Showing posts with label Stacey Marie Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stacey Marie Brown. Show all posts

Monday, 15 February 2016

Review: The Barrier Between (Collector #2) by Stacey Marie Brown

The Barrier Between (Collector #2)The Barrier Between

Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Series: Collector 2
Pages: 418
Publisher/Source: Twisted Fairy Publishing
Release date: 4th June 2015

Synopsis: (Goodreads) Zoey’s life has taken a dramatic turn. Only a few months ago she was a Collector working for the a secret part of the government called the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), tracking and collecting fae. Her life had been changing and improving with a partner she loved and a sister she adored.

Now all that is gone—Daniel murdered by a fae, and Lexi killed when the Seattle area is devastated by a powerful, magical electrical storm. Zoey herself is altered by her association with the Wanderer, Ryker, in life-changing way.

Zoey discovered she was an experiment from the very company she worked for. She could die at any moment of a threatening defect—taking Ryker’s magic with her.

In a race against time, Ryker and Zoey set out to find a way to transfer his powers back before it’s too late. Their journey takes them to the rainforests of South America, dealing with those who are after something Ryker possesses and who will stop at nothing to obtain it for themselves.

What Zoey and Ryker discover can destroy them or tear them a part for good.
 

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

** Contains possible spoilers from the first book **

The Barrier Between is the second book in the Collector series by Stacey Marie Brown and begins in Peru where City of Embers left off.

As a bit of background, our MC Zoey was recruited into the Department of Molecular Genetics and trained as a Collector, she hunted and collected the Fae because of her unique Seer abilities. When the Seattle area is devastated by a powerful, magical electrical storm she ended up ostracized from the people she has known and trusted and she is more or less forced to spend her days travelling alongside Ryker, a merciless Fae Wanderer.

I loved the amount of character progression that we see from both Zoey and Ryker, they are complete opposites and initially detested each other’s race so to see the romance begin to grow and them become allies was great – I loved the tension between them and their witty banter is done very well. I also love Sprig the sprite! He brings some great comic relief to the story; he’s a lot of fun. We also get to know a few characters a little more from the first book and I never quite knew where their loyalties lay.

The plot was fast paced and exciting! Stacey Marie Brown takes us on a thrilling adventure as the characters set out to find a way to transfer Ryker’s powers back from Zoey before it’s too late. I enjoyed their journey through the rainforests of South America, dealing with those who were after something Ryker possessed – this was something that I was quite eager to know more about from the first book.

Stacey Marie Brown’s writing is wonderful, the dialogue is done really well and I enjoyed the imaginative world-building which isn’t over the top but kept me engrossed and wanting to know more. I am definitely excited to read the next book in the Collector series.

Overall, The Barrier Between is a book filled with adventure and twists and turns aplenty, I was riveted from the very first page and I am excited to see where the story goes – it does end on a big cliff-hanger so thankfully book 3, Across the Divide has been released (phew). 

Stacey Marie Brown
 
About the author: Stacey Marie Brown is a lover of hot fictional bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick butt. She also enjoys books, travel, TV shows, hiking, writing, design, and archery. Stacey swears she is part gypsy, being lucky enough to live and travel all over the world.

She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family's farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. She volunteers helping animals and is eco-friendly. She feels all animals, people, and environment should be treated kindly.


Friday, 6 February 2015

Review: City in Embers (Collector #1) by Stacey Marie Brown

City in Embers (Collector, #1)City in Embers

Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Series: Collector
Pages: 458
Publisher: Twisted Fairy Publishing
Release date: 4th February 2015

Synopsis: (Goodreads)

Zoey Daniels has been tossed from foster home to foster home, where she grows up fast and tough. When she is placed in her “last-chance” home, she finds a reason to stay and turn her life around: her foster sister, Lexie, who is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Zoey will do anything to keep her safe. After high school, Zoey is hired by a special government agency, the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), where she meets the other reason to remain: Daniel, her co-worker. The man she loves.

