Epic Giveaway from Heather Zundel

Wow, look at all these great books!

So Heather Zundel is holding this amazing giveaway where you can win a ton of books. She is trying to build her following on her blog. To learn more, visit her blog, PLZ tell her Ellz Readz sent you!!

Visit The Secret Adventures of Writer Girl to Enter!!

CSN stores giveaway WINNER!

HUGE thanks to CSN stores for providing this fantastic prize. Be sure to drop by their stores for all your shopping needs!

There were over 250 entries. I had fun looking at your links, my shopping list has grown. So who will be spending the $100 GC?

Thanks for random.org to lucky winner is...

Patricia L (email starts w/ Pelican)

Watch your inbox for my email (confirmed)

Thanks to everyone who entered and stick around for the Handmade With Love Giveaway Feb 2nd

and the Followers Love Giveaway Hop Feb 8th!

Handmade With Love Giveaway "peek"

I am a huge fan of stamped jewerly. It is a gift that can be personalized and treasured for years and years. Hip Hop Hippos creates beautiful pieces and you will have a chance to win one.

Here are some of my favorites...

I Heart You.... Sterling Silver Personalized Hand Stamped Necklace

THICK Sterling Silver Personalized Hand Stamped Initial Star Charm with Pearl Necklace

Lotus Flowers..... Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Drop Earrings

Be sure to drop by Hip Hop Hippos and check out all the beautiful pieces!  The giveaway starts February 2nd, be sure to stop back for your chance to win.

Handmade With Love Giveaway Sponsor

Everything Wall Art is sponsoring my giveaway for the  Handmade With Love event.

This store features hand-painted artwork to decorate any wall in your home.

The oil paintings on this website are entirely hand made. They are not machine generated. Individual artists make these paintings. Brush stroke by brush stroke these artists paint each piece.

There is sure to be something for everyone. Stop by and visit their gallery. They also have a blog where I found some decorating ideas. Check it out!

IMM (41)

Just a few new ones this week. I ordered a bunch, but they haven't come yet.

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren.

For Review:

Kat Incorrigible by, Stephanie Burgis  (April 5, 2011) 

Drought by Pam Bachorz (January 25, 2011) MY REVIEW

Tangled Threads (EA #4) by Jennifer Estep (April 26, 2011)-e-arc

*Special thank you to Simon & Schuster, Jennifer Brod, and Jennifer Estep.

From the Library:

Kisses From Hell anthology

Bought:

Red Riding Hood by Catherine Hardwicke

That's it for me this week. Did you get anything exciting?

YA review: Drought

Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?(goodreads)

My thoughts...Drought, the second book by author Pam Bachorz is not a happy go lucky story. It is dark and twisted. It left me cringing and covering my eyes with despair, yet I could not stop reading.
 
The story takes place in modern times, though it is hard to tell. The main characters, or Congregation, live under the control of a tyrant named Darwin West. This is probably one of the scariest villains I have read in YA literature. The man is evil. Ruby, the heroine, and other members of the congregation have to harvest water for West. The water, which is believed to have healing properties, can only be extracted by scraping water off leaves in the woods. If the Congregants don't perform as expected, they are punished by starvation, physical exertion, and violence.
 
While Darwin West is a horrifying villain. Ruby is an incredibly strong heroine. She and her people believe they will be saved by a man named Otto, who fled from them around 200 years ago. Ruby longs to be free of the life that has enslaved her for hundreds of years, but not everyone wants change.
 
As I mentioned above, this book was hard to put down. It was horrifying, agonizing, and painful at times to read. Ruby's mother infuriated me, as did the Elders in the story. The character of Otto baffled me, but the devotion to him was mysterious.  I am left pondering why these people have stayed for so long. Was it out of fear? Desperation? Or Faith. 
 
Overall, Drought was not what I expected, but I enjoyed it. This would be a great book for a club or discussion group: it will definitely evoke some strong opinions and discussions.
 
For more information, visit Pam Bachorz at her website.  Find this book at Goodreads for a list of purchase links. Pam will be here in February for an interview!

Want To Win??

My lovely friend Misty at Book Rat is hosting a Winter Wonderland Event.

I have donated a SIGNED copy of THE SNOWBALL EFFECT by Holly Nicole Hoxter.

Wanna win it? Go visit Misty at her blog Book Rat!

The Winter Wonderland event will be jam packed with exciting posts, you don't want to miss it!

Need more fun?  The awesome Velvet at vvb32Reads is hosting another chilling event. The Winter Getaway is in full effect. Check out the excitement by following this link.

