Pure Jonel ~ Confessions of a Bibliophile: Kimberly Kinrade

Showing posts with label Kimberly Kinrade. Show all posts

Friday, June 21, 2013

Forbidden Trilogy Omnibus by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Forbidden Trilogy

Author: Kimberly Kinrade

Series: The Forbidden Trilogy Omnibus

Published: November 26th 2012 by Evolved Publishing

Genre: Young Adult Supernatural

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating: ★★★★

Book Blurb:

"A thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read." ~Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews

"The plot is very ALIAS and DARK ANGEL-like with X-MEN as its backdrop (awesome combo!)." ~Sour Skittles Book Blog

Paranormal teens with unimaginable powers. A secret organization with deadly intentions. When Sam, a girl who reads minds, meets Drake, a boy who controls minds, they discover their lives aren't what they thought.

Together, they must escape their fate and free their friends, before they lose everyone they love.

This special edition omnibus includes the entire Forbidden Trilogy--Forbidden Mind, Forbidden Fire and Forbidden Life, as well as extensive bonus content. Meet the author in an in-depth Q&A, get to know your favorite characters better, enjoy never-before-revealed interlude scenes and so much more.

My Review:

In the omnibus for this amazing series Kinrade sets forward some discussion questions that really make you think. They also allow you to relate the novels to the real world, and see the real possibilities behind the premise for these novels. I appreciate the fact that Kinrade stepped it up a notch and didn’t just ask standard discussion questions, but rather included interesting points.

Kinrade goes above and beyond the discussion questions with the rest of the additions to the omnibus. I absolutely love the character bios that Kinrade presents. They really let you get to know the little bits that you may have missed in the story. I also like that the characters give quick write-ups about themselves or participate in interviews. It`s really a neat way to get to know everyone better.

I also love the behind the scenes info that we get through the Q&A with the author. It is so rarely that we get to see what goes on throughout an author`s writing process. I really enjoyed the who, what, where, why, when and how behind this series that I`ve so come to love.

Overall, this omnibus was definitely an awesome way to wrap up your time with the three phenomenal books in this series.

Don't forget to check out my earlier reviews for the individual novels in this lovely Omnibus: Forbidden Mind, Forbidden Fire, & Forbidden Life.

Buy your copy online via Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the author:

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for children, YA and adults and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal novels Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire and her illustrated children's fantasy chapter books Lexie World, and Bella World, all on Amazon.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below!!

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Monday, June 10, 2013

Forbidden Life by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Forbidden Life

Author: Kimberly Kinrade

Series: The Forbidden Trilogy #3

Published: October 15th 2012 by Evolved Publishing
(first published October 2012)

Page Count: 270

Genre: Young Adult Supernatural

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating: ★★★★

Book Blurb:

The road to redemption begins in darkness.

A sinister force waits for them in darkness, ready to devour their powers and take their lives.

Sam's baby is the key to a lock that must never been opened. To keep her child safe, Sam will do anything.

Drake might have found a way to get his powers back and save his family, but is it too late?

Luke and Lucy uncover secrets in an organization they thought they could trust, and the lives of all Rent-A-Kid children are at stake.

In this last Forbidden Trilogy installment, the secrets to Rent-A-Kid will finally be revealed.

My Review:

Everything becomes disturbingly real in this instalment of the Forbidden Trilogy. The way that Kinrade tells the story you can really see how this is possible and why governments would want to try this. It adds an extra element of scariness to the story itself. Kinrade has the ability to make the surreal seem real through her very captivating storytelling.

As usual, Kinrade’s story is very well written. Her storytelling and narrative draw you in while keeping you abreast of the dividing and intertwining storylines. You get the feeling of suspense and need for action without any of the gore that tends to accompany it. Kinrade manages to keep this very fast paced and nerve racking novel upbeat throughout.

You get a true sense of the main characters in this novel through the chapters written from their perspectives. Each is written in a different style with completely different vocabulary. It meshes perfectly with each of their personalities. I love how you get to know Lucy so much better in this instalment. She has been one of my favourite characters throughout, but she really comes into her own in this story. My only issue with any of the characters in this novel is that suddenly part way through the book everyone magically goes from being a teen to being an adult. It’s a smooth transition and you barely notice it at the time but looking back you can see it clearly.

As a whole, this novel was a good wrap up to the series. Everyone has something or someone to lean on. They also have some form of a plan for the rest of their lives. That said, Kinrade also doesn’t fall into the trap of jumping 10 years into the future and giving everyone a happily ever after. They are still themselves, but we have a sense of completion for this part of their story.

Buy your copy online via Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the author:

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below!!!

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Forbidden Fire by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Forbidden Fire

Author: Kimberly Kinrade

Series: The Forbidden Trilogy #2

Published: March 27th 2012 by Evolved Publishing

Page Count: 270

Genre: Young Adult Supernatural

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating: ★★★★

Book Blurb:

"She escaped, but she'll never be free."

"Time held no meaning as my mind darted in and out of memories. Past and present collided to create a full-sensory collage out of my life: playing hide-n-seek with my best friends Luke--who always cheated by walking through walls when he was about to be caught--and Lucy; Mr. Caldrin critiquing my sketches and offering ideas to make them more realistic; targets changing faces, blending into the same person, their thoughts rippling through my mind like waves. Through it all, a demon stalked me from the shadows of my memories, never quite showing its face, but crouching, waiting.

And then I dreamed...."

Sam and Drake may have escaped, but they aren't free—not with a powerful Seeker after them. As Sam struggles with the ethics of her new powers and embraces a blossoming physical relationship with Drake, Lucy and Luke face challenges of their own.

With forces coalescing inside and outside the Rent-A-Kid dorms, it's only a matter of time before the fire they started forces each of them to make choices they can't undo. But will it be enough to save them?

My Review:

This novel was an emotional roller-coaster that keeps you on edge the entire time. Once Kinrade begins her story she doesn’t let you go until it is over.

At the beginning of this novel Kinrade gives just enough background info to jog your memory as to what happened in the first novel in the series, without boring you with long recaps. She picks up the story right from the get-go and keeps you captivated. If her solid storyline doesn’t draw you in, Kinrade’s inviting yet exciting writing style is sure to do it.

I love the world and the characters that Kinrade creates. It is seamlessly and flawlessly put together. Kinrade leaves nothing to chance in her novels. Each and every aspect is plotted to create a unified whole, leading the readers to the ending, or in this case, the ending of one crisis that leads us towards the next.

Not only does Kinrade continue to develop the main characters from the first novel, making them more and more lifelike but she also has some of the supporting characters step up and take a bigger role in the story. We also get to know some entirely new characters in this novel who, although possibly misunderstood, are following what they believe to be right.

Kinrade also continues to switch perspectives from character to character. It really helps to draw you into the novel. It also helps you understand the characters and their actions. She does it so flawlessly that it really adds to the story rather than causing confusion or detracting from it. I love how Sam is written in the 1st person and Drake in the 3rd; it fits their characters’ personalities perfectly.

As a whole, this was a brilliant novel that picks you up and whips you around. Kinrade fills in many holes left from the first novel while leading you into the 3rd.

Buy your copy online via Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the author:

Friday, May 17, 2013

Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Forbidden Mind

Author: Kimberly Kinrade

Series: The Forbidden Trilogy #1

Published: September 6th 2011 by Daring Books

Page Count: 220

Genre: Young Adult Supernatural

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

49% of Americans believe their government officials are honest. I don't know these officials, or their supporters, but I know their secrets, and 49% of Americans are wrong.

My employers pay me well to be right, to know things others can't. But I don't know why they brought that boy in, strapped to a stretcher, barely conscious. He asked me for help when I could give none.

I'm a wealthy spy, a talented artist, a martial arts black belt, and a prisoner. They tell me that on my eighteenth birthday, I will be released, free to go to the college of my dreams. It's my eighteenth birthday, and a man in black is at my door. I know he's not here to free me.

I know, because I can read minds.

My name is Sam, and this is my story.

