WoW: Torn

June 28th 2011

Kensington

Everyone has secrets. Even best friends. Mo Fitzgerald knows about secrets. But when she witnesses her best friend’s murder, she discovers Verity was hiding things she never could have guessed. To find the answers she needs and the vengeance she craves, Mo—quiet, ordinary, unmagical Mo—will have to enter a world of raw magic and shifting alliances. And she’ll have to choose between two very different, equally dangerous guys—protective, duty-bound Colin and brash, mysterious Luc. One wants to save her, one wants to claim her. Which would you choose?(goodreads)

 

For more information, visit Erica at her official website.

Fairy Tale Fortnight Madlibs

  Misty is hosting Fairy Tale Fortnight on her blog Book Rat. A few weeks ago, she gave readers some blank Mad Libs to fill out and share. Well after several tries, I failed miserably. I have some sort of MadLib block. So I found this nifty site that asks you words and creates your own Fairy Tale MadLib.

Here is my MadLib from the Fairy Tale Mad Lib site. The colored words are my word selections.

  The Story of Little Red sparkling Hood

Once upon a necklace, there lived a robust girl called "Little Red sparkling Hood".  Little Red sparkling Hood just loved to float in the forest. One day, her sister called to her and said, "Little Red sparkling hood, would you please bring this basket of chickens to your colorful grandmother in the woods?"  Little Red sparkling Hood started off down the painting, but on the way she met a big bad chocolate.  "Where are you going?" the chocolate asked her.  "Oh," she replied, "I am going to bring these chickens to my grandmother, so that she will become less colorful!"  The chocolate quickly ran down the painting to grandma's house, and when he got there he withered her in one gulp!  He quickly put on her panties and got in the eagle.  When Little Red sparkling Hood walked in, she was flustered to see the chocolate in grandma's eagle.  "Why grandma!" she said.  "What big meatballs you have!"  "The better to sprint you with, my dear!" he yelled, and jumped out of the eagle. Luckily, at that very moment a handsome book blogger happened to be walking along the painting and heard Little Red sparkling Hood fighting with the chocolate. He rocked the door down, then smacked the chocolate with his own vampire.  The chocolate begged for mercy and ran away.  Then Little red sparkling hood and the book blogger shared some chickens, and lived dramaticly ever after.

So there is my MadLib, big meatballs and all. If you want to make your own MadLib, use Misty's ouline or visit the MadLib generator.  Don't like that one, here's another generator.

Have Fun!

YA Interview: Malinda Lo

I am so excited to be part of the Huntress Blog tour and to have the opportunity to interview the talented Malinda Lo. Enjoy!

1. Huntress is a novel set in the same world as Ash, but at a completely different time. How would you describe the differences in the characters' worlds?
ML:At the very beginning of Ash, a little bit of the world's history is explained, specifically the arrival of philosophers from the Empire of Concordia. Some readers of Ash may also remember that the Queen in that book is actually Concordian.

Before the philosophers arrived with their version of science, magic was much more widespread in the Kingdom. Huntress is set in this time — well before Concordia made any inroads into the culture of the Kingdom, and during a time when magic was thoroughly institutionalized in the society.

Additionally, Huntress feels more Asian culturally, because that's what the Kingdom was like before the Concordians came.

2. A strong heroine makes a story worth reading. You offer readers two. How would you describe Kaede and Taisin?
ML: Kaede is the magic-less daughter of the King's Chancellor, the younger sister to three older brothers, and a tomboy. She is in training at the Academy of Sages because that's where all high-born girls are sent regardless of whether they have any talents with magic. I think she's self-aware and loyal, qualities I really admire.

Taisin is a farmer's daughter who was admitted into the Academy because she is so talented with magic. She's basically there on a scholarship, and because of that she feels that she has a responsibility to work hard and ultimately become a sage. Even though she is so gifted, she has never truly been asked to perform under pressure, and during Huntress she has to do just that.

3. At the conclusion of Huntress, you leave the door open for more exploration into this world. Do you plan on continuing with the journey of these characters?
ML: I don't have plans to write any more books set in this world right now, but I have written a short story called "The Fox," which is about Kaede and is set two years after the end of Huntress. It was just published by Subterranean Magazine and is now available online for everyone to read for free (http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/summer-2011/fiction-the-fox-by-malinda-lo/). I think you can read it before or after reading Huntress, but if you're super concerned about spoilers you should read Huntress first.

4. Did you have to do much research for Huntress?
ML: I just love research, so I couldn't help reading a bunch of stuff I probably didn't need to read! I read about Chinese medicine, for example, thinking that I'd use a lot more of it in the book than I actually did. I read Zen in the Art of Archery, a book from the 1950s about a Westerner who learns the Japanese art of kyudo (archery). That came up quite a lot in Huntress.

The magic in Huntress is based in Taoism and qigong, so I read about Chinese philosophy (including the Dao De Jing) and the practice of qigong, which is a kind of martial art that involves the manipulation of qi (energy) through movement and breath. There's just endless amounts of stuff you could read about these things, and the hard part was knowing when I could stop researching and just write, since it's fiction, not an academic paper!

5. Lastly, what do you do in your free time? Any guilty pleasures?
ML: These days my free time has become very precious, and I can tell you exactly what I do with it: I watch The Vampire Diaries or Top Chef or Battlestar Galactica (the latter on Netflix — I'm rewatching BSG from the beginning and I'm now about halfway through season 1 again). I used to watch a lot more TV when I was a TV reporter, and for a long time I couldn't stand to watch it anymore. But now that I can choose what I watch, it's a lot more fun. I don't think I really feel guilty about it, though!

