Book Review: Supremacy

 

Supremacy (Supremacy #1) by Christin Lee

Kate Parker, is a 17 year old senior living in Texas. She's on the swim team, has two incredible best friends, and a passion for saving animals. She falls hard when she meets a mysterious and fascinating guy named Lucas. He has a sexy accent and a killer smile. However, she sees unexplained pain and anger in his dark brown eyes. He claims he’s a foreign exchange student from Spain who is attending the local University—Kate knows there’s more to his story than that. She works hard to discover who he is—what he is.

Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 330 pages

Published June 3rd 2016 

 

 

 

Meow . . . Meow . . . Meow

Supremacy was an author review request, it was also her first book release as well.

Supremacy is set up where there are two very different worlds and one young girl that may help save both of those worlds before it's too late.

While it took awhile for the book to reach it's point about what the book is really about, but I enjoyed the character interactions. So even though it took awhile, I think the character's stories took care of that big gap.

Lucas has an interesting storyline arc, but it clear that he fell over hard with Kate. However it changed towards the end of the book because of how it was left off. It made me wonder what are his true purposes. Although I know and can tell that he loves and cares for Kate, but will duty take place over love?

Kate is a huge animal lover, she is determine to save any animals from danger or from a harsh world. In the beginning of the book, she's trying to rescue a stray dog that was starving and scared. Major prompts on creating a character that is a animal lover, I don't often see that. There's also something about Kate that makes her special to the book, but that hadn't been clarified to what it is.

I enjoy most of the secondary characters, for them you could tell where they belong and where they fit in the story. Even the characters from Lucas's world were a mixtures of daydreamers and then there were ones that wanted to keep everything the same.

I give this 3.8 Cat Paws, so overall this book has it's potentials, there's parts of the book that need to be strengthen which could occur in the next book. 

Enchanted Heart Book Tour: Interview with Mindy

Enchanted Heart (Game of Hearts #1)

By Mindy Ruiz

  Cassandra Vera never ever broke the rules.

Ever!

She’s also had a nonexistent social life since her best friend moved to Vegas. Armed with a new set of resolutions, the promise of a hot date, and her adoptive parents out of town, seventeen-year-old Cassandra agrees to a road trip, which is the perfect way to celebrate her birthday and ring in the New Year. After all, she’s headed to Vegas, the city where secrets are meant to stay hidden. Little does Cassandra know her past is buried there as well.

Cloaked in the shadows of the glitz and gaudy lights of Vegas lies a power struggle centuries old. One wrong step and Cassandra could destroy the delicate web of secrets. Now an enemy she never knew existed is after her, and the one boy who may be the missing piece to the puzzle — and her heart— is the one person she can’t afford to trust

Today I have the lovely Mindy here on my blog, answering some questions and getting deep inside her mind.  

Your book is taken place in Vegas, if you could pick three rules to follow what would they be?

I’m a rule breaker so I’d totally be able to count cards, have access to all the hidden passages, and be able to control the graphics on the Fremont Street digitial canopy. 

What inspire you to choose Vegas as the primary location but also to be the most dangerous place for your character?

I live in a suburb of Los Angeles and Las Vegas has always held this far off forbidden glimmer.  It’s also just close enough that kids in my high school would try these overnight runs; most were caught but the few that got away with it were legends.  You mix that with Katy Perry’s Waking up in Vegas and Lady Gaga’s Poker face …BAM … you have the beginnings of Enchanted Heart

What does each of the Vegas House represent? And where would you fit in?

Each Vegas house has a latent power and a battle power.  We don’t get a full understanding of the battle power until Book 2.  But the latent power is strong enough to get our characters into all sorts of trouble.  

The very cool thing about Enchanted Heart is the interactive elements.  You can go to Vegas and find the places in the book. And we developed a personality quiz that will sort you into house. Bit.ly/GameOfHearts is where you can take your quiz.  And, if you like my facebook page Facebook.com/MindyRuizBooks and private message me, I’ll send you a house designator.

What do they mean . . .

House of  Diamonds:

Latent powers: Riches and wealth come from the fact that they are human lie detectors.

Diamonds really are forever.  As a member of the House of Diamonds, not only do riches and wealth seem to accumulate around you, your latent power of knowing when a person is telling the truth and when they’re lying really comes in handy when dealing with The Shadows.

House of Hearts:

Latent power: to create an unbreakable bond.

Pat Benetar had it right, you’re a heat breaker, love maker, and the latent effect of the House of Hearts to create unbreakable bonds is one of the most sought after powers.  That’s probably why your house has been forbidden to hook up with anyone from the House of Spades.

House of Spades:

Latent power: Influence

A smile goes along way when you’re a member of the House of Spades.  Well, that and the ability to influence those around you.  Can you sweet talk your way out of any situation? Bat your eyes and get an extra hour on curfew?  Welcome to the House of Spades. But remember: with great power comes great responsibility.

House of Clubs:

Latent Power: Bring good luck to people when combined with the black opal the heir of Clubs can see the future.

Luck is a very thin wire between survival and disaster … it’s a good thing you reside in the House of Clubs.  While you love to walk on the wild side of life, those around you tend to shoulder the fallout.  And remember, even if you're a high-ranking member in the House of Clubs, your luck is always a bad choice from running out.

House of Midas:

Latent power:  the heir to the gamming commission can save one soul during their life time; better make it a good one.

Law and Order with a splash of excitement. As a member of the House of Midas, you love a good adventure and bending a few rules, but within reason and as long as you’re controlling the reason.  You make sure everyone is having a good time, sometimes at your own expense.  The only problem you have being in the House of Midas is when your duties conflict with your heart; and then it’s anyone’s guess what you’ll do.

Who would I be? What would we both be?

Mindy: I keep taking the personality quiz over and over again and wind up in the House of Spades every time. 

Me: I've taken the quiz at least twice and still end up in the House of Midas, I even got a key chain from Mindy when I met her at UtopYA labeled with the House of Midas and a poker chip. Poker chips are actually a fun little swag to get from her as well a deck of cards!

If you're curious to what house you belong in take the quiz! Here

 

What would be the theme song for Enchanted Heart?

Ke$ha’s Blow.  I know, not what you were thinking!  1. The lyrics really do encompass what’s happening to all of the otherworldly characters in Las Vegas when Cassie arrives. 2. My teen crush, James VanDerBeek stars in the video. 3. There’s unicorns and rainbows. Unicorns AND rainbows, hello!

When you’re not writing, you’re doing what?

When I’m not writing I’m usually chasing after my three boys or catching up with my husband.  During football season, you can find my tush rooting for the Dallas Cowboys.

Favorite snack to munch on?

I either go very healthy with cucumbers or very unhealthy with chocolate covered moose munch, and sometimes the occasional peach mojito to get me through those tough scenes.   

What do you have to do in order to get into a writing groove or what does get you in a writing groove?

To get into the groove all I need is five minutes of quiet.  In a house full of boys, those moments are few and far between so I’ve learned headphones are mommy’s best friend.  What gets me into a writing groove? Music and life.  My girlfriends are always amazed how I can find the most mundane task like taking the kids to school and put a twist on it when something out of the ordinary happens.

Casino Games favorite? Since the book is taken place in Vegas.

I love roulette! I love craps! I despise twenty-one, the pressure of all that math and counting gives me hives!

Mindy Thanks for answering these questions for me and I can't wait for number two!

Here's the giveway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out my PURRFECT review of Enchanted Heart! HERE  Plus here's a pic of me and Mindy from UtopYA Con!!!!

Book Review: Enchanted Heart

Enchanted Heart (Games of Hearts #1) 

By Mindy Ruiz

Cassandra Vera never ever broke the rules.

Ever!

She’s also had a nonexistent social life since her best friend moved to Vegas. Armed with a new set of resolutions, the promise of a hot date, and her adoptive parents out of town, seventeen-year-old Cassandra agrees to a road trip, which is the perfect way to celebrate her birthday and ring in the New Year. After all, she’s headed to Vegas, the city where secrets are meant to stay hidden. Little does Cassandra know her past is buried there as well.

Cloaked in the shadows of the glitz and gaudy lights of Vegas lies a power struggle centuries old. One wrong step and Cassandra could destroy the delicate web of secrets. Now an enemy she never knew existed is after her, and the one boy who may be the missing piece to the puzzle — and her heart— is the one person she can’t afford to trust.

ebook

Published June 6th 2014 

Review

It's New's Year Eve you're in Sin City plus and it's your birthday, but just because you're the birthday girl doesn't mean you can break the rules and Cassandra Vera just broke the biggest one of all and the only rule of all.

Don't ever go to Vegas . . .

Cassie never thought that by entering Vegas, her whole life will change in a blink of an eye

The Sin city deals with Centuries of power struggles, where the houses of Clubs, Diamonds, Spades, Hearts and Midas are all on gambling strike. But now that Cassandra has step foot into Vegas, the bets are off or at less that what each of the houses are hoping.

Can Cassandra understand what's at sakes or will she simply refused to acknowledge that she is part of this power struggle 

How much are you willing to gamble? 

I love love Enchanted Heart!!! I can't possibly give this one just a 5 Tails Up, it's get my PURR FEST Review where everything was just PURRFECT! MEOW!

Meow . . . Meow . . . Meow

Okay this book was PURRFECT! I love Mindy' s imaginations and bringing the visuals of Vegas through words on a page were dead set on! Now I've never been to Vegas but you know I've seen shows or movies that were taken place in Vega or some aspect of Vegas so it definitely attracts my attention.

 

There were hints of Greek Mythology, while I didn't know that and had some issues with books that had Greek Mythology influence. Mindy made it much more modernize and creating her own sort of troubles, problems, and maybe some history between each of the Greek mythology leaders/influences.

Let's talk about the guy, the heart-throbbing A.J now at first he was just that guy that Cassie "almost" hooked up I mean HEY it's Vegas! But then A.J realizes something, something he wasn't expecting and suddenly everything that he's been raised and trained to do goes out the window.

Now there were a few time in the book where I really thought he's going to break my heart like 100% each time I could read a certain passage and got a sensed of a scene I would be like "No No NO!" but then sighs in relief it wasn't anything horrible (YET). Plus there was a major twist and storyline for him that make you want to know more!



I really can't wait for Book 2 and see what other things happen in the book, out of all the books I've read this past two months this one is by far my best read ever. There wasn't anything I hate or dislike, that saying a lot for a reader/reviewer. I'm not being so critical because I don't have to and the way Mindy writes is just spectacular. Here's some confetti Mindy!

Book Releases: The New Year is Here!

I know it's been FOREVER since I've done my Book Releases meme, but I'm ready to start off fresh with the New Year and New books. I got a couple things to still wrapped up from 2013, those involves two reviews which are in drafts and an The Cat's Meow post. I'll be doing Mouse Watch soon once I get some of my posts in order.

So let's introduce the new mouses on the blog :-)

Defy (Defy #1) by Sara B. Larson

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

 

Independent Study (The Testing #2) by Joelle Charbonneau 

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her

Hardcover, 310 pages

Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

The Impossible Knife of Memory by: Laurie Halse Anderson 

For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

Hardcover, 372 pages

Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Viking Juvenile 

Erased (Altered #2) by Jennifer Rush 

They thought they had escaped. They were wrong.

After fleeing the Branch with Sam, Cas, and Nick, Anna is trying to make sense of the memories resurfacing from her old life. At the same time, she's learning how to survive in hiding, following Sam's rules: Don't draw attention to yourself. Always carry a weapon. Know your surroundings. Watch your back.
Then a figure from Anna's childhood reappears. Is it a Branch setup, or could it be the reunion Anna has hoped for? Uncertain of where her loyalties lie, Anna must fight to learn the truth -- before she is betrayed again. Ultimately, the answers hinge on one question: What was the real reason her memories were erased?
Jennifer Rush delivers a thrilling sequel to Altered in a novel packed with mysteries, lies, and surprises that are sure to keep readers guessing until the last age is turned.

Hardcover, 288 pages

Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Fugitive X (Revolution 19 #2) by Gregg Rosenblum

Their fight for freedom is humanity's last hope for survival. The chilling Revolution 19 trilogy continues in Fugitive X.

A war between humans and robots is on the horizon, and only one side will survive.

Siblings Nick, Kevin, and Cass are struggling to survive in a world where deadly, sophisticated robots have turned on their creators and enslaved mankind. Fugitives from one of the bot-controlled Cities, the siblings venture into the woods, but when they are attacked by bot foot soldiers, the siblings are separated...and for the first time, they are on their own.

Created in conjunction with Alloy Entertainment; Howard Gordon, showrunner of 24 and Showtime's Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Homeland; and James Wong, writer-director of the Final Destination films, Fugitive X is the gripping next installment in the cinematic Revolution 19 series.

Hardcover, 272 pages

Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by "HarperTeen"

Unhinged: Splintered Book Two by A. G. Howard 

Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Amulet Books

Alliance (The Paladin Prophecy #2) by Mark Frost 

Readers of I Am Number Four, The Maze Runner, and Legend will love this sophisticated adventure series by the cocreator of the groundbreaking television show Twin Peaks, with its unique combination of mystery, heart-pounding action, and the supernatural.

After exposing the sinister underground society of students known as the Knights of Charlemagne, Will West stays at the Center over the summer to explore his newly developing physical and mental abilities. Meanwhile, his roommates investigate the Knights' shadowy purpose and discover unsettling information about their own backgrounds. Will and his friends must quickly figure out what's going on and separate friend from foe as they prepare for the coming fight.

Hardcover, 352 pages 

Expected publication: January 7th 2014 by Random House Books for Young Readers (first published December 26th 2013)