-Love of Books-

Review: Pure

2012-02-24T12:21:00.002-08:00

Title: Pure
Author: Julianna Baggott
Pub Date: February 8th, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central
Series: Pure, #1
Source: Publisher

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.

Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.

When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again. [Goodreads]

I've procrastinated on writingthis review for way too long. Pure...why is this so hard for me to write about? Why?! Don't misconstrue my difficulty of forming acoherent thought about this book as me not liking it. I did like it. I reallydid! It's just that Baggott's imagination has overloaded my brain (haha). This is one of those books that had me in aweof the author's ability to develop such a unique and disturbing world. I've read a lot of post apocalyptic books,but this is definitely one of the more grittier of the bunch. I love that.

The characters, the setting,the story, everything... are disturbing and shocking. I can't even tell you how many times I hadthe "what.. the... heck" reaction. I really like that. Also, I like how the author made some of thesituation seriously messed up, that there wasn't always a good or happy outcomefrom them. The reality of this world isharsh, and surviving in it isn't all rainbows and unicorns. And I appreciate that the small love interestsin the book doesn't take over the story. Another thing I liked were the creepy singsongs, they're dark anddisturbing. But really, aren't mostnursery rhymes through history kind of dark?

The book is told frommultiple POVs, but mainly Pressia and Partridge. Pressia is a 16-year-old girl who survived the Detonations. She has scars, just like everyone else doesfrom the Detonations. Her hand is fused in a doll head and the side of her faceis scared. I didn't love Pressia, but I didn't dislike her either. I liked herdetermination, and that she accepted certain situations even though she feltbad about them, instead of fighting over everything little thing. It just made her feel more... real. Thenthere is Partridge, an 18-year-old Pure. He was inside the Dome at the time ofthe Detonations, which protected him and others from the mutations and fusions.He's hasn't been outside the Dome since that day when he was just a little boy,and only learns about the things the Dome leaders allow. That is, until he discovers his mother may stillbe alive on the outside. I wasn't completely wow'd by Partridge, but I did like him. He was stronger than I expected him to be. And when Pressiaand Partridge paths cross, they are thrown into a situation that is waybigger than they could imagine.

Honestly, my favoritecharacters were Bradwell, El Captin, and Helmud. Bradwell is a rebel, and won't let history beforgotten or misconstrued. He hasinformation about what really happened before the Detonations, and knows thatthe Dome isn't all it appears to be. What is Bradwell fused with? Birds. Yes, real birds are fusedto his back. My other favoritecharacters, El Captin and Helmud... well, you'll just have to see. As weird and grotesque as it is, they made melaugh.

I could tell early on whatthe connection with Pressia and Partridge was, but it was still a wild ridefollowing them as they came to the conclusion. I look forward to reading thenext book in the series, because I need to know what the Dome plans to donext. I think this is a good book,especially if you want a more gritty.

Amazon | The Book Depository

Guest Post + Special Offer: The Book of Lost Fragrances

2012-02-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

The Book of Lost Fragrances tour is making a stop on the blog today. M.J. Rose is here with a guest post, so get to know her and the book. Also there is a special offer at the end of the post.

Synopsis:

Asweeping and suspenseful tale of secrets, intrigue, and lovers separated bytime, all connected through the mystical qualities of a perfume created in thedays of Cleopatra—and lost for 2,000 years.

Jac L’Etoile has always been haunted by the past, her memories infused with theexotic scents that she grew up surrounded by as the heir to a storied Frenchperfume company. In order to flee the pain of those remembrances—and of hermother’s suicide—she moves to America, leaving the company in the hands of herbrother Robbie. But when Robbie hints at an earth-shattering discovery in thefamily archives and then suddenly goes missing—leaving a dead body in hiswake—Jac is plunged into a world she thought she’d left behind.

Back in Paris to investigate her brother’s disappearance, Jac discovers asecret the House of L’Etoile has been hiding since 1799: a scent that unlocksthe mysteries of reincarnation. The Book of Lost Fragrances fuses history,passion, and suspense, moving from Cleopatra’s Egypt and the terrors ofrevolutionary France to Tibet’s battle with China and the glamour of modern-dayParis. Jac’s quest for the ancient perfume someone is willing to kill forbecomes the key to understanding her own troubled past.the ancient perfumesomeone is willing to kill for becomes the key to understanding her owntroubled past.

Guest Post:

M.J.Rose: I've been fascinated with lost fragrances since long before I startedwriting The Book of Lost Fragrances... since I found a bottle of perfume on mygreat grandmother's dresser that had belonged to her mother in Russia. Here isone of those lost fragrances that stirs the senses and the imagination...(reasearched and described with the helpof the perfume writer DimitriosDimitriadis)

GUERLAIN - ODE

The scentwhich memorialised the passing of the Perfumer's crown at Maison Guerlain in 1955 from grandfatherJacques to grandson Jean-Paul, Odestraddles the line between classic and modern perfume styles.

A rich floralcomposition with sharp green accords beneath, Ode is an olfactory aria to femininity itself, played out withaldehydes and velvety blooms. It remains the one perfume collaboration betweenthese two perfume greats; a moving and impassioned marriage of ideas, and - ofcourse - ages.

Author Bio:

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author ofeleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her next novel THE BOOKOF LOST FRAGRANCES (Atria/S&S) will be published in March 2012. Herfiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews includingOprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time,USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated fromSyracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in theMuseum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing companyfor authors - Authorbuzz.com. The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in theRenincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members ofInternational Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype. She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.comand BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, andtheir very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

Facebook | Website

Special Offer:

Discoverthe perfume inspired by The Book of Lost Fragrances

Pre-order The Book of Lost Fragrances and we'll send you a free sample of ÂmesSoeurs, the Scent of Soulmates. This exclusive fragrance, inspired by thenovel, was created by Joya Studios and is not yet for sale.

Just use one of the links to buy the book and then email the receipt, ora scan of it, to LostFragrances@gmail.com.Include 1) your name, and 2) snail mail address so we can send you thefragrance. (no post office box addresses, please!)

Offerends March 1 - but pre-order now since we have a limited number of supplieslast. US and Canada only.

To read more about Joya Studios, go to JoyaStudios.com

Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | Books-a-Million

Review: Partials

2012-02-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

Title: Partials
Author: Dan Wells
Pub Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Series: Partials, #1
Source: Publisher

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.
[Goodreads]

I love Dan Wells. This is thesecond book by him that I've read, and now he has two books on my favoriteslist. I knew Partials was going to be a good book, but I wasn't expecting tolove it so much. Yes, dystopian typebooks are running rampant now, but they are notcreated equal. This book is one of thebest! Wells has a writing style andhumor that is so perfect. I love that man's mind. Okay, I'll stop gushing over the author now.

The year is 2076, it hasbeen eleven years since the Break, and no new children survive past 56 hours. Humansmade organically engineered beings to fight wars. They look and act like humans to an extent,but they are not treated as humans. Whenthese perfect fighting machines turn on the humans, and a disease called RM isreleased, humans top the extinction list. With less than 40,000 people left who areimmune to RM, they retreat to Long Island and barricaded themselves there. With eleven years gone by, and not one childthat is born survives, people get desperate. The Senate enacts the Hope Act, which requires all girls at the age of18 to get pregnant, over and over, in the hopes that eventually one or morewill be born resistant to RM. In additionto this crisis, a civil war is looming with a group of humans called The Voicewho oppose the Hope Act and the governments control. Then something happensthat sets big changes in motion.

The characters are myfavorite part of this book. If you don'thave well written characters, then the book isn't going to be as good. The charactersin Partials are great. Kira is asixteen-year-old medical intern. She'ssmart, tough, and will fight for what she believes in, even if she knows shemay not survive. Her boyfriend Marcus ismy favorite character. I'm seriously head-over-heelfor him! He could put a smile on my faceduring the most intense scenes, and made me laugh throughout the entirebook.

Wells did a great job ofweaving the characters' relationships together, which made it so much morebelievable that they would risk their lives for their cause. Madison becomes pregnant, and everyone knowsthe baby will die. Kira can't allow thisto happen; Madison is her best friend and adoptive sister, so she'll dowhatever she can to save the baby, and ultimately the future of humanity. Evenif it means going into Partial territory and doing the unthinkable.

I just can't express enoughhow I loved everything about this book. I got so into it, that I brought up Google maps to "follow"where they were and where they were going, by using the descriptions in thebook. Sad, but true. I also loved the twists and secrets in thisbook. I did have a inkling at certainpoints about what one big twist was, but Wells does a great job of keeping youon your toes.

Do I recommend thisbook? Abso-freaking-lutely! I will bestalking the author, waiting for information on the next book in theseries. Read Partials! All of you!

Amazon | The Book Depository

Review Copy Cleanup: 2012 March

2012-02-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

I've cut down on accepting review requests, at least until I'm not so far behind. It seems like all I read now are review copies, so this event is perfect for me. And why not have a little fun while I'm at? Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea and Celine from Nyx Book Reviews put this together. If you're interested in participating, head over to their blogs to get all the info for sign ups, challenges, etc.

Books I need to review in March

Starters by Lissa Price

Slide by Jill Hathaway

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz

Blind Sight (Through the Eyes of Aniela Dawson) by Eliabeth Hawthorne

Blind Sight (Through the Eyes of Leocardo Reyes) by Ermisenda Alvarez

There are a few more that I will try to squeeze in if I can, but those are those books that have to be finished in March.

In My Mailbox #21

2012-02-18T19:24:00.000-08:00

Look! I'm posting an IMM! I don't think I posted one since December. There is no way I'm going to list all the books I got between then and now, so I'm just going to list the books from last week or so. This meme is hosed by The Story Siren.

Won

Yes! I received the t-shirt, Friday Night Bites, & Charmfall from the Tempting Tuesday Read-Along.

Downloaded

Reveal by Brina Courtney

The Priest and The Peaches by Larry Peterson

The Chronological Man: The Monster in the Mist by Andrew Mayne

I also got a couple of review books from NetGalley, but I'm lazy right now. So...

The End.

Hounded Read-along Announcement

2012-02-17T11:17:00.000-08:00

It's read-along time again! I'm excited for this one, because I've wanted to read Hounded for awhile. And since I received it for Christmas, now is the perfect chance.

You should participate! It runs for the month of March, so you have plenty of time to get the book and join.

Below is info from Geeky Blogger's Book Blog. You can go sign up there and get more info. She also has the first set of questions up.

---------------------------------------------

Announcing the Kiss Me, I'm Irish read-along! This read-along is to celebrate the upcoming release of Tricked, the fourth book in the Iron Druid Chronicles, which comes out April 24th 2012! To prepare, we are reading/re-reading the series, starting with book one, HOUNDED by Kevin Hearne, and we'd like you to join us!

Discussion Schedule:

March 02nd: Chapters 1-5 hosted by Geeky Blogger's Book Blog

March 09th: Chapters 6-10 hosted by On a Book Bender

March 16th: Chapters 11-15 hosted by Smash Attack Reads!

March 23rd: Chapters 16-20 hosted by In the Closet With a Bibliophile

March 30th: Chapters 21-25 + epilogue hosted by The Unread Reader

April 06th: Special interview with Kevin Hearne & announcement of winners!

PS: If you have any questions for Kevin, Atticus, or Oberon post them in the comments! Kevin has agreed to answer you pressing questions: aka where do we get an Oberon? Anytime you think of one leave it during the read-a-long--we will gather them up and send them along to Kevin!

Review: The Caldecott Chronicles

2012-02-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

Title: The Caldecott Chronicles
Author: R.G. Bullet
Pub Date: Oct 29, 2011
Publisher: SilverHouse Books
Series: Excerpt No. 1
Source: Purchased

Caldecott Estate, the ancestral home of the 32nd Earl of Rothshire, is besieged. The undead are traipsing and crawling across overgrown lawns, intent on ripping the very flesh from the Earl’s body.

But many of them will not make it that far as the 32nd Earl has two things in their way: A prised Purdey shotgun and an accomplice named, Saffy. Saffy is a young and simple girl from the local village. She is quick of foot at setting traps, and dispatching the undead to the afterlife. She is endlessly coming up with cunning and disturbing methods to rid the estate of disease.

The bizarre and gruesome details are narrated in a journal by a very Aristocratic British gent. Get a first hand look on how the Victorian upper class deal with stumbling trespassers and see how one draws inspiration from a teenage girl born to kill. [Amazon]

19th century zombies, forthe win! Love it! The CaldecottChronicles is a quick 120 page read, but it's full of awesomness. I love how the book was set up, and honestly,I think it was the perfect length for it. Plus, there is just something about Victorian era that I love.

A hundred years after an attackon a English country-side, some details of what occurred are finally brought tolight. The journal entries of AldersleyEarl of Rothshire are made public after being tucked away for a century. Through the journal entries that are meantfor Aldersley's son, Albert, we are given a first-hand account of what reallyhappened. The illustrations look likesomething out of a newspaper during the era. They are both grotesque and humorous, justlike the story.

The two main characters,Aldersley and Saffy, are an unlikely duo, but they become the perfectteam. An older English gentleman, and ayoung sassy girl. After a rough start,they come to depend on each other and have kind of a father-daughterrelationship. I love how Saffy callsAldersley Thirty-Two. She brings life to the Caldwcott Manor in the midst ofsuch death and destruction. And how could I not love Virtus the kitten!

If you love zombies, humor,and the Victorian era, then give this book a try. It won't take you long to read, but you'llremember it for a long time. I plan to read the second installment, The Caldecott Chronicles No. 2, as soonas I can. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Purchase

Amazon: Paperback or Kindle

Review: Incarnate

2012-02-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

Title: Incarnate
Author: Jodi Meadows
Pub Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Series: Newsoul, Books #1
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

New soul - Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul - Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart - Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies--human and creature alike--let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? [Goodreads]

Let me just say, I have beenon a great streak lately with all the good books I've read, and Incarnate is just the latest in thatgroup. By the time I got around toreading it, though, I forgot a lot of what it was about. It's nice sometimes to go into a book withouttoo many expectations. Incarnate hooked me from the verybeginning with such an interesting take on reincarnation, the world building,and great characters. I've read a few booksthat involved reincarnation, but this was definitely different in a very goodway.

The story takes place in Rangewhere there are a million souls have been reborn over and over for thousands ofyears. It's always these same peoplebeing reborn, and they always remember their previous lives. Basically they are immortal, but born intodifferent bodies every time. The best part, they can be reborn as male orfemale, but they are still themselves. Ifound this so intriguing. Afterthousands of years of this, suddenly one of the regular souls, Ciana, does notreturn, instead a new soul is born. Noone knew what to make of it. They were afraid, because what if this happened to someone else? Where was Ciana? What caused this and why?

Ana was the soul who replaced Ciana. Her mother, Li, took her to live out in the country,away from the city of Heart. Li, wasphysically, emotionally, and mentally abusive. Ana learned everything on her own, always the hard way. She was rarely around other people, keptisolated, never hugged, and was referred to as Nosoul by her mother. Iseriously wanted to slap Li.

When Ana turned 18, shedecided to go to Heart to see if she can find out more about herself and whyshe was born instead of Ciana. Along theway, she meets Sam. He's kind, patient,caring, and Ana doesn't know what to make of him. The way Ana was so new to the world,experiencing everything for the first time, it reminded me of the Disney movieTangled. She had an innocent and naiveway about her. Also, the fact that Anahad been deprived of experiencing different emotions and reactions from people,made it difficult for her to read them - what they meant or felt. She often thought she was being laughed at whenshe wasn't. I felt so bad for her, but Iwas also proud of her for trying to take a hold of her independence andbecoming a stronger person. I loved howencouraging Sam was, and that Ana had at least a small support system in aplace that mostly saw her as an outcast.

The world building in Incarnate was very interesting. It felt like a mix of medieval times with afuturistic society. There were dragonsand cobble stone streets, but also laser guns and advanced technology. I reallyenjoyed it. I also loved the butterfly metaphor Meadows used in the story. It was perfect.

There were some unansweredquestions that involve the tower and dragons though. I'm assuming they will be answered in the next book, but I still feel atiny bit... unfulfilled. It isn't a huge deal right now, but it's significant.

Overall, Incarnate was a wonderful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning toend, and I'm definitely looking forward to book two. I absolutely recommend this book.

Amazon | Book Depository

Guest Post & Giveaway: The Dragonslayer Series by Resa Nelson

2012-02-09T00:26:00.000-08:00

Hello book lovin' people! I have a guest post from Resa Nelson for you all. She is the author of The Dragonslayer's Sword and The Iron Maiden, book 1 & 2 of The Dragonslayer series. At the end of her post, you'll have a chance to win signed paperback copies of both books! So enjoy!

Here's a little about the books:

For Astrid, a blacksmith who makes swords for dragonslayers, the emergence of a strange gemstone from her body sets in motion a chain of events that threaten to destroy her life. Her happiness is shattered when her lover-the dragonslayer-disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning. Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child. Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much...or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace?

Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it's her duty. She'd rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?
Everything changes when a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer's sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner. Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.
In Book 2 of the Dragonslayer series, Astrid must learn that deciding who she is isn't a decision she can make just once. Instead, it's a decision she must make every day.

How Volunteering Helped Me Write a Better Book

by Resa Nelson

Because the maincharacter in my 4-book Dragonslayer series is a female blacksmith who makesswords for dragonslayers, I wanted to learn as much as I could about medievalweapons. So I took courses to learnhistorically accurate techniques for using swords and other weapons that wereused in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. These courses were taught at a museum that had a sword guild. I joined the sword guild and volunteered tobecome a weapons demonstrator at the museum.

Being a weaponsdemonstrator was a great experience. Istudied with my sword guild partner, and we gave demonstrations at the museum ona regular basis for a few years. Ourdemonstrations consisted of us giving an introduction to what we were going todemonstrate, including some historical information. We’d then give a choreographed demonstrationof what a real sword fight might have looked like hundreds of years ago, usingsteel practice swords that had blunt tips and edges. Finally, we went through the fight in slowmotion and explained every blow and defensive move.

I don’t consider myselfan expert in using swords, but I gained a lot of experience and insight. Volunteering and giving demonstrationsallowed the information I learned to really sink in and become part of myevery-day life. It also gave meimmediate access to some of the foremost experts in the world. I asked a lot of questions about a lot ofthings, and the answers I received shaped my ideas for characters and plotideas for the books in my Dragonslayer series.

Another advantage tobeing a volunteer and giving demonstrations was the interaction I had with ouraudiences, who had great questions and comments. This allowed me to learn even more becauseI’d often have to go to someone else to get answers to those questions. The entire experience deepened my knowledgeand appreciation of swords and other medieval weapons.

While writing Book 1,The Dragonslayer’s Sword, I appreciated my studies with the sword guild andworking with my sword partner as a good experience in general. I had fun. It felt like an adventure. And Iappreciate the opportunity to give back in some way by volunteering. However, the experience had a minimal impacton Book 1.

That changed when Iwrote Book 2, The Iron Maiden. All of asudden, years of experience with the sword guild and having volunteered as aweapons demonstrator made a difference. It had an impact on new characters I created. It had an even bigger impact on the way Ideveloped a relationship between my main character Astrid and a foreigner shemeets. It gave me ideas for some of themost important events that happen in Book 2. When I think about the book as a whole, I can’t imagine how I could havewritten it without the research I’d done and especially without my experienceas a volunteer.

During this blog tourI’m telling lots of stories about the research I’ve done for my Dragonslayerseries. You can find out where I’ve beenand where I’m going next by checking my website ,my Facebook page (Resa Nelson & The Dragonslayer’s Sword), or following meon Twitter (ResaNelson).

If you’d like to sample my work for free, you candownload a free “mini” ebook called “Dragonslayer Stories” from my website at http://www.resanelson.com/files. No cost, no obligation, nothing to sign upfor, no information gathering. I likegiving away samples of my work so you can decide for yourself whether you likeit or not.

You also can enter to win acopy of the first two books in my series, which I’ll give away at the end ofthis tour on Feb. 14. To enter, justsend email to ResaBonusGifts@aol.com. (I won’t keep your email address – this just makes it easier for me tokeep track of entries.) I’m also doing abook giveaway on GoodReads, so you can enter to win there. Here

Thanks for stopping by, Resa!

Review + Giveaway: Sadie Walker is Stranded

2012-02-07T21:14:00.000-08:00

Title: Sadie Walker is Stranded
Author: Madeleine Roux
Pub Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Series: Zombie #2
Source: Publisher

MONTHS AGO THE WORLD ENDED...
...when an unknown virus spread throughout North America and then the world, killing millions of people. However, that is where the horror only started. The dead began to rise and when they rose they had an insatiable appetite for the living. A new hell had been unleashed on earth and the fight for survival had just begun.

Sadie Walker is one of the survivors in this new world. Living in north Seattle behind barrier that keep the living in and the dead out, she trying to get back to a normal life, while raising her eight-year-old nephew, if anyone even knows what "normal" is anymore. Then everything goes sideways when Shane is kidnapped by a group of black market thieves and they bring down a crucial barrier in the city while trying to escape, and flood the city with the walking dead. After rescuing her nephew, Sadie and Shane escape Seattle on the last remaining boat, along with other survivors. However, now they must face the complete chaos of a world filled with flesh eating zombies and humans who are playing with a whole new rule book when it comes to survival in their journey to find a new place that they can call home. [Goodreads]

This book was such a greatsurprise. I will hang my head in shameand admit that I had never heard of this author until I received this book forreview, but she is definitely on myradar now. Sadie Walker is Stranded is the second book in the Zombie series. Ihaven't read the first book, AllisonHewitt is Trapped, so I was very reluctant to jump into book two. Thankfully, someone told me they arestand-alone. Turns out, they are. In fact, I love that I started with SWIS. Allison is mentioned in this book, but the story doesn't really haveanything to do with her, this is Sadie's story during the same zombieapocalypse. Sadie does sometimes usesthe mantra "what would Allison do" to get her through the toughesttimes. She's never met Allison, only knows of her, but she's still a source of strength for Sadie.

The story takes place about sixmonths after The Outbreak, Seattle has begun to restore some kind of normalcy,and the only family Sadie has left is her eight-year-old nephew Shane. Sadie isthe first to admit that she's not the best parental figure, but she'll dowhatever she can to keep Shane safe. Unfortunately,you just can't trust anyone, especially after society has gone to hell in ahandbasket. Children are extremelyvaluable to some people, and they'll pay any price to get one... or make them.Sadie is betrayed and Shane is stolen, but the day only gets worse. Repopulationist, also known as Rabbits, breakdown the barrier of the city, letting the zombies in. Sadie has to fight to get out of there andget Shane back. That's just thebeginning of her troubles.

Roux had me laughingthroughout this book. Between Sadie and Andrea, it was a total snarkfest. I loved Sadie more and more as the story wenton, even though she made some serious blunders. No one is perfect, especially given the situations she was in. Trying to juggle suddenly being a parentwhile not becoming a zombie's next meal isn't an easy task. Thenthere is the lovely Andrea, Sadie's best friend. She's a bit crass, and I love it. Andrea's in the... shall we say,pharmaceutical business. Which makes herhot commodity in a world where there's no longer a Walgreens on every corner. And the girl isn't going to let something likea zombie apocalypse get in the way of her libido. Andrea is tough, smart, and unapologeticabout her lifestyle. There are other funcharacters in the book too, like the yummy Whelan and the sweet burlesquedancer named Banana.

The thing about Sadie Walker is Stranded, there is anadded creep factor to the whole zombie thing. As you can probably gather from the cover, zombies can go in the water. Since they're already dead, there's no needfor air, which means they can travel far distances down there. So those people who say they would just gofind an island to live on, you're out of luck. Stranded.

This book is like a disturbing Gilligan's Island, meets Survivor, meets 28 Days Later. Something really odd is going on after they reach land, and it's more than zombies. No one is safe, no one can be trusted, and there's nowhere to go. I loved the added mystery to the story and trying to figure out what was going on.

If you're a fan of zombies,then you must read this. I'm so excited to go back and read Allison Hewitt is Trapped and meetAllison. I have a feeling I'm going tolove her. Like I said, these books arestand-alone, so you can easily pick up this book without reading AHIT. However, once you read one of them, you'll be eager to read theother.

FYI, this is not a YA book. There are adult situations and adult language.

Amazon | The Book Depository

Giveaway
-- One person will win my copy of Sadie Walker is Stranded
-- Open to US only
-- Use Rafflecopter below to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follower Love Giveaway Hop

2012-02-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

I love you guys. Well, most of you anyway. Haha... no, really, I do. If I didn't, I wouldn't have such great stuff for you! :) After you're finished here, head on over to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer or Rachael Renee Anderson to see the other blogs that love you!

There will be THREE winners.

What you can win:

#1 - One person will win a paperback copy of Destiny's Fire courtesy of author Trisha Wolf. Open to US only. I recently read this book and loved it! My review.

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

Facebook | Website | Twitter

#2 - One person will win a copy of Everneath by Brodi Ashton. Open internationally. The book will be ordered from The Book Depository, so you're eligible as long as they ship to you. My review.

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

#3 - One person will win a book of their choice from The Book Depository, as long as they ship to you. Book must be under $12. Open internationally.

-------------------------------------------

-- Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Try refreshing if you don't see it.

-- You can enter to win whichever prizes you're eligible for.

-- Make sure you enter using the best way to contact you if you win

-- I DO check winner entries. If info is missing, the entry is deleted.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure to enter the other giveaways on the blog!

Wicked Winter Read-a-thon Wrap-up

2012-02-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

The Wicked Winter Read-a-thon has sadly come to a close. That went by way too fast. Thankfully, April and Rebecca decided to hold another RAT June 20 - 24th - the Wicked Wildfire Read-a-thon. You can sign-up now.

So how did I do in this WWReadathon? I think this clip sums it up.

What I read:

Sadie Walker is Stranded - last 183 pgs
The Caldecott Chronicles - 120 pgs
Pure - 45 pgs

Total pages = 348

I also hosted a challenge - Cover Lover Challenge

Then I participated in two other challenges - Picture Puzzle Challenge and the Sentence to Song. You can fin them HERE under my updates.

Plus, there was a whole lota tweeting #wwreadathon

Hope you join in the fun during the June RAT.

WWReadathon: Wicked Cover Lover Challenge

2012-02-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not only participating in the Wicked Winter Read-A-Thon, I'm also hosting a challenge. This is called Wicked Cover Lover Challenge! I tried not to make it too difficult or long, because I know you all want to get back to reading and tweeting!

Here is the schedule of all the challenges.

The challenge after mine is Guess the Title - Picture Puzzle by Michelle @ Book Briefs

Prize

What can you win? The winner will get their choice of one of the twelve books from this challenge. The book will be shipped from The Book Depository, so it's open internationally as long as they ship to you. I'll list the titles when the challenge is over. If for some reason your choice of book is no longer available, we go with your 2nd choice.

Rules

--Challenge runs 2/4/12 from 4PM to 8PM EST

--The pictures below are parts of popular book covers that were released in 2011. You have to figure out what books they are.

--Use the form below to enter the titles of each book. Match the corresponding numbers that are under the pictures.

--The person who gets the most correct wins. If there are more than one persons who get the same amount right, then I'll assign them a numbers and use random.org to pick.

--Must be participating in the read-a-thon to play

Ready... set.... go...

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

Winner & Answers

There were a total of 32 entries, and 15 of you got them all correct.

Random.org picked #4 as the winner out of the 15.

Renae @ Respiring Thoughts

Answers

1.    The Night Circus
2.    Divergent
3.    Dearly, Departed
4.    Shatter Me
5.    Across the Universe
6.    Lola and the Boy Next Door
7.    Dust & Decay
8.    Cinder
9.    Future of Us
10. Daughter of Smoke and Bone
11. Power of Six
12. Anna Dressed in Blood

Wicked Winter Read-A-Thon

2012-02-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

Yay, it's WWReadathon time again! The Wonderfully Wicked Read-A-Thon was so much fun, that we pleaded and begged April and Rebecca to have another one ASAP. They finally got tired of it and put together the Wicked Winter Read-A-Thon. Reading and tweeting all weekend with good company is always fun times. If you want to participate, head over to My Shelf Confessions or Kindle Fever to get all the details and join.

This time around I'm hosting one of the challenges. It's called Wicked Cover Lover, and will be held 2/4/12 between 4pm and 8pm EST. So make sure to stop by and play.

I'm going to add my updates to this post at the end of each day, but make a separate wrap-up post when the read-a-thon is over. I know I probably won't read during Super Bowl (Go Giant!), but definitely will before and after.

Now... what books to read.. I'm going to try and read 3 books for the read-a-thon. I haven't set in stone which books they will be, with the exception of one. I have to get Pure read, because it'll be released next week. Also, I have about half of Sadie Walker is Stranded to finish. So I'm just going to list the top books I'd like to read after Pure, and decide as I go.

Pure by Julianna Baggott

Titan Magic by Jodi Lamm

The Caldecott Chronicles by R.G. Bullet

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle

------------------------------------------------------------

Updates

--Friday: I didn't get quite as much reading in as I had hoped, but at least I finished a book... okay, half a book. Now I can start with a new one tomorrow.

