The Hands of Tarot Tour, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway

Hey everyone today we have a stop on The Hands of Tarot blog tour. I have a review,excerpt and a giveaway for you all to check out. First up the blurb and excerpt.

The Hands of Tarot

Series: The Hands of Tarot
SM Blooding
Available: August 7, 2012
Format: E-book & Paperback
Genre: YA Steampunk (Mature)
Length: 316 pages in paperback
Review formats: Mobi, E-pub, Smashwords
              All available for free download via Dropbox
            Paperbacks available for US residents only

Blurb:
She killed his father.
She imprisoned and beat him.
And now she thinks he’s her trophy.
Synn El’Asim will do almost anything to prove her wrong. But he’s only proving her right.
Queen Nix awakened his Mark of power and inducted him into the House of Wands. She knew what she was doing. The son of the two most powerful Families standing against her is the ultimate prize.
What she didn’t take into consideration was that maybe he was too strong for her.
Maybe.
The  Families aren’t. They’ve been weakened, and it’ll take a lot more than one young man with a powerful Mark to take on the Hands of Tarot.

Excerpt

Queen Nix turned to me and smiled. “Do you wish to declare war, little boy?”

“Let them go,” I commanded, my voice ragged. “What have they done to you?”

She stalked toward me, her nose nearly touching mine, all semblance of beauty twisted with rage. “They refused to submit to me.”

I stared at her aghast, my hands clenched, my jaw tight. “So because you couldn’t control them, you’re going to destroy them?”

The rage turned cold across her features as she drew away, her shoulders back.

“Are you so weak?” The muscles in my cheek twitched.

Father took a step toward us. “Perhaps we can reach a mutual agreement.”

Someone in the cage screamed, the scream turning to ravaged sobs.

I let out a growl. “You will stop this!”

The queen turned her eagle-eyed stare to me. “I do not take orders from a mere boy.”

“Queen Nix,” my father started, “let us be reasonable.”

She took a step back and assessed him.

“The Umira have never been a harmful Family.” My father’s hands were wide at his side, his expression open. “They have always lived in peace with the Hands.”

Her eyes flared and she advanced on him. “You’ve allied yourself with them.”

Father’s eyes widened as he took a half step back.

I watched in alarm, unsure what to do. My father was the strongest man I knew.

The queen grabbed his coat and pulled his face close to hers. “The Umira have always been a peaceful Family, so imagine my surprise when they assaulted us with cannons and weapons.”

“They have the right to defend themselves, Nix.”

“Not against me.” She pushed him away and turned to her gathering guard. “Take him and his heathen son. Throw them on the pyre.”

My father drew his sword and faced the guard. “Go, Synn, now!”

Our men drew their weapons and stood by his side.

“I’m not leaving you, Father.” My sword was in my hand. I was ready to die an honorable death by my father’s side.

He backhanded me and roared, “You will protect our people, Synn El’Asim.”

I was torn. I wanted so badly to fight beside him, to protect him.

But my father had given me an order. One I could not ignore.

I turned and ran.

My Review

A lot of people are always asking for a new type of book to pick up and read.Well I can say here you go. This is a steampunk book with a dark side, fantastic worlds and magic. Sounds different doesn't it. Synn is a boy who lives in a world were The Hand takes children from their families as soon as their mark appears. Their mark gives them a power that The Hand wants. Synn is a late bloomer and doesn't have a mark or power. It finally appears when the evil Queen Nix kills his father. It couldn't have come at a worse time. It puts him in the eye of Queen Nix and she wants to turn him to her side. He is special because he has a different power than most. Even when the Queen tortures him with all types of horrors he still doesn't break. Synn finds another group of people like him who want one thing. To break free of her evil reign.

Synn is such an amazing character you can not help but want the best for him. He goes through so much torture which you get to read all about. It doesn't break him but makes him so much stronger and really shapes who he becomes. Queen Nix now here we have the perfect villain. She is such an evil woman and lets nothing stand in the way of what she wants. This is someone you can love to hate.

This book started off slow. It was slow enough that I put it down a few times. I didn't want to give up on it so I kept reading. Well once it took off it was so awesome. The author does a fantastic job building up the world you are reading about. From the different cities each with their own culture, technology, and general way of life. As I read more and more the slow beginning made more sense. It was letting you get inside Synn's head before the badness begun. I love the flying airships and all the steam punk aspects you get as you slowly draw yourself into this world. It is told from Synn's POV so that is something you don't get a lot of as well a male POV. The Queens are a different touch and I love reading about them. Like I said if you want something new to try here it is.
4 out of 5 Bats~Pam

About the Author:
SM Blooding lives in Colorado with her pet rock, Rockie, their new addition, Mr. Bird, who’s a real bird. She likes to hike the beautiful Rocky Mountains, and is learning to play the piano and guitar. Currently, she’s trying to MURDER them both. Friends call her Frankie.
She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers and US Government assassins. Yes. She has stories.
She’s also an investigator with a 
local paranormal investigation group, Colorado Paranormal Rescue!
Find out more about her at:
Twitter Facebook Website/blog
Book Links
Amazon – Kindle
Amazon – Paperback B&N – Paperback
Autographed copy

Now for the giveaway.

Gledé will be awarding a Tarot Doll of their choice to a randomly drawn commenter (US/Canada Only) during the tour More information: http://www.smblooding.com/ht1-order-tarot-doll-autographed-book

Be sure to comment below and leave your email so if you win they can contact you.

You can follow the rest of the tour and comment on each stop to better your chances. The link to the tour is below.

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/10/virtual-review-tour-hands-of-tarot-by.html

Thank you for stopping by!~Pam