Review: Rise of the Magic (Lila Gray #3) by Jocelyn Adams

 Source: Received an ebook from publisher for an honest review.

Publisher: J.Taylor Publishing

Release Date: Already Released!
Visit its page on the publisher website: RISE OF THE MAGI

Description:

In a battle of wills, who is strongest? The one who hates or the one who loves?

In a test of faith, who will fight the hardest? The one who has everything to lose or the one who believes only in herself?

For Lila Gray, the answer is both. For the Magi, the questions are pointless since they can’t lose, and they’ve been waiting since before Lila’s birth for this one moment. Lila only needs to find them to understand her entire purpose in life. This time, though, instead of protecting her people, Lila may be leading them all, including her unborn child and the man she loves, to their deaths — and not by accident.

In the ultimate trial of heart and soul, and the conclusion to the Lila Gray series, Lila will learn that the greatest weapon of war is herself, with one ultimate unknown. For which side will she fight?

Oh...wow! As soon as I finished the second book in this trilogy, Shadowborn, I knew that Rise of the Magi would be my favourite...and it definitely was! I loved every single moment of this book...and while I wanted to read it quickly...I didn't want it to end, so I made myself slow down while reading and I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed focusing so fully on the story!

Throughout this trilogy, Lila has gone through so much! She's faced super crazy villains, been forced to confront her inability to let people in...and so much more, and throughout it all, she has grown so much! I don't think I've ever been more proud of a character than I am of Lila! She used to be so closed off, and I have loved seeing her let people in, and seeing her accept change and help! Honestly, I love Lila so freaking much, and I was so happy to see her surrounded by so many people who loved her...it made me so happy! I also loved absolutely every moment that she had with Liam because I totally LOVE them together....*dreamy sigh* it also doesn't hurt that they have some of the steamiest chemistry ever. ;) haha

Seeing Lila grow has been one of my favourite parts of the Lila Gray trilogy, but I've also loved the action and the intricacies of the story! I love that all three books have their own conflict, but are also so interwoven within each other! Jocelyn Adams has done an amazing job with the whole plot and sub-plot dynamics within this trilogy, and it's been amazing seeing everything come together and having it all make sense as Lila discovers it on her own!

Rise of the Magi was fast-paced, but also full of some incredibly heartwarming scenes! Jocelyn Adams definitely "kept the action going" (as she discussed in a guest post on my blog just a few days ago ;D), and I loved it! I loved the way that the story kept me on my toes, and I loved that it made me feel so fully! I won't lie...this book made me sob...like REALLY sob, and I couldn't stop for a while! I sobbed because I felt the loss of characters so fully, and felt Lila's own inner-turmoil so much...I also sobbed happy tears...overall, I just basically sobbed for every reason you can sob, but I enjoyed it, so don't worry, I'm sure if you turn into a sobby mess because of this trilogy, you'll love it, too. ;)  haha

I absolutely loved Rise of the Magi, and I loved this trilogy! I would recommend it to fans of stories involving fae, but also to those who just like action-packed stories full of some steamy romance...plus, this trilogy has a very satisfying conclusion, so I can assure you that you'll enjoy this trilogy from start to finish, and by the last page, you'll have one ginormous smile on your face...just like I do. ;)

So...what do you think?
Have you read any of the Lila Gray trilogy yet? Do you want to?

Rise of the Magi Blog Tour: Guest Post - Keep the Action Going by Jocelyn Adams (Includes Excerpt & Giveaway!)

"Keep the Action Going" by Jocelyn Adams

What kind of story do you like?  The slow simmer?  The roller coaster of build, crest and plummet?  The fast and the furious?

Me, I’m an action girl.  I like to fly through a story with a death grip on my kindle from page one until THE END with my heart racing and my mind spinning to figure out just how the characters are going to survive.

Naturally, given my taste in reading, I tend to have a lot of action in my own books.  Start with a giant kaboom.  Hit the ground running, put my characters through the wringer, and let them sort themselves out of the mess I give them.  And I’m such a cruel creator *insert evil laugh here*

How do I keep the tension rolling through?  It’s simple, really.

I’m a bare-bones writer.  What I mean by that is I don't spend a lot of time reflecting on description of decor or people.  Stopping to read endless description will kill the momentum of a story every time.  I concentrate on making my characters go places, make decisions, and do
stuff, only giving enough description for the reader to complete the picture in their heads.

My heroines tend to go from crisis to crisis, usually with someone hunting them down.  It makes for a fast-paced, tension-filled book that I hope will keep the reader flying along with the characters.
It also helps to blow stuff up now and then, maybe have someone get shot, almost die, that kind of thing.  It’s exciting to write and, hopefully, just as exciting to read.  I use the same method through-out my series’, keeping the backstory and description to a minimum, and the story rolling forward. 

What’s your favorite style of book to read?  I’d love to hear from you.

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Just in case you haven't started this series yet, I'm going to give you the description for the first book, The Glass Man rather than this one...it might spoil you otherwise. ;)

The Glass Man (Lila Gray #1) by Jocelyn Adams

Description

Intended audience: 18+, strong language, adult themes, some violence.

Lila Gray is just a human—at least that’s her mantra when she accidentally topples a building or bends a paranoid local's gun into modern art. That she can sense and control the minds around her doesn’t prove anything, either. Unwilling to put others at risk, she hides in the wilderness from the beautiful creature who hunts her, one who sees her as his ultimate prize.

Alone, the egocentric Glass Man can kill with a thought. Mated with Lila, he's a supernatural weapon prepared to annihilate the humans he loathes.

Caught in the Glass Man’s latest scheme, Lila is plunged into a hidden fae realm, faced with a secret birthright and a forbidden romance.

With the Glass Man threatening everyone she loves, can Lila accept who she is in time to end his bloody reign? Or will she succumb to his dark power and become the vehicle of destruction for the human race?

Goodreads Links for the Lila Gray Series:

1. The Glass Man (Lila Gray #1)
2. Shadowborn (Lila Gray #2)
3. Rise of the Magi (Lila Gray #3)

Purchase Links for Rise of the Magi: Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:

Jocelyn Adams grew up on a cattle farm in Lakefield and has remained a resident of Southern Ontario her entire life, most recently in Muskoka. She has worked as a computer geek, a stable hand, a secretary, and spent most of her childhood buried up to the waist in an old car or tractor engine with her mechanically inclined dad. But mostly, she's a dreamer with a vivid imagination and a love for fantasy (and a closet romantic — shhh!). When she isn't shooting her compound bow in competition or writing, she hangs out with her husband and young daughter at their little house in the woods.

Links:  Website  | Blog |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads 

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Tour Giveaway

- International 

- Prize: Signed Set of the Lila Gray Paperback Novels

TO ENTER FILL OUT THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW:

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Hmmm, I kind of like a mix of different types of stories. Sometimes the slow-burn is nice, but I agree books that keep me hooked to the page, or ebook, are definitely some of my favourites! What do you think? Are you an action girl or guy yourself?

Cover Reveal: Rise of the Magi (A Lila Gray Novel #3) by Jocelyn Adams

Rise of the Magi 

A Lila Gray Novel #3

by Jocelyn Adams

Release Date: June 4, 2013

Target Reader: Adult

Keywords: Fantasy, Fairy

Back of the Book

In a battle of wills, who is strongest? The one who hates or the one who loves? 

In a test of faith, who will fight the hardest? The one who has everything to lose or the one who believes only in herself? 

For Lila Gray, the answer is both. 

For the Magi, the questions are pointless since they can’t lose, and they’ve been waiting since before Lila’s birth for this one moment. 

 Lila only needs to find them to understand her entire purpose in life. 

This time, though, instead of protecting her people, Lila may be leading them all, including her unborn child and the man she loves, to their deaths — and not by accident. 

In the ultimate trial of heart and soul, and the conclusion to the Lila Gray series, Lila will learn that the greatest weapon of war is herself, with one ultimate unknown. 

For which side will she fight?

URL: http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/books/28

Other Books in this series include:

The Glass Man (#1)

Into the Unknown Anthology - Tempted (#1.5)

Shadowborn (#2)

Goodreads Links:

The Glass Man (#1)
Into the Unknown Anthology - Tempted (#1.5)
 Shadowborn (#2)
 Rise of the Magi (#3)

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I just read the last book before this one last month, and I really enjoyed it! I can't wait to read this one. :)

I'm not really sure how I feel about this cover though. It kind of reminds me of the creepy little seaweed type creatures that the mermaids and such became in The Little Mermaid after they didn't succeed in their bargains. It does seem to represent the story though...but I won't tell you how because I don't want to spoil you. :) It definitely has the dark feel that fits with the other books, especially Shadowborn.

What do you think??

Shadowborn Blog Tour: Guest Post and Giveaway!

How to live with an author and not go crazy

Here are five tips to surviving the author in your life without losing your sanity.

1. When you’re talking to your author and her eyes glass over, don’t fly into a snit.  She doesn’t think you’re boring or long winded; it’s just that you can’t compete with the epic battle between a glittering horde of fae and an army of gorgeous vampires forming in her head.  Do not interrupt her now, or you might get slapped!  Simply go and have a coffee and wait for her to return to the outer realm.  And if she takes too long, try again in the morning.  Or maybe next week.
2.  Your author may strike up a conversation in the car about how she thinks John might be in love with Sara, but it would never work because he’s in the secret service and she’s a Russian spy.  These are her characters, and they are as real to her as you are.  Yes, they are.  Trust me!  Just keep nodding and appear fascinated by her genius.  Under no circumstances ask what the hell she’s talking about or laugh.  Unless you want to be killed slowly by her laser stare all the way to your mother’s house.
3.   If you find your author bent over her laptop, typing madly and muttering to herself, do not approach for any reason.  She’s probably been trying to get this scene right for the last two hours, and she’s almost there … if only she could figure out how David will kill the gargoyle!  Breaking her concentration for something silly like suppertime or to point out that the house is burning down might just be the last thing you ever do.
4.  You come home from work to find your author hugging her kindle and bawling her eyes out.  No, you didn’t do something bad.  Her mother didn’t die of a heart attack.  Your dog is alive and well.  It’s just that she just had to kill off one of her favorite characters, and it broke her heart into smithereens.  Do not tell her they’re not real and only exist in her imagination.  Seriously.  Unless you want her to break that kindle over your head.  Hugs work wonders, and if that doesn’t work, point out that she can always bring her character back in a dream or a flashback.  That’ll win you some brownie points.
5.   It’s the middle of the night.  Suddenly your author springs out of bed, chattering up a storm and racing around like a lunatic.  Don’t be afraid.  There are no bugs in the covers.  She isn’t in pain.  She’s not plotting to kill you even though her eyes are screaming crazy.  Her mind has just solved the problem with her story arc and she can’t find a dang pen!  Find her something to write with and you can go back to sleep.  For now. :)

Do you have any writers in your life? I’d love to hear about their quirks and rituals.

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About Jocelyn Adams

Jocelyn Adams grew up on a cattle farm in Lakefield and has remained a resident of Southern Ontario her entire life, most recently in Muskoka. She has worked as a computer geek, a stable hand, a secretary, and spent most of her childhood buried up to the waist in an old car or tractor engine with her mechanically inclined dad. But mostly, she's a dreamer with a vivid imagination and a love for fantasy (and a closet romantic — shhh!). When she isn't shooting her compound bow in competition or writing, she hangs out with her husband and young daughter at their little house in the woods.

 

Connect here: Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Blog

Shadowborn Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Back of the Book:

Why me?

That’s the question Lila Gray asks every time yet another bad guy tries to destroy the earth, and she learns she’s the only one who can stop it. Once again, something’s on the prowl, leaving hundreds of comatose, soulless victims in its wake.

Couldn’t the deadliest assassins of the Otherworld go after someone else instead of the brand new Queen of the Seelie? One who still hasn’t adapted to her new role. 

Lila would ask Liam Kane, King of the Unseelie, for advice, but something’s off with him, too. He’s holding back. In some way. About some thing. In fact, he refuses to tell her what’s going on.

The truth holds Lila back from the greatness of her role—the people she was born to lead—the man who she desperately loves—and the solution to the latest war raging around her.

To find the answers, she’ll need to fight through her own darkness and embark on a journey through her psyche.

If she doesn’t succeed, the Shadowborn will claim not only her world, but her soul.

 

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GIVEAWAY DETAILS!

- International 

- 1 Winner

- Prize is an ebook of Shadowborn and a signed bookmark

- Giveaway ends on November 10th at 12:01 AM (EST).

- Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter, and once contacted, will have 48 hours to claim their prize. 

To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter below: 

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Good Luck! And Thank You for entering!