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Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Book Review: Pictures of Dorianna by Catherine Stine + giveaway

Pictures of Dorianna
by Catherine Stine
October 23, 2019
Genre: Urban Fantasy, YA paranormal romance
Publisher: Konjur Road Press
ISBN: 978-1-7333901-0-1
eBook: 978-1-7333901-1-8
ASIN: B07WGB5HQ6
Number of pages: 327
Word Count: 90k
Cover Artist: Najla Qamber
Internet followers, beauty, power. It all sounded good. Until it transformed into a terrifying reality Dorianna couldn’t stop. New twist on Dorian Gray with the first-ever female lead!

Internet followers, beauty, power. It all sounded good.

Until it transformed into a terrifying reality she couldn’t stop.

When her father is jailed, her mother ships lonely, plain Dorianna to her aunt’s in Brooklyn, NY. There, Dorianna yearns to build a new identity, but the popular Lacey bullies her—mostly for getting attention from her ex, Ander.

Ander takes Dorianna to Coney Island where Wilson, a videographer, creates a stunning compilation of her. She dreams of being an online sensation, as she’s never even had a birthday party, and vows she’d give anything to go viral. Wilson claims he’s the Prince of Darkness and offers her the beauty and fame, even love she’s dreamed of—warning her that a pledge has its downsides. Dorianna has no idea of how dire those consequences might be.

She’s thrust into the spotlight, and an incomprehensible nightmare. Not only is she prettier, she’s gaining harmful powers of manipulation. When her dark forces grow beyond anything she can control, she’s desperate but clueless as to how to stop them.


Adolescence is never easy, added to that hell is a father in jail and relocation. Dorianna did not have a normal childhood and got used to living outside the norm, but when she moves in with her aunt, she desires not just a normal life, but a supreme life. Be careful what you wish for......

This was a great YA read, I enjoyed the characters and the development of the story, there was a lot of creative license taken to bring Dorianna to new highs and lows and it is overall effective and a fun book.

4 sheep





Jo Dawson
 

Excerpt:
Wilson taps impatiently on the keypad. “You want beauty and youth forever, Dorianna? I can give you that. Power over those mean girls; over a lot of people? It’s yours for a price. Just say it.” His eyes are golden and black and red all at once, like unearthly spears, piercing through me. I’m dizzy. I need fresh air now. But I want this promise more than anything. Ever.

“What’s the price?” I rasp.

Wilson’s stare burns into me. “Can’t say exactly. But there always is.” His words are ice and fire. Flutters of snowflakes pattering silently under my skin that melt into scorching sparks.

I follow an irrepressible urge to stand up, and look down on Wilson with his narrow, feral face and piercings. I need Ander to look at me with that passion. I need those hater girls put in their place. I need a friend, and for people to want to be with me all of the time, to never be bored. Only to love me.

It’s worth any price.

A powerful force in me breaks loose, as if a flu bug is racing rampant down my spine.

“Would you… give your soul?” Wilson’s whisper invades my gut, my brain.

Ander’s aching gaze from our time at the beach shimmers in front of me. Enticing. I can almost feel his kiss. Like water. Drink it in. I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want this. “I’d give anything for power, easy youth and beauty.” My voice comes from all around me, spreading, gluey on my skin. “Yes, I’d even give my… soul.”

The air spirals into a funnel, draining all oxygen from the room with a hiss.

So, so, soul.

In an instant, new air swoops in, suffused with rich, delicious minerals. I gulp it in, openmouthed, so very thirsty. “To be seen and accepted,” I murmur.

Wilson goes head to head with me. “Forget about just being accepted. How about having a following of millions, going viral?”

“Really?” I’m whirling. “Going viral.” Wilson’s promises are golden brands, anointing me, conferring an otherworldly legitimacy I’ve never, ever felt. How does he manage to do this?

Ander returns with the brownies. I luxuriate in the sexy new glint he’s giving me. “Something feels different in here,” he notes. “It’s colder.” He puts the brownies down. Who needs sweets when he’s looking at me like this? Is this vow a real thing? Is it already working?

An unfamiliar power in me swells with precarious danger and weight as I study Ander and Wilson. Abruptly, I’m flung out of my body, inexplicably looking down on them as pitiful peons who will someday worship at my feet.

As two of the very, very many.

Then, I’m back inside myself stunned by how I was seeing them. The room seems to rush with the force of souls washing through, and I flinch when I hear them moaning. I tell myself it’s only the whir, whir of the hard drives.


About the Author:
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Catherine Stine is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fantasy, sci-fi thrillers, paranormal romance and young adult fiction. Her novels have earned Indie Notable awards and New York Public Library Best Books for Teens. She lives in Manhattan and loves spending time with her beagle, writing about witches and other fabulous creatures, gardening on her deck, and meeting readers at book fests.


GIVEAWAY
1 $35 gift card 
1 signed copy of Pictures of Dorianna (USA only) 
1 Pictures of Dorianna coffee cups! (USA only) 
1 ebook of Witch of the Cards (historical fantasy) 
1 ebook of Ghosts of Fire (fantasy anthology, includes story ‘Rollerskate Boys’) 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

17 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for both the book description and giveaway as well. I enjoy hearing about another good book

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  2. I love the story of Dorian Gray and there aren't many out there modernized. Loved his character in the Penny Dreadful tv series. Can't wait to read!

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    1. Cool! I'll be curious as to what you think of this twist!

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  3. Sounds like a very interesting book.

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  4. Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the great post.

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  5. Wow! A new twist on Dorian Gray with a female lead? I'm definitely going to have to check this out!

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  6. Sounds interesting and the book cover looks amazing.

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  7. Love the cover, sounds like my kind of book

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