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Showing posts with label Sandy Williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandy Williams. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Sandy Williams Swag-for-Brag giveaway

Shadow Reader Giveaway Banner


 Today we are participating in Sandy Williams' Swag-for-Brag giveaway tour! This giveaway celebrates the release of THE SHARPEST BLADE, the final book in Williams' trilogy about McKenzie Lewis, a human who has a rare ability: she is a shadow reader. Don't know what that means? Then it's definitely time to enter this giveaway!


I've loved each book in the trilogy and so I'm really excited to host a stop of this giveaway tour, in the hopes that you will come to love the series as well.


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A message from Sandy:


December 31, 2013 was the best New Year’s Eve I’ve had in a long time. The Sharpest Blade, the third book in my Shadow Reader series, hit the shelves. The Shadow Reader books follow McKenzie Lewis, a human who can not only see the fae, but she can track them when they fissure (or teleport) from place to place. That little talent of hers has put her in the middle of a fae civil war, a war that finally comes to a conclusion in The Sharpest Blade.


Readers have waited a long time for this book. I’m so grateful for their patience, and for all their support these last few years. The reception McKenzie has received has been awesome, and I’ve met so many wonderful readers since The Shadow Reader was published. Thank you all for sharing McKenzie’s adventures with me, and I hope 2014 brings you many hundreds of fabulous and kickass reads.


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And here's the scoop on the trilogy:



The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams (Shadow Reader #1)There can only be one allegiance.
It’s her time to choose.

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

Jenn's thoughts


Read an excerpt


Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository



The Shattered Dark by Sandy Williams (Shadow Reader #2)A love declared. A war waged.
A future endangered.

McKenzie Lewis has a gift. It allows her access to a world few have seen, and even fewer can comprehend. It’s her secret. And it exists in the shadows…

McKenzie was a normal college student, save for one little twist: she’s a shadow reader, someone who can both see the fae and track their movements between our world and the Realm. It’s a gift for which she has been called insane, one for which she has risked family and friends—and one that has now plunged her into a brutal civil war among the fae.

With the reign of the king and his vicious general at an end, McKenzie hoped to live a more normal life while exploring her new relationship with Aren, the rebel fae who has captured her heart. But when her best friend, Paige, disappears McKenzie knows her wish is, for now, just a dream. McKenzie is the only one who can rescue her friend, but if she’s not careful, her decisions could cost the lives of everyone she’s tried so hard to save.

Jenn's thoughts


Read an excerpt


Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository



The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams (Shadow Reader #3)Torn between two worlds.
Torn between two lives.

McKenzie Lewis’s ability to read the shadows has put her—and …those she loves—in harm’s way again and again. The violence must end, but will the cost of peace be more devastating than anyone ever imagined?

After ten years of turmoil, the life McKenzie has always longed for may finally be within her grasp. No one is swinging a sword at her head or asking her to track the fae, and she finally has a regular—albeit boring—job. But when a ruthless enemy strikes against her friends, McKenzie abandons her attempt at normalcy and rushes back to the Realm.

With the fae she loves and the fae she’s tied to pulling her in different directions, McKenzie must uncover the truth behind the war and accept the painful sacrifices that must be made to end it. Armed with dangerous secrets and with powerful allies at her side, her actions will either rip the Realm apart—or save it.

Jenn's thoughts


Read an excerpt


Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository



giveaway banner

There are some amazing prizes to be won in this tour-wide giveaway from Sandy Williams!


 See the Rafflecopter for detailsSandy Williams Swag-for-Brag giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Sandy WilliamsSandy Williams has lived and breathed books all her life. When she was a teen, she was always the first to finish her class assignments so that she could read as much as possible before the bell rang. Her grades didn’t suffer (much), and she was able to enroll in Texas A&M University. She didn’t sneak in novels there, but every other line of her college lecture notes are filled with snippets of stories. After she graduated, she decided to turn those snippets into books.

Sandy is the author of The Shadow Reader novels, an urban fantasy romance series about a human who can both see and track the fae. When Sandy isn’t writing, she’s taking care of her twin boys, who also debuted in 2011. They keep her busy, but she’s occasionally able to sneak in time to read books by her favorite authors, and she still enjoys playing EuroGames like Dominion, 7 Wonders, and Agricola.

Website | Facebook | Twitter


Jenn

Monday, January 20, 2014

The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams

THE SHARPEST BLADE is the final book in Sandy Williams' Shadow Reader trilogy. You can find my review of Book 1 here and Book 2 over on I Read Good.

McKenzie Lewis has had quite the ride since the opening chapter of THE SHADOW READER and Williams doesn't give the girl a single break in THE SHARPEST BLADE. Readers who have been following this series will definitely be satisfying by THE SHARPEST BLADE because it is such a strong end to the series. There is danger, heartbreak, and intrigue a-plenty in the final chapter, making it a fitting sendoff for McKenzie, Aren, Kyol, and all the rest.

THE SHARPEST BLADE opens with McKenzie trying to live a regular human life in Las Vegas. She has a job at a library, she hasn't seen Aren or any other fey for weeks, and she is bored. Regular life just doesn't suit her, something anyone else could have told her partway through Book 1! As much as she resents some of the fey intrusions on her life, she wouldn't be the same person if she wasn't a shadow reader, if she wasn't so intimately involved in the politics of the realm, if she wasn't in love with Aren but bonded to Kyol. The hard events of the previous two novels have shaped McKenzie into the woman she is and I'm glad to see her accepting her life over the course of THE SHARPEST BLADE. It's not an easy path -- when does McKenzie ever do anything the easy way? -- but McKenzie fights for her beliefs and her desires and learns a lot about herself in the process.

There are resolutions for both the political and romantic storylines in THE SHARPEST BLADE, which I appreciate. McKenzie does end up with someone and the battle for the throne is settled. It takes the whole book, though, so trust me when I say that these resolutions are hard won and emotionally taxing. We see just how Kyol and McKenzie are affected by their life bond, we see acts of selfishness and selflessness in the name of love, we see sacrifice, and we see the bonds between all of the characters we've been following. Subtle moments from previous books are explored more fully and you really see the physical and psychological costs of the rebellion and its aftermath. Williams kills it with this novel: her writing has never been better and I've never been more invested in McKenzie and the rebels' success.

To sum up, THE SHARPEST BLADE is a fittingly grand conclusion to the Shadow Reader trilogy. Williams has crafted a captivating world inhabited by characters that will put you through an emotional wringer. You'll be on the edge of your seat until the final page of THE SHARPEST BLADE, waiting to see how Williams will wrap up the amazing adventure she put us on in THE SHADOW READER.

Read an excerptJenn

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

"When I'm not writing..." with Sandy Williams + giveaway!

Sandy Williams

I am beyond excited about this week's guest -- Sandy Williams -- because her debut novel, THE SHADOW READER, blew my mind at the start of this year. I am so very excited about the sequel, THE SHATTERED DARK, which will be on shelves at the end of this month. I can't wait to see what Sandy has in store for McKenzie!

Want to know what Sandy does when she's not writing brilliant books? Keep reading to find out and to enter the giveaway!

WINW_logo

What do I do when I’m not writing? The answer to that question is easy, but rather mundane. When I’m not writing, I’m taking care of my twin boys. They were born in July of 2011, just three and a half months before The Shadow Reader hit the shelves. And just three and a half months before the sequel, The Shattered Dark, was due in to my editor. To say that those months were crazy/hectic is a supreme understatement. Fortunately, I was so sleep deprived I don’t remember most of it!

Love those boys to death, but they take up so much time. I’m either feeding them, changing diapers, or praying that they both stay down for at least an hour nap so I can get some words written!

So, I’m going to change the question up a little bit. Let’s make it: What did I used to do when I wasn’t writing?

Dominion Card Game

EUROGAMES!

My husband and I have always enjoyed playing what we call Eurogames. They’re not the typical Monopoly, Life, Trivial Pursuit games most families play. They usually revolve around different methods of collecting victory points, and there are often several different strategies to win.

We used to play games two or three times a month. We even went to the annual Board Game Geek Convention in Dallas one year – and any time we have a few free hours (and a babysitter!) we try to get together for some gaming with our friends. Some of my favorite games include Dominion, Race for the Galaxy, Agricola, and Puerto Rico. If you haven’t played a Eurogame before, I’d recommend starting with Settlers of Catan – it’s the gateway drug to geeky board games.

UFC

Watching. Not participating. :-)

I’m not sure when I first became interested in mixed martial arts, but I love watching the fights. It’s not that I love violence or anything, but the skill these fighters have… It’s amazing. And I’ve found it’s great for book research. Knowing the damage a fist, an elbow, a kick can do and seeing all the different ways a fighter can hold, choke, and submit his opponent helps make the sparring in my books more realistic (I hope!). One of the things I love most about the UFC, though, is the hugging. Yes, the fighters hug at the end of a match. Well, the good I like do. I’m always amazed when a beaten up loser, covered in blood and bruises, gives a respectful hug to the guy who just kicked his butt. I love the respect these fighters have for each other!

Soccer

Disclaimer: I play soccer about as well as my character, McKenzie, wields a sword. Yep, that means I pretty much suck at it, but it’s so much fun. I’ve been lucky enough to play on a few co-ed teams that didn’t mind my poor skills, and ever since the first time I played, I’ve loved it, watching and participating. It’s great exercise! I can’t wait until my boys are old enough to play. I hear there’s a group nearby that starts at 18 months.

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What a great post, Sandy! Thanks for visiting us and sharing your non-writing life!

For more information about Sandy and her books, check out her website or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Here's the scoop on THE SHATTERED DARK (coming October 30):

Sandy Williams The Shattered DarkMcKenzie Lewis has a gift. It allows her access to a world few have seen, and even fewer can comprehend. It’s her secret. And it exists in the shadows…

McKenzie was a normal college student, save for one little twist: she’s a shadow reader, someone who can both see the fae and track their movements between our world and the Realm. It’s a gift for which she has been called insane, one for which she has risked family and friends—and one that has now plunged her into a brutal civil war between the fae.

With the reign of the king and his vicious general at an end, McKenzie hoped to live a more normal life while exploring her new relationship with Aren, the rebel fae who has captured her heart. But when her best friend, Paige, disappears McKenzie knows her wish is, for now, just a dream. McKenzie is the only one who can rescue her friend, but if she’s not careful, her decisions could cost the lives of everyone she’s tried so hard to save.

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

You should also check out THE SHADOW READER, the first book in the series:

Sandy Williams The Shadow ReaderSome humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But somem shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

Jenn's thoughts

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

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giveaway

Sandy is generously offering one (1) lucky reader his or her choice of THE SHADOW READER or THE SHATTERED DARK!

To enter the giveaway, obey the Rafflecopter!

Open internationally

Ends Monday, October 22, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

Jenn

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams

The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams

Book Stats:
Reading level: Adult
Genre: Urban fantasy
Mass market paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Ace
Release date: October 25, 2011

Series: McKenzie Lewis #1

Source: Personal shelf

Reviewed by: Jenn

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But somem shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.

A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.

But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

I bought this book after seeing it got an honourable mention on Paul Allen’s list of the best paranormal/urban fantasy releases of 2011. I liked the look of his list so I thought it would be fun to fill in the gaps. I still have a long way to go to finish the list, especially since I haven’t started some of these series (and am way behind on others), but I’m determined to get through as much as I can.

The Shadow Reader is a phenomenal debut. Sandy Williams has created something amazing with this world and these characters. McKenzie is a scrappy heroine with a rare gift: the ability to figure out where the fae go when they “fissure” from one spot to another. For a few seconds, she’s able to draw their destination and, based on her knowledge of geography in our world and the fae realm, determine where the fae has gone. McKenzie’s been using her ability to help the fae king capture rebels since she was a teenager, making her a previous resource that the rebels are determined to remove from the king’s side, one way or another. This idea really sets The Shadow Reader apart from other books for me, because it’s a type of power I don’t remember reading about before. We don’t often see new ideas -- just fantastic new takes on preexisting ones -- and I found it very interesting. And this is just one part of the outstanding worldbuilding in the series!

McKenzie is a wonderful main character. Despite her gift, she just wants to be a normal person with a normal life, which is why she’s trying to get a university degree. I really liked this aspect of McKenzie’s personality -- her desire to take care of herself and live a regular life. It shows how independent she wants to be, despite the fact that the king provides for her. On the other hand, though, McKenzie is incredibly dependent on Kyol, the king’s swordmaster and her forbidden love.

And this brings me to my favourite part of the novel: the romantic storyline. Sandy Williams has created an authentic and emotionally charged love triangle between Kyol, McKenzie, and Aren. Both of the guys are wonderful characters and you can completely understand why McKenzie is drawn to them: Kyol is her first love, he protects and cherishes her, he’s loyal and capable and strong, and Aren is new, charismatic, charming, and dedicated to his cause, and he wants McKenzie to have a full understanding of the fae world. Don’t get me wrong, both men have negative traits, too. Kyol, for example, hides his feelings for McKenzie because his friend, the king, has forbidden relationships between humans and fae. As for Aren, he meets McKenzie for the first time when he’s trying to kidnap her, which is not the most auspicious beginning for any type of relationship. But over the course of the novel, you can really see the push and pull as McKenzie tries to decide what side of the war -- and what man -- she wants to choose.

Although I was completely absorbed by the romantic part of the novel, the other plot lines are just as compelling. There are some really gripping action scenes, a host of well-developed secondary characters, and a lot of nuance in the writing. And the cover really fits the story, though I must warn you that McKenzie doesn’t actually run around with a katana.

The next book, The Shattered Dark, doesn’t come out until November so you all have plenty of time to get acquainted with McKenzie before her next adventure. For myself, I’m very much looking forward to what comes next.

Read an excerpt

Jennsig2

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