Thursday 30 June 2016

COVER REVEAL - 5 CHANCES - OUTCAST SERIES BY B. AUSTIN

Title: 5 Chances 
Series: Outcast, #2
Author: B. Austin 
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult
Publication date: September 13th 2016 

BLURB supplied by Xpresso Book Tours
Ivory vows to find out more about what is going on at Dead Horse Bay but she wrecked the Renegade and must find a rogue replacement, a fixer-upper boat someone threw away a long time ago. Ivory is a Smuggler, a member of one of the Outcast underground groups of New York City.
Ivory is obsessed with saving Outcasts from vanishing from the Commonwealth of Earth. She has smuggled an Outcast out of Dead Horse Bay, but can she smuggle herself in to learn more about the secrets the Commonwealth is hiding?
Or perhaps the answers she and her friends seek are in Lockup, the dreaded insane asylum Outcasts are dragged to when they have accumulated 50 demerits. At Lockup is the Mortuary, a tunnel leading into darkness. All Ivory must do to be throw into Lockup is to act even more rebellious and gain the attention of Behavior Drones and the FRE (Fanatic Rule Enforcers).
Ivory will do whatever it takes to save herself and her friends from extinction in a world where people have become immortal, except for Outcasts, the thorn in the Commonwealth’s side.
5 Chances is the second book in the Outcast series.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
Author B. Austin writes Dystopian and Science Fiction Books. She is the author of the Young Adult Dystopian series Defective.

AUTHOR LINKS 



Wednesday 29 June 2016

REVIEW - IMMUREMENT - THE UNDERGROUNDERS SERIES BY NORMA HINKENS

Title: Immurement
Series: The Undergrounders Series
Author: Norma Hinkens
Genre: Sci-Fi, Dystopian,Post-Apocalyptic, Futuristic,Romance
Release Date: 9th December 2015

BLURB from Goodreads
The Sweepers are coming. They hunt the young. Earth's end is her beginning. 

Sixteen-year-old Derry and her brother live in perpetual fear of capture. They survive underground on a scorched earth overrun by gangs, clones, and mysterious hoverships. When her brother goes missing, Derry’s only hope of finding him is to strike a deal with a group of cutthroat subversives. Desperate to save her brother, she leads a daring raid to uncover the secrets behind the Sweepers’ hoverships, but she soon finds out the world she knows is a lie. 

Keeping her brother alive may require trusting her enemy and opening her heart to something she never thought possible. 


PURCHASE LINKS

INITIAL THOUGHTS
I am looking forward to reading this one, and checking out the bunker map etc. This one sounds like a great post apocalyptic read and as I recently joined Norma Hinkens Street Team it was about time I read one of her books!"

THOUGHTS WHILST READING
9%  "Instantly hooked!"
14%  "Oh no! where is Owen? ... Can the mountain man prepper Big Ed, ex military man Mason help Derry to find n rescue her brother Owen?"
31%  "What is up in the rafters and will it lessen the danger Derry is in or male things worse and increase. I think I know who/what it could be.....?"
50%  "Oh no! **** shot! What a tear jerker scene."
65%  "so much action in this book.....but sad parts too...I keep thinking What now? What else can happen to Derry..."
74%  "So where are Owen & Jakob, can they trust anything the revolting. decaying Dr Lyong tells them, is he giving away any truthful information, or is he merely playing mind games with them?"
84%  "Whose hand is giving Derry tingles?? Jacob's? Mason's ?or Sven's maybe?"

