read Banned Books. But hurry, you only have until November 4th for this one!

The second giveaway is on Goodreads where two winners will receive a signed paperback copy. This one closes November 15th.

About The Secret of Spruce Knoll:


Following the tragic death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with an aunt she’s never met. Little does Eren know the entire town of Spruce Knoll is filled with “channelers”—a magical group of people who immigrated to the small Colorado town when they were driven out of their own lands. 

Channelers are tied to the fate of the world. As the world slowly dies, so do they—and they alone have the power to stop the destruction of Earth. Soon, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad though.