Read: Sadie Walker is Stranded
# of Pages: 331 - 148 = 183 for the day

--Saturday: Yawn. I read less than I did yesterday, but it's okay. I don't think I'll read much tomorrow because of Super Bowl, but we'll see.

Read: The Caldecott Chronicles & started Pure
# of Pages: 120 + 15 = 135 for the day

My Picture Puzzle for Book Briefs challenge

--Sunday: So far not much reading happening. I ended up with total of 40 pages for the day.

Book read: Pure
# of Pages: 30

My Sentence to Song for Letters Inside Out challenge

Okay, since I'm only like 15 pages into Pure, I'm going to do my song for Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeleine Roux.

Sadie Walker is one of the survivors in this new world. Living in north Seattle behind barrier that keep the living in and the dead out, she trying to get back to a normal life, while raising her eight-year-old nephew, if anyone even knows what "normal" is anymore. Then everything goes sideways when Shane is kidnapped by a group of black market thieves and they bring down a crucial barrier in the city while trying to escape, and flood the city with the walking dead. After rescuing her nephew, Sadie and Shane escape Seattle on the last remaining boat, along with other survivors. However, now they must face the complete chaos of a world filled with flesh eating zombies and humans who are playing with a whole new rule book when it comes to survival in their journey to find a new place that they can call home.

I picked two songs:

1. Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold for a specific scene in the beginning. Bad choices in a zombie apocalypse don't mix well.

2. Tonight the World Dies by Avenged Sevenfold. Yes, I love them. This could actually be for a lot of the book either for Sadie and her nephew or a certain someone else.

Review: Everneath

2012-02-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Title: Everneath

Author: Brodi Ashton

Pub Date: January 24, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Series: Everneath, #1

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...
[Goodreads]

*Immediatly after finishing the book*

Speechless.

*2 days after finishing the book*

I think I've recoveredenough to discuss Everneath(haha), but it'sone of those books that really struck me, so it's hard to explain. I went through way too many tissues whilereading this book. Believe me, that's hard for me to admit, but it's true. I'm not going to be ashamed that Everneath absolutely broke myheart. As I was reading it, I kept thinkinghow depressing it was. It was depressingbecause it kept ripping my heart out, and I don't have much heart to spare tobegin with. Honestly, I think a lot ofit had to do with how it waswritten.

The very beginning is alittle disorienting, the way the story jumps in with Nikki choosing to Returnto the surface of earth, instead of staying with Cole in the Everneath. She's been there with Cole, feeding on herenergy/emotions for 100 years, but that only equates to 6 months on thesurface. Her memories and emotions havebeen sucked dry, but there has been one face that always remained in hermind.... Jack.

Once Nikki returns, she has6 months before she'll be ripped down to the Tunnels, or return with Cole as anEverliving and feed off of people. Theway Ashton wrote this was great. It'stold as sort of a countdown until her 6 months are over, but there areflashbacks starting from about 5 months before the Feed (when she went to theEverneath with Cole), that lead up to that time. Whenever it flips back, there is a connectionto "Now," giving the story of what lead to where she currentlyis. It was heartbreaking, because whilereading these flashbacks, you know what's going to become of her. So the fights with her father, the momentswith her brother... they were really sad.

When she returns, all shewants to do is make things right and not want the people she loves to hurt -wants to give them a proper good-bye. Since she's basically emotionless, it's hard for her. Plus, she has a hard time rememberingeverything. She slowly regains heremotions and memories the longer she's on the surface. Unfortunately, Cole tries to make this asdifficult for her as he can.

I absolutely loved Jack andNikki, and how he called her Becks. Theywere neighbors and best friends since they were eleven, and had been dating forawhile before she was taken to the Everneath. This wasn't inta-love; it felt real, like there was actually substanceto their relationship. That's also a bigreason why I can get behind this book so much, and truly understand the strongbond between them. As forlove-triangle... this really isn't one. Cole and Nikki only have a connection because they were literallycocooned together for so long. Eventhough Cole says he cares for her, it's hard to believe.

The mythology incorporated inthis book was really interesting too. Itwas kind of a modern day Persephone and Hades story. I'm not an expert on Greek mythology, but Iknew enough to get the gist of it. Now,I want to read all about Persephone, especially before I read the next book.

I feel like I've rambled onabout Everneath, and probably sounda bit melodramatic. I can't help it. I love it. The ending was ... *sigh* ... I can't even talk about it. (haha) Seriously, the ending was devastating,yet great. I can't wait to read thesecond book. Can. Not. Wait.

"I have alifetime of memories made up of chestnut wars and poker games and midnightexcursions and Christmas Dances... It's all you. It's only ever been you. I love you." - Jack

Amazon | The Book Depository

Guest Post & Giveaway: Arson by Estevan Vega

2012-02-01T00:05:00.000-08:00

Wow, so guess what, book lovers! I'm participating in this awesome triple treat blog tour. Three amazing books, one tour, great times! I have Estevan Vega, author of Arson here with a smokin' guest post. Plus, one lucky reader will win a signed paperback copy of Arson. Sweet!

About Arson:

ArsonGable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He neverwanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: heboth loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he wasalone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than insideher own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had:purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consumingpast and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine linebetween boy and monster.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Getting What You Wanted byEstevan Vega

When you’re growing up, it’s seems easy to figure out who’s goingto be what when they turn into bigger versions of themselves. Kids who lordover the playground or steal your lunch money, which I never got the pleasure of having done to me, areeither gonna become bloodthirsty corporate execs who spend weekends drunk orhave a change of heart, right? Well, that’s the neat little bow we throw aroundpeople, tie em up nice and good to fit into our version of what they are, orwhat we want them to become.

But what happens when people aren’t what you expect them tobe? What do you do when you have this fantasy or dream of them that can justnever be real? Good, bad, whatever.

While writing ARSON, I constantly told myself it has to bereal; it has to feel real. The characters. The setting. The things that happen.If it’s not real, you (the awesome, cool reader) just won’t give a crap. Socreating Arson and Emery and Mandy, and the tension that broods between them,was actually really fun and really interesting. I had to write Mandy (Arson’slove interest since before he ever wandered into puberty) in a way that madeher physically irresistible while at the same time venomous. She’s the chickyou grow up dreaming about, imagining yourself planning a life together, butthen something changes in your head, and you’re, like, what the…?

Well, this scene’s kinda like that. Enjoy the fantasy, if youcan.

---

WhenArson entered her bedroom, he noticed that dolls of every variety covered muchof the floor space. “I knowit’s childish,” she said, “but I think they’re stillpretty cool.”

Posters of Orlando Bloom and BradPitt covered the pink and white walls. A king-size bed with floral arrangementssat in the corner of the room atop a pastel rug and next to that, a six-foot tallvanity and a closet the size of his entire bedroom.

“I guess that’s the problem withbeing an only child. I always get what I want.”

“That was never myproblem.” He shrugged.

“I mean, theylove me. Like, because I’m Daddy’slittle girl and everything, I think he feels obligated to shower me with all thestuff he never had.”

Arson shoved his hands into his pockets. A nervous sweat trickleddown his brow. He looked at Mandy.

“I never got to properly thank you for all those free ice creamsyou gave me, Arson Gable.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I make enough.”

“No, you don’t.” She shut her bedroom door and leaned in

close.

He was paralyzed once he inhaled her sweet, inviting breath.His heart drummed. “I’ve never been in a girl’s room before.”

Mandy smiled and kissed him. “I’ll bet you’ve never done thisbefore either.”

He couldn’t help but stare at her, noticing her eyes were closedand focused while his wandered to everything in the room. After seconds, he closedhis eyes and started thinking

withhis lips. Was he doing it right? His mind wouldn’t let him believe this washappening. It couldn’t be. Was she trying to make out with him? Did she evenreally like him?

But then it came with a whisper. “Freak,” she said.

“What? Why did you call me that?”

“You’re acting crazy,” Mandy denied immediately. “I didn’t sayanything.”

“You called me a freak.”

“Arson, don’t be stupid. I thought this was what you wanted.Your mind must be playing tricks on you. Now quit it, all right? I could easilythink of about six other boys who would give up a spot on the team to be whereyou are right now, so let it go!”

She leaned into him once more, and he didn’t resist. Couldn’t.With one hand she massaged the back of his neck. It felt soft, delicate.

“What about your parents?” Arson panted. “Won’t they come upeventually?”

“Eventually.”

“Mandy, what is this? Why all of a sudden? You never liked mebefore.” He breathed short, nervous breaths, hands still shaking. “I don’t getit.”

“What’s there to get? I’m a girl who has everything I want. Exceptyou. You’re dangerous, unpredictable. Kinda cute.”

“What’s so dangerous about me?” Arson felt another rush ofanxiety and unease bleeding down his spine.

“I know what you do, Arson. Rumors spread quickly aroundschool. But you don’t have to deny them. I know you’re not like everybody else.Besides, I’ve had the ordinary, boring

guys.I want something more, something dangerous. Don’t you want me?”

His throat quivered.

Mandy kissed him again on the lips. “Just relax. I know whatI’m doing.”

“Mandy, your parents are downstairs.”

“I know,” she said, nudging up against him. “Forget about them.They won’t mind.”

Arson’s chest felt like it was going to shatter into amillion pieces. It ached with each heartbeat. Sweat dripped into his eyes anddown his face. Heat started at his fingertips and

spreadto his body slowly.

“You’re warm.” Mandy smiled.

What was this? He’d dreamt of kissing Mandy for so long, wonderedwhat she would smell like up close, what her hands might feel like wrappedaround his neck in an embrace. But he couldn’t touch her. All he could do waslie still. Images of Grandma beating him with a rolled-up newspaper andspitting in a fit of anger ruined the moment. In a flash, Emery appeared, as ifout of thin air. She stood right in front of him, looking at the scene througha creepy mask. Arson could sense she was hurt. He tried to close his eyes andmake the imaginations disappear, but they wouldn’t. Instead the fear draggedhim away.

“Mandy, I—”

“I want this, Arson. I always wanted my own firestarter.”

Thanks for reading. Spread the fire!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't forget to check out Ariel & Pyxis!

Airel isa story about an angel who falls so deeply in love with a woman that he choosesto fall from heaven to be with her. She gives birth to a daughter in Arabia,1250BC. The girl is pursued ferociously, relentlessly by an enemy in thedeepest darkness. In present day Boise, Idaho is just a girl: Airel. She's justyour average high school student...who turns out to be anything but average.It's because of who she is, because of her ancestry, because of her lineage.Past and present crash in on each other in the final pages as what has beentwisted comes dangerously unraveled.
Amazon US | Amazon UK

Corinnelives an average teenage life working at her dad’s cafe, hanging out with herbest friend, and trying to forget a falling-out with her almost-boyfriendMason. Things take a strange turn when she uses her late grandmother’s fooddyes for a bake sale, and her customers suddenly find her irresistiblyalluring. Then she discovers she and Mason are haunted by the same dreams of adark force that consumes everything in its path. Pursued by shadowy figures anda crazy woman with secrets from the past, Corinne must find out who hergrandmother really was. In her quest to unravel her family’s history, shelearns she is destined to protect this world--and the dark world of her dreams.She races to find the answers she seeks before her nightmares break free.
Amazon US | Amazon UK

Giveaway

-One reader will win a signed paperback of Arson

-Open to US only

-Enter via rafflecopter below

Then head over to K.C. Neal's blog and enter to win a KINDLE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Lucid

2012-01-31T21:18:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Here is the cover reveal of Lucid, book 2 in the Brightest Kind of Darkness series. Beautiful, right?

Lucid releases spring of 2012 (official date to be announced)

If you haven't read Brightest Kind of Darkness, now is the time!

Links:
Twitter | Facebook | Website | Goodreads

Monthly Wrap-up: January 2012

2012-01-31T00:02:00.000-08:00

Ah, the first month of thenew year is gone, and it's one month closer to the end of the world. Must read faster! Considering how sick I was for the first part of January, I got a good amount of reading and reviews finished.

A month ago I was gung-ho about all of these challenges, but not so much anymore. I probably won't be on top of them like I should, but I'll try.

Also, I'm so happy Google added the reply feature to comments. I still don't know if the people you reply to on your blog get notices though. Do you even know if someone replied to your comment if you're not subscribed? Someone tell me! :)

If you missed it, Missie @ The Unread Reader allowed me on her blog for her When I'm Not Reading feature. There are cute animal pictures included. Yes, my tarantula is cute!

Check out the giveaways currently going on.

Look over there ----->

Enter. Win. Enjoy.

There were some fun guest posts & excerpts on the blog in January, so if you missed them:

Excerpt of Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

Guest Post for Destiny's Fire

Excerpt for In the Shadow of the Moonlight by J.J. Bidell

Guest Post for Beyond by T.P. Boje

Guest post for Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry

Books I read (Links go to Goodreads)

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Cinder by Marrisa Meyer

Glitches by Marrisa Meyer

Tomorrow is Today by Julie Cross

Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry

Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf by Michael Mullin

Yes, Glitches, Tomorrow is Today, and 8 are very short books, so I wouldn't count them too much. Were they good? Very. Just short.

Books I Reviewed (Links go to reviews)

Switched by Amanda Hocking

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook

Tempest & Tomorrow is Today by Julie Cross

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

Cinder & Glitches by Marissa Meyer

8 by Michael Mullin

Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

Oh! And on February 3rd, the Wicked Winter Read-a-thon will start. So go sign-up and join all the shenanigans.

Lastly, there will be a read-along for Hounded by Kevin Hearne in March. Announcement post and the first batch of questions will be posted on February 17th at Geeky Blogger's Book Blog, so keep an eye out. The read-alongs are a lot of fun. In fact, I won the grand prize for the Tempting Tuesday Read-along that was a blast!

How was your January? Do you have any fun events coming up?

Guest Post & Giveaway: Blue Sky Days

2012-01-30T00:30:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I'm very excited to have Marie Landry on the blog! Her debut novel, Blue Sky Days, is now available. Marie is kind enough to offer an ecopy of her book and a beautiful bookmark that's related to the book, so make sure to enter after her post. I'm so happy for you Marie!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Nice Guys Don't Always Finish Last

Bad boys holda lot of appeal. They're sexy, mysterious, sometimes dangerous, and there'sjust something about them that seems to get most girls’—and some guys’—heartsracing. But don't count out the good boys; they can be pretty sexy, too.

In BlueSky Days, Nicholas Shaw is one of the good guys. He's sweet and kind, atrue old-fashioned gentleman with a playful spirit and a heart of gold. He'sgood to the core—what you see is what you get, and what you get is a guy whowill be there for you no matter what, which Emma, the female lead in the book,quickly discovers when she meets Nicholas. More than once, she finds herselfthinking that Nicholas must be too good to be true, but he really is just thatgood.

A loyalfriend, a family man, someone who helps people for a living, Nicholas is thekind of guy you'd find walking little old ladies across the street, or helpingpeople carry groceries. He may not ride a motorcycle, wear leather, or have anair of dangerous mystery about him, but his goodness shines so brightly you'llfeel the warmth like the sun on a blue sky day. He's not perfect; he makesmistakes just like everyone else, and he has his moments where you might shakeyour head or want to wring his neck, but it's impossible to stay mad at him forlong. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's got a killer smile, and when heflashes those dimples and looks at you with those bluer-than-blue eyes,everything else just fades away.

So don'tcount out the good guys, and don't think they don't exist, because they do. Itmight be a bit harder to find them these days, but they're out there. If you'relooking for one and haven't found one yet, you can always escape in a book likeBlue Sky Days. I promise Nicholas would never let you down. ;-)

Where to find Marie

Author Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About Blue Sky Days:

A year after graduating from high school, nineteen-year-old Emma Ward feels lost. She has spent most of her life trying to please her frigid, miserable mother - studying hard, getting good grades, avoiding the whole teenage rebellion thing - and now she feels she has no identity beyond that. Because she spent so many years working hard and planning every moment of her life, she doesn't have any friends, has never had a boyfriend, and basically doesn't know who she is or what she really wants from life. Working two part-time jobs to save money for college hasn't helped her make decisions about her future, so she decides it's time for a change. She leaves home to live with her free-spirited, slightly eccentric Aunt Daisy in a small town that makes Emma feel like she's stepped back in time.

When Emma meets Nicholas Shaw, everything changes - he's unlike anyone she's ever met before, the kind of man she didn't even know existed in the 21st century. Carefree and spirited like Daisy, Nicholas teaches Emma to appreciate life, the beauty around her, and to just let go and live. Between Daisy and Nicholas, Emma feels like she belongs somewhere for the first time in her life, and realizes that you don't always need a plan - sometimes life steers you where you're meant to be.

Life is wonderful, an endless string of blue sky days, until Nicholas is diagnosed with cancer, and life changes once again for Emma in ways she never thought possible. Now it's time for her to help Nicholas the way he's helped her. Emma will have to use her new-found strength, and discover along the way if love really is enough to get you through.
Amazon | Smashwords

My Review

Giveaway

-Enter via Rafflecopter below

-Must be 13+ years old
-Make sure to log in to Rafflecopter using the best way to contact you

-Also read the note from Marie located below the Rafflecopter widget & check out her great offer!

TWO winners
E-book is open internationally
Bookmark is open to US/Can only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marie would like to thank the people who have supported her by showing her appreciation in some small way. So, for every person who buys a copy of Blue Sky Days during the tour and sends Marie proof of purchase via email to irishstar_83{at}hotmail{dot}com she will enter you into a giveaway to win a book of your choice up to $12 CAN from The Book Depository.

Review: Destiny's Fire

2012-01-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

Title: Destiny's Fire

Author: Trisha Wolfe

Pub Date: January 10, 2012

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Source: Publisher for review

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life. [Goodreads]

First of all, I know thatReese and Dez are going to make my "Best of 2012" lists, just so youknow. Destiny's Fire was a really fun, addicting book. I honestly haven't read many books aboutshifters, so this was kind of new territory for me, and I'm so glad this oneturned out to be good. I loved how itwas futuristic and steampunk, with some magic mixed in.

Dez is part of an ancientshifter race called Kythan, and they live among humans in a protected citycalled Haven Falls. They have a peacetreaty with an enemy race of shifters called Narcolym, but they are shieldedfrom entering their city. So whenNarcolym start showing up as if they belong there, Dez and her friends know somethingstrange in going on.

The characters: Dez is sixteen, going on seventeen; Fellowswill fall in line... (sorry, couldn't resist the Sound of Music nod). She has been hiding a huge secret all herlife, and the secret may be exposed when she turns seventeen and goes through"the change." I'm not going totell you the secret, but it's something that can get her killed. She's a totalkick-ass girl, though, who can definitely dish it out to the guys. I love her toughness, but also that she has ahuge heart. Plus, she has great bestfriends - the triplets: Lana, Jace, and Nick. Seriously love their little group. I love that Lana is more on thegirly-girl side, but is badass as well. Nick is so levelheaded and laid back, with a great sense of humor. Then there is Jace... hot, serious, brooding,protective Jace. He's everything a bestfriend should be, right? Definitely!

Everything in Dez's life iscompletely thrown for a loop when not only the Narcolym show up, but also whenJace expresses his love for her. Unfortunately,the timing of his admission couldn't be worse. There's a new guy in town, and he has his sights set on Dez. Reese, is a Narcolym... a very sexy Narcolym. He had me from the first meeting in theclub. *sigh* I know a lot of people have love-trianglehate, but I actually really liked this one. I could identify with the struggle and emotions Dez was going through -the love and loyalty of a best friend she's known her whole life, or theexciting new and passionate feeling of a new guy. I absolutely loved the banter between Dez andReese, and how he thought it was such a turn-on when she got so feisty. Again... *sigh*

If you haven't read Destiny's Fire yet, you're missing outbig time! Wolfe recently announced thatthere will be a sequel to this book, and that makes me very happy. I need some more Reese and Dez!

Amazon | B&N

Review: Under the Never Sky

2012-01-26T21:29:00.000-08:00

Title: Under the Never Sky

Author: Veronica Rossi

Pub Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Series: Under the Never Sky, #1

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers abarbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.
[Goodreads]

I finally read it! I was very excited to read Under the Never Sky, because come on,did you read the description up there?! It sounded like something I'd lovefrom the moment I heard about the book. So, did I love it? Well, yes andno.

For about the first 120pages, I honestly couldn't tell if I was liking the story all that much. The world building was intriguing, butsometimes I felt myself struggling to really get into it. The Realms and the descriptions of Reverie,where Aria lived, was a little hard for me to grasp at first. I don't know why, because I usually revel in thatkind of stuff. However, despite the lacklusterfeelings I had for the beginning, they did a complete 180 about half waythrough the book. At some point, I fellin love with the story. I fell in lovewith the characters, the world, everything.

Aria is a 17-year-oldDweller, or as Perry often called her, a Mole - since she is part of a societythat basically hid away in virtual reality type world, while the real world aroundthem fell. Aria has lived her life knowingthat the outside is referred to the Death Shop for a very good reason; once yougo out there, you'll die one way or another. After a very horrific incident with a total psychopath, Aria is unjustlyforced out to as the Death Shop. That'swhere she meets Perry, and Outsider; a Savage in her eyes. He's only a year older than Aria, but life outin the Real is much harsher, causing him to look and act older than he is. He has major problems with his brother, whohappens to be Blood Lord to their tribe. Even though they don't get along, Perry and his nephew have a very specialbond. So when his nephew, Talon, iskidnapped by Dwellers, he sets out to rescue him.

I was on the fence aboutAria until closer to the end, then I loved her. I enjoyed the change in her,and the person she became. I have afeeling that she'll grow on me even more in the next book. I had similar feelings about Perry. Maybe Rossi intended for it to be thisway. They grew on me, like they grew oneach other, then fell in love. Since thestory is told in alternating point-of-views, going back-and-forth between Ariaand Perry, I think that helped develop them both individually.

I think what really sealedmy fondness of the book, was the huge reveal close to the end that revolvedaround Perry's bother, Vale. That caughtme completely off-guard, and a book always goes up a few notches when it can dothat to me. Plus, I don't usually likecliffhangers, but the one in this book totally melted my heart.

So, the final verdict isthat I really liked it. It took some warming-up to, but ultimately,it was a pretty good book. I'm lookingforward to the second book in the trilogy, and have high hopes for it. If you read Under the Never Sky, but find it dragging, try pushing through tothe end. There is a good chance you'llend up wanting more.

Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

2012-01-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Hello blog hoppers! Welcome to the Young Adult Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not A Writer and Down the Rabbit Hole! After entering my giveaway, make sure to head over to one of their sites to get the whole list of 200+ blogs that are participating.

--For my giveaway, there will be TWO winners, both open internationally.
--Use rafflecopter below to enter. If you don't see it, try refreshing.
--Must be 13+ years old to enter.

#1 One person will win a young adult book of their choice from The Book Depository. The book must be under $12 USD, and TBD must deliver to your country.

#2 One person will win a paperback copy of I Loved You First, courtesy of author Reena Jacobs. You can find my review here.

My best friend was more than just a best friend to me. Three words summed it up: I heart him. I’d never tell him though. I wasn’t stupid. Besides, what he’d told no one, but me, was a little something I wished I could forget… or ignore. He was gay. I guess gay wouldn’t be bad if I wasn’t so in love with him. Now it was just cruel.

Stereotypes run amok in this college love story: Parties, alcohol, hookups, and breakups. Alexandria Carmichael may find it a bit much as she deals with the unreturned love from the boy who completes her. When all is revealed, not only does she risk losing her best friend forever, but also herself. Without her childhood companion for support, Alexandria takes a journey of self-discovery but fears what she’ll find at the end.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveawayMake sure to enter to win an e-copy of Blue Sky Days or a beautiful handmade bookmark.

Review: Blue Sky Days

2012-01-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

Title: Blue Sky Days

Author: Marie Landry

Pub Date: January 17, 2012

Publisher: Self-published

Source: Author - review for blog tour

A year after graduating from high school, nineteen-year-old Emma Ward feels lost. She has spent most of her life trying to please her frigid, miserable mother - studying hard, getting good grades, avoiding the whole teenage rebellion thing - and now she feels she has no identity beyond that. Because she spent so many years working hard and planning every moment of her life, she doesn't have any friends, has never had a boyfriend, and basically doesn't know who she is or what she really wants from life. Working two part-time jobs to save money for college hasn't helped her make decisions about her future, so she decides it's time for a change. She leaves home to live with her free-spirited, slightly eccentric Aunt Daisy in a small town that makes Emma feel like she's stepped back in time.

When Emma meets Nicholas Shaw, everything changes - he's unlike anyone she's ever met before, the kind of man she didn't even know existed in the 21st century. Carefree and spirited like Daisy, Nicholas teaches Emma to appreciate life, the beauty around her, and to just let go and live. Between Daisy and Nicholas, Emma feels like she belongs somewhere for the first time in her life, and realizes that you don't always need a plan - sometimes life steers you where you're meant to be.

Life is wonderful, an endless string of blue sky days, until Nicholas is diagnosed with cancer, and life changes once again for Emma in ways she never thought possible. Now it's time for her to help Nicholas the way he's helped her. Emma will have to use her new-found strength, and discover along the way if love really is enough to get you through. [Goodreads]

What a beautiful, heartfeltstory. I'm not one to be openly mushy,so it's hard for me to explain how touching BlueSky Days was. I loved how personalit felt, as if Emma were a friend telling me about what happened during thatyear of her life - her journey of self-discovery and finding love. Also, the setting of this book was beautiful,I would love to live in a place like Riverview.

I really felt for Emma, themain character. At age 19, she felt solost in her life, with no direction and no support system. When she moved to Riverview with her auntDaisy, it was like she could breathe for the first time and just let thingsfall in place. Sometimes we have tocompletely remove ourselves from what we're so accustom to, in order to fullymove on. And that's the leap Emmatook. She didn't do it alone though-Nicholas was a constant support for her. At 22-years-old, he's the type of person who is wise beyond his yearsbecause of having to grow-up at a young age. He is the guy every parent hopes their daughter brings home, and anygirl would be lucky to have. Nicholasand Emma found each other and fell in love, but sometimes life can be cruel andput even the strongest love through hell.

There are some greatsupporting characters in Blue Sky Days,as well. I adored Daisy, and not justbecause she'd rather be barefoot like me. She had a wonderful outlook on life, and was willing to be there for herniece when Emma's own mother wasn't. Ialso loved Vince and Maggie, the most awesome bff's anyone could possiblyhave. I'd love a spin-off of these two.

Ultimately, this was a wonderfuldebut novel from Landry. She pulled onmy heartstrings that I tend to keep hidden, and I enjoyed every minute ofit. I really hope everyone reads Blue Sky Days and experiences Emma'sjourney, not to mention fall in love with Nicholas.

Amazon | Smashwords

Tempting Tuesday Wk 4: Some Girls Bite

2012-01-23T23:34:00.000-08:00

Aw, the last week of the read-along. The book is finished. :( I seriously enjoy these read-alongs, and plan to participate in more in the future.

January 3rd - Chapters 1-4 (Jenny at Supernatural Snark)
January 10th - Chapters 5-8 (Tina at Tina's Book Reviews)
January 17th - Chapters 9-12 (Rummanah at Books in the Spotlight)
January 24th - Chapters 13-15 + epilogue (Missie at The Unread Reader)
January 31st - Special guest post by Chloe Neill and our grand prize giveaway!

Everyone who signs up for the read-along and participates each week will be entered in our grand prize giveaway, with the winner announced on each of our blogs on the 31st.

=======================================

Questions forChapters 13-15 + epilogue

1.Chapter 13 opens with Merit describing her new job routine as House Sentinel.Considering that every job Cadogan House is important in helping to make thehouse run efficiently, which job do you think you'd like to have (guard, cook,social director, gardener, etc.) and why?

Easy. Master Vampire,of course. Then I'd mend thevamp-shifter rift, and Jeff could be my Consort. I'd immediately put Ethan on garbage andbathroom duty while wearing a sexy maid outfit. Why? Why not?

2.In the supernatural world of Chicagoland Vampires, politics seem to play animportant role in the way the Houses are run. Now that you've been introducedto the Rogues, do you think it's better for vampires to be a part of a House orto live outside of one.

I don't know, it seems like the Rogues will still bandtogether even though they're technically not a House. I don't see anything wrong with having thechoice of being part of a House or wanting to be Rogue. They've obviously been able to stay under theradar for centuries, so what's the big problem?

3.After Morgan openly asks to court Merit, she feels betrayed when Ethan commandsher to accept for the show of alliance it could bring to Cadogan House. Do youthink her reaction was warranted?

I think her reaction about being a pawn is warranted. Yes, Morgan really does like her, but Ethan"pimped her out," so I be pissed. As for the personal betrayal... no. I'm just not getting a connection between Ethan and Merit. I mean, they're rarely around each other, so... I don't know, I'm just not feeling it.

4.When Ethan meets with the perpetrator of the murders, were you surprised todiscover who it was? If you suspected someone, were your suspensions correct?What did you think of the perpetrator's motive?

No, because I pretty much suspected everyone, so wasn't toosurprised. I did have a feeling thatmaybe Amber had a part in it, probably just because I didn't like her. I was expecting more of a connection toMerit, though. Did they purposely goafter girls like her? It kind of feelslike we were purposely led to think it was about Merit, but apparently itwasn't. I still want to know what Ethanwas doing on campus when Merit was attacked.

5.What was your favorite/least favorite parts of Some Girls Bite?

I loved the showdown with Merit and Morgan. I also loved every scene Jeff was in.

Least... probably the ending. Guess I was expecting more.

6.What do you think is coming up next for Merit, Sentinel of Cadogan House? Willyou continue reading this series, and if so, what do you hope to see happen inthe next book?

Yup, I'll keep reading the series. Hopefully there will be some ass kicking. And I hope Merit finds her Catcher... or atleast gets laid.

Guest Post & Giveaway: T.P. Boje (Afterlife Series)

2012-01-23T00:11:00.000-08:00

Hi all!! I havesomething awesome for you guys. T.P. Boje, the author of the Afterlife series,is here. She's going to tell you where the idea for the series came from. She's also offering and e-copy and paperback copy of Beyond, the 1st book in the series. So here we go....

Guest Post from T.P. Boje:

Have you ever wondered where you go when you die?

Haven’t we all at some point? I used to do it a lot as a kid. Is heavenfor real and what is it going to be like once I get there? What kind of a bodywill I have? What will I look like? Will all of my family come with me? Will Imeet my grandmother there?

When I was a child I remember reading Astrid Lindgren’s “The BrothersLionheart”. To those who don’t know it, it is a book about two brothers thatboth die and goes to the country Nangijala, a land in "the campfires andstorytelling days". Here the brothers experience great adventures.Together with a resistance group they lead the struggle against the evilTengil, who rules with the aid of the fearsome fire-breathing dragon Katla. Itis really a very beautiful book and I remember how it made me look upon deathin a totally different way. Like it could actually be a new adventure.

As I grew up I never thought much about life after death and if therereally was one or not. I was busy living my life and thinking about my lifehere on earth. But then one day not many months ago a thought just popped intomy head. What if we have to go to school when we die?

As it so often happens, the thought wouldn’t go away again once it hadcome into my head, and I started playing with the idea. If it is true that weleave our bodies here on earth, then we must have some new body on the otherside, right? And it would probably take some time to get used to that new body.And how about going through walls and doors and stuff? I mean if we becomespirits then we would have to learn how to do all those things, right? And whatabout flying? That is not something that comes to us easily. We would have topractice first, right? And someone would have to teach us. So eventually I startedimagining this school that we all had to graduate from in order to be let intoheaven, and soon Meghan popped into my head and started walking around on that school- that just had to be run by angels. She soon made some friends and fell inlove (as it often happens when you are sixteen). And that was when the problemsbegan. Because the boy was still human, living on earth, so how could they everbe together?

That was when I realized that a book-series was born. And just like thebook “The Brothers Lionheart” from my childhood, it was about how dying is onlythe beginning of the next great adventure.

A little about Beyond

Have you ever wondered where you go when youdie?

Meghan is 16 when it happens to her. She wakesup on a flying steamboat on her way to a school run by Angels in a white marblecastle. She meets Mick who helps her through a difficult time in a differentworld filled with heavenly magic. One day she finds a mirror in the cellar ofthe school and goes through it. She ends up back on earth where she meetsJason. But Jason is in danger and Meghan knows something important.

Soon she will have to choose between the two worlds.

The one she belongs to now, and the one she left.

Beyond is a Y/A paranormal romance and the firstbook in T. P. Boje’s Afterlife-series.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The 2nd and 3rd book, Serenity and Endurance, are also available now.

About T.P. Boje

T. P. Boje is a mother oftwo, a stepmother of another two and a hardcore cartoon lover, Tim Burtonenthusiast, and enjoys any movie the Coen Brothers have made (with the bigLebowski being her favorite strongly followed by Burn after Reading). She isalso a writer of Y/A Paranormal Romance, fantasy and mystery. She is originallyfrom Denmark but currentlyliving in Florida, USA. Her books are translated intoseveral languages.

Twitter | Facebook | Blog

Giveaway

-- TWO winners

-- One paperback & one e-book of Beyond

-- Open internationally

-- Enter via Rafflecopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf

2012-01-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

Title: 8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf

Author: Michael Mullin

Pub Date: November 9, 2011

Publisher: Gemiknight Studios

Source: Author for review

Written in verse,this is the previously untold story of the previously unknown 8th dwarf, namedCreepy. He is banished to the basement for being different and, well, weird.Yet he plays a vital - and of course previously unknown - role in the populartale of Snow White (whose title character is an intruder Creepy refers to as"the Maid"). [Goodreads]

I now have a new favoritedwarf. Forget Grumpy and Doc, give meCreepy instead! My 14-year-old son and Iboth got quite a kick out of this enlightening untold story of the 8thdwarf. I love stuff like this - when weget to see an alternate point-of-view of such a popular tale. Especially when it's a slightly twisted,humorous point-of-view.

No, this isn't exactly foryour little kid, but I think teens and adults will get a good laugh from it. It's a very quick, but very entertainingread. I'm in awe of the kind of mindthat can come up with something like this, in verse. I wish my mind worked like that.

Honestly, all of you mustread this. You'll never be able to readSnow White again, without thinking of Creepy.

Amazon | B&N

You can win a copy HERE

Review: Cinder

2012-01-20T00:30:00.000-08:00

Title: Cinder

Author: Marissa Meyer

Pub Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Series: Lunar Chronicles, #1

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. [Goodreads]

I knew I was going to lovethis book. I just knew it. I have always loved Cinderella and all thedifferent adaptations of it, so when I read that this version is futuristic andthe Cinderella character is a cyborg, I literally shrieked with excitement. Cinder did not disappoint me.

Cinder takes place in thefuture, 126 years after World War IV, in New Beijing. There are hover cars, advanced medicalscience, cyborgs, and androids in the future, but there is still disease. The Letumosis plague has caused a massivedeath toll, with no cure in sight. Ontop of that, the Lunars, a society on the moon has been a constant threat toearth, and they are one creepy bunch. When the emperor of New Beijing dies from the plague, Queen Levana ofLuna pounces, and makes a move to marry prince Kaito and become empress. No onewants that, but she holds something earth needs.

Whether you love them orhate them, Meyer wrote some great characters. Cinder is a cyborg, adopted at age 11, and doesn't have any memory ofher life prior to the accident that lead to her cyborgism. Even though Cinder was left with a witch of a stepmother after her adopted dad dies, she's still a kind person and has a great senseof humor. I really loved her. Adri, her legal guardian, and Pearl, heradopted sister, infuriated me. They wereso evil to Cider, and there was nothing she could do since she literally hadno rights because she was a cyborg. Itbroke my heart at times, and I wanted themto get hit by a hover so bad.

Prince Kai was a great character, also. He and Cinder were so cute... well, his persistence was. I loved his flirting with her, and her resistance to him. But it was sad at the same time, because of why she resisted him. I think he'll continue to be a great character that I'll grow to love even more as the series continues.

Although I figured the twistout by page 44, it was still a really fun book. I love when a book can make me feel such strong emotions about thecharacters or situations. I think that'swhy Cinderella has been my favorite. Just like Cinder, she's kicked down as low as she can get, treated likecrap, but still holds her head up and comes out on top. Well, technically Cinder ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, but I'm still rooting formy favorite cyborg!

Everyone needs to readCinder! Meyer wrote a great debut novel,and I cannot wait for the secondbook to come out.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Glitches by Marissa Meyer

Lunar Chronicles, #0.5

This is a very short story about Cinder's first days after being adopted at 11-years-old. It was interesting getting a glimpse into that time of her life, and that we got to know her stepfather just as much as she did.

Amazon

My thoughts on Touch of Power

2012-01-19T22:43:00.000-08:00

Title: Touch of Power

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Pub Date: December 20, 2011

Publisher: Mira

Series: Healer, #1

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan absorbs their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Fifteen Realms, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life…. [Goodreads]

*This contains spoilers, because there are some things Ican't not bring up*

It's been a couple of weeksince I finished Touch of Power, andusually don't even post anything about books that I didn't care for, but I haveto for this one. This was the first bookI read by Snyder, so I really didn't know what to expect. The premise of the story is veryintriguing. I love the idea of thehealers who can literally take on the ailment of others, but will heal faster thana regular person. When a plague wipesout a large population of people, the healers are blamed because that is theone thing they can't heal, so it turns into a witch hunt. One healer has survived, and lives on the runhiding who and what she is. Seriously, Ireally liked that idea, but there are some things that really irked me.

I mostly liked Avery, themain character. I liked her compassion, stubbornness,and her dash of snarkiness. I also likemost of the guys who rescued/ kidnapped Avery. But something I cant's get past is that Kerrick hit her in the face sohard out of anger, then shackled her to a tree and starved her because sherefused to heal his friend. Then,suddenly he loves her, and she loves him. And according to Kerrick, she changed him. Wow, am I the only one who sees howunbelievably messed up that is? I can'tget past that. If the author hadn't madehim a physically abusive bully who held her against her will, and then turnedthat into love, I probably would've been able to enjoy this book a lotmore.

Honestly, at times I didenjoy the book, but then things would happen that turned me back off. I don't want to get attacked for not likingthe book and expressing why I didn't, but that was such a huge issue that Icouldn't ignore. I'm not going to tellpeople that they shouldn't read it, because there are obviously a lot of peoplewho really enjoyed this book. So give ita try if it sounds like something you would like.

One last thing, though,Tohon saying "my dear" so many times drove me crazy!

