The Destined

Book Review

Title: The Destined

Author: E.J. Mellow

Rating: ★★★★★

Release Date: October 17, 2016 

Publisher: Four Eyed Owl

Genre: NA Fantasy

Page Count: 421

Stalk the Author: FB, Website, Twitter, Instagram

Buy a Copy: Amazon, Book Depository

Add on Goodreads

Synopsis:

I searched for you in the stars tonight.
But I found none
that burned as bright as you.

—Part of a letter from Dev to Molly

With the loss of Terra’s greatest weapon, the war against darkness escalates rapidly, and time is on no one’s side. While Dev struggles to keep his home and hope alive, Molly and Rae find themselves forced to confront a desperately kept secret and quickly learn that a life-altering sacrifice is the asking price to restore order. 

Nightmares, betrayal, the fate of two worlds, and one man’s hunger for vengeance lead Molly down a twisted and dark path she fears she might never come back from. Cornered into making a heart-wrenching decision, Molly teeters between deliverance and damnation. Who is worth saving most—a nation or the one she loves?

My Thoughts:

I was sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t believe this is the last book in this series! I’m going to miss all these characters so much!! The book hangover with The Destined was so real, it took me a while to pick up another book and get over everything that happened.

I could not be more satisfied with the way things ended so as much as I’m going to miss the beautiful world and amazing characters that have made their way into my heart, I will say E.J. concluded this novel beautifully. Molly and Dev are such amazing characters and I will always love them, but there is one character that stole my heart and his name is Rae! Gosh, he may not be one of our main characters, but he sure made an impression on me; I love how selfless and just overall amazing he is and the fact that he is such an adorable dork makes me love him even more. The way E.J. Mellow made me fall in love with the secondary characters speaks volumes of her writing! I’ve read so many novels where the secondary characters just blend and become background noise, but not hers. This novel had me at the edge of my seat! I just could not put it down! Mellow put my babies through so much, but I forgive her hahaha.

Molly is such a bad ass character and her growth in this novel is amazing, she goes from a broken, shy girl to someone who won’t take shit from any one and will let her power known! Dev, what can I say about him?! He is just amazing and the way he loves Molly makes my heartache! He also goes through tremendous growth himself and learns that sometimes it is okay to trust others. Mellow made me an emotional wreck towards the end, but I would not change one single thing about this novel or series. Thank you so much E.J. for introducing me to these amazing characters and to taking me to the beautiful world of Terra! I’m sure I will be revisiting it soon on my spare time. And if you have not picked this series up please, please do I promise you will not regret, I mean come on Dev haha! But in all seriousness, I highly recommend this series is one of my favorites. 

SandraTheBookWorm

The Animal Under the Fur

Book Review

Title: The Animal Under the Fur

Author: E.J. Mellow

Rating: ★★★★

Release Date: March 30, 2017

Publisher: Four Eyed Owl

Genre: New Adult 

Stalk the Author: Website, FB, Twitter, Instagram

Buy Me: Amazon, iBooks, 

Add on Goodreads

Synopsis:

Orphaned on the streets as a baby, Nashville Brown, a.k.a Kill Operative 3, knows better than to rely on anyone. With heightened senses and superhuman strength to survive, she’s been raised as the perfect assassin.

The trick to her success? Keeping everyone, even her best friend, at arm’s length.

Losing his entire family in the span of a year, Carter Smith left his ability to love buried deep in their graves. His only concerns now are completing his missions and effortlessly charming the next temptress to warm his bed.

The key to his accomplishments? Working alone mixed with a Casanova smile.

But when a deadly weapon needs to be stopped from falling into the wrong hands, the lone wolves find themselves thrown into an explosive partnership. Can Carter and 3 lower their guns aimed at one another long enough to succeed, or will their unwillingness to compromise end up destroying more than their perfect records? Whatever their differences, both agree on one thing—in the game of lies and deceit, the line between friend and foe is often blurred by blood splatter.

My Thoughts:

I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

WOW, this book blew me away! It was very different from The Dreamer trilogy and I absolutely loved! It really amazes me when an author can venture out to different genres and hit it out of the park. 

Nashville works as an undercover agent, she possesses super human abilities that make her one of the best agents in her agency. Carter is also an undercover agent for a sister agency and he does things a little differently than Nashville. This novel is told from dual perspective; it was nice to see what was going through both our characters minds. 

Nashville was such a kick ass character; I really liked reading about her and her abilities! She also went through some character development trough out the novel that I enjoyed. Oh, Carter what can I say about him I think I enjoyed his chapters more than Nashville’s just because he was so carefree and made me laugh out loud way to many times. The relationship that builds between Carter and Nashville was done very well, Carter had to work for Nashville and it was not insta-love; that’s always refreshing. 

There was one thing that bumped my five starts to four and that was the bits of Spanish throughout the book, sometimes the way the way they were used just didn’t make sense, but other than that I really thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mellow hooked me from the first page and didn’t let me go till the end, she hit me with some unexpected twists that had me at the edge of my seat! E.J. Mellow has become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us. If you're in the mood for an action packed romance I recommend you give The Animal under the Fur a go. 

-SandraTheBookWorm

The Animal Under the Fur!

The Animal Under
E.J. Mellow
Publication date: March 30th 2017
Genres: Action, Adult, Romance

From award-winning author E. J. Mellow comes an action romance dripping with vengeful delight.
Orphaned on the streets as a baby, Nashville Brown, a.k.a Kill Operative 3, knows better than to rely on anyone. With heightened senses and superhuman strength to survive, she’s been raised as the perfect assassin.
The trick to her success? Keeping everyone, even her best friend, at arm’s length.
Losing his entire family in the span of a year, Carter Smith left his ability to love buried deep in their graves. His only concerns now are completing his missions and effortlessly charming the next temptress to warm his bed.
The key to his accomplishments? Working alone mixed with a Casanova smile.
But when a deadly weapon needs to be stopped from falling into the wrong hands, the lone wolves find themselves thrown into an explosive partnership. Can Carter and 3 lower their guns aimed at one another long enough to succeed, or will their unwillingness to compromise end up destroying more than their perfect records? Whatever their differences, both agree on one thing—in the game of lies and deceit, the line between friend and foe is often blurred by blood splatter.
The Animal Under The Fur is a hate-to-loath-to-love standalone novel filled with savagery, secrets, and enough angst to wrinkle the pages you’ll find gripped in your hands.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

Author Bio:
E.J. Mellow is the award-winning author of the contemporary fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series and The Animal Under The Fur. With a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, E.J. Mellow splits her time between her two loves – visual design and writing. Residing in NYC, E.J. is a member of Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter. She has no animals but loves those who do.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Dreamer Book Blitz

The Dreamer
E.J. Mellow
(Dreamland #1)
Publication date: May 15th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

THE DREAMER has been awarded a Silver for Best Fantasy/Science Fiction from the eLit Book Awards & a Finalist medal for Best Cover Design from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
It’s night. Always night. Dreams guard against the evil forged by nightmares. Infinite shooting stars illuminate a moonless sky. A city stands alone, surrounded by a darkened field. On its fringes, a man watches one star separate from the masses and fall. What survives the crash will unveil a secret centuries long hidden.
Molly hasn’t slept well since the night of her twenty-fourth birthday. Being struck by lightning might have something to do with it, but then again, her chicken did look a little undercooked at dinner. Whatever the culprit, her life quickly catapults from mundane to insane as, night after night, Molly is transported through her once dreamless sleep to a mysterious land illuminated by shooting stars.
There she meets the captivating but frustrating Dev, and together they discover Molly possesses a power coveted by his people—the ability to conjure almost anything she desires into existence. Seduced by the possibilities of this gift, Molly shifts her attention from waking life toward the man, the magic, and the world found in her dreams.
But Molly must ask herself—does something truly exist if you only see it when you close your eyes?
Faced with the threat of losing everything—her job, best friend, boyfriend, and most importantly, that little thing called her sanity—Molly will learn just how far she’ll go to uncover what is real and what is merely a figment of her imagination.

Goodreads / Amazon

Purchase The DreamcatcherAmazon / iBooks / Kobo / Nook

Purchase The Divide
Amazon / iBooks / Kobo/ Nook

—

EXCERPT:

Reaching out, I coax him to hand over whatever he’s concealing. He wears a playful smile that slips away when he sees my arm. Noticing that I’ve extended my bandaged wrist, I move it away, but Dev gingerly grabs my hand and brings it closer.

“No! I don’t think you should do that,” I say as he begins to unwrap the bandage, remembering what the doctor told me about exposing the burn too much. He holds me steady.
“Do you want this to heal?”
“What?”
“It’s a simple question. Do you want this to heal?” He nods to my bandage.
“Of course I do.” I frown. “I want nothing more than for it to heal so I don’t have to wear this stupid thing.”
As soon as I finish speaking, the coolness of his hands seep through the bandage and reaches my skin. The sensation startles me, and I try tugging my arm back, but Devlaces his long fingers with mine, holding me in place. After a beat he continues to unwrap the dressing, my newly exposed skin feeling sensitive in the fresh air.
My breath catches at what I’m pretty sure shouldn’t be there. The puffy, raw skin I was used to seeing circle my wrist is now nothing more than an ugly scab. How did it heal so fast? I slowly turn my hand over, lightly touching it to make sure it’s real.
“The mind is a powerful thing, Molly. Always remember that.”
He looks so much older in this moment…his eyes seem to hold centuries of secrets.I wonder what his age actually is. I thought he was just a few years older than myself, but now that I see his face smoothly lit by the night sky, empty of anything but a gentle expression, he possesses something ancient.
“What type of jewelry were you wearing?” He brings me back to the present by lightly stroking the sensitive part of my wrist.
I hold in a shiver. “Um, a charm bracelet. It was a gift for my birthday.”
He removes his hand. “Who gave it to you?”
I hesitate. Jared obviously gave it to me, but do I just say that? Then Dev will ask who Jared is, and for some reason I’m reluctant to admit what he might be to me.
I tuck my hair behind my ear. “A guy.”
Dev searches my eyes as I try to read how my answer might have affected him—deep down, I know I desperately want it to.
Dear Lord! What is wrong with me? This guy isn’t even real! And isn’t this the same man who made me furious earlier tonight?
“What do you do when you’re awake?”
“What?”
“What do you do when you’re not here? Do you have a job?”
“Uh, yes I have a job…” I hesitate, confused by the change of subject. “It’s all very boring though.”
He pushes me to explain, asking question after question about my mundane existence.
Slowly, his voice begins to fade and sound distant. I dig my fingers into the grass in an attempt to hold myself here, and Dev flashes me a sad smile.
“I’m waking up, aren’t I?”
“Yes.”
“But I wanted to ask you questions now.”
He reaches out, grazing my cheek with his hand. The sensation of his touch is barely there as my body has begun to recognize another surrounding. “There will be plenty of time for that.” His voice is buried under layers, and my heart trembles that there might not be. Will I dream of this again?
With that last thought, light fills my vision, and my eyes flutter open to early morning rays stretching into my window, laying their gentle warmth on my skin like a touch I long to remember.

Author Bio:
E.J. Mellow is the Award Winning author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. With a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, E.J. Mellow splits her time between her two loves – visual design and writing. Residing in NYC, E.J. is a member of Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter. She has no animals but loves those who do.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Destined Cover Reveal!

The Destined

I'm beyond excited to share this amazing cover with all my readers! I just want to take a minute to thank E.J. for introducing me to this amazing world and these characters that have made me laugh, cry and swoon all over the place. If you have yet to pick this trilogy up, I highly recommend it! The covers are not only gorgeous, the story is magnificent and very different from your ordinary fantasy novel; I can’t wait to get my hands on the final book; and now to share the BEAUTIFUL cover of "The Destined" and the synopsis.  Also I will add the links to reviews for the first two books and the novella below. 

Synopsis:

“I searched for you in the stars tonight. 

But I found none

that burned as bright as you.”

—Part of a letter from Dev to Molly

With the loss of Terra’s greatest weapon, the war against darkness escalates rapidly, and time is on no one’s side. While Dev struggles to keep his home and hope alive, Molly and Rae find themselves forced to confront a desperately kept secret and quickly learn that a life-altering sacrifice is the asking price to restore order.

Nightmares, betrayal, the fate of two worlds, and one man’s hunger for vengeance lead Molly down a twisted and dark path she fears she might never come back from. Cornered into making a heart-wrenching decision, Molly teeters between deliverance and damnation. Who is worth saving most—a nation or the one she loves?

In this breathtaking conclusion of The Dreamland Series, The Destined will take you on a spine-tingling and gripping ride through self-sacrifice, the true power of love, and the importance of friendship.

Pre- Order Links:

Amazon

Amazon Canada

Amazon Australia

 Amazon UK

Book Depository

E.J. Mellow is the Award Winning author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. With a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, E.J. Mellow splits her time between her two loves – visual design and writing. Residing in NYC, E.J. is a member of Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter. She has no animals but loves those who do.

Social Links:

Website

Goodreads

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

Reviews!

The Dreamer Review

The Divide Review

The Dreamcatcher (Novella)

-SandraTheBookWorm

The Dreamcatcher

Book Review

Title: The Dreamcatcher 

Author: E.J. Mellow

Rating: ★★★★★

Date Published: February 26, 2016

Publisher: Four Eyed Owl

Genre: Fantasy

Stalk the Author: Website, Goodreads,Instagram, Twitter,Facebook

Buy Me! Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Nook,iBooks, Kobo

Synopsis:

He captured hearts and now he’s captured the spotlight.

Experience The Dreamcatcher, a novella comprised of scenes fromThe Dreamer told from Dev’s point of view, as well as seven extra scenes that did not appear in book one!

*This is a companion piece to The Dreamland Series and is to be read after The Dreamer for story consistency and spoilers.*

My Thoughts:

I was provided with an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review!

Gosh, this is just what I needed after finishing The Divide, more Dev! I'm so freaking in-love with this character and I'm over the moon that E.J. decided to write a novella in his perspective. I loved reading all his thoughts and feeling towards Molly. His wittiness and the way he protects Molly just made me fall for him all over again. I love when authors write novellas in other characters perspective and this one is perfect to read while we wait for the third book! E.J. I need more of Dev's perspective especially after the events that transpired in The Divide I need to know what’s going on in that beautiful head of his. If you have not picked this series up yet I HIGHLY recommend it!!! 

-SandraTheBookWorm

The Dreamcatcher Release Day

The Dreamcatcher Release Day Blitz

Title: The Dreamcatcher, novella to The Dreamland Series

Author: E.J. Mellow

Release Date: Feb 26, 2016

Purchase Links

Amazon US

Amazon Canada

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Nook

iBooks

Kobo

Synopsis:

He captured hearts and now he’s captured the spotlight.

Experience The Dreamcatcher, a novella comprised of scenes from The Dreamer told from Dev’s point of view, as well as seven extra scenes that did not appear in book one!

*This is a companion piece to The Dreamland Series and is to be read AFTER The Dreamer for story consistency and spoilers.

Add to Goodreads

About The Author:

E.J. Mellow is the author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. When she's not busy moonlighting in the realm of make-believe, she can be found doodling, buried in a book (usually this one), or playing video games.

Residing in Brooklyn, NY she is currently working on the third and final book in her series.

Author Social Links:

Website

Goodreads

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

The Dreamcatcher Chapter One Teaser

Title: The Dreamcatcher, novella to The Dreamland Series

Author: E.J. Mellow

Release Date: Feb 26, 2016

Add me on Goodreads

 Synopsis:

He captured hearts and now he’s captured the spotlight.

Experience The Dreamcatcher, a novella comprised of scenes from The Dreamer told from Dev’s point of view, as well as seven extra scenes that did not appear in book one!

*This is a companion piece to The Dreamland Series and is to be read AFTER The Dreamer for story consistency and spoilers.

Purchase Links

Amazon US

Amazon Canada

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Nook

iBooks

Kobo

Chapter 1

The room was stifling with the influx of bodies packed tight, and an anxious shuffling filled the windowless space as the Nocturna guards tried to suppress their growing claustrophobia. If they felt comfortable being contained within four walls, they would have chosen a different profession. Dev cracked his knuckles one at a time, a restless habit he’d acquired after being forced to appear at these biweekly gatherings. Even though he’d graduated above the ranks of all the soldiers here, his spotty attendance was not well received.

Alex’s rather verbose and overwrought reprimand of him being a role model to the rest of the cadets still rang in his ears. And it did the job to motivate him to show up so long as he never had to endure that speech again. At least the old man was effective in his irritation.

Letting out an impatient breath, Dev watched the stout general in the front of the room address the mass of soldiers. The blue-white lights above highlighted the gray in Alex’s cropped hair, and his burly chest puffed up at the end of his sentences. The information he shared was always the same, or a close variation—the Metus numbers were slowly rising, extra shifts were added to the schedules of every team, and Dev and Aveline were continuously assigned to patrol the northern part of the grasslands surrounding the city.

Glancing around the white space, it was easy to discern Dev wasn’t alone in his eagerness to start today’s rounds. The constant twirling of Arcuses, tapping of feet, and shifting of bodies were subtle indicators for Alex to get on with it already.

“And make sure to report back every sighting or anything else odd that occurs on your patrols,” the general said—his routine closing line, which was followed by its usual collection of relieved sighs.

“Thank Terra,” Aveline muttered beside Dev as she stood from leaning against the wall. “I actually think I manifested the ability to sleep during that.”

Dev gave his partner a wry glance. “At least that would be one positive thing that would’ve come from attending these things.”

“Yeah, well, still not worth it.” Aveline pulled her long, pale hair into a ponytail and readjusted the Arcus strap across her chest. “You ready?”

“Lead the way.” He inclined his head toward the door.

Pressing tight into the cluster of other guards all waiting to exit, Dev peered down as an arm brushed against his backside. With the graze being more of a grope, he was not surprised to find thick lips fashioned into a sly smirk pointed up at him.

“Oh, sorry,” the girl said in a honey-laced voice. “Close quarters.” She gestured to the congested group as a way of an explanation.

“Ah yes, I forgot you have issues keeping your hands to yourself, Candice. Especially while in crowds.”

“You didn’t seem to think it was an issue the other night.” Her gaze remained bold.

“And with you”—Dev leaned in—“I never will.”

A snort came from in front of them, but he ignored it, watching as a blossom of pink spread across Candice’s ebony skin. He smiled crookedly. “Safe rounds,” he murmured and, with her features still in a fluster, slipped through the door.

 “You’re horrible,” Aveline said once they’d traveled down the hall.

“Why?”

“Candice has no idea what she’s getting into.”

“On the contrary, I think she has a very clear idea. In fact, she usually comes up with all of them. And let me tell you”—he arced a brow—“they can be pretty creatively flex—”

“Ugh, gag me with Metus droppings, why don’t you?” Aveline shoved Dev’s shoulder. “That’s not what I meant. You shouldn’t play with her like that. And yes, I realize I just set you up for another disgusting innuendo, so just don’t.”

A half smile flirted across his lips. “As long as you’re aware.”

“Dev,” she chastened.

“Ave, she knows I don’t do serious. They all know.”

“Yeah, well, they have a funny way of forgetting, and then I have to hear about it.”

“Oh, is that what this is about?” Dev turned to her, realization dawning on his face. “You don’t have to be so passive aggressive. If you want me to buy you earplugs, you just have to ask.”

She attempted to throw a punch to his arm again, but he sidestepped, his amused chuckle echoing down the hall.

“I give up.” She stalked forward. “I’m no longer covering for you when they come to me with death threats, asking where you are.”

“I like to think of those more as demands of passion.” He caught up with her in two long strides.

“I pity the next girl you meet,” Aveline said with a shake of her head and pushed through the doors to the outside. “I really do.”

Even though Dev laughed, deep down he couldn’t help but agree. The place his heart should’ve been had been hollowed out for decades. And though they’d all tried, desperately so, no one had yet been the one to refill it.

And Dev wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to encounter anybody who could. 

About The Author

E.J. Mellow is the author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. When she's not busy moonlighting in the realm of make-believe, she can be found doodling, buried in a book (usually this one), or playing video games.

Residing in Brooklyn, NY she is currently working on the third and final book in her series.

Social Links:

Website

Goodreads

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook