Swoon Thursdays (40)

The ladies at YA Bound have created a hot and fun new meme called SWOON #YABound. If you want to join in here's what you need to do.

All you need to do is pick up the book you are currently reading or just finished reading. Find what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding and your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Then shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag  #YABound, post in the comments, or grab the awesome button from YA Bound (above) and share it on your blog!

This week my swoon comes from the final installment of the Warriors of Ankh, Shades of Blood, by Samantha Young.

"Eden clambered across the space between them, bracing her knees on either side of Noah’s thighs, pressing her body into his. His breath caught and Eden trembled at the sound, easing out of the ferociousness of the kiss, the burning flames dying down to flickers as their kisses grew deeper, wetter, slower. Noah groaned, one strong hand sliding up under her shirt." SWOON #YABound

That's what I found this week. If you have a SWOON, share the link so I can check it out. If my crappy internet decides to work. But I'll do my best:)

Review "Blood Past" by Samantha Young

Blood Past (Warriors of Ankh #2)

Samantha Young

Publishing Date: August 19, 2011

Publisher: Smashwords

e-book

Goodreads

YA Paranormal Romance recommended for ages 16 years and up.

Review:

     Blood Past is book 2 in the Warriors of Ankh series. I won this book from Fiktshun during a giveaway. I read the first book quickly and was eager to start on the next one in the series. I found myself completely drawn into the world that Samantha Young created. I was imaging the scenes, the people and the accents (most of the book takes place in Scotland). 

     Since the story is set in Scotland, Eden must travel a long way from home in order to try and find the redemption that she seeks. She does not go alone accompanying her are three warriors of Ankh: Cyrus, Valeria, and Noah. Noah and Eden's relationship is not what it once was, it's strained and at times they barely speak to each other.  But Eden discovers that she has bigger problems to deal with like those who are conspiring against her and a certain someone from her past comes back to claim her. Eden though comes to realize how important family and friends really are  to her and what she will do if the people she cares about are threatened. In Blood Past Eden is introduced to a whole new world of people. People she barely knew existed.

    Blood Past is not only told from Eden and Noah's POV a couple more voices are added in. I must say those were not my favorite chapters only because I really loved hearing the story from Eden and Noah. But the other chapters weren't bad just not my favorite. Samantha Young continues to give more background on the Neith, Ankh as well as the soul-eaters. It is explained why the Ankh warriors want Eden and what the intend to do with her now that they have her. I loved the way the story unfolded and was completely engrossed in Blood Past. I was just a little disappointed when I realized that I would have to wait for the next book to come out. All and All I am super happy that I was introduced to these books and I will definitely look up Samantha Young's other works.

Cover:

    I'm not sure who is on the cover of Blood Past. Though it does have me wondering why the guy is hunched over sitting in the rain.

Review "Blood Will Tell" Samantha Young

Blood Will Tell (Warriors of Ankh #1)

Samantha Young

Publication Date: July 1, 2011

Publisher: Smashwords

e-book

Goodreads

YA Paranormal Fiction for mature teens+ (some content may not be suitable for younger readers)

Review:

     I won this book from Fiktshun and when I entered the contest I thought that the book sounded really good. Let me say this book did not disappoint. I found myself gazing at the computer completly devouring this book. 

    I loved the concept of this book it was original and not a topic that I had read about. I was afraid I would become overwhelmed by all the knowledge that Samantha Young gives in order to explain the story. But I found myself slowly soaking in the information and was hardly confused at all. Blood Will Tell is fast paced and I get answers to many of the questions I started to ask. Of course not all my questions were answered but if they were why would I keep reading. I was also impressed with the way the story unfolded some of the plot twists were quite unexpected. The characters were well developed yet there is room for Samantha Young to add more about the characters pasts'.

      The books main character Eden is a soul-eater, she is a total loner who has no friends until Noah shows up in her small town becoming her only friend. the book is told from the POV of Eden and Noah, and that contributed to how much I enjoyed this book. As the story unfolds we learn about the horrors that Eden must deal with, cold and creepy parents, a psychotic cousin, the only bright spot in her life are her brother Stellan and her best friend Noah.  Eden is trying to come to terms with who she is and what that means for her future. And if she becomes what her parents and family want her to be will she able to live with herself.  But everything is not as it seems and Eden has to deal with some unexpected truths about herself, her family, and Noah.

Cover:

     I think this cover is intriguing. I loved the more subdued colors as well as the girl in the dress standing close to the water. It definitely makes me want to pick up this book to find out what it's all about.