Review: Tempest

2012-01-17T20:17:00.000-08:00

Title: Tempest

Author: Julie Cross

Pub Date: January 17, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Series: Tempest, Book 1

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world. [Goodreads]

I. Love. Timetravel! Love it! I enjoy the complexity of it, and that youcan basically make up your own rules for it. However, I'm so picky about the story making sense, and making surethere are no inconsistencies. The authordid a pretty good job at making everything mesh, and took an interesting routewith the time travel. It wasn't the best I've read, but it was pretty good.

First of all,the main character is a guy. Thatdoesn't matter to me, but I know that's a big plus or minus for some ofyou. Jackson is a sweetheart, plus he's smart,rich, and funny. He discovers that hecan time travel, but not in a way you would expect. At first he can only do half-jumps, where hisbody stays in the present, and when he's back in time, anything he does won'tchange the future. That is until acouple of guys attack him and Holly, his girlfriend. Suddenly, Jackson is two years in the past,not as a half-jump, but as a full-jump. Unfortunately,he can't figure out how to do it again and gets stuck in 2007.

There was a lotof action in Tempest, and I enjoyed Jackson trying to discover what exactly isdad was. Also, it was cute how heweaseled his way in to Holly's life, even though they technically hadn't metyet. I think Adam, Jackson's friend, andonly person he's told about his ability, is my favorite character, especiallywhen he's had caffeine.

Though Ienjoyed the book, there were a few things that just didn't feel right. I'm not going to list every little thing, butit seemed like once it got to a certain point in the book, I had to roll myeyes a couple of times.

Overall,Tempest didn't completely wow me,but it did intrigue me enough to want to read the next book in the trilogy. If you like time travel, with some action andromance, then you might want to give this one a try.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Tomorrow is Today is a short prequel to Tempest.

It also contains the first 4 chapters of Tempest.

You can download it free at:

Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Tempting Tuesday Wk 3: Some Girls Bite

2012-01-16T23:04:00.000-08:00

Week three of the read-along!! I'm quite enjoying the book and the characters, especially Jeff.

January 3rd - Chapters 1-4 (Jenny at Supernatural Snark)
January 10th - Chapters 5-8 (Tina at Tina's Book Reviews)
January 17th - Chapters 9-12 (Rummanah at Books in the Spotlight)
January 24th - Chapters 13-15 + epilogue (Missie at The Unread Reader)
January 31st - Special guest post by Chloe Neill and our grand prize giveaway!

Everyone who signs up for the read-along and participates each week will be entered in our grand prize giveaway, with the winner announced on each of our blogs on the 31st.

==========================================

Discussion Questions Chapter 9-12

1. Catcher andEthan share some personality traits. What makes Mallory, Merit, and even usreaders attracted to these guys? Would you date/mate with someone like theseguys in real life?

I think we like having someone else in control, at least forsome things. *winkwink**nudgenudge* Hmm...I've always picked guys like Mark, where I'm in complete control. I like guys like Catcher for short-term, but thenit turns into too much of a power struggle.

2. In Chapter9 we learn of another murder. Do you see any patterns with the previous murderand Merit's attack? Do you have any guesses as to who is responsible and themotive behind the murders?

Well, it threw out my maybe-theory that the 1st was a caseof mistaken identity, and they were targeting Merit specifically. I can't remember, but is there always 12 newvamps, or is it up to 12? Because, ifMerit was the 12th, then who was supposed to be the 12th before her attack? Andshe just happened to be a female, fitting into the 6th female slot? Something is fishy.

3.The commendation is my favorite moment in the book and a significant event inMerit's life. She has finally come to terms that she is a Cadogan vampire. Wereyou surprised at all that Merit resisted Ethan's call and that he made her aSentinel? Do you think she'll do well in this position? Why or why not?

I wasn't surprised she resisted, especially after whathappened with what's-her-face.. that other master vamp. And Catcher made some kind of comment like hehad a feeling she could after that night at the bar. I think she will do well as Sentinel, maybeeven become more powerful. I want to seeher kick some major ass already.

4.Loyalty is a reoccurring theme throughout the book and much of this series. Whyis it so important to Ethan that he needs Merit's allegiance? Is it solely aMaster and Sentinel thing or does it imply something else?

Oh, let's see... There is definitely something more thanjust the vampire and house thing. Ethanwants Merit as his in a lot of ways. When she swore her allegiance, I thinkEthan wants that to mean something a little more personal. Am I making sense? I'm trying to get thisdone before the NyQuil knocks me completely out.

5.If you had the opportunity to sit down with Ethan, Merit, Mallory, and Catcherfor a bite to eat like in the beginning of Chapter 12, what questions would youask them at this point of the story?

Who the hell eats a hot dog with utensils? Why exactly was Ethan on campus that nightMerit was attacked? Can Catcher hook meup with Jeff?

Excerpt & Giveaway: In the Shadow of the Moonlight

2012-01-15T23:57:00.000-08:00

Hello book lovers! Here on the blog, I have J.J. Bidell with an excerpt of her book In the Shadow of the Moonlight: The Awakening. She is also offering an e-copy of her book to 2 winners!

First, a little about the book

NaomiRoberts finally receives a scholarship for a semester abroad in Maine. When Naomi’sgrandmother suddenly claims that Naomi will soon be transformed into a panther,like her great grandmother Romina, Naomi believes it is a final and desperateattempt to keep her from departing to the USA.

Having arrived in Maine, Naomi enjoys her student life with new friends and herfirst love, Roman. Even though she feels magically drawn to a mysteriousclearing in the woods, believes she is being watched and begins to sleepwalk,she does not remember the prophecy of her grandmother. Until her very firsttransformation. And - Naomi is not alone, which not only exposes her to mortaldanger, but also Roman.

Excerpt from Chapter 1

“My ma told me she was a shapeshifter. A cat person. She told me that she wouldmorph into a panther during the full moon.” She shook her head. “This all wasvery exciting. I was still a little girl. It was clear to me that if ma was acat person, then pa and I also had to be. Mama denied this and said that papawas a normal person, but she did not know about me yet.”

“And are you one?” Naomi laughed and looked at Leandra in amusement. Her voicehad a derisive tone. “Grrr, meow.” She slid her finger nails over the wooden tableas if she were a scratching cat.

“You don’t believe a word I say, do you?” Leandra closed her eyes. “No, ofcourse not. Anyway, how could you? And no, I’m not a shapeshifter, even if I’vebeen waiting for years to transform myself.”

Naomi stood up. “Grandma, how can I believe you telling me such a story?Werewolves, vampires and all this nonsense! You only find these in creepyfilms. You were a little girl and your imagination ran away with you, and yourmother played your game. Other children are frightened of monsters in thecloset.”

“Naomi, cat people are not monsters, but rather very gentle creatures thatwouldn’t hurt a soul. They do actually exist. Just because you’ve never seenany, doesn’t mean that they are not around.”

“Yes, like Nessi from Loch Ness!” Naomi walked back and forth in the kitchen.

Leandra noticed Naomi looking straight at her. She firmly looked into hergranddaughter’s eyes. “My mother wanted to protect me. She was afraid for me.And now I am afraid for you.”

=================================

About the Author

J.J. Bidell grew up in the country-bred of Southern Germany with an older sisterand a younger brother. Since she was 18 years old she travelled every year likea backpacker thru the North and South America as she never felt comfortable inher native country. She considers herself like a cosmopolitan with Germanroots. After living in Venezuela and in the Dominican Republic she moved toSpain. Since 2005 she lives on Mallorca with her older sister and her fifteenyear old black cat, which is more than happy that she never has to set paw inanother airplane again.

Under the name Elke Becker she published several short stories with AmnestyInternational, in anthologies and a novel with Schenk Publishing House. Herscript of a short movie “Marie´s voice” has been running in severalinternational film festivals like in the UK and Colombia.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

===================================

Giveaway

-- TWO people will win an e-copy of In the Shadow of the Moonlight

-- epub, pdf, & mobi files available

-- Open internationally

-- Try refreshing if you don't see the rafflecopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Unraveling Isobel

2012-01-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

Title: Unraveling Isobel

Author: Eileen Cook

Pub Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Publisher via Galley Grab

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.

But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. [Goodreads]

Loved thisbook! Funny, cute, and creepy, how couldthis not be a fun book? UnravelingIsobel was one of those books that I almost didn't read, but changed mymind at the last minute. Then it endedup keeping me awake until 1:30am doing the must-read-just-one-more-chapterthing.

Poor Isobel had toleave her high school, best friend, and civilization behind when herunbelievably selfish mother married Richard, a man she barely knows. Richard, or Dick - as Isobel soaffectionately refers to him - is ... well, a dick. Along with Dick's son, Nathaniel, they allmove to Dick's family estate onNairne Island, a place where everyone knows everyone and everything that goeson. Strange things start happening inthe house, but the big question is... is the stuff really happening, or isIsobel really going crazy?

Isobel ishilarious. I felt so bad for when her momacted like a selfish brat, marrying a man she's know for only a few months, anddoesn't even let Isobel finish out her senior year of high school. That's not even the worst of it, in myopinion. Isobel's biological dad hasschizophrenia, and her mom is always throwing it in Isobel's face that shemight get it, so every time she "acts up" or does her art, mom thinksshe has a mental illness. Plus, itinfuriates me the way she allowed Dick to manipulate them. But Isobel had me laughing through it all,because the girl is true smartass.

Isobel'srelationship with Nathanial is adorable, both of them had me laughing. I thought Nate was so cute, especially when heteased Isobel. Who cares if they're technicallystep-brother and step-sister! I wantthem together!

I recommend thisbook to everyone. It's fun, it's quick,and it totally pulls you in.

"Nathanial looked. Of course he looked. Shepractically was shaking her breast in his face. If he wasn't careful, a wayward nipple was going to take out one of hiseyes." - Isobel

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository