Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Release Blog tour: Top Three List + Review + Giveaway


As part of this great blog tour I'm honored to have here today a Matthew Merrick, the author of The Protector series, who somehow agreed to answer a couple of questions that I'm sure you will enjoy since it goes from books to videogames and music.

And all I can say to Matthew is that I'm sure the future is in his hands. I'm sure you know that your ability to tell so many different stories at the same time is a gift that will continue to open doors wherever you go. Keep it up and help us dream with your words.

Matthew Merrick's Top Three List

*Three favorite books and reason. Any gender counts*
I absolutely adore the Harry Potter series. I’d pick all of them if I could, but to be fair, I’ll say Goblet of Fire is my favorite. I like the writing of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child as well, my favorite from them being Brimstone. And it’s been a while since I’ve read them, so I don’t know which book would be my favorite, but I loved the Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton.
(LibrarianMouse:Besides the Harry Potter series I haven't read your favorite books so I'm gonna have to check them out!).

*Three games you think are a MUST for every gamer*
This is tough, because a lot of people don’t love RPGs and I do. I could pick three of those, but I’ll try to mix it up. I absolutely loved The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. I invested over 70 hours into that game. The Uncharted series is one of the best action adventure games ever made. IMHO of course :D  And I love the entire Ratchet & Clank series. It’s always on my must purchase list when a new one comes out. They’re just beyond quirky and fun to me.
(LibrarianMouse: Thanks for the tip, I'm always on the lookout for new games, hohoho).

*Three favorite monsters or creatures (mythology counts too)*
I obsess over this stuff and I can only pick three? Oh dear…okay I love the Chinese version of the Dragon, the Greek version of the Phoenix, and pretty much all Greek mythology in general. The gods and demi gods fascinate me, and I honestly could never get enough when it comes to learning about it. As a bonus, I also love the lore behind The City of Atlantis, and the Mayans.
(LibrarianMouse: I'm a geek of Mythology and my countless books on the matter are prove of it so I know it was really hard to choose three... sorry^^U).

* Three books you would love to watch as a movie*
It’s already being made, but I’m stoked to see The Hobbit. I’d love to see Kelly Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series made. Although I’ve only just started the series, I can tell I’m going to need it on the screen. I *think* they’re making a TV series for it, so maybe that will do the trick. And although it’s now out, and I own it, I have yet to watch Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, and I am beyond excited to watch it.
(LibrarianMouse: The Hobbit? Loved it! As for the other two... I must investigate xD).

*Three villains you like (or don’t hate that much)*
Although he wasn’t really a villain, but you think he is for a lot of the story, I love Severus Snape. His character was amazing, and Alan Rickman did an incredible job bringing him to life in the movies. I will forever be a fan of Captain Hook, and I love Venom from the Spiderman comics. Okay, so I’m totally veering away from books, but there are villains everywhere!
(LibrarianMouse: Snape... man, I hated him so much that I couldn't believe how much I cried for him at the end! And I know I've said it already but Heath Ledger's portrait of the Joker rocked my world!).

*Three things you learned past month*
I shower less, but shave more, now that I’m staying at home and writing full-time.
My dog takes toilet paper out of the bathroom garbage and tears it into tiny pieces, always in the same places, only when he’s mad at me.
The “I have kids so that’s why I watch cartoons,” excuse only works when you’re not watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates after the kids are in bed.

(LibrarianMouse: *laughing so much I can't write*)

*Three things you collect or would like to do so*
I’ve wanted for years to collect swords, but I don’t have the space for them right now, so I’m putting that desire off until I have my own office. I have this strange need to own hardcopies of all my movies. They take up so much space, but I love having them, even though buying them digitally is so much easier. I love to collect anything dragon/phoenix oriented: pictures, knives, lamps. I love it all.
(LibrarianMouse: I always wanted to collect swords too... but since I'm so clumsy I don't think that would be a good idea for my life).

*Three songs that have a special meaning to you*
- Otis Redding - Sitting by the Dock of the Bay
- Eminem - Going Through Changes
- Hedley - One Life
(LibrarianMouse: Curious? Click on the names to go and watch them in Youtube ;) ).

*Three things you would like to share with us*
- I have an unhealthy obsession with cereal. I don’t know where it came from or how it started, but I could eat it three times a day and be perfectly happy.
- I re-watch the movies I love over and over again, and I have since I was a child. When I was little, I’d rent a movie for the weekend and as soon as it was over, I’d rewind it and start it again. This would happen every two hours for the entire weekend. The most common one that comes to mind is Labyrinth.
- Exiled was the first thing I ever wrote. I had no intention of ever writing a novel, let alone publishing a book. It was a passion that was discovered completely by accident, and it’s one of the best things to have ever happened to me.

(LibrarianMouse: And we are thankful for that accident).

* And since my blog is called “Librarian Mouse” I have to ask: do you like cheese? If so, what’s your favorite one? Or favorite dish with cheese?*
Yes! I love cheese. Melted on everything. My favorite cheese is Marble, because I can’t decide between cheddar and mozza, and I love nachos, pizza, baked lasagna, ugh, there’s no way to pick just one. Oh, I also LOVE feta. Especially on pizza.
(LibrarianMouse: I'm sure one day cheese will take over the world... I mean, who doesn't like cheese?!).

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The Review



Release

by M.R. Merrick
Series: The Protector #3
Release date: 8th December, 2012
Publisher: M.R. Merrick
Pages: 349 (ebook copy given by the author in exchange of an honest review)
Summary from Goodreads:

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems.

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especially regarding Rayna.

One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past - sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

Review By Alaiel Kreuz:

Third books in a series are always dangerous because they have the power to make you love the series even more or hate it so much and so suddenly that chances are you will never continue with it.
If that is your fear then don't worry. You will experience a lot of different emotions while reading this book, but you will embrace them.

Let me start with the hero of the story because yes, Chase deserves a whole paragraph more than anyone. I mean, if you've read the first two books you know how much he has suffered, how much he has lost and how much he cares for the ones that follow him no matter what.
But like a human guy he is he has flaws, specially his temper, that more than often has puts him and everyone else in trouble.
In this book, gladly for him (and for me too!) he begins to control himself so well that I would have hug the guy if I could. I've seen him change step by step and I'm so freaking proud of him!

As for his companions... where to begin with? See, the problem is this: Mr.Merrick has this amazing ability of telling not only one story but a lot of small stories inside a big one so by the end of each book you know so much about so many characters and develop feelings for all of them that is impossible to write with coherence (as you may have noticed already...).

Anyway, let's continue with Rayna. She is not only Chase's love interest, she is a shifter, a wicht and a kickass heroine. She has it all! Her comebacks are always clever and full of strength and she is always ready to back up Chase and help him reach their common goal.
In a single sentence: when I grow up I want to be like her.

Then we have Willy, of course. Who doesn't remember Willy? He was this scared kid that always managed to get in trouble and became a punching bag very often. But don't misjudge him, things have changed a lot for him since book two. He is now a shifter too and he is becoming stronger, not only in the outside but also inside of him. As he begins to find his place in this world his confidence makes him so cute and irresistible!

Tikki deserves huge mention here since we, finally, get to read about his past. And it was heartbreaking. But let me tell you something: I admire Tikki since book one for one thing only, he is loyal. Fiercely loyal. And I appreciate it so much that his other qualities like being the voice of reason and his boldness are even better.

Marcus has also a great role as Chase's father figure because, let's face it, most people need a figure to follow and Chase's real dad, Riley, sucked at it. Thank goodness Marcus exists, that's all I'm going to say.

Of course, I can't forget to mention Vincent. I don't know how but this man has won a place in my heart, even if my head does not agree with it. Because, to be honest, I'm not sure I trust him yet. Saying that I enjoyed his bigger role in this book and I'm dying to know what the future holds for him.

Finally, the plot! Guys, I love you all and trust me when I say that this is going to hurt me a lot, but I have to say it: Would you read the book already? Pretty please? I need someone to talk about it right now!!! Yes, I'm desperate. Want to know why? Let's see, first of all, the pace was great, nothing was rushed and I got to enjoy every second of the adventure.
Then of course we have the twists, and there were plenty. Whenever I thought "Ha! Now I got it, I just KNOW what's is going on, you won't fool me again, Mr.Merrick!" a new twist would prove me wrong and I would look at all of it again and realize that, heck, the real answer was there all along!
As for the ending, remember to grab a tissue. Maybe a lot. Because I cried like a baby during 10 minutes and re-read the last pages a dozen times just to make sure I wans't imagining things. I mean, Mr.Merrick, how could you?! I get why but... why?!

Sadness aside my final sentence is: I can't encourage you enough to read this series. Action, adventure, romance, drama, clever dialogues... is there anything more you may need? Originality maybe? The Protector series has it too!

Alaiel's Rating:


If you really liked it, you can order it here:

You can find M. R. Merrick here:


The Giveaway

As for the amazing giveaway going on... you won't believe what we have in storage for you!

Grande Prize Pack (3 Winners)
3x Signed paperbacks (Exiled, Shift, Release)
3x Signed 8x10 posters (Exiled, Shift, Release)
5x Bookmarks
1x Notebook (Winner’s choice of cover)
1x Magnet

Runner-up Prize Pack (5 Winners)
1x Signed paperback (Winner’s choice of Exiled, Shift, or Release) with signed poster
1x bookmark (Winner’s choice)
1x Magnet

Secondary Prizes A (10 Winners)
Release eBooks

Secondary Prize B (10 Winners)
1x bookmark (winner’s choice)
1x The Protector magnet

And if you want more chances to win (and you love Twitter and Fecebook) there will be multiple opportunities to win signed paperbacks, signed posters, notebooks, swag packs, and bookmarks throughout the tour on both Twitter (@MRMerrick) and the Facebook Fan Page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Remember to share the love and leave a comment ;)

Huge thanks to Valerie @ Stuck in Books from for organizing this great blog tour and all her effort!

13 comments:

  1. Fave mythological creature is a tie between vampire and shifters. Ever since I was young, I always wanted to be a vampire because they were always beautiful...especially Kiefer Sutherland in The Lost Boys! And I love shifters because they are half man, half beast and while in human form, their inner beast makes them more feral...and sexy!

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  2. I love this post! Great job. Thanks for being part of the tour.

    Valerie
    StuckInBooks.com

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  3. Wow, this was a great post! Kind of long but I loved it! The Top Three List was great, in fact, is the second time I see you doing something like this and I want more!
    As for the series I've read the frist two books and you just convince me to read the third one ;)

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  4. Ahhh!!! I forgot to mention my favorite mythical creature! Sorry!
    So, I would have to say that's Cerberus. First because I sometimes imagine him as a big, scary, oh-my-god-i-have-to-run dog and other times I just think he is plain cute xD

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  5. Necromancers. I love that they can speak to the dead people.

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  6. Cthulhu for sure!!

    earthdancedaph@yahoo.com

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  7. Great post! I love that Matt started the Women of the Otherworld series. It's one of my favorites! I think they're going to be doing a TV series in Canada, so that's cool for him! I hope they bring it to the US too :-)

    I keep reading from other bloggers about this sad ending...I'm so not looking forward to that part, whatever it may be. Why Matt?! I will have tissue ready for sure.

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  8. I've always loved unicorns because they're so pretty :)

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  9. Dragons! For their power & beauty.

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  10. hmmmmm About Games, These are tough, because a lot of people don’t love RPGs but I love, As for the series I've read the first two books and you just convince me to read........

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  11. hmmmmm I cried like a baby during 10 minutes and re-read the last pages a dozen times just to make sure I wasn't imagining things and I mean,.,..... how could you??????????

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  12. Wawooo that`s a great info ad many more thanks for the information...

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  13. PLease let me know that who doesn't remember Willy? He was this scared kid that always managed to get in trouble and became a punching bag very often. But don't misjudge him, things have changed a lot for him since book two.,.,.,.,thanks

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Something to share? (cheese would be awesome!) I love to read your comments :]