Book Review ~ Scythian Trials by Elizabeth Isaacs

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SYNOPSIS

Descendants of the Amazons, the Scythians work alongside prominent governments but answer to no one. Warriors living on the fringe of civilization, they live by one credo: Strength through Equality. Power through Knowledge.
Nya Thalestris is the brightest Scythian of her generation. Strong, capable, ruthless, she is sure to earn a spot in the Trials, a time-honored mating ritual responsible for the evolution of her species.
Abducted by their sworn enemy, the Drahzda, Nya is forever altered and spirals out of control. The Society sends in Jax Nickius. Infamous psychologist and one of the most brutal warriors of their kind, he discovers triggers planted in Nya’s mind. As Nya solidifies her spot in the Trials, Jax develops a plan to help—while pursuing her as a mate. But, Nya’s attraction to Jax is at war with her instinct to never let anyone get too close.
During the Trials, Nya’s repressed memories surface, revealing a new enemy—one from inside the consulate walls—and a traitorous alliance on the horizon that could irrevocably change the course of history.
Since before the Bronze Age, the Society has managed to safeguard humanity from itself … until now.

THOUGHTS

Great world building and I loved the combination of ancient Amazons (Think Wonder Woman) and humans. Humans are known as Allos and Amazonians are Scythian. While this does have fantasy elements, fierce women fighters in a modern time it also has a love story attached to it. Basically to break it down the Scythian's train in elite schools if they are "worthy" and at the end of that time they pick a mate from Scythian men who compete in a trial to prove they are the best. Our main character Anya has a past she can't remember but doesn't like touch because of it. Her companion and counselor Jax has been able to help her through this but now with the trials approaching she is discovering things she didn't remember "triggers" and wondering if she is ready to accept a mate. I have to say I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast action paced book and flowed well enough that I wasn't constantly rolling my eyes at the "love story" or even the world building. I at times find myself wishing this was a real thing. I highly recommend this book. 

YOU CAN PICK IT UP

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

Praise for THE SCYTHIAN TRIALS
"... Fun and sensual fantasy [with] magnetic characters." ―Publishers Weekly
"The Scythian Trials crackles with life, hums with heart, and pounds with action for one hell of a read." ―San Francisco Book Review
"If you loved the Hunger Games and Divergent and just all around kicka$$ characters with an amazing storyline then you will love this." ―Books With Jess

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Isaacs is an author, teacher, and publishing professional who began her career as a national presenter for Resource Profiles, where she developed teacher seminars designed to foster creative brain stimulation. Moving into formal education, she helped at-risk students improve their writing skills as well as created and implemented a creative writing/blogging program that centered on teaching the 21st-century learner. Works stemming from this initiative were published online and seen in over 40 countries.
Elizabeth receives invitations to speak nationwide at schools and book clubs. She co-founded the popular book blog, Chirenjenzie, which reaches thousands of readers throughout the world. The writer support and reader interest group promotes and interacts with followers on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter. Elizabeth has a Master’s degree from Austin Peay State University, where she studied classical opera. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Her newest work, The Scythian Trials, is slated for release in 2018.  

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WEBSITE: http://elizabethisaacs.com/

TWITTER: @authoreisaacs  
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1783576.Elizabeth_Isaacs
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/EFIsaacs
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/authoreisaacs/

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-  1 Winner will receive a Copy of THE SCYTHIAN TRIALS by Elizabeth Isaacs.

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ENDS: FEBRUARY 4, 2019

BOOK TRAILER

LINK:

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Review ~ Beneath the Lighthouse by Julieanne Lynch

 Title: Beneath the Light house
Author: Julieanne Lynch
Published: 2018
Pages: 304
Genre:Young Adult

Summary per Goodreads: 
SOME SECRETS ARE MADE TO BE UNCOVERED.

Sixteen-year-old Jamie McGuiness’s sister is dead. Sinking into a deep depression, he frequents the lighthouse where her body was discovered, unaware of the sinister forces surrounding him.

When an angry spirit latches onto Jamie, he’s led down a dark and twisted path, one that uncovers old family secrets, destroying everything Jamie ever believed in.

Caught between the world of the living and the vengeful dead, Jamie fights the pull of the other side. It’s up to Jamie to settle old scores or no one will rest in peace—but, first, he has to survive

Thoughts:
I found this book to be a bit suspenseful at times I was wondering what would happen and others I wasn't surprised at all. This book does tend to move slower then I am use to so that threw me off for a minute. The descriptions of the places were done very well and the friendship between the main character Jamie and his best friend was the highlight of the book for me. Their banter and back and forth really had me smiling. The drawback for me was the "cursing" I don't mind some cursing in my books but if you are going to curse then just do it. She used freck instead of the f word. Which threw me off as most people wouldn't know what was going on. Every time she did this I was drawn out of the book and had to regroup (which was a lot). Otherwise I would recommend this book to young adult and some people who like suspense and ghost books. Also the characters for the most part were really drawn out well.

Blog Tour ~ Death by a River excerpt

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FANTASTIC NEWS BOOK NERDS!! We an awesome PROMOTIONAL BLAST for Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor's DEATH BY THE RIVER running from now until 11:59 PM (PST) on the last day of the blast.

KINDLE FORCE - A PROMOTIONAL BLAST CREATED BY JEANBOOKNERD

A special promotional price ($4.99) for DEATH BY THE RIVER E-book will be set for the duration of the event. Make sure you get your copy now! 

SYNOPSIS

Some truths are better kept secret. 
Some secrets are better off dead. 

Along the banks of the Bogue Falaya River, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river.

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux. 

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Handsome. Charming. Intelligent. The star quarterback of the football team. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch. 

He is also a psychopath. 

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the ruined St. Francis Abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize. 

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes crystal clear that someone has to stop Beau Devereaux. 

And that someone will pay with their life.

WARNING: Readers of Death by the River will encounter situations of violence and sexual abuse which could be upsetting.  

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

KINDLE FORCE:
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EXCERPT – DEATH BY THE RIVER – LESLIE AND DEREK

Leslie followed him along the shoreline until they came to a rusted iron gate with a No Trespassing sign secured to it. Decorated with crosses and swirls, the sign marked the entrance to The Abbey grounds. Stepping through the open gate, she peered up at the imposing structure.

Two spires of white limestone, shaped like the tip of a sword, cut into the blue sky. The structure of red brick and limestone, the front windows and doors secured with loose scraps of plywood, sat in the middle of a field of high grass. The squat stone building of cloisters behind The Abbey remained intact. The Benedictine monks who had run the seminary school demolished the dormitories, refectory, and library after the site had been abandoned.

“Some place, huh?” Derek let go of her hand and trudged his way across the high grass.

Leslie’s apprehension bloomed in her chest. The grounds, unkempt after years of neglect, were a hodgepodge of weeds, overgrown trees, and green vines. On the way across the thigh-high grass, they passed a beautiful triple-tiered fountain with an angel on top, raising her arms to the heavens—a silent witness to the past.

How do people come here at night?

“You ever wonder why those priests just up and left it?” she asked, uncomfortable with the eerie quiet. Even the birds had stopped singing. “I know everyone in town says they got a better offer from the seminary in New Orleans, but it seems funny a bunch of people abandoned the place for no reason.”

“They left because it’s a wreck.” Derek parted a thick pile of tall grass with his shoe. “My mom told me it was falling apart when she was a kid, and the Archdiocese didn’t have the money to fix it. So they packed up the seminary school, the priests, and all the staff and shipped them to New Orleans.”

“Seems a shame, though. I read once that the structure dates back to the early 1800s when the Devereaux family built it as a private church.” Leslie eyed the frame of the empty belfry atop one of the square-shaped towers. “You’d think they’d want to save it.”

Derek nudged her with his elbow. “Maybe the ghost drove the priests away.”

Beau’s tale had been in the back of her head the whole time, but Derek’s comment spooked the crap out of her. “By ghost, do you mean the lady in white?”

“Yep.” He scanned the land around them. “They say she wears a glistening white cloak and wanders the priests’ cells. She only appears when the moon is full or during storms.”

The thought of being alone in such a disturbing place terrified her. “Have you ever seen the ghost?”

“Nah.”

Leslie kicked herself for letting him talk her into coming to the remote location. “What about the wild dogs? Have you seen them around The Abbey?”

“Not to worry, baby. I’ll protect you from ghosts, wild dogs, and Beau Devereaux.” He climbed the granite steps, encouraging her to join him. “But I have to draw the line at your mother. There’s no way I’m taking her on in a fight.”

Copyright © 2018 by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor