Apollycon Spotlight: @BrigidKemmerer

I am here to introduce you to Brigid Kemmerer; a fantastic author out of my home state, Maryland! Her books are amazing, her characters are amazing and more important SHE is amazing!

Thicker than Water by @BrigidKemmerer {Review}

Thicker than Water by Brigid Kemmerer
Release Date: December 29, 2015
Publisher: Kensington Teen; 322 pages
Rating:

On his own Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect.

Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years.

The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers.

Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden…

Top 10 of 2015 {Day 1} Best Books Read

The Top 10 of the year is back & I couldn't be more excited. It’s hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun, Jamie from Two Chicks on Books, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, and Nancy from Tales of the Ravenous Reader.

This is a little late, I know...but today was my day of recovery after working at a movie theatre for opening weekend of Star Wars. It was much needed. But now that I've had my rest...it's time to have fun!

This has been a REALLY bad year for me, reading wise. While I normally reading 100+ a year, I've read a whopping 42 books and will not be reaching my goal of 50 books. This is a first for me and it kind of depresses me.

BUT I have read some bloody fantastic books. And really . . . that's all that matters.

Sacrifice by @BrigidKemmerer Review

Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer
(Elemental, #5)
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Publisher: Kensington Teen; 324 pages
Rating:

Earth. Fire. Air. Water.

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick understands pressure. He's the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it in for his family, and he's all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, understands pressure too. She's got a child of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could put her life in danger at any moment.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael's defiance, his family's 'bad luck'. Before he knows it, Michael's enemies have turned into the Merricks' enemies, and they're armed for war.

They're not interested in surrender. But Michael isn't the white flag type anyway. Everything is set for the final showdown.

Four elements, one family. Will they hold together, or be torn apart?

Author Spotlight: Brigid Kemmerer

I am so excited to feature a fellow Maryland-er and super awesome author, Brigid Kemmerer this month for our Author Spotlight. Her elemental series is amazing, sexy and funny - it's a series I recommend to everyone. Her final book in this series comes out this fall and I seriously can't wait for it (but we all know how much I dread endings - it's so damn final). Click on the book covers to take you to their goodreads page...

Cover Reveal: Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

Are you all ready to drool? I know you may be a bit skeptical from previous covers with Michael in the background but trust me, it's going to happen. This may be my favorite cover yet...


One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick is used to pressure.

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

Secret by Brigid Kemmerer Review + Giveaway

Secret by Brigid Kemmerer
(Elemental, #4)
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Kensington Teen; 352 pages

Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.

Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family.

Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.

Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers.

There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer Review

Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
(Elemental, #3)
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: K Teen; 301 pages

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…

Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer Review

Breathlessby Brigid Kemmerer
(Elemental, #2.5)
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: K-Teens; 62 pages

Too many secrets. Not enough time.

Nick Merrick is supposed to be the level-headed one. The peacemaker. Since it’s just him and his three hotheaded brothers against the world, that’s a survival tactic.

But now he’s got problems even his brothers can’t help him survive.

His so-called girlfriend, Quinn, is going quick as mercury from daring to crazy. Meanwhile, Quinn’s dancer friend Adam is throwing Nick off balance, forcing him to recognize a truth he’d rather shove back into the dark.

He can feel it—-the atmosphere is sizzling. Danger is on the way. But whatever happens next, Nick is starting to find out that sometimes nothing you do can keep the peace.

Printed Books Giveaway Hop

This amazing giveaway hop is hosted by the ever amazing I Am A Reader, Not A Writer!

This is a giveaway hop I knew I wanted to be a part of. I'm a strong supporter of actual books versus ebooks. In fact, I rarely purchase ebooks because I just like to hold the books in my hands and it just makes the reading experience better, in my opinion. So to see a giveaway hop where it's strictly giving away physical books? Oh yeah, count me in for sure! Then it was trying to make the decision of what to give away.

I decided to go with my signed copy of Storm plus the second book, Spark (which is sadly not signed) by Brigid Kemmerer. Since Spark is not signed, I will throw in a signed Spark bookmark! This is a series I'm in L.O.V.E. with. Seriously, all the guys are H.O.T.T. and then some. Their personalities are wild and the story is just brilliant.

This contest is open to US & Canada readers, only! Sadly, since my last giveaway was international, need to save on funds this time around.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PAYA Festival Write Up!

I attended the PAYA Festival in West Chester, PA on Saturday, August 25 along with my friends, Sana (fellow reviewer here) and Stacey. We got there late where we missed the first set of authors signing. Thankfully we didn't have anything for those authors to sign (or in my case, I've met them before - well, at least the one whose book I already own). The next set of authors were already signing when we got there and we went straight to the table to see if any books were there. Brigid Kemmerer (author of Storm and Spark) mentioned that Spark would be available for purchase but it turns out, they weren't allowed to sell them. Utterly bummed. Stacey & Sana were bummed all of the Storms were sold out, as well, because they wanted a copy.

Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer Review

Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer
(Elementals, #1.5)
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Publisher: K-Teen

Being a force of nature doesn’t keep you safe.

Hunter Garrity is used to watching his back. The kids at school sense something different about him. And they’re right.

Hunter has powers that have nothing to do with how hard he can throw a punch.

Maybe that’s what Clare Kasten is picking up. She’s shy, quiet, and intense, but she’s sought him out. There’s no telling what she wants from him.

But Hunter knows enough to sense a secret when it’s close. And getting close to Clare is a danger he’s ready to face…

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer Review

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer
(Elemental, #2)
Release Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: K-Teen; 432 pages

Gabriel Merrick plays with fire. Literally.

Sometimes he can even control it. And sometimes he can’t. Like the fire that killed his parents.

Gabriel has always had his brothers to rely on, especially his twin, Nick. But when an arsonist starts wreaking havoc on their town, all the signs point to Gabriel. Only he’s not doing it.

More than Gabriel’s pride is at stake -- this could cost him his family, maybe his life. And no one seems to hear him. Except a shy sophomore named Layne, a brainiac who dresses in turtlenecks and jeans and keeps him totally off balance. Layne understands family problems, and she understands secrets. She has a few of her own.

Gabriel can’t let her guess about his brothers, about his abilities, about the danger that’s right at his heels. But there are some risks he can’t help taking.

The fuse is lit…

Book Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer
(Elementals, #1)
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Kensington; 353 pages

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming . . .

Book Review: Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer
(Elementals, #.5)
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher: K Teen (Kensington); 50 pages

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they are more than you dream.


As an air Elemental, 17-year-old Emily Morgan doesn’t have much power. That’s okay—she knows what happens to kids who do.


Like Michael Merrick. He’s an earth Elemental, one with enough power to level cities. Which makes him sexy. Dangerous. And completely off limits. At least according to Emily’s family.


But her summer job puts her in close contact with Michael, and neither of them can help the attraction they feel. When forces of nature like theirs collide, one misstep could get someone killed. Because Emily’s family doesn’t just want her to stay away from him.


They want him dead.