But there is something unique about Zoey. She can see fae. Because of this, the DMG hires her to work as a Collector: catching, researching, testing, and using the fae to save human lives. The work never registers on her sympathy radar. She was raised to think of fae as beasts that feed on humans and want to destroy them.

When devastation hits Seattle, Zoey's whole world is turned upside down. The electric storm connects her to a ruthless fae, a Wanderer named Ryker, whose dealings expose them to even more trouble and danger. They embark on a journey, running and hiding from both the government and fae, both of which threaten their lives and those they love.

Review – 4/5 stars

I am a huge fan of Stacey Marie Brown’s Darkness series so I was more than eager to start on the spinoff series, Collector. After a slow-ish start this really kicked off with a bang!

Zoey Daniels had a bad childhood, moving from one foster home to another she finally settled in her last-chance home, it wasn’t perfect but it was where Lexie was, another foster-child also with a painful childhood and disabled – she was the reason for Zoey staying in a less than stellar environment. Zoey was recruited into the DMG (Department of Molecular Genetics) and trained as a Collector, she hunts and collects the Fae because of her unique Seer abilities. She works alongside Daniel, 20 years her senior and a man she has fallen in love with.

The plot was entertaining and fast moving - when devastation hits Seatlle, Zoey’s life turns to turmoil; the electrical storm has left her ostracized from the people she has known and trusted and she is more or less forced to spend her days alongside Ryker, a merciless Fae Wanderer.

I don’t want to give too much of the storyline away to avoid spoilers but there was action aplenty, shock twists and turns, magic and ongoing drama as well as mystery surrounding the DMG and what Ryker is hiding; there is no insta-love but the attraction between Zoey and Ryker was evident and I am looking forward to hopefully seeing their relationship progress -  I love watching characters go from despising one another to accepting and then to more, this aspect was done well.

The characters were each written to perfection, Zoey was a badass who hates the fae! Ryker was ruthless and hates the humans so imagine the dialogue and banter between them, there were some tense moments. We also meet a sweet little narcoleptic Sprite named Sprig who bought some humour to the story.

Stacey Marie Brown’s writing is engaging, the dialogue is done well and I enjoyed the creative world-building which wasn’t over the top but kept me interested and wanting to know more. I am definitely eager to read the next book in the Collector series.

Thank you to Twisted Fairy Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review City in Embers by Stacey Marie Brown.



Stacey Marie BrownAbout the author: Stacey Marie Brown is a lover of hot fictional bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick butt. She also enjoys books, travel, TV shows, hiking, writing, design, and archery. Stacey swears she is part gypsy, being lucky enough to live and travel all over the world.

She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family's farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. She volunteers helping animals and is eco-friendly. She feels all animals, people, and environment should be treated kindly.

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Guest post: Darkness series by Stacey Marie Brown

Stacey Marie Brown

The Darkness series is one of my favourites so I am excited to be able to host author, Stacey Marie Brown on the blog today to share with us the Darkness series music inspiration; it’s a great playlist!


Darkness of Light (Darkness, #1) Fire in the Darkness (Darkness, #2) Dwellers of Darkness (Darkness, #3) Blood Beyond Darkness (Darkness #4)

Books in reading order:

1.   Darkness of Light
2.   Fire in the Darkness
3.   Dwellers of Darkness
4.   Blood Beyond Darkness


Music was and is a huge part of writing the Darkness Series. The songs below immediately take me to the mood and feeling I want when writing. It will keep growing as the series continues. There are some songs by The White Strips, Imagine Dragons, and the Fall Out Boys that are good for getting into my action/fight scenes. Eli’s theme song when it comes to Ember is “Run Right Back” by the Black Keys. When I want to get into his mind I listen to “Evil Ways”. Ember’s for Eli is “Howl” and to get into her head is “Demons” and “Radioactive”.

Darkness Series Inspiration Music

*Killing The Light- B.R.M.C
*
Everlasting Light- Black Keys
*Evil Ways- Bues Saraceno
*
My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark- Fall Out Boys
*Demons- Imagine Dragons
*
White Rabbit- Jefferson Airplane
*
Howl- Florence & The Machine
*
Seven Nation Army- White Stripes
*
Run Right Back- Black Keys
*Make Me Wanna To Die- The Pretty Reckless
*
People Are Strange- The Doors
*
What Light- Wilco
*
Train Song- Ben Gibbard & Feist
*Tautou- Brand New
*
Everything You're Breathing- The Parlor Mob
*
Slow Life- Grizzly Bear
*
Only For The Night- Florence & The Machine
*
Come Undone- Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan
*
Hearing Damage- Thom Yorke
*
Radioactive- Imagine Dragons
*
Seven Year Itch- The Fumes
*
Seven Devils- Florence & The Machine
*
I Only Want You- Eagles Of Death Metal
*Icky Thump- White Stripes
*
Creep- Radiohead
*
Psychotic Girl- Dan Auerbach
*
Heavy In Your Arms- Florence & The Machine
*
I Can't Hear You- The Dead Weather
*
Someday Baby- R.L. Burnside
*
Hang Me Up To Dry- Cold War Kids
*
Crawl- Kings Of Leon
*
Sweetest Kill- Broken Social Scene
*
Hurricane Drunk- Florence & The Machine
*
Grounds For Divorce- Elbow
*
The Prowl- Dan Auerbach
*
Hang You From The Heavens- The Dead Weather
*
Cosmic Love- Florence & The Machine
*
Punching In A Dream- The Naked And Famous
*
The End Of The Line- The Love Me Nots

Music can change your mood; affect how you see something…What is the song which really gets to you? Good or bad.

Stacey Marie BrownAbout the author: Stacey Marie Brown is a lover of hot fictional bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick butt. She also enjoys books, travel, TV shows, hiking, writing, design, and archery. Stacey swears she is part gypsy, being lucky enough to live and travel all over the world.

She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family's farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. She volunteers helping animals and is eco-friendly. She feels all animals, people, and environment should be treated kindly



Synopsis....

1.   Darkness of Light - Amazon 

Freak. Witch. Crazy. Schizo.

Ember Brycin has been called them all. She’s always known she’s different. No one has ever called her normal, even under the best circumstances. Bizarre and inexplicable things continually happen to her, and having two different colored eyes, strange hair, and an unusual tattoo only contributes to the gossip about her.

When the latest school explosion lands her in a facility for troubled teens, she meets Eli Dragen, who’s hot as hell and darkly mysterious. Their connection is full of passion, danger, and secrets. Secrets that will not only change her life, but what and who she is—leading her down a path she never imagined possible.

Between Light and Dark, Ember finds a world where truth and knowledge are power and no one can be trusted. But her survival depends on finding out the truth about herself. In her pursuit, she is forced between love and destiny and good and evil, even when the differences between them aren’t always clear. At worst, she will incite a war that could destroy both worlds. At best, she will not only lose her heart but her life and everyone she loves. Once the truth is out, however, there will be no going back. And she’ll definitely wish she could.

2.   Fire in the Darkness - Amazon 

It's been four weeks since Ember Brycin witnessed what her powers are capable of. The Electrical Current Storm has turned Seattle, Washington into a natural disaster zone. The death toll is in the thousands with countless others homeless and hungry.

And Ember is the one who caused it. Something she will have to live with every day.

Those people who were unable to escape either turned quickly into gangs or live in shelters. Ember, on the other hand, can’t do either. With a price on her head and a Dark Dweller on her ass, she is constantly on the move. Both Light and Dark are hunting her for their own purpose to use her as a weapon or a pawn in the war between the Unseelie King of the Dark and the Seelie Queen of the Light.

Em needs help but doesn’t know who to trust: Lars, the mystery man Torin told her to find? Torin, the Seelie Queen’s personal knight, who has sworn to keep Em safe? Or Eli, who wants to turn her over to the Unseelie King, but whom she has an undeniable, intense connection with?

No matter what she chooses she will probably lose—her life or everything and everyone she loves.

3.   Dwellers of Darkness - Amazon / TBD

Some days feel like years, but in Ember Brycin’s case just the opposite is true. Em would be 22 now—if she were human. She’s not. She is a Dae—part Demon and part Fay—with a little Dark Dweller thrown in to make her more of a freak.