So begins the tale of Sam and Drake--from the time they link minds, forging a bond that leads to an unconventional romance--to their fight for survival against the corrupt, twisted organization known as 'Rent-A-Kid.'

"...a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." ~ Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews

"The plot is very ALIAS and DARK ANGEL-like with X-MEN as its backdrop (awesome combo!). Forbidden Mind BLEW my mind!" ~Sour Skittles Book Blog

Winner of 2011 Forward National Literature Award

My Review:

Throughout this novel Kinrade shows the best and worst of humanity. Through her amazing story and flawless writing Kinrade highlights this in a manner that defies conventional storytelling. As always, Kinrade draws you in and keeps a hold throughout. I couldn’t put this novel down, even for a second.

This novel is eloquently written while remaining entertaining. I really appreciate that Kinrade takes the time to turn out a well written, well edited novel. This compliments the very solidly built storyline to create an experience well worth her readers’ time and effort. I like how she smoothly switches from the 1st to the 3rd person as she switches perspective between the two main characters. It adds extra intensity and clarity to the story. It is also so well done that it never breaks the flow of the story.

I love how Kinrade develops her characters. Each is developed individually, but in a manner that suits the story and their role in it. She never throws out random details just for the sake of it. Everything adds to the characters as we know them, and helps to build the story.

This novel has suspense galore. But it is also full of emotion. I found myself really getting into the story and rooting for the hero and heroine. It was such a rush. I’m still reeling. But wow, what a way to start a relationship….

Buy your copy online via Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the author:

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Seduced by Power by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Seduced by Power

Author: Kimberly Kinrade

Series: Rose's Trilogy #3 (Seduced Saga)

Published: March 18th 2013 by Daring Books

Page Count: 153

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

Forbidden passions.
Deadly secrets.
A love that will stand against it all.

Their passions will destroy them.
Only true love will save them.

Find out why critics and fans are raving about the Seduced Saga. Heat, romance, mystery and poetic writing make the Seduced Saga an original new adult paranormal romance that you won't be able to put down!

In Seduced by Power, the final book in Rose's Trilogy, Rose and Derek face the greatest threat to their love, and lives, as they are forced to make painful choices to save those they love the most.

They give everything they have to end the battle against Rose's mother and retrieve that which was stolen from them. But will it be enough to save them?

Get caught up in the Seduced Sage with Seduced by Innocence and Seduced by Pain

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

Coming Soon:
Seduced by Love (A Surprise Seduced Book)
Seduced by the Sea (Ocean's Story)

My Review:

With each and every one of Kinrade’s books that I read I come to love her writing more and more. I couldn’t put this one down. Her writing is so enthralling and captivating that you immerse yourself in the novel and lose all track of time. The book is also so flawlessly written that there is nothing to draw you back to reality. This book becomes your reality for a short while.

I love the consistency between the novels in this series. Kinrade adopts the same writing style and tone within each of the novels. Also, each character’s viewpoint in written in a slightly different fashion, but this remains consistent for each. Her descriptions are phenomenal and tailored to create a specific image and aura. By playing with light and darkness Kinrade not only writes about, but also paints the world that she creates.

The characters themselves are simultaneously consistent and ever changing. They face so many life altering obstacles throughout this novel that they continue to grow as individuals, couples, and as a family while never abandoning their original selves. Their core goals and values are the same but they are better, more mature individuals after their trials. Some of the minor characters become further developed in this novel, while never overpowering the main characters, which is awesome. Also, any of the newly introduced characters are developed to suit a specific purpose with no description, dialogue, or narrative wasted on inconsequential details. That said, not a single one of the characters ever seems underdeveloped for their role in this novel.

Kinrade’s supernatural world expands even further with this installment in Rose’s trilogy. All of the details are worked into the action keeping up with the fast pace of the story. The reader is never left scrounging for details on the new elements that they encounter nor are they wishing that the story would progress faster because they’re having pointless narrative heaped upon them. Kinrade walks a fine line balancing this to create a phenomenally seamless story. She also manages to wrap up Rose’s trilogy very nicely with this story. Everything comes to a very nice conclusion without rushing or skimming anything. As a reader, however, I’m not ready to leave this brilliant world that she has created. I appreciate the fact that Kinrade ends this trilogy and picks up with another character in the series for future installments. This avoids stagnation while giving me (and other readers, of course) more of the characters and the world that they have so come to love as well as many more brilliant books to read.

Buy your copy online here today!

About the author:

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for all ages and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal series The Forbidden Trilogy, her lower grade fantasy series The Three Lost Kids, and watch for her New Adult romance and fantasy books coming in 2013 including The Seduced Saga, Sunrise and Nightfall, Death by Destiny and The Fallen Trilogy and her next YA fantasy adventure, The Reluctant Familiar. You can find her books on Amazon, B&N and Goodreads among other fine retailers.

When she's not writing, she runs Daring Books Design & Marketing with her husband, Dmytry Karpov, where they help authors with all manner of marketing, editing, and design needs until such a time that their brilliant children take over the business for them.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two cats who think they're gods (and probably are), her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Connect with the author online:

Website: http://KimberlyKinrade.com
Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade
Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4687115.Kimberly_Kinrade

Monday, March 25, 2013

Seduced by Innocence by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Seduced by Innocence

Author: Kimberly Kinrade

Series: Rose's Trilogy #1

Published: January 28th 2013 by Daring Books

(first published January 1st 2013)

Page Count: 190

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

Seduction comes in many forms.

"Liquid fire poured into me, filling me with the intimate sense of him as he leaned in to claim my lips with his own. I reached for him, needing him closer, but my arms couldn't close the distance between us, which grew wider with each hitched breath. So close to finally feeling something real, something carnal and deep, I cried out in frustration, dropping my hands as he disappeared. My cries deepened into a frenzy of panic and my eyes flew open. I clutched my blanket and stilled myself to calm my racing heart.

"Just a dream. Always just a dream."

Rose Wintersong didn't have an ordinary upbringing. Raised in what most would call a hippy commune, but what is actually a powerful coven of witches, she never questions the life fate chose for her.

Until she meets Derek O'Conner.

Derek challenges everything Rose believes and forces her to see the secrets hidden beneath the whitewashed walls of her idyllic country life.

Rose knows she should walk away, that the sexy martial arts instructor is bad news bred to create discord in her tight community… but the animal magnetism between them is impossible to fight.

Caught between the passion of first love, and the steady beat of the life she's always known, Rose must choose between the innocence of her youth or the pleasures of womanhood—but lost innocence comes at a price, and Rose harbors a dark secret that could destroy everyone she loves—including Derek.

Submit to the Seduced Saga as Derek and Rose face their future while unraveling the mysteries of their past.

Look for these books in 2013.

January -Seduced by Innocence
February -Seduced by Power
TBA-Seduced by Pleasure
TBA-Seduced by Pain
TBA-Seduced by Love

My Review:

What a phenomenally unique take on witches, weres, and druids. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen them combined in such an intriguing way before. Kinrade also gives her reader a story with heartaches galore, but that somehow has an overall heartwarming effect on the reader, giving you hope. As a whole, I can’t believe how captivating this story was. I couldn’t put the book down.

Kinrade has such a laid back, easy to follow writing style that you can very easily immerse yourself in the story itself. The story is also very well and fluently written. Each section flows into the next without pause. She even manages to flow from one character’s perspective to the next, always in the first person, without as much as a blip in this flow. This story is flawlessly written with enthralling descriptions. I also love how she has woven Romeo & Juliet throughout the story. They are not random quotes thrown out, but rather passages that enrich the storyline.

Although the cast of characters in this novel are supernatural, they are also all real individuals with human emotions and idiosyncrasies. I really appreciate the fact that Kinrade developed such well rounded characters for this novel, and the fact that the development is not just skin deep. Even just within the first installment of the series you get to know what makes the characters tick. This is even apparent in the supporting characters. You may not have their entire histories laid out for you, but you get a very large hint into who they are and why they act the way that they do. She also weaves a very sinister feel around certain characters, while others exude a feeling of warmth, comfort, or goodness. This not only helps the reader get a feel for the characters but puts you on the correct track to figure out the mystery alongside the characters.

Everything that Kinrade puts down on paper aids in the forward progression of the story or in building the characters and setting. She weaves everything together into an amazing climax that leaves you reaching for the next installment in the series.

Author Bio:

Connect with the author online:

Website: http://KimberlyKinrade.com
Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade
Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4687115.Kimberly_Kinrade

Buy your copy of this book online here today!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Seduced by Pain by Kimberly Kinrade

Title: Seduced by Pain

Author: Kimberly Kinrade

Series: The Seduced Saga, Rose's Story #2

Published: February 14th 2013 by Daring Books

(first published February 12th 2013)

Page Count: 166

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Shelf: Review Copy

Rating: ★★★★★

Book Blurb:

Their passion will destroy them.
Only true love can save them.

"Hope is a fragile thing, yet strangely enduring. It hides in the crevices of pain, burrowing deep until unseen, for fear that sorrow, in its rage, will devour hope's desperate hold on the heart.

It can live there for years, silent and waiting. Or, it can be slaughtered with a word-- mankind's most powerful weapon.

They say that universes are created with words.

And with words, they are destroyed.

Just as mine has been."

***

In the sequel to Seduced by Innocence, Derek and Rose face even greater threats to their love as Derek fights to protect the core of his family's power while Rose struggles to control her own dark gift.

***

Recommended for 17+ due to explicit sexual content. This is a new adult paranormal romance with erotic content and includes shifters, demons and witches.

**Rose's story is a trilogy, not stand alone books. The first two books have cliffhanger endings. Her complete story in one book will be available as "Seduced" when the author finishes writing all three books and they are out. If you do not like cliffhanger endings, please consider waiting to purchase until Seduced the omnibus edition is out.**

Submit to the Seduced Saga as Derek and Rose face their future while unraveling the mysteries of their past.

Look for these books in the Seduced Saga coming 2013.

Seduced by Innocence (Rose's Story, Book 1)
Seduced by Pain (Rose's Story, Book 2)
March 2013- Seduced by Power (Rose's Story, Book 3)
TBA - Seduced by the Sea (Ocean's Story)
TBA- Seduced by Love (A Surprise!)

My Review:

Kinrade definitely threw me for a loop with this one. It was a brilliant loop, but I definitely didn’t expect this turn of events. Not only were there twists and turns galore in this novel, but it kept me even more captivated and enthralled than its predecessor.

I greatly appreciate the fact that Kinrade uses the same writing style and tone in this novel as she did in the first of the series. Being that the first ended in a cliff-hanger and that this one picked up where it left off, this consistency in style allows for an easy flow and transition on the reader’s part. She also works captivating descriptions into this novel that bring everything to life in a very vivid reality. And Holy Hannah, some of it is very inviting and extremely enticing. Because of Kinrade’s way with words things become so real that you literally feel like you are standing in the middle of the scenes, watching the action take place.

Not only is the writing style consistent with that found in Seduced by Innocence, but so are the characters. Kinrade takes the phenomenal characters from her first novel and continues to develop them into even more approachable people. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a very sinister feel to some of the characters, but these characters are more blatantly sinister in this novel. Kinrade also delves deeper into the powers wielded by her characters. This greatly heightens the supernatural aspects of the novel and provides a greater understanding into the plight faced by some of the characters.

As a whole, this was a phenomenal sequel to Seduced by Innocence. It draws you further and further into this world, while still leaving a great deal of mystery to be solved in the final novel of the trilogy. It also leaves you yearning for the sequel (and a couple of the characters themselves....).

A word to the wise... Pop back on March 25th for my review on Seduced by Innocence, the 1st novel in the Rose's Story trilogy.

Buy this book online today via Amazon.

Author Bio:

Connect with the author online:

Website: http://KimberlyKinrade.com
Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade
Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade
Amazon: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4687115.Kimberly_Kinrade