Malinda, thanks for taking the time to interview with me and congratulations on your new release!

For more information, visit Malinda at her official website or on goodreads.

But Wait...There's More. Visit these other blogs to read more from Malinda!

Monday, 4/18 – The Naughty Book Kitties
Tuesday, 4/19 – Manga Maniac Cafe
Wednesday, 4/20 – Mundie Moms

Friday, 4/22 – Steph Su Reads
Monday, 4/25 – Bibliophilic Book Blog
Tuesday, 4/26 – Reading in Color

Sequel Saturday (6)

I recently started thinking about all the great sequels that are coming out.

Are they forgotten? Are they pushed down our wish lists for new, shiny debuts? Sequel Saturday is a special post to celebrate these books.

Crossed (Matched #2)

by Ally Condie

November 1st 2011

Dutton Juvenile

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Ok, so do you have a sequel that you are excited for or one that you love? It can be coming out or already released. Feel free to do your own post and leave me a link in the comments. If there is some interest, I will put up a linky and come up with a snazzy button.

**If you are an author and your sequel needs some LOVE, email me and I will be glad to feature you.

Happy Reading!

WoW: Spellbound

Spellbound

by, Cara Lynn Schultz

June 21st 2011

Harlequin Teen

What’s a girl to do when meeting The One means she’s cursed to die a horrible death?

Life hasn’t been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she’s irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can’t stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma’s been having the oddest dreams. Visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.(goodreads)

For more information, find Cara Lynn on goodreads or on her blog.

*WoW is hosted by Breaking The Spine

Sequel Saturday (5)

I recently started thinking about all the great sequels that are coming out.

Are they forgotten? Are they pushed down our wish lists for new, shiny debuts? Sequel Saturday is a special post to celebrate these books.

This week I am jumping out of the YA world and featuring on of my favorite UF authors, Chloe Neill.

HARD BITTEN

Chicagoland Vampires: Book Four

May 3, 2011

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.

Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in theheady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem to ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands...

For more information, including preorder links and the first chapter, visit Chloe at her website.

Ok, so do you have a sequel that you are excited for or one that you love? It can be coming out or already released. Feel free to do your own post and leave me a link in the comments. If there is some interest, I will put up a linky and come up with a snazzy button.

**If you are an author and your sequel needs some LOVE, email me and I will be glad to feature you.

Happy Reading!

Cover LOVE?

Author Lia Habel shared the long awaited cover for her October debut novel.

I think the colors in the cover are striking!

October 2011 Release

Random House

As far as romantic pairings go in the year 2195, you don't get much more unlikely than an upper-class schoolgirl and a poor miner from enemy tribes. Filter in the fact that he's a zombie, and you're definitely talking about star-crossed love.

Dearly, Departed is a cyber-Victorian/steampunk romance that takes place in the shadow of a new ice age. Nora Dearly, a mouthy teenage girl and apparent orphan, leaves school for Christmas - only to be dragged into the night by the living dead. Luckily for her, though, the good ones got to her first. From her reanimated rescuers she learns not only that zombies are roaming the countryside, but that her father is one - and that he's in terrible trouble. She also meets Captain Bram Griswold, a noble, strong, and rather sweet undead boy for whom she starts to fall.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Pamela Roe, is just trying to carry on with life as best she can in the wake of Nora's disappearance - when she ends up killing an evil zombie in self-defense. Pam is galvanized into action, and ends up leading a group of survivors as the city of New London is thronged by the ravenous dead.

Upon hearing of Pamela's plight, Nora and Bram set out to rescue her friends, find her missing father, and maybe just save what's left of the world.(goodreads)

For more information, visit Lia at her website.

Are you in Cover LOVE?

Winners and a Note

I am sorry for my recent absence. I have been busy with school but also more than a little frustrated with the drama in the blogging community. I try my best to ignore it, but when it pops up so frequently it's hard to ignore.  Anyways, I have resolved myself to tighten my blinders and continue to blog for my own reasons. If someone doesn't like it, well tough jelly beans. 

So how about some winners?

Review Me Giveaway

Stack 1 goes to...
Molly W (email starts with mol8)

Stack 2 goes to...
Farrah (email starts with farrae)

Winners, I will be emailing you today, so check your inboxes.
Stay tuned, I have arcs of Divergent and Exposed that could use another review.

Trailer Tuesday: Coming Soon!

On my waiting list is book two in the Guardian Legacy series by Ednah Walters. No cover for Betrayed yet, but here is a trailer to tide us over.

For more information, visit Ednah Walters at her official website.

Didn't read the first book? Read   my review here.

Sequel Saturday (4)

I recently started thinking about all the great sequels that are coming out.

Are they forgotten? Are they pushed down our wish lists for new, shiny debuts? Sequel Saturday is a special post to celebrate these books.

This week I am featuring Passion, the third book in Lauren Kate's Fallen series.

Passion

by, Lauren Kate

June 14th 2011

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross and fought immortals at Shoreline, they lived many lives. . . .

For more information, visit Lauren at her official website.

Ok, so do you have a sequel that you are excited for or one that you love? It can be coming out or already released. Feel free to do your own post and leave me a link in the comments. If there is some interest, I will put up a linky and come up with a snazzy button.

**If you are an author and your sequel needs some LOVE, email me and I will be glad to feature you.

Happy Reading!