Musing Mondays (35) &It's Monday! (31)

 Hosted by Should Be Reading.

 This week’s musing is…

Do you listen to audiobooks? If not, why not? And, if so, what has been one of your favorites, so far?

          I don't listen to audiobooks much for the simple fact that I can't multitask. Let me explain. When I'm reading a book I can usually be watching tv, or intermittently talking with someone. When I listen to an audiobook I have to give it my full attention, otherwise I miss something and then had to rewind, which annoys me to no end. Also, when I review a book I like to leave notes on my favorite passages and stuff, can't do it that well with the audiobook.

           That being said the audiobooks I've listened to I've loved, and I mean LOVED. I got Reaper by Rachel Vincent, and listening to "Tod's" voice melted me into a puddle of happy goo. I also got Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door in audiobooks and I locked myself up in my room for two days just so I could listen to them in peace, because seriously those books deserve your full attention :)

Out This Week!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth 

Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. 

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Early Review: Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Struck

Author: Jennifer Bosworth

Publisher: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2012

Genre: YA Post Apocalyptic

PreOrder: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

Follow Friday (34)

Hosted by Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com

This week question is: 

Have you had a character disappoint you? One that you fell in love with and then "broke up" with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

Review: Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina

Lady of Devices

(Magnificent Devices 1)

Author: Shelley Adina

Publisher: Createspace, 2011

Genre: YA Steampunk

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

London, 1889. Victoria is Queen. Charles Darwin’s son is Prime Minister. And steam is the power that runs the world. At 17, Claire Trevelyan, daughter of Viscount St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, Claire’s talents lie not in the ballroom, but in the chemistry lab, where things have a regrettable habit of blowing up. When her father gambles the estate on the combustion engine and loses, Claire finds herself down and out on the mean streets of London. But being a young woman of resources and intellect, she turns fortune on its head. It’s not long before a new leader rises in the underworld, known only as the Lady of Devices . . . When she meets Andrew Malvern, a member of the Royal Society of Engineers, she realizes her talents may encompass more than the invention of explosive devices. They may help her realize her dreams and his . . . if they can both stay alive long enough to see that sometimes the closest friendships can trigger the greatest betrayals . . .

Waiting on Wednesday (42)

Hosted at Breaking the Spine, spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am eagerly waiting for...

Death and the Girl Next Door

Darynda Jones

October 2 2012 

Goodreads:

Things get turned upside down for sophomore Lorelei MacAlister when the Angel of Death starts high school in her small town. What she doesn’t know is that she has been slated to die. It’s simply her time. And Death has been sent to do the deed. But when he touches her, when he peers into her eyes and reaches into her heart, he realizes she is more than what he was led to believe, and he disobeys his orders. He brings her back from the brink of death when he was supposed to push her into it. Because of this, he gets trapped on this plane. And that’s when all hell breaks loose. Literally.

Why am I waiting for it?

Hah! Death gets into trouble. I have to read this :)

Teaser Tuesday (41)

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 

 Struck 
by Jennifer Bosworth 

My name is Mia Price, and I am a human lightning rod. Do they make a support group for that? They should, and let me tell you why.
My name is Mia Price, and I am a lightning addict.
There. Now you know the truth. I want the lightning to find me. I crave it like lungs crave oxygen. There's nothing that makes you feel more alive than being struck. Unless, of course, it kills you. It does that to me from time to time...

Musing Mondays (34) &It's Monday! (30)

 Hosted by Should Be Reading.

 This week’s musing is…

Other than working at a job, what is your biggest interruption to reading? What takes you away from your book(s)?
 

S-C-H-O-O-L

MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill University. The class workload is manageable, but its the writing deadlines that I have to watch out for. Especially now during the last deadline of the semester where I have to edit all the pages I've sent so far (100+ pages) in 30 days. There's 19 days left and I'm still fixing Chapter 2! So I'm putting my readings on hold until I make progress on that. Oh, also I've got a 5 page paper due in a week that I haven't even started. Yikes!

Early Review: The Right & The Real by Joelle Anthony

The Right & the Real

Author: Joelle Anthony

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (Penguin), 2012

Genre: YA Contemporary

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

From the author of "Restoring Harmony." Kicked out for refusing to join a cult, 17-year-old Jamie must find a way to survive on her own.

Jamie should have known something was off about the church of the Right and the Real from the start, especially when the Teacher claimed he wasn’t just an ordinary spiritual leader, but Jesus Christ, himself. But she was too taken by Josh, the eldest son of one of the church’s disciples, and his all-American good looks. Josh is the most popular boy at school too, and the first boy outside the drama geeks to give Jamie a second look. But getting her Dad involved in a cult was not part of the plan when she started dating Josh. Neither was her dad’s marriage to the fanatic Mira, or getting kicked out, or seeing Josh in secret because the church has deemed her persona non grata.

Jamie’s life has completely fallen apart. Finding her way back won’t be easy, but when her Dad gets himself into serious trouble, will Jamie be ready to rescue him, and maybe even forgive him?

Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Spell Bound

(Hex Hall 3)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion Books, 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

Follow Friday (33)

Hosted by Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com

This week question is: 

Fight! Fight! If you could have two fictional characters battle it out (preferably from books), who would they be and who do you think would win?

Early Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules

(Blood of Eden)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen, 2012

Genre: YA Post Apocalyptic

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Waiting on Wednesday (41)

Hosted at Breaking the Spine, spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am eagerly waiting for...

Stormdancer

Jay Kristoff

September 1 2012 

Goodreads:

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Why am I waiting for it?

A Dystopian Steampunk with Asian influences! O___O' Me want.

Teaser Tuesday (40)

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 

Forgiven
(Demon Trappers 3)
by