Life has become further complicated for Ember since returning from the Otherworld. Besides being continuously hunted by the Seelie Queen, Ember is at the top of the Unseelie King’s list, after breaking her oath with him. No one breaks a vow with the Unseelie King without extreme consequences.

Adding to Ember’s problems is a certain Dark Dweller whose mood has become violent and cruel. As much as she’d like to deny it, there is an undeniable connection between them. Eli is sexy, gorgeous, and frustrating as hell. She also knows he is holding something back, something that could change their relationship forever. 

But her problems go way past him. As the tension for war mounts between the Seelie and Unseelie (Light and Dark), the tension at the Dark Dweller’s compound escalates even more as they prepare to obtain the Sword of Light—the only weapon able to kill the Queen. 

But is Ember the answer to the location of the sword? Is she the one to fulfill the prophecy? As usual nothing is ever what it seems.

4.   Blood Beyond Darkness - Amazon

After months of searching, Ember and her friends have finally located the Sword of Light, the only weapon capable of destroying Queen Aneira and ending her rule. This is Ember’s destiny. Or so she thought. Now a pact to save the man she loves changes everything.

In this final installment in the Darkness Series, when the truth comes to light, Ember will learn some things are better left in the dark as her world is ripped even further apart. It is no longer a rabbit hole, but a never-ending black void full of endless lies, betrayals, and secrets.

The fight for Earth has begun, and Ember will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save millions of innocent lives and those she loves.

But this price may be too high—even for her.



Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway Dwellers of Darkness by Stacey Marie Brown

 
Hi everyone, welcome to my stop in the Dwellers of Darkness by Stacey Marie Brown blog tour hosted by Amanda at Good Choice reading

Dwellers of Darkness (Darkness, #3)Title: Dwellers of Darkness
Author: Stacey Marie Brown
Genre: New Adult fantasy/paranormal romance
Series: Darkness #3
Publication: February 27th, 2014 by Twisted Fairy Publishing

Some days feel like years, but in Ember Brycin’s case just the opposite is true. She had only been in the Otherworld for a day or two when she returned back to the Earth's realm. But it is three years later on Earth. Em is now 22. It would matter if she was human, but she’s not. She is a Dae, part Demon and part Fay, with a little Dark Dweller thrown in to make her even more of a freak.

Seeing Seattle rebuilt only confirms she has been gone three years. For her it was not long ago that the Seattle area was just rubble of concrete and death. All done by her hand.

One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is her undeniable connection to Eli Dragen, who is sexy, gorgeous, and even more volatile and frustrating. But her problems go way past him. The Seelie Queen of the Otherworld still holds Mark, Em’s father, and her friends, Ryan, and Josh as hostages. Em needs to rescue them without, once again, getting caught and being used as a pawn to help the Queen regain possession of Earth. At the same time Ember is in hot water with Lars, the Unseelie King, after breaking her contract with him.

As some secrets have come to light others seem to become even more enigmatic. The only truth Ember knows is,everyone is harboring secrets. As Eli’s past is revealed, Em understands more clearly why he acts the way he does and how much their lives are intertwined. But she also knows Eli is holding something back, something that could change their relationship forever.

Em herself continues to wrestle with her feelings toward Torin and her own secret she’s withholding from Kennedy. As the tension for war mounts between the Seelie and Unseelie (Light and Dark), the tension at the Dark Dweller’s compound mounts even more as they prepare to obtain the sword no matter what the price. But is Ember the answer to the location of the sword? Is she the one to fulfill the prophecy? As usual nothing is ever what it seems.


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Review: Review: 4 out of 5 stars

** Contains possible spoilers from the previous books **

Stacey Marie Brown does it again! Dwellers of Darkness is a wonderful addition to the Darkness series and begins where Fire in the Darkness left off.

Ember Brycin thought she had spent a day or two in the Otherworld so when she returns to a re-built Seattle and a very hostile Eli Dragen telling her she has been missing for three years it comes as a huge surprise.

The plot was action-packed and thrilling which kept the pacing fast -The Seelie Queen Aneira of the Otherworld still wants to regain possession of Earth and holds Embers father and her friends’ hostage so Ember needs to work out a way to rescue them without getting caught. She also has a broken contract with the Unseelie King Lars that she needs to sort out and the sword of Light to locate. I enjoy the element of surprise in this series and the unexpected twists and turns has made for a captivating, addictive read,

The romance is quite intense - I love the connection between Ember and Eli but it’s not a relationship I would call sweet, its passionate and dangerous – Eli went a little more ‘dark’ if you could call it that when she disappeared, their chemistry is off the charts but so is their banter and snark. Ember’s betrothal to the ever annoying Torin is also bought to light and we also get reacquainted with a number of characters from the previous books and meet a few more who each play a crucial role in the overall story

There were many secrets revealed but there are still many questions that need answering. We learn a little more about Ember, we meet her mum Lily who I didn’t like whatsoever, Kennedy learns what she is and the Dark Dwellers are still in search of the sword so they can return to the Otherworld; the whole book was go go go! I enjoyed the non-stop thrill ride even though at times I did feel there was so much going on that things became rushed.

Stacey Marie Brown’s writing flows well and is engaging, her story-telling is enjoyable and the action, revelations and smexy romance make for a riveting read.

After the ending we are left with, I am definitely eager to read the next book in the series, Blood Beyond Darkness.

Other books in the Darkness series:

Both just 99¢


Darkness of Light (book #1)

Fire in the Darkness (book #2)

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About Stacey

Stacey Marie Brown by day is an Interior/Set Designer, by night a writer of Paranormal Fantasy, Adventure, and Literary Fiction. She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family’s farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. Even before she could write, she was creating stories and making up intricate fantasies. Writing came as easy as breathing. She later turned that passion into acting, living and traveling abroad, and designing. Though she had never stopped writing, moving back to San Francisco seemed to have brought it back to the forefront and this time it would not be ignored.
When she’s not writing she’s out hiking, spending time with friends, traveling, listening to music, or designing.


Website | Facebook Twitter | Darkness of Light on Facebook

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TOUR SCHEDULE

March 24th
Creating Serenity (http://www.creating-serenity.com/) |  Guest Post 
Imagine a World (http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspot.com) | Review 

March 25th
Book Briefs (http://bookbriefs.blogspot.com) | Review 
Obsession with Books (http://www.obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com) | Review 

March 26th
Addicted Readers (http://addictreaders.blogspot.com/) | Excerpt 
Shortie Says (www.shortie-says.com) | Review 

March 27th
Book Lovers Life (http://bookloverslife.blogspot.ie/) | Teaser 
Reflections of a Bibliophilic Barista (http://www.reflectionsofabibliophilicbarista.com) | Review 

March 28th
Biblio Belles (http://bibliobelles.com) | Review 
Literary Meanderings (http://www.literaryme.net/) | Top Ten 
Curse of the Bibliophile (http://curseofthebibliophile.blogspot.in/) | Review 

March 31st
The La La Land of Books (http://saaratis.wordpress.com/) | Review & Top Ten 
Shayna Varadeaux (http://www.shaynavaradeauxbooks.blogspot.com) | Review 

April 1st
Martini Times Romance (www.martinitimes.com) | Review 
Curling Up With A Good Book (http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.blogspot.com) | Excerpt 

April 2nd
Not Everyone's Mama (http://noteveryonesmama.com) | Review 
SMIBookClub (http://SMIBookClub.com) | Review 

April 3rd
Reviews By Molly (http://reviewsbymolly.com) | Teaser 
Good Choice Reading (http://goodchoicereading.com) | Review (date subject to change)

April 4th
Jessa's Epic Narrative (http://jessasadventuresinreading.wordpress.com/) | Guest Post 
Paranormal Book Club (www.paranormal-bookclub.com) | Review 
The Autumn Review (http://www.autumnreview.com) | Review 

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Giveaway

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