YA review: Red Moon Rising

Being only half-vamp in a high school like Carpathia Night makes you a whole loser. But Danny Gray manages to escape the worst of the specists at his school. Thanks to genetic treatments he had as an infant, most people assume Danny's other half is human. Which is a good thing.
Ever since the development of synthetic blood – SynHeme – vamps have become society’s elite, while wulves like his father work menial jobs and live in bad neighborhoods. Wulves are less than second class citizens; once a month they become inmates, forced to undergo their Change in dangerous government compounds.

For Danny, living with his vamp mother and going to a school with a nearly all-vamp student body, it’s best to pretend his wulf half doesn’t even exist. But lately Danny's been having some weird symptoms -- fantastic night vision; a keener-than-usual sense of smell; and headaches, right around the full moon.

Even though it's easy to be in denial, it's hard to ignore evidence. There's only a month until the next few moon, and Danny's time is running out.

Peter Moore speaks to adolescents in a voice that will have them laughing, set in a world that will get them thinking.(goodreads)

My thoughts... Red Moon Rising is not your typical vampire/werewulf story. This book is a journey through some of the social issues that have (and in some cases still) plague our society.

The protagonist in this story, Danny, is part of a society that practices segregation and discrimination around species. The Vamps are the dominant race who have all the advantages. The wulves, sitting on the bottom of the pile, are forced to endure less than pleasurable situations and reactions in their daily lives. While Danny believes he is cured of his Wulf genes, some symptoms make him believe otherwise. Danny is a strong male character who has a soft, empathetic side readers will fall for. The villain in this story will make you cringe, as will on occasion, Danny's sister. There are several other interesting characters in the story. Considering the story is about a boy, I think it will appeal to more readers.

Danny shows quite a bit of growth in this book. He struggles to deal with the changes he is experiencing, works to rebuild a fragile relationship with his Wulf father, and even develops a love interest. The ending fell a bit flat for me. However, it was a true demonstration of Danny's character. There were several questions left unanswered and I would be interested in reading more books in this world. 

Red Moon Rising hits bookshelves February 8, 2011.  Visit goodreads for more reviews and purchase links.

WoW: Starcrossed

WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. I love the cover for this book and the summary sounds creepy...fates crying tears of blood...someone is in for it.

Starcrossed

by, Josephine Angelini

May 31, 2011

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart. (goodreads)

Follow this link to preorder from Amazon.

YA Review: Tell Me A Secret

Tell me a secret, and I'll tell you one…

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

In this powerful debut novel, stunning new talent Holly Cupala illuminates the dark struggle of a girl who must let go of her past to find a way into her own future.(goodreads)

My thoughts...This was one of those books I was not sure if I wanted to read. I knew going in that the subject matter was going to be heavy, there were going to be tears shed, and that if not told artfully, the story could just be depressing. Well, I was right on several aspects.


First, the story was about a really tough topic. Teen pregnancy is something that effects many teens each year. The reactions of the teen involved and her peers is believable, which made the story more enjoyable. Her friends in the story were horrible and cruel. I felt bad for Miranda.  That brings me to the second point, tears. This book absolutely brought me to tears. It was heart-wrenching, especially as a mother. This would be a great book for families to read together and discuss afterwords. Lastly, the writing. The story was very well written. It was smart, articulate, passionate, and emotional. It had me smiling from ear-to-ear and crying my eyes out. I really enjoyed it.

For more information, including purchase links, visit Holly Cupala at her website.

*I borrowed this book from my library.

YA review: Hexbound

Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia’s School for Girls, but she’s already learned that magic can be your best friend…or your worst enemy.

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Turns out, even a little magic can turn you to the dark side. That’s why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities, on top of avoiding the snobs who think they run her school, nursing a crush on a cute sophomore with a big, werewolf-y secret, and fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago’s nastiest nightlife—including the tainted magic users known as Reapers.

Then Lily’s invited to a private meeting with Sebastian. He’s hot, powerful, and offering to help her harness the magic flowing in her veins in a way no one else can. He’s also a Reaper. Lily can’t hide her suspicions. But she’ll soon find out that the line between good and evil isn’t always clear…(goodreads)

My thoughts...Book two in the Dark Elite series brings us back with the characters from Firespell.  Lily is still working on developing her magic and a relationship with a very warm-blooded boy from a neighboring school. Readers are introduced to new characters and my favorite part, new magic. Along with new magic of course comes new enemies and new dangers. Also, Hexbound does quite a bit more world building.


Cons...While I enjoyed reading Hexbound, I had several issues with it. First was the predictability. I quickly solved the mystery and occasionally grew frustrated when the clues were very obvious to the characters. Secondly, I was really hoping for more development with the relationship between Lily and Sebastian. His intentions were very unclear and his character was very mysterious. I am hoping to learn more in future books.


Overall, I enjoyed Hexbound. The series reminds me a lot of Rachel Caine's Morganville series in that the books are quick reads, almost like episodes. Each book offers readers a peek into the world and enough of a hook to keep you wanting more. I will be watching for the next book in November of 2011.

For more infomation, find Chloe on Goodreads or at her webpage.

Cover LOVE?

Angie Frazier shared the cover for the Eternal Sea. Here is what she had to say about it on livejournal...

Very, VERY different from the cover for EVERLASTING, huh? I have my fingers crossed that the paperback cover for EVERLASTING will be a nice, matching companion cover to this new one.

Ana Cruz is the talent behind the photo art manipulation--check out her site! So amazing. I feel very lucky to have had her work on the cover for THE ETERNAL SEA!

The Eternal Sea (Everlasting, Book Two)

June 2011

Romance and adventure are just around the corner . . .

After the thrilling journey that led Camille through the dangerous discovery of love, secrets, and a magical stone that grants immortality, Camille has everything she wants. She's escaped the men who wanted her dead, and now she is ready to build a new life with Oscar, her one true love. But things are not to be so simple. Oscar is acting strangely, and before they can even board a ship from Australia back home, to San Francisco, Camille learns that the journey is not over. If she does not follow the magic of the curse of Umandu, her life and Ocar's could be in grave danger.

Visit Angie at her livejournal page for more information.

Preorder links can be found on Angie's website.

I love the skull in the clouds. Great cover!

What do you think? Are you in Cover LOVE?

Melting Pot Monday

Zero Day
by, Mark Russinovich
March 2011
Suspense Thriller

In his upcoming novel, ZERO DAY (Thomas Dunne Books, March 2011), Russinovich draws from his expert knowledge of cybersecurity to present an unsettling realistic scenario of a cyber-terrorist plot that threatens to annihilate modern society as we know it. After a series of major international computer failures, former government analyst Jeff Aiken suspects something more than coincidence is at hand. He begins to fear these incidents signal the threat of a more serious cyber-terrorist plot, and soon finds himself in a race against time to gain access to codes that will prevent an international disaster.

For more information, find Zero Day on Goodreads.

***************************************************************

The Ghost Of A Flea
by, John Brinling 
Murder/Mystery Romance
July 2010

Time: 1975. Location: New York City.The novel is a romantic, suspenseful action thriller that tests the endurance and love of a man and a woman, and threatens the security of a great city. It is a tale of greed, passion and death centered on a painting of haunting beauty and mystifying significance. “The Ghost Of A Flea,” painted by William Blake 200 years ago.The murder of Roger’s musician friend, Gideon Whiting, turns Roger’s world up-side-down. His wife, Natalie, lies to him. His best friend, Ted, lies to him. His boss and U.S. Senate candidate, Charlie Holt, lies to him. And Lieutenant Tarrington, a homicide detective, is convinced Roger killed Gideon—but is Tarrington who he claims to be, or is he lying, too?Peggy Curtis, the blond bombshell who dropped into Roger’s life one snowy night after he left Gideon’s apartment, might be the only person who can unravel the Gordian knot facing Roger, yet she has serious credibility problems, and is the last person he would want to rely on with his life and freedom on the line.The drug cartel masterminding much of the chaos seeks an address book it thinks Roger took from Gideon. As their ruthless pursuit intensifies, the police learn of the book and join the chase. The problem is, Roger doesn’t have what they want and he must get it before they decide he is expendable.The book is replete with characters willing to do anything for money and power, and danger lurks in unexpected places. The unpredictable story line takes more twists and turns than a treacherous mountain road.In a climax not unlike the best of today’s action thrillers—Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, others—Roger and Peggy face-off against the surprise mastermind of the drug cartel in a fight to the death!(goodreads)

Currently in e-book format, this title can be purchased at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

IMM: 40

After fighting with you tube all day, I finally got a vlog done after about a zillion tries. The video is a bit fuzzy, but it worked. IMM is hosted by The Story Siren.

For Review:

Red Moon Rising by, Peter Moore

Born At Midnight +swag by, CC Hunter
(Goodreads is saying March 29, 2011 for the pub date)

Darkness Becomes Her by, Kelly Keaton

Paperback Swap:

The Last Sacrifice by, R. Mead (not shown)

WON from Mishel @P.S. I Love Books (Big Hugs)

Bloodthirsty by, Flynn Meaney

A Hellion In Her Bed by, Sabrina Jeffries

*Links lead back to Goodreads

Got INK? (32)

There is a trend with books, particularly Urban Fantasy, to display inked models on the covers.

Got INK? features some of these titles.

Awakened by, P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

January 2011

At the start of Awakened, the pulse-pounding eighth installment of the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey has returned, mostly whole, from the Otherworld to her rightful place as High Priestess at the House of Night. Her friends are just glad to have her back, but after losing her human consort, Heath, will Zoey—or her relationship with her super- hot Warrior, Stark—ever be the same? Stevie Rae is drawn even closer to Rephaim, the Raven Mocker with whom she shares a mysterious and powerful Imprint, but he is a dangerous secret that isolates her from her school, her red fledglings, and even her best friends. When the dark threat of Neferet—who is coming closer and closer to achieving her twisted goal of immortality—and Kalona returns, what will it take to keep the House of Night from being lost forever, and what will one desperate girl do to keep her heart from being irreparably broken?(goodreads)

For more information, including purchase links, visit Goodreads.

Seen any inked covers lately?

CSN Giveaway (a big one!)

GIVEAWAY CLOSED-WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON!

CSN is without a doubt the best online shopping site. Not only do they have a great variety of stores, such as luggage stores, but they treat us bloggers like royalty. 

That being said, the wonderful team at CSN stores has offered me the opportunity for another review or giveaway. Since I love my readers, this one is for you.

How about a gift code in the amount of...

$100

I am sure you can find something incredible with that much bank!

So here's how you enter...

Visit CSN stores and tell me something you would purchase with the $100.  Please leave me the link to the item in the form below.

That's it! It would be great if you spread the word, but I want to keep the entry simple so that is optional. You DO NOT have to be a follower, but I always welcome new friends!

Entries must be received by January 30th. One entry per person, multiple entries will be deleted. Winner will receive a code that can be used at checkout.

Good luck!

Appreciation for CSN stores

As many of you know, CSN stores provides shoppers with a wide variety from over 200+ online stores.

On their site, you can find: Luggage Stores

Stores that cater to the home,

Stores for kids and babies,

Stores for the outdoor enthusiast,

just to name a few.

I find myself looking there for online purchases. I have not found another site that offers so many quality items in one stop. Here is my most recent purchase:

These beautiful pictures are decorating my wall and have received TONS of compliments in a short time. They are excellent quality and the price was right!

This product from Kokoware even had free shipping!

What products have you purchased from CSN stores lately?

WoW: Lemniscate

There is tons of buzz about the new releases for the Elevensies. But lets not forget those highly anticipated sequels to the Tenners books from last year. I am waiting on the sequel to Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia, Lemniscate. 

Lemniscate (Angel Star #2)

by, Jennifer Murgia

March 21, 2011

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth- especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.

Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.

In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most.(goodreads)

For more information, visit Jennifer at her website.  Follow this link to preorder Lemniscate from Amazon. Haven't read Angel Star? You can see my review here.

*WoW is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

YA Review: Human Blend

Marion, Virginia seemed like a nice place to live a normal life, but she is not a normal girl. Laney has special abilities that keep her looking over her shoulder as she makes her escape from the men who had kidnapped her. A young doctor's interest is piqued when he witnesses her mysteriously curing a young child's illness. He befriends her due to his growing fascination with uncovering the true nature of her abilities, but not without harboring secrets of his own. Laney's budding relationship with a local boy puts both of them in danger when the men she was hiding from find her. All of their lives will change forever as ancient secrets become unearthed.(goodreads)

My thoughts...Author Lori Pescatore is a fresh face in the world of paranormal authors. She introduces readers to an exciting new world of mysterious beings.

Human Blend is a very original story of a girl who is hiding from her past. The heroine Laney, changes her identity and tries to make a new life in a small town in Virgina. Unfortunately for her, this is not as easy as it sounds.

Laney has the special ability to heal illness and pain in others.  Her character is very multi-dimensional.  I noticed a very strong, determined side of her, but also a side that has seen the dark side too many times. There are several other characters that are memorable, including a kind doctor and the gentle Austin.  I had a hard time deciding which one I liked better.

The story is written with a great blend of mystery, action, romance, and suspense. For me, the best part of the story was the introduction of some new paranoramal beings. Their inclusion felt believable. There are also plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. The ending will definitely leave you wanting more.

If I would have seen this book on the shelf, I would have passed it up. I am not bowled over by the cover or the title.  Fortunately, I saw several great reviews that spurred me to read it.  I was not disappointed and I definitely recommend this book to fans of YA paranormal books!

For more information, visit Lori Pescatore at facebook or fan her on goodreads.
*Nook readers- this is listed for only $2.99 @Barnes & Noble
*Kindle readers- $1.99 on Amazon
What a deal!

Review Me Winner

Thank you to the publishers and authors for providing review copies of these books.  It brings us bloggers such joy to read these books ahead of time.

Thanks to everyone who entered, I wish I had copies for everone.

There were 41 entries and thanks to Random.org, the lucky reviewer is...

LENA

Congrats and check your inbox, I already emailed you!

Happy Reading!

Cover LOVE?

I am not sure when this came out, but I have not seen it yet.  While it is not my favorite, I think it is interesting they have switched to two people. Book 4 will be available April 5, 2011. 

City of Fallen Angels is the fourth book in the bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

“City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.” (goodreads)

For more information, visit Cassandra Clare's website or the Mortal Instruments Site.

Are you in Cover LOVE?

IMM (39)

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren. Here is what I received this week...

WON (thank you and big hugs)

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain from Mundie Moms

XVI by Julia Karr from Julia Karr

BOUGHT

Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler
Hexbound by Chloe Neill

LIBRARY

Tell Me a Secret by, Holly Cupala

Crave  by Melinda Metz , Laura J. Burns

REVIEW

Human Blend by, Lori Pescatore
The Lipstick Laws by, Amy Holder (NetGalley)

That was actually two weeks worth.  What was in your mailbox?

Got INK? (31)

There is a trend with books, particularly Urban Fantasy, to display inked models on the covers. 

Got INK? features some of these titles. This cover definitely fits, and man is it hard core. It is crazy looking, but really cool at the same time. Maybe I am just becoming warped, what do you think of it?

My Life As A White Trash Zombie coming July 2011

 A new series about a white trash chick who gets turned into a zombie, and ends up working in a morgue for easy access to brains.

I spotted this one at All Things Urban Fantasy. For more information, visit Goodreads or Diana Rowland's website.

YA review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter

Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…


Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.


But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life? (goodreads)

My thoughts...I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I am going to be brief.

This is a great start to an exciting, fresh, YA series. This first book in the series introduces us to Riley, a young demon trapper who lives and trains with her legendary father. We also meet Beck, who is also an apprentice of Riley's father. Riley is a strong heroine, she is determined, dedicated, and tough. Aside from those admirable qualities, she has a soft side that makes her believable. I look forward to her growth in future books.

While The Demon Trappers Daughter was not non-stop action, there were some impressive fight scenes.  Readers really get a taste of the life of the trappers, and it isn't all pretty. There is quite a bit of world building that sets the scene for the rest of the series. Oliver did a brilliant job of describing the world, while keeping me entertained. I loved the mix of demons, hunters, and other paranormals such as witches. The characters often visit a marketplace for unusual and magical items. I just wanted to jump in and go exploring. The whole world was very enticing.

Overall, I loved this book. I will be reading the rest of the series.

For more information, including purchase links, visit Jana Oliver at her website.

Cover LOVE?

I spotted the covers for Elevensie Kevin Hearne's The Iron Druid Series. These books will be released in QUICK succession. By quick I mean book one: (Hounded) April 19, 2011, book two: (Hexed) May 24, 2011, and book three: (Hammered) on June 28, 2011.  No years of agonizing over this one.

Atticus O'Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old--when in actuality, he's twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he's hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power--plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish--to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.(goodreads)

For more information about this series, including preorder links, visit the official website of Kevin Hearne. Don't forget to add them to your goodreads lists!

There is now a free short story featuring Atticus and Oberon under the Goodies page on Kevin's website.

I like the covers, they remind me of Cassandra Clare covers. 

What do you think?  Are you in Cover LOVE?

Review Me! Giveaway (4)

I have some more ARCS that could use another review.

To be entered:

1. Must promise (scouts honor please) to review the book. Reviews can be shared on your blog (if you have one), amazon, barnes and noble, goodreads, ect.

You are even welcome to do a guest post here if you like.

2. US only please (due to shipping)

3. One entry per person, ends 1/17

4. There will be one winner, unless the person chosen already has one of these titles, then I will choose a second reviewer.  Happy Reading.

YA review: Crave

Crave (Crave #1)
by Melinda Metz & Laura J. Burns
September 2010
Shay has had a rare blood disorder since she was born. In fact, her mother married one of Shay’s doctors, Martin, who left his world-renowned leukemia research to try and figure out exactly what the disorder is and how to cure it. When she turns seventeen, Martin begins to give her new blood transfusions that make her feel the strongest she has ever felt. But she also has odd visions where she sees through the eyes of a vampire. (goodreads)

My thoughts...One word for you: CLIFFHANGER. Not your average run of the mill cliffhanger either, I am talking DROPOFF. Good thing the next book comes out in September of 2011!

Crave is an original story with an unexpected twist. The story is told from two points-of-view. First we meet Shay, a young girl with a disableling blood disorder. She spends most of her days in bed, or receiving blood transfusions to stay alive. After getting a new blood treatment, she begins having visions of a boy named Gabriel. With each transfusion, she experiences life through him.  Gabriel is a strong character, he seems very complex and he is absolutely adorable too. 

In the beginning of the book, some parts were are bit confusing. The transitions between reality and visions left me a bit disoriented, especially because Gabriel's story were told out of order and they were fragmented. The ending was very abrupt. While I am glad I read this book, I would recommend waiting until book two is released and reading them together. This first book in the Crave series does reveal an interesting twist and it ends in absolute turmoil, so I am sure book two is going to be great.

Overall, I really enjoyed Crave. It is original, creative, and definitely leaves you Craving more.

For more information, including purchase links, visit the authors at their official site.

WoW: Blood Magic

Blood Magic (Blood Magic #1)

 by Tessa Gratton

April 2011

For Nick Pardee and Silla Kennicot, the cemetery is the center of everything.

Nick is a city boy angry at being forced to move back to the nowhere town of Yaleylah, Missouri where he grew up. He can’t help remembering his mom and the blood magic she practiced – memories he’s tried for five years to escape. Silla, though, doesn’t want to forget; her parents’ apparent murder-suicide left her numb and needing answers. When a book of magic spells in her dad’s handwriting appears on her doorstep, she sees her chance to unravel the mystery of their deaths.

 

Together they plunge into the world of dark magic, but when a hundred-year-old blood witch comes hunting for the bones of Silla’s parents and the spell book, Nick and Silla will have to let go of everything they believe about who they are, the nature of life and death, and the deadly secrets that hide in blood.(goodreads)

 

For more information including purchase links, visit Tessa Gratton at her website.

 

*WoW is hosted by Breaking The Spine

Melting Pot Monday...on Tuesday

These Things Hidden
by, Heather Gudenkauf
February 2011
Mystery, Suspense Fiction

Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night...and failed. The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she's free. But secrets have a way of keeping you caged...When Allison is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls' golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumours every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It's Brynn - shy, quiet Brynn - who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her. But then Allison is released, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister. Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.(summary from goodreads)

For more information, visit goodreads.

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The Skin Map (Bright Empires #1)
 by Stephen R. Lawhead
Sci-Fi
August 2010


"He had a sensation of being told a secret he knew to be true, but which would be far, far easier--and much safer--to ignore; all the more so since he strongly suspected that acknowledging the truth meant his life would change utterly."
 
Kit Livingstone's great-grandfather has re-appeared with an unbelievable story--the ley lines throughout Britain are not merely the stuff of legends but truly are pathways to other worlds. So few people know how to use them, though, that doing so is fraught with danger.

But one explorer knew more than most. Because of his fear of being unable to find his way home, he developed an intricate code and tattooed his map onto his skin. But the map has since been lost and rival factions are in desperate competition to recover it. What none of them yet realize is that the skin map itself is not the prize at the end of this race . . . but merely the first goal of a vast and marvelous quest to regain Paradise.

Enter the ultimate treasure hunt--with a map made of skin, a playing field of alternate realities, and a prize that is the greatest mystery of all.

For more information, follow this link to goodreads.

Melting Pot Monday

Blood Prophecy
by, Stephen Petrucha
November 2010
Urban Fantasy

Man and monster are in his blood. . .

His name is Jeremiah Fall. A soldier of fortune, he has been fighting his own war for 150 years--ever since the beast in him was born.

Desperate to restore his lost humanity, Fall crosses the sands of Egypt, discovers a lost city off the coast of France, and finally arrives at the birthplace of all mankind. Shunning daylight and feeding only when he must, he battles the monster who transformed him forever. He can share his deepest secret with no one . . . not even the beautiful woman he starts to love, the only human who grasps the mysteries of an ebony stone as old as creation itself.

Across the world, across time, Fall seeks the stone's secret. But has he found a cure for himself or unleashed a final curse on all mankind?

For more information, including purchase links, visit the author's official website.