REVIEW
I downloaded a free via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover has a female dressed in practical trousers and clothes in colours that fade into the landscape. She also has her hair fastened back in plait, and has her hand up to her head looking off into the distance. The surrounding landscape looks desolate and there's smoke from a possible fire in the distance. Would the cover make me pick this book up to learn more about it? I'd be sure to pick this one up from a bookstore shelf after looking at the post apocalyptic feel of the cover.
The over view of the book is that a "meltdown" occurred and now society is separated. There are two main types of humanity still in existence the undergrounder's, and the sweepers.
The undergrounder's have a fairly bleak existence, living in underground bunkers in small communities and only really going above ground at night to hunt for food etc when the skies are free of the air crafts that carry the dreaded sweepers.
The sweepers reside in Craniopolis, a place of scientific work and experimentation. There are lots of rumours and tale tales about what actually does go on there. The sweepers use their special aircraft (called Hovermedes)to fly around the areaand spot and capture any young (teenaged) remaining human survivors. When one is spotted, the unlucky teen is targeted by a sedation dart and then a long tube is sent down from the hovermedes toliterally suck up their body.
The main characters are 16 year old Derry Connolly who lives in  the under ground bunker in her families section of the bunker with her 18year old brother Owen, her Da and their fiercely loyal and protective dog Tucker. Derry's mother died and her father has never been the same turning to drink and really leaving the difficulties of this life to Owen and Derry.Other occupants of their bunker are a group of Sephites, who are a peace loving, quiet, traditionalist race of religious people used to living an "off grid" simplistic lifestyle. Derry has been having a secret flirtation/relationship with Jakob Miller. Her brother Owen teases her about the fact she has grown her hair and now wears it in a plait because Jakob likes her with long hair. The leader of their bunker is a young teenager called Prentice Carter (Prat behind his back!) who was guaranteed his place in the bunker due to his families financial status prior to the meltdown.
It is a precarious and tough existence that faces any survivors of the "meltdown". There's a sort of simmering tension all the way through the book. The thing that really sparks off the chain of events that give this book is great story is that a young teen called Sam who lives in  a nearby bunker has been taken by the sweepers! It seems that there are more and more sweepers that are catching and kidnapping increasing numbers of teens. In fact it's almost like these sweepers know exactly where to go to find the teens. Could they be being tipped off by a "bunker snitch"?. That is what Frank also from Sam's bunker has come to discuss with Derry's bunker occupants. It's decided that Frank will return to his bunker and will be followed later by a group of people from Derry's bunker to discuss the latest developments.It is this planned trip that begins the chain of events that will change Derry's life forever as she learns of her brothers disappearance and she then finds herself to be part of a mission to Craniopolis she wouldn't have thought she would have dreamt of undertaking.
So I guess I should tell you a little about Craniopolis . . . it's a large settlement, with scientists at the helm of it. These scientists have been given permission by the government to find a way for humanity to go on in some form. 
The scientists have been experimenting with genetics and the like creating extra strong beings that form a kind of army which enables the scientists to capture more subjects to work on and in their opinion improve. Another source of "being" to be experimented on was also supplied by the government (but you'll read about them in the book for yourself). Not all the scientists experiments work which lead to a society of "deviations" who exist in Craniopolis. 
The final type of survivor in this book are the Rogues which are the "bad guys" out for themselves, looking to steal, kill or do whatever is necessary for them to have an easier life in general. 
There is a growing necessity for something to be done to stop the sweepers and in turn the scientists. Who will band with who for the greater good? Can such an alliance ever work? Can Craniopolis ever be beaten? Is it possible to enter Craniopolis to rescue those who have been kidnapped? And if you do find them will they still be human enough to want to escape?Lots and lots of questions raised throughout the book that have clues to the answers within the action packed chapters of this book. The pace of the book is fast, there is always something happening as well as the scene being set for the next event to take place. I became hooked into this book after a mere 9%. I was sure I was going to love it and I did. I smiled, chuckled, smirked, puzzled and teared up on more than one occasion. I do love the dystopic & post apocalyptic genre's but this book doesn't just slot in to those genre's. The book has action, adventure, betrayal, danger, emotion, some romance, as well as also having futuristic, sci-fi elements too. The book also has everyone different backgrounds, their lives, the reasons why they are what they are.
If I were to choose favourite characters (well I can't just choose only one!!) who would they be and why? The first and main favourite would have to be .....Derry, the girl trying to keep her family together and alive, still too young for the responsibilities of the world after the meltdown. Derry is both a tough kick butt character who does still have a soft emotional side as well as a well defined sense of what is right and wrong. I love her relationship with her brother Owen, thinking she knows everything about him and what he does. She is both younger sister to him, yet at the same time tries to look after him as their mother is no longer around. I even teared up at Derry's relationship with her father.
Finally I also love the character's of Mason and Sven who appears tough, capable, a great fighter, yet is there a softer side to them. I also cannot end my review without mentioning the most loyal,protective,, mood lifting Tucker.
Did I enjoy this book? Totally adored the book. This book made me want to put off those chores, turn off the TV and curl up and read! Would I recommend the book? Definitely and you really don't have to be a big dystopic or post apocalyptic fan/reader. I think there are many readers that this book will suit. Would I like to read more of this Series? Yes, I have to read more of this series!I have BK2 on my kindle ready to read and Bk3 is right there on my WTRW/MH List (Want To Read Wishlist/ Must Have List). Would I want to read other books by this author? I would always take a closer look at anything written by this author, after reading this book.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Highly addictive, action packed, drama & emotion filled read! Highly recommend reading this one. Loved it! I now need to organise some time to read the next book in this series!
I really could go on and on and on about this book.



