Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth (Review Tour)

Cover Artist: Mandie Manzano

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Young Adult
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release: January 25, 2016
Pages: 270 (eBook)
My Rating: ★★★★★

“When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother’s neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories.

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags’ swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors.

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.”

I adored Edna. Her natural maternal instinct for her brother rivals that of her own mother. She was a mix of tough and naive, which makes a perfect heroine.
Growing up in a Victorian England-esque era, there wasn’t much hope for her other than working as a maid or much, much worse. She was lucky to get in as a maid and provide her brother of employment as well.
Well, at least until she dismisses the sound of twinkling in the night and awakens to an impostor for a brother. One she knows is an impostor as soon as she removes an expensive pocket watch from around Harrison’s neck and he crumbles into a pile of cogs!
Frantic, Edna races off to try to help him until she runs into would-be thief Ike, who recognizes the pocket watch immediately as a device used to power the Hag’s Cogling’s.
Hags are seen as Fairy Godmother’s, so their pleas are pretty much ignored as they battle towards bringing down the Hag’s and their empire.

Ike, now he is the ultimate bad boy. A thief and someone who may or may not have the best intentions at first with Edna. But over time, he reveals his heart and his own secrets. He comes to trust and even love Edna and Harrison.

I knew Jordan Elizabeth had a knack for writing Steampunk and historical stories as soon as I read Escape from Witchwood Hollow. She is truly a phenomenal story weaver and I place her among my favourite authors.

All of the characters were exceptionally well written. Lady Rachel made me want to smack her. The Hag’s were as terrifying as the word “hag” is almost repulsive. However, I would so love to live among the Foxkin’s and have Silver as a pet!

Well done, Ms. Mierek! I look forward to reading and re-reading this novel again!

Cross posted to Good Reads.

Where to Buy:
Amazon CAN | Amazon US | Amazon UK |

Meet the Author:

 Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, writes down her nightmares in order to live her dreams. With an eclectic job history of working as a college professor; historic costumed interpreter at Fort Stanwix, Victorian Leisure Fair, and Mayfaire on the Green; office specialist; sales clerk; election inspector; and trainer, she is now diving into the world of author.It happens to be her favorite one.
When she’s not creating art or searching for lost history in the woods, she’s updating her blog, Kissed by Literature. Jordan is the president of the Utica Writers Club and maintains JordanElizabethMierek.com.

She roams Central New York, but she loves to travel. A great deal of time has been spent in a rural town very similar to Arnn, the setting of her novel ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW.

Website | Facebook  | Twitter | Good Reads |

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.
Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Because of You by RaShelle Workman (Review Tour)

Cover Artist: The Cover Lure

Genre: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary-Romance
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release: January 18, 2016
Pages: 226 (ebook)
My Rating: ★★★★★

“There’s a first time for everything… and sometimes that means a first time at a second chance.

It’s been seven years since Maddie Martin’s parents died. Their killer wasn’t just a random stranger, but her best friends’ father. Kyle Hadley. The boy she’s been in love with since she was old enough to understand the emotion, the boy she promised all of her firsts to. Worst of all, Kyle’s father got away with it, and Maddie hasn’t seen Kyle since.

That changes on her first day of college. Seeing Kyle again brings back all of her childhood feelings of friendship and love for him, but it also brings back the anger, sorrow, and pain she’s been trying to bury because of his father.

Kyle Hadley has no idea why Maddie quit talking to him, especially when he needed her most. But he got over it, refusing to waste his life mourning the only girl he ever loved. There are too many women, too much of life to experience to bother thinking about Maddie. Except he does. And when he sees her again, he knows it.

But there are problems beyond Kyle and Maddie and their old feelings. The two of them are in danger and one or both might end up dead.”

**May Contain Spoilers**

Maddie, having found her parents dead and spending the next seven years believing that her best friend Kyle’s father was responsible, is trying to assume a normal life, attending college with a scholarship and enjoy her music.

Kyle tried to move on after Maddie was whisked away by her Aunt and Uncle and had stopped talking to him. He threw himself into his music as his escape and began to enjoy life. That is until he see’s Maddie again and knows that he never stopped loving her.

At first, it seemed like Kyle was going to be the giant jerk that the college rumours had portrayed.
Maddie, being sheltered and naive about the world, is slow to trust Kyle. Although he does win her trust eventually and they begin to explore their renewed feelings.

I also enjoyed that Maddie had found friendship in her roommate. I think, despite having her family and therapist, that she was quite lonely. I think it was also good for Gina, who at first seemed quite wild and free in her affections.

It seems that I was craving a good love story and I am glad to have read this one. Ms. Workman is a wonderful story weaver.
I did feel more for Kyle as he was completely unaware of why Maddie had stopped talking to him. He held on to the hope she would talk to him again for such a long time. All that pain and he suffered in silence, essentially.
I truly enjoy the early connection of young Maddie and young Kyle. It showed how much Kyle valued his friendship with Maddie and how much of a safe haven Maddie was for the young boy.

For them to survive their past resurfacing, together and get through it still. It does give hope to the world for second chances!

Cross posted at Good Reads. 

Where to Buy:
Amazon CAN
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Meet the Author: 

RaShelle Workman is the author of the popular Blood and Snow series. She loves to reinvent fairy tales readers can sink their teeth into. Her stories include vampires, werewolves, witches, aliens, and creatures of her own creation. Her books: Sleeping Roses, Exiled, Beguiled, and Dovetailed have foreign rights contracts with a Turkish publisher. RaShelle is also one of the co-founders of IndiePUBCon. Currently, she lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and their three dogs.

Visit http://www.rashelleworkman.com to join RaShelle’s EXCLUSIVE mailing list and be entered to win a signed paperback copy of Blood and Snow volumes 1-4 (Special Edition). And be sure to like her Facebook page for all the latest news: Facebook

Website | Twitter  | Good Reads

 

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.
Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Broken Dolls by Tyrolin Puxty (Review Tour)

Cover Artist: Eugene Teplitsky

Genre(s): Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release­­: December 14, 2015
Pages: 175
My Rating: ★★★★★

“Ella doesn’t remember what it’s like to be human – after all, she’s lived as a doll for thirty years. She forgets what it’s like to taste, to breathe…to love.

She helps the professor create other dolls, but they don’t seem to hang around for long. His most recent creation is Lisa, a sly goth. Ella doesn’t like Lisa. How could she, when Lisa keeps trying to destroy her?

Ella likes the professor’s granddaughter though, even if she is dying. Gabby is like Ella’s personal bodyguard. It’s too bad the professor wants to turn Gabby into a doll too, depriving her of an education…depriving her of life.

With time running out and mad dolls on the rampage, Ella questions her very existence as she unearths the secrets buried in her past; secrets that will decide whether Gabby will befall the same fate…”

To say that I loved this book would be a bit of an understatement. I grew up watching Goosebumps, of course but as a Canadian I was also treated to “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”. This book reminded me a little of an episode from that called “Tale of the Dollmaker”. So honestly, this book holds a bit of a special place in my heart, because that television show was the start of my love for the different and the dark. It is everything I have enjoyed in my 30 years.

“Most people think dolls are just toys, but they’re really like perfect little people. Sometimes, they’re so life-like that its almost as if the dollmaker took a person and shrunk them down to doll size.” – Tale of the Dollmaker.
See the similarities?

This book totally kept my interest during my read of it. All the characters were well thought out and played their roles perfectly. Lisa was the best antagonist, questioning her and Ella’s existence and why they were in the attic. The Professor did a great job keeping his secrets, and to Ella he seemed so creepy after she began to question him about herself, Lisa and the Professor’s granddaughter Gabby. The twists, turns were the right added suspense to it; It was a thrill ride to read. Such creativity too!

I loved when Ella started to develop a bit of a sense of humour after really questioning her reason for being. She became more human because of that.

I so hope to read more from Tyrolin Puxty because I think the Professor’s doll making legacy is just at the beginning…

Will be cross-posted at Shh I Am Reading Tumblr  & Good Reads

Find Online: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

About the Author: Tyrolin Puxty

I’m a Jack, or more accurately, a Tyrolin of all trades. In my 23 years, I have walked the red carpet for song
nominations, was awarded Australian of the Year in 2014 for Music and in 2015 for the Arts, worked as a qualified paralegal, appeared in TV Shows, hired for product photography, modelled, became a Justice of the Peace, started my own club for school children interested in the arts, worked for a successful magazine company, published a book, hugged a koala and had a show ride collapse on my head.

Find Tyrolin Puxty Online:
Website| Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.

Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!

Website| Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Find Me If You Dare by Vicki Leigh (Review Tour)

Cover Artist: Dean Samed

Genre(s): Young-Adult, Paranormal-Romance, Urban-Fantasy
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release­­: December 1, 2015
Pages: 255
My Rating: ★★★★☆

“They may have won the first battle, but the Apocalypse has just begun.
Five weeks have passed since the battle that left Rome and Columbus in ruins. Sheltered in the hidden city of Caelum, Daniel and Kayla train alongside over one hundred Magus and Protectors, hoping that their unified ranks will be enough to take down their greatest threat yet: Richard, his followers, and his horde of Nightmares. Then a fallen comrade is returned to Caelum with a message carved into his chest and a note referencing the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and Daniel knows their time for training is over.
Finally understanding Richard’s plans for Kayla and the three other Magus born on Halloween, Daniel and the rest of Caelum’s volunteers scout the U.S. in a desperate attempt to stop their enemy before he can unleash his first Horseman. But when massive attacks claim thousands of lives, people all over the world begin to fall ill—including those Daniel and Kayla care about the most.
With the Horseman of Pestilence released, Daniel knows it’s time to step aside and let Kayla take the lead. Only she has the power to rival her father’s. But when Richard’s plot turns out to be darker than they imagined, their fight is met with more death and destruction—and an enemy who might be unbeatable, after all.”

Daniel is still the main protagonist however Kayla plays a more dominant role and I am really happy to see this. I felt like Kayla in the first book was kind of a wuss. I do understand that the entire situation was new to her and she was learning to deal, but she just grated on the nerves a little. I’m also glad because it will teach Daniel to be a little less aggressive in his Hero persona. They have to be able to work as a team and to work with the others as a team, not two people trying to rescue one another constantly.

Man, Richard…he has it out for the world. Mass Destruction Obsession Batman! I foresee a massive battle between him and his daughter in the future. Especially as Richard revealed that he has Kayla’s mother and is doing God only knows with her mother. His blatant disregard for Nolan’s mother was enough. I can see Kayla handing Richard on serious can of whoop-ass, for sure!

Holy Deaths in this book too. Wow, especially for some very key characters. I hope Daniel can keep the coven’s and his Dreamcatchers together.

The idea of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse idea is very interesting to say the least. Pestilence to make humanity and Protector’s of the Night vulnerable with a demonic virus. I cringe to think of what is next.
I, personally, felt this book was a lot stronger than the first book. Second books can often suffer from “Second Book Syndrome” where it becomes filler and is a lengthy, lethargic read but I found that FMIYD is actually quite action packed.

Just that darn word “evaporation” again! I managed to get my twitching facial reactions to turn off during this book read so that “evaporation” wasn’t as big of a deal.

I look forward to seeing where Kayla and Daniel go from here. I need to see Kayla grow and defeat her father, especially before he launches the world into a dystopian future.
Just don’t kill Seth off okay? You got Tabitha, but we need Seth for comedic relief!

Will be cross posted at Shh I Am Reading Tumblr  & Good Reads

Find Online: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Goodreads

About The Author: Vicki Leigh

Adopted at three-days-old by a construction worker and a stay-at-home mom, Vicki Leigh grew up in a small suburb of Akron, Ohio where she learned to read by the age of four and considered being sent to her room for punishment as an opportunity to dive into another book. By the sixth grade, Vicki penned her first, full-length screenplay. If she couldn’t be a writer, Vicki would be a Hunter (think Dean and Sam Winchester) or a Jedi. Her favorite place on earth is Hogwarts (she refuses to believe it doesn’t exist), and her favorite dreams include solving cases alongside Sherlock Holmes.

Vicki is an editor for Curiosity Quills Press and is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Find Vicki Leigh Online:
Website| Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.
Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!
Website| Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The Actuator 2: Return of the Saboteur by James Wymore and Aiden James- Review Tour

Cover Artist:
Michelle Johnson at Blue Sky Design

Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy Thriller
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release: 07/20/15
My Rating: ★★★★☆

The Machine Monks fight to keep control of the Actuator while enemies attack the base. As besiegers wear them down, the rest of the world struggles to adapt to the chaos left in the wake of the great change.
Their only choice is to push forward and find the next key and shutdown the fantasy realm surrounding the base. When they do, Xenwyn will die.

Haunted by the incalculable death toll all over the earth, Jon accepts the
mission to recover the next key. Despite his injuries and as much as he hates to leave his new found love, he refuses to let all of humanity suffer if he can fix it.

Desperate to keep Xenwyn alive, Red determines to find a magical cure before Jon gets back with the key. Each time he takes her across a border, might be the end.

Seeing all his friends in turmoil, Dragon Star sets out to find the saboteur. If the architect of this dark world cannot offer any means of setting things right, he will at least see consequences for the horrors he unleashed.

None of them ever imagined the Actuator could still make the world even
worse.

I received this copy from Curiosity Quills Press via the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Despite my laughter at the first novel, when you get to the thick of it the entire existence of the Actuator would be downright terrifying. Especially as the Machine Monks have lost control of it. Not even for the fictional realities, can you imagine someone bringing back past realities? Eep!

There is an amazing moral to this story; actually there are two morals. I love books with morals in their stories! The first moral goes to the Actuator’s creators which is to not play God. There is no better reality than that of the one we live in. The second moral would be to the Machine Monks which is to not base your entire existence on your fantasies and your career, as one day you may become lost within that. Some people might be okay with that but it does wear on you eventually.

But whoa! Red, Dragon Star, Glass and Jon, they all leave the Actuator basically unattended? I was with Cindy, I felt the same worry about being left alone to protect the Actuator. They were going on the assumption that Pete was the saboteur but you can never be sure. Big mistake. Sorry to say but they were asking for it, and now their concern for the world is tougher to accomplish. I hope from here on in, they’re a little slower to trust, even their own people. Especially with something as powerful as the Actuator.

I did enjoy this adventure as well, I just felt that sometimes certain areas of the novel were slow and laden with a lot of talking and weird side adventures. It kind of reminded me of side quests in video games, you do one and three more pop up.

But other than that, I did enjoy it. Dragon Star is by far my favourite character. Oh sorry, Choi. But I really hope that at the end of this adventure, he finds some peace within himself. He deserves it.

Finger’s crossed that they’re able to set the world right. Who knows what other dragon is out there making barbecue of other, unassuming humans!

To be cross posted at Shh I am Reading Tumblr   and Good Reads

Find Online:
Amazon US | Amazon UK| Goodreads

About the Authors:
James Wymore

Moving often as a youth, James Wymore’s family finally settled in the desert paradise of Utah.

He spent a couple years in Korea contemplating the balance of opposing forces. After learning chaos theory in college he found the ideal environment to continue his studies of the uncontrollable, and became a teacher. He earned a Master’s degree before departing from the academic path to seek the greater freedoms of fiction. Still fascinated by the borders
of randomness, he now spends his free time playing and creating games
with his friends and children.

Although he patiently awaits the Tallest Writer in History award, James Wymore has won several awards for his short stories.

His early books, rumored to have been written as young as sixteen, are forever locked away. Now a published author, he has realized one of his childhood dreams.

In his dwindling free time, he draws a line of death themed comics called Parting Shots. You can see them along with games he makes and his disorderly blog at James Wymore Blog

Social Links: Homepage | Facebook| Twitter | Google Plus | Goodreads| Amazon

Aiden James

I began writing stories roughly fourteen years ago, after pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter in Denver and later in Nashville. My writing career
could’ve been a brief one, as it started one night when it was my
turn to read a bedtime story to my two young sons. Rather than read
the ‘Mouse birthday book’ for the umpteenth time, I began a
ramble about a mystical world parallel to our own, a world where
sinister creatures sought to take a little boy into their hidden
lair… forever.

My first critical reviews from my young audience were mixed. My youngest child, Tyler, was enthralled about the magical place I created, and eagerly awaited more. However, my oldest, Christopher, thought it was the dumbest tale he had ever heard! Luckily, my wife, Fiona, listened nearby. She thought the idea had potential, although she kept that fact a secret until the following spring, 1997. When she suggested I create a
fuller blown version of this story, it marked the beginning of my
love affair with writing stories.

I wish I could tell you that the experience has always been a glorious progression, where crafting characters, incredible landscapes with captivating plots, and surprising twists was easy. Far from it. It took nearly three years for me to complete my first novel–based on the bedtime story to my boys who by then were young teenagers—and another two years to decide if I liked it enough to show it to anyone else.

Since then, I have written nine more novels, and presently have five established book series out there, with a brand new sixth series set to start in the fall with Curiosity Quills Press. The first installment of this new
series is entitled “The Serendipitous Curse of Solomon Brandt”, and will be a serialized project before it is released as a full book in early 2013. After this series, which explores the true nature of good and evil, who knows what will be on the menu next? Something dark and creepy… Or, perhaps something light and fun?

Definitely, I intend for it to be something well worth your time to check out—Just wait n’ see!

Social Links:Homepage | Facebook| Twitter | GooglePlus | Goodreads| Amazon

Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the
reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.

Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!

Website| Facebook |Twitter | Goodreads