Portia by Christina Bauer Book Blitz!!

Hello there guys!

Today I'm delighted to be part of the Book Blitz for Portia by Christina Bauer, organized by Xpresso Book Tours!!

I fell in love with Christina's first book, Angelbound and I'm so happy to continue reading about the adventures of the characters in these following books!

There will be a giveaway at the end of this post, so keep an eye open for that, but first, more information about Portia!

Portia by Christina Bauer 
(Angelbound Offspring #2)

Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: October 27th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Unlike her famous older brother Maxon, Princess Portia isn’t known for killing demons or attracting admirers. The reason why is simple: a spell was cast on Portia, and the magic has marked her to one day transform into a dreaded Void demon. To fight this horrible fate, Portia’s spent her life hiding in libraries and learning magic. But when the Void demons threaten to destroy all the after-realms—and the handsome dragon Emperor Tempest offers his help—then Portia suspects that her future holds more than just a demonic metamorphosis. Fate is calling the bookworm princess onto the battlefield, and it’s a fight against both deadly enemies and her heart’s desires.
May be read as a stand-alone.

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Excerpt

I am so late.

My heart beats at double speed while I rush up the staircase to the Ryder mansion. After pulling open the fancy wooden door, I step inside a large and empty foyer. Well, it’s almost empty.

The President of Purgatory is waiting for me. Not good.

Even worse, her mouth is pressed into a thin and frustrated line. No question why she’s unhappy. My lecture on Magic Across The After-Realms should’ve started twenty minutes ago.

“Portia, you’re finally here,” she sighs. “We were getting frantic.”

The President’s known for being tough on crime, graft, and well, everything really. But she’s also my grandmother. When it comes to family, Gram’s a softie who worries like crazy. I should know, being a softie myself. I give her a quick peck on the cheek. “So sorry, Gram. I got caught up.”

Gram’s tail sways warily over her right shoulder. No shock, there. Every quasi-demon in Purgatory has a tail. Gram’s variety is long and black with an arrowhead-shaped end and a mind of its own. Currently, that mind totally suspects that I’m up to something.

Good suspicion, actually.

“What are you working on this time?” asks Gram. “Is it dangerous magic? Please tell me you’re being safe.”

About the author:  

 Christina graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School with BA's in English as well as Television, Radio, and Film Production. Her day job is in marketing for companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and Brainshark. Back in the go-go 90′s, she founded her own software start-up, Mindful Technologies. Christina believes that, upon close examination of Tolkien's text, it's entirely possible that the Balrog was wearing fuzzy bunny slippers.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway

 

Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)

• E-Copy of Portia
• Dragon Ear Cuff/Post Earring
• Portia Themed Nail Polish Mini’s by Color Club Nail Lacquer
• PRINT copy of Portia
• Dragon Pendant

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Friday Reads: Armageddon by Christina Bauer!!

Hello guys!

Friday is now here and finally my days off start! After 5 days and one night shift on a row, I really am looking forward to having some time off, trying my new camera and meeting up with my friends!

As this week's Friday Reads entry I have one of the ARCs I finished during my vacation and it's about time I wrote and published my review! I really needed my vacation but has put me behind on review books, reviews to write... oh well! This one counts as part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge.

Armageddon by Christina Bauer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I've loved the previous books in this series as they were quite a breathe of fresh air into the supernatural/paranormal scene, so I was really looking forward to reading the third instalment on the series!

I was a bit thrown when I started reading cause quite some time has passed between the previous book and this one. I think a lil over 3 years already, so it was a bit shocking to find that they had been married and ruling over Thrax and Purgatory and that they have a 3 year old son!

We don't really have a lot of time to get settled into this new situation when Myla and Lincoln have to face the most scary threat to any parent... their child is threatened. Maxon is an endearing but also very special child, with abilities that are not easy to deal with since they are Scala abilities, which means he isn't the easiest child to care for, and Myla and Lincoln need a nanny now and then, specially at night. And not all nanny's can deal with Maxon's special needs.

Then comes the threat from Armageddon the King of Hell himself, and to add insult to injury Conner himself is involved in it. They need to find out what's Armageddon's plan regarding Maxon and in the mean time they are accepting Hildy's help, the new nanny that Conner hired for Maxon. But as much as they try, Maxon is kidnapped and they have to rescue him from Hell before time ticks out.

I loved how Myla and Lincoln's relationship has evolved and how they make an amazing team, be it as rulers, parents or as a couple fighting to get their son back from hell. Keeping the other grounded when needed and always watching each other's backs.

We also get quite a lot of worldbuilding about Thrax and of course a better look at Hell during the rescue missing. And also deal with consequences of choices, and a look about what our weaknesses can lead to when we make the choice between the lesser of two evils.

The ending was quite hopeful and left me looking forward to the next instalment, even if it might be an even bigger leap since it'll be about a grown Maxon!

Entertaining and still quite fresh, even if not as amazing as the previous books, this one still gets 3.5 stars.




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Friday Reads: ARC Review of Scala by Christina Bauer!!

As the final entry on this week's Friday Reads, I have another ARC review! This one was one that I got through NetGalley and that was for a book I had already preordered! Thank you so much Ink Monster for approving my request!

As a book for review it is also part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge! Gotta finally reach that 80% ratio on NetGalley!

Scala by Christina Bauer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After reading Angelbound last year, I preordered Scala as soon as I could! And after finishing Scala, I've done the same thing with Armageddon!

Even if I had it preordered, I requested it as soon as I saw on Netgalley and was super happy when I was approved for it! I love being able to read a long awaited book early! Thank you Ink Monster for the approval!

Myla is now the Great Scala and has quite a handful to deal with in Purgatory. Her fellow quasis are still trying to learn to shake the Ghouls influence and changes, even when they come out of freedom. Before leaving, the demons and ghouls left Lucifer's Orb behind, and that means despite her igni and her powers if Myla tries to move souls, they'd only go to Hell, so despite the space issues and how restless the souls are getting, Myla won't send the souls to Hell.

Lady Adair, the fake Scala and obsessed with Lincoln psycho, is plotting something and it is starting with stealing Myla's igni and try to usurp her as Great Scala and reclaim what she thinks it's "her life". And she decides that she'll do whatever it takes!

I loved reading about Lincoln and Myla together, they make a fantastic team. They fight together, they have fantastic chemistry and they always bring the best on each other. And although some of the secondary characters didn't have enough time to shine, since the book was a bit short (I'd love to get more of this world and characters!) I loved seeing Myla's parents working together, and Walker still being his awesome self! Octavia, Lincoln's mother, is one of my fave secondary characters because she has so much power and spunk on her, and she loves Myla!

The length of the book might have made the story felt a bit rushed on occasion, but it kept me engaged all the time, and thoroughly enjoyed it! I felt that Myla seemed to keep on missing some of the hints that kept on popping that she should have tied together before, but I wasn't expecting the twist as it was in the end.

Now, I cannot wait for the next book, thankfully coming out later this year! Well deserved 4 stars for this one!



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