Tuesday 28 June 2016

SERIES PROMOTION - THE JOURNALS OF MEGHAN MCDONNELL

Volume one spans her eighth year through age 17; reflections on family, friendship, education, a stint at survival camp and coming of age. 
Title: Minor
Series: The Journals of Meghan McDonnell
Author: Meghan McDonnell
Release Date: 18th December 2015

BLURB from Goodreads
Minor is the first installment of the personal journals in which, for over 20 years, writer Meghan McDonnell has chronicled her life beginning at age eight through present day. With searing candor and tenderness, her musings on daily life and observations of family, social and romantic relationships coalesce in a commentary on growing up, facing down passion and fear, and American life in the 21st century. Wide in scope and vivid in detail, her journals are her confessional love letter to the world. Join her on a fearless, vulnerable, sometimes painful and quixotic, but always honest journey, also known as the human experience. Readers who love Cheryl Strayed or Karl Ove Knausgaard will enjoy this author. 


PURCHASE LINKS

Volume two of this addictive and vicarious series spans her freshman year of college, first love, a trip to Australia, and navigating young adulthood, living on her own among peers.
Title: Novice
Series: The Journals Of Meghan McConnell
Author: Meghan McDonnell
Release Date: 17th December 2015

BLURB from Goodreads
Novice is the second installment of the personal journals in which, for over 20 years, writer Meghan McDonnell has chronicled her life beginning at age eight through present day. With searing candor and tenderness, her musings on daily life and observations of family, social and romantic relationships coalesce in a commentary on challenges, facing down passion and fear, and American life in the 21st century. Wide in scope and vivid in detail, her journals are her confessional love letter to the world. Join her on a fearless, vulnerable, sometimes painful and quixotic, but always honest journey, also known as the human experience.Readers who love Cheryl Strayed or Karl Ove Knausgaard will enjoy this author.

Goodreads Link

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US
Amazon UK


Volume three of this addictive and vicarious series spans her search for identity, grappling with life choices and heart ache, and plans for travel to Europe.
Title: Limbo
Series: The Journals Of Meghan McDonnell
Author: Meghan McDonnell
Release Date: 17th December 2015

BLURB from Goodreads
Limbo is the third installment of the personal journals in which, for over 20 years, writer Meghan McDonnell has chronicled her life beginning at age eight through present day. With searing candor and tenderness, her musings on daily life and observations of family, social and romantic relationships coalesce in a commentary on challenges, facing down passion and fear, and American life in the 21st century. Wide in scope and vivid in detail, her journals are her confessional love letter to the world. Join her on a fearless, vulnerable, sometimes painful and quixotic, but always honest journey, also known as the human experience.Readers who love Cheryl Strayed or Karl Ove Knausgaard will enjoy this author. 

Goodreads Link

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US
Amazon UK


GUEST POST
My Writing Process
by 
Meghan McDonnell

When I was eight years old, I abandoned drawing and painting in favor of writing. I’m 36 now and in the intervening 28 years, my writing process has changed very little. I pick up a pen and my journal and I sit down to write. I don’t schedule it. I intuitively know when I need to. It tugs at me. Often, I will write every day for a two-week spell, then go days without it. I get an itch for it when it’s been longer than three days. If I go too long, irritation builds up in me and I have even gotten physically ill from not writing. I have never felt like writing is a choice or a hobby. It’s more like a woman who is always with me, sometimes whispering and gentle, sometimes forceful and abrupt. She demands that I put my life down on paper.
My writing habits are seasonal and cyclical. In winter, I write in the mornings. In summer, I like to write at night. Sometimes, the busier I am, the more I feel compelled to write. The tension of not being able to whenever I want to due to work, social events, and other commitments makes me crave it more. I drink tea or coffee and water when I write in the mornings and I sip beer or wine when I write at night. I’ve never experienced writers’ block. Everyday minutiae, soulful questions about the human condition, and everything in between inspire me to put pen to paper. I constantly read, listen to music and NPR shows or podcasts, and watch films and television shows, each of which give me more fodder for thought and writing.

Many writers have said that they don’t like writing itself, but that they like having written. I see it quite differently. I like the writing itself. It is healing, confessional, cathartic, and therapeutic. It’s an opportunity to work out in myself what I can’t control in my life. It allows me to process my external and internal experiences: conversations, observations, interactions, and my own inner world. I forget myself when I write, leaving the world behind until I am in an almost meditative state, given over to a mysterious sea where I can swim for a while.

While the writing itself is not a choice, publishing my work was and is. It’s an experiment. I have to believe readers are out there who want to read an ongoing account of what goes on inside an ordinary woman’s mind and heart. I pray that my words are of use to people: to comfort, entertain, and relieve them. The journals are simply a world for someone to walk into briefly, have a look around, reflect and relate, and then get on with their life. I have feared that this is self-indulgent, narcissistic navel gazing, but a deeper purpose spurs me and I refuse to give in to insecurity or ambivalence. I must keep working at this calling. I have at least 25 more volumes to type, edit, and publish.

A new avenue I’m just now getting acquainted with and overcoming anxiety about is blogging and writing articles for online platforms such as Medium and Reddit. Working on short-form pieces is new for me and I’m excited about the whole process. It’s an opportunity to get more of my writing in to the world, let more readers know about the journals, and for me to interact with awesome people.

The publishing process taps on an entirely different part of my brain and requires far more discipline than writing. I have lists, tasks, and self-appointed deadlines to keep me on track. I appreciate the contrast between the emotionality of writing and the practicality of publishing. When I get tired of working in one realm, I switch back to the other. I am never bored. Between writing in my journal, typing the manuscripts for each volume, editing, designing covers, researching marketing, and reaching out to potential readers, I have my work cut out for me and it suits me to a T. It only took me my entire adult life to get here and while it isn’t always easy, I am blessed and grateful.


I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. I love all aspects of being a writer, even when it’s challenging, emotionally draining, and the road is long. I get to experience the freedom and power of the written word, be a romantic dreamer, and let out the parts of me that thrive on being an organized taskmaster. I get to share who I am with the world and interact with warm, generous, insightful people. I get to live a life I love.


Monday 27 June 2016

SERIES PROMOTION & REVIEW - CORNERED - HOLLOWAY PACK BY J.A. BELFIED

Title: Cornered
Series: Holloway Pack
Author: J.A. Belfield
Release Date: 30th May 2016

BLURB from Goodreads
Daniel Larsen is playing a dangerous game, and he doesn't even know it.

A two-wheeled speedster. A little redhead in a bar. Evenings spent away from his pack. Innocent enough for most, but for Danny, the combination leads down a path of destruction and straight to a hell he doesn’t even see coming.

Entangled in a nightmare that started with his own brother and the cat he brought into their home, Dan’s driving himself toward a solitary existence—except for the curvaceous Olivia Fanella. Seduced by his new companion, and happy to ignore the divide growing between himself and the pack, Danny is oblivious to the trap being laid out for him. 

Before long, Danny's integrity gets questioned. His loyalty gets questioned. Hell, he even questions himself. 

On top of that, just when he believes life might be going a little better, he gets served the roughest shot he could never have imagined—not even in his worst nightmares—and Danny has no idea how to come back from a hit like that


PURCHASE LINKS

THE HOLLOWAY PACK SERIES

Instinct

Eternal

Darkness & Light

Fated Encounter

Into The Unknown
Review Link
(not read yet, I can't seem to find a copy to purchase anymore)

Blue Moon

Resonance

Hereditary

Caged

Unnatural

Enticed


MY REVIEW
Title: Cornered
Series: Holloway Pack
Author: J.A. Belfield
Release Date: 30th May 2016

BLURB from Goodreads
Daniel Larsen is playing a dangerous game, and he doesn't even know it.

A two-wheeled speedster. A little redhead in a bar. Evenings spent away from his pack. Innocent enough for most, but for Danny, the combination leads down a path of destruction and straight to a hell he doesn’t even see coming.

Entangled in a nightmare that started with his own brother and the cat he brought into their home, Dan’s driving himself toward a solitary existence—except for the curvaceous Olivia Fanella. Seduced by his new companion, and happy to ignore the divide growing between himself and the pack, Danny is oblivious to the trap being laid out for him. 

Before long, Danny's integrity gets questioned. His loyalty gets questioned. Hell, he even questions himself. 

On top of that, just when he believes life might be going a little better, he gets served the roughest shot he could never have imagined—not even in his worst nightmares—and Danny has no idea how to come back from a hit like that


Goodreads Link
Goodreads Series Link

INITIAL THOUGHTS
Of Course I'm sooo looking forward to the latest book in the Holloway Pack Series. I would say this series as a "must read" series for me now. I've read all the main books and most of the novella's too. I am definitely am a firm fan of the Holloway Pack and am looking forward to learning more about Daniel Larsen, I guess the book being centred on him means maybe he is going to find "the one"/ "his mate", as well as catching up with the rest of the pack and their mates too.

THOUGHTS WHILST READING
6%   who/,what is conspiring to stop me reading this book? first kindle app refuses to work on my tablet then get out kindle touch and that stops working and just shows me blank pages grrrr"

32%   What is really happening at the meetings between Connor and Mahgon? Will Mahgon see the test of the family? Can she somehow fit in with the pack? Also is Liv 'the one' for Danny? How would/could a relationship ever work between Danny & Liv? Will there be more additions to the pack/family?

48%   Love the fact Li is a normal size, everyday, type of girl.

REVIEW
I received a free e-copy of this book directly from the author J.A. Belfield, (I am also part of her street team which is called "J.A. Belfield's Hollerer's") in exchange for my honest review.
The cover shows what looks like a late night meeting between a couple in the woods. The cover also features a motorbike on it too.Would the cover of this book make me pick it up from a bookstore shelf? Yes, I would pick the book up on just my first impressions of the cover, to read the blurb and learn more about the book.
This book begins with Daniel Larsen feeling angry and irritated by the noisy lovers, Kyle and Brook. Much to Daniel's annoyance his brother Kyle and his "mate" Brook have not moved their relationship out of the honeymoon phase. Unfortunately for Dan their room is next to his so he can hear all their "bedroom antics" even without the special werewolf super hearing he has! It is not just that Kyle and Brook are making out all the time, Daniel still has reservations and negative feelings about Brook being a cat shifter. To avoid listening to, or looking at the love birds Daniel is going out more and more. Staying out late, drinking. To be fair his father understands and has reached out to his son to get him to open up and talk about his irritation, to try and come to a solution. Having a cat shifter as part of the pack is new territory for all the pack!
Daniel has even taken to going around to the pack alpha's house to sleep just to get some rest. He has been staying round there so much he has his own routine with Sean and Jem's baby daughter, Lia. He quite happily snuggles up in the spare bed and gives Lia her bottles.Jem and Sean are being as accommodating as possible but Sean does warn Daniel not to come into his daughter Lia's room to stay over and feed her whilst smelling like a brewery. 
It's whilst escaping all the "love" at home that Daniel rides his motorbike to the "Double H" as the locals call it.  It's actual name is "The Hang & Hide" and that's exactly what Daniel does there, "hangout" and "hide" from those at home! 
Whilst hanging out there he meets a mysterious young woman with lots of unruly red hair. She is different from the other women in the bar, she isn't looking for a guy, she just sits quietly in one of the booths writing. Later in the book this red head is described as a curvier read headed Marilyn Monroe. Which really helped me to visualize Liv easily.
The other woman that catches Daniels eye, is what he would describe as a blonde bombshell  who is sooo obvious flirting with any and every guy in the place meaning the blonde is certainly not Dan's type at all!
Daniel's relationships at home and with the rest of the pack are definitely suffering from all his new habits of staying as far away and drinking more alcohol. It's not like he really deep down hates his brother Kyle or even Brook. The problem is Brook is a cat, and a newcomer to the pack and of course she is taking Kyle's attention too when Daniel has been used to having access to his brother as a pack member. Kyle's relationship with Brook has made him less available and/or interested in hanging out with his brother Daniel.
Daniel, like the other males in the Holloway Pack are very gentlemanly, so after a long night out, returning to his motorbike and see's the blonde from the Hang and Hide being harassed. Naturally Daniel goes to her rescue. . . but at the very same time this gentlemanly act land him in much more trouble than he could even ever imagine. An old enemy from the Pack's past is back and this time she wants to make sure she gets herself a werewolf to do whatever she pleases with. The Pack end up calling in favours from other supernaturals that they would prefer not to deal with. When someone important to Dan is in danger Brooke doesn't hesitate to offer her help and go above and beyond to ensure this "person" is kept safe. Daniel then realises Brooke is hear to stay and totally loyal to both his brother and the pack as a whole. However now Daniel feel's responsible for the latest danger that has arrived to test the pack. Daniel attempts to be the hero and keep his pack brother out of danger but things go badly wrong and Daniel is attacked in a way he will never forget. Daniel finds himself in a very serious, humiliating and highly dangerous situation. In fact it's right about the time he is quite literally tied up that he thinks about his recent behaviour and see's things in a different light. Without going into explicit detail Daniel is held prisoner and is made to produce certain "things" against his will that are then taken and are to be used to cause even more danger to the supernatural society. I can't really say much more without giving out super spoilers. The subject is an unusual, hypersensitive subject, that is both well written and portrayed very well by the author. 
What I can say is that in my opinion it will take a long time for Daniel to come to terms with what happened to him.
There is also a more pleasant face from the past that reconnects with the pack, their mothers sister, I think we will be seeing more of her in the future. It will be interesting to learn how she will fit into pack life and what she will and will not be told about her family.
I guess I should address the fact that these books are rather steamy in places and the "thing" that happens to Daniel is told in an explicit way but I also want to say that it is a genuine crucial part of the plot. I admit that the Holloway Pack Series can be a little steamy but again these scenes are always tastefully done and pat of a larger plot.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes, as I always do enjoy the Holloway Pack Series. Would I recommend the book? Yes, I'd recommend this series to shapeshifter/werewolf genre fans, especially to those who have read and enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's Women Of the Otherworld Series, Rachel Vincent's Shifter's Series, Karina Espinosa's Mackenzie Grey Series or Amanda Carlson's Jessica McClain Series. These are all fantastic shifter books.
Do I want to read another book in this series? Easy answer to this one Yes! Of course I do. Would I read other titles by this author? I have read other titles by J.A. Belfield and intend to keep reading them as long as she keeps writing them!

FINAL THOUGHTS
*Oh wow, you''ve done it once again J.A. Belfield yet another fantastic installment in the Holloway Pack Series! Just brilliant!



Saturday 25 June 2016

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - THE KILLING JAR - THE EXTRACTION FILES BY R.S. MCCOY

Title: The Killing Jar
Series: The Extraction Files
Author: R.S. McCoy
Release Date: 28th June 2016

BLURB supplied by the Author
Earth is dying, circling the drain on life support. The future of the human race depends on space exploration, but they’re running out of time. Parasitic insects are systematically killing the best scientific minds but no one knows why.
Mable Wilkinson is the last hope to figure it out, she just doesn’t know it yet. For years, her
resourcefulness, intelligence, and penchant for problem­solving have put her at the top of a very short list of researchers, only she doesn’t want to be part of it.
Cast out at sixteen, Mable wrote off the problems of the world long ago. Now, her focus is on
Hadley, her adopted little sister, and teaching her to survive in the cut­throat underground.
Instead, both Mable and Hadley fall into the hands of the program’s recruiter, Silas Arrenstein, and he’s determined to have one of them. Mable can join up with the man and program who killed her brother, or she can leave Hadley to the same fate.

CHARACTER PROFILE

TEASERS



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rachel McCoy is a Texan living in New Jersey. Between binge watching MTV reality shows and baking gluten free treats, she writes paranormal fantasy and science fiction novels. She is the self-published author of the Sparks Saga trilogy as well as numerous short stories, some of which now reside in anthologies. Back when she lived in the real world, Rachel earned a degree in marine biology, which contributed to her die-hard love of manta rays. 

AUTHOR LINKS