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The Ancillary Mark
by, Dan Cohen
November 2010
Young Adult

The legend of the Ancillary flower has existed for centuries. Foretold to bring out the limitless potential of its bearer, the flower and the legend have been forgotten by many. Recently, strange events in a shrouded Tibetan town have sparked rumors among those who still believe.

Jacob Deer is a quirky young man, bound for college, with an eccentric old librarian for a best friend, an obsession with sitting down in elevators, and a strange birthmark on his hand that's shaped mysteriously like the markings on the Ancillary's petals. When Jacob's mentor Mr. Maddock reveals to him his connection with the legendary Ancillary, it sets in motion a series of events that sends Jacob and friends across the world. Alongside an alluring young woman, a marine-reject, and a Tibetan kid obsessed with comic books, Jacob must face off against a vengeful maniac for the fate of the flower, the legend, and all mankind. (summary provided by author)

For more information, visit Goodreads.

Got INK? (30)

There is a trend with books, particularly Urban Fantasy, to display inked models on the covers.
 Got INK? features some of these titles.
 It has been a while, but I spotted another inked cover that I like.

Take a walk on the “wild side” of urban fantasy. When the werewolf cubs are asleep and the baby vamps are tucked into their coffins, the adults come out to play! Feeling a bit undead and dying to shuffle off your toil and troubles and get it on? You’ve come to the right place! Spend some quality time lolling in the moonlight shadows with a love that only comes out at night. From light-spirited romps to black-hearted noir, from steampunk London to the bleeding edge of the present, tales of love, eros, betrayal and seduction in a beguiling vein. Best-sellers Tanya Huff, Caitlin Kittredge and Toni L.P. Kelner join Dana Cameron, Sarah A. Hoyt, John Lambshead, Diana Rowland and editor Mark L. Van Name create a dazzling cast of vampires, werewolves, witches and zombies, oh my. Oh my.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1.Introduction - Mark L. Van Name

2.Songs Sung Red - Tanya Huff

3.Careless of the Night - Gina Massel-Castater

4.For a Good Time, Call - Toni L.P. Kelner

5.Fine Print - Diana Rowland

6.Unawares - Sarah A. Hoyt

7.Of Sex and Zombies - Ticia Drake Isom

8.Love Knot - Dana Cameron

9.Beauty Is a Witch - John Lambshead

10.The Long Dark Night of Diego Chan - Mark L. Van Name

11.Born Under a Bad Sign - Caitlin Kittredge

Coming August 2011

I found the cover and the table of contents at SciFiGuy. I am familiar with a few of these authors. Anthologies are such a great way to find new ones.  Visit goodreads for more information.

Cover LOVE?

Elevensie Alex Martin shared the official cover for her May 2011 debut Girl Wonder.  I think it is an interesting cover. From the book summary, I believe it is the character Amanda. All I know is I want pink hair, even for a day.

As if transferring senior year weren't hard enough, Charlotte Locke has been bumped to lower level classes at her new school. With no friends, a terrible math SAT score, and looming college application deadlines, the future is starting to seem like an oncoming train for which she has no ticket.

Then Amanda enters her orbit like a hot-pink meteor, offering Charlotte a ticket to something else: popularity. Amanda is fearless, beautiful, brilliant, and rich. As her new side kick, Charlotte is brought into the elite clique of the debate team—and closer to Neal, Amanda's equally brilliant friend and the most perfect boy Charlotte has ever seen.

But just when senior year is looking up, Charlotte’s life starts to crumble. The more things heat up between Charlotte and Neal, the more Neal wants to hide their relationship. Is he ashamed? Meanwhile, Amanda is starting to act strangely competitive, and she's keeping a secret Charlotte doesn't want to know.

Talented newcomer Alexa Martin delivers a poignant story of first love, jealousy and friendship, where the ups and downs of senior year have never been so complicated. What else can Charlotte do but throw her hands up and ride? (goodreads)

For more information, visit Alex Martin at her website (coming soon) or on goodreads.

What do you think? Are you in Cover LOVE?

YA review: Across The Universe

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.


Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone--one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship--tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.


Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.(summary from goodreads)

My thoughts...Across The Universe is a very original story that will take readers on an imaginative journey.

Life in other galaxies. The end of the world. The demise of our planet. These are all scenarios that most of us have imagined at one point or another. For the characters in Across The Universe, scenarios similar to this are not that far from reality.

As mentioned in the book summary, the book begins with young Amy being frozen in preparation for her journey that will take 300 years. The description of this process had me nearly gasping for air. It was very intense and anyone with even mild claustrophobia should be warned. The story kicks in when Amy finds herself woken 50 years early only to discover that the ship has not landed yet.

Amy quickly has to learn about the ship's leaders, rules, residents, procedures in order to fit into this new world. She meets some interesting characters, some honest, some not.

I do not want to divulge any secrets so I will be brief. This was a great book. It was a refreshing change with a strong voice. The story offered mystery, fear, intensity, and a thought provoking storyline.  The story had plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing and turning pages. 

 My only qualm was the romance.  I knew the characters were interested in each other, but I had a hard time connecting them in my mind. I hope for a sequel where the relationship can be further developed.

For more information, visit Beth Revis at her really cool website.

*This book was provided by the publisher for my honest review.

Cover LOVE?

This one gets the creepy cover of the day award.  I'm creeped out. I think the black and white makes it look incredibly eerie. Notice the blood on the bottom of her dress?

Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna Dressed in Blood, #1)

by, Kendare Blake

September 2011

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.(goodreads)

For more information, visit Kendare Blake's website.
Are you in cover LOVE?

WoW: Darkness Becomes Here

I am a fan of Kelly Gay, she writes kick-butt heroines, heart-stopping action, and yummy romance.  Her debut YA release, Darkness Becomes Her is being penned under the name Kelly Keaton. I am sure this is going to totally rock, because Kelly is an incredible writer.  So be sure to add it to your wish list!

Darkness Becomes Her

by, Kelly Keaton

February 22, 2011

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very…different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

For more information, visit Kelly Keaton at her official website.

Can't wait? Just preorder it here!

Winners

Special thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's for providing the prizes for this giveaway. Loser/Queen was a fun read.  Missed my review? You can read it here. I used random.org to determine the winners, there were 46 entries.  There lucky readers were:

Lena & Lynossa (Deranged Book Lovers)

Congrats, I sent a message to your inbox. Didn't win, follow this link to order a copy of your own!

Melting Pot Monday...on Tuesday

The Jumper Chronicles, Book One:

Quest for Merlin’s Map

by, W.C. Peever

December 25, 2010

YA Fantasy

“Hi, my name is Charlie Burrows. I am twelve years old and am currently running for my life, I really don’t even have time to talk to you, so I need to make it brief. Eight months ago I discovered that I was a descendant of the ancient Druids of England. Big deal right? That’s what I thought too until my best friend (also a descendant) Bailey stared to be able to hurl huge boulders in the air using her mind, and I was able to jump into alternative dimensions. Ya…we have x-men like abilities that our parents never told us about! Thanks so much mom. You would think they could have at least been honest with us when we asked them to check for monsters under the bed. ‘Yes dear, that is just an escaped troll from the fourth kingdom, animal control is on their way.” To be fair my father who disappeared when I was two is the one who should have told me, but like I said he disappeared. So I was transported, well kidnapped really to this huge castle in Scotland where they train freaks like me to be part of the Order…which is too hard to explain right now, because I have the entire Vanari (Bad guys) army trying to find me before I can decode this ancient map that Merlin (my great great…really great grandfather, left behind. So to cap it off, it has been a rough year of dealing with my new abilities, trying to pass algebra, finding a father I never remember meeting and trying to keep humanity alive. Ok that splintering wood sound is the front door of the castle, I have to run. If you want to learn more about me, than read this book, but you’re probably better off not knowing, because I have not had a solid night sleep since I learned that monsters under the bed are actually real.
 

For more information, including purchase links, visit the official website.

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When No One Is Watching
by, Joseph Hayes
Suspense Novel
October 5, 2010

Unbeknownst to Danny, he didn’t cause the accident. His best friend and aspiring politician, Blair Van Howe, was driving Danny’s car that night because Danny had drunk himself into oblivion. Knowing that Danny was prone to alcohol-induced memory blackouts, and panicked at the prospect of seeing his promising political career explode in scandal, Blair made it appear that the accident was Danny’s fault and fled the scene. While Danny struggles to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, Blair’s political career takes on a meteoric trajectory, as he rises from Chicago’s South Side to become a beloved and fabulously successful figure on the national stage. But when a dogged detective digs deeper into the case, Blair must decide just how far he is willing to go to keep his dark secret.

When Danny Moran is roused from a drunken stupor, he finds himself behind the wheel of his Porsche looking at a grisly accident scene. It seems clear to him and everyone else that he was the cause of the fatal wreck, and he is left to face life-altering consequences: criminal prosecution, financial ruin, public disgrace and an overpowering sense of guilt.

For more information, visit the author at his official site. When No One Is Watching is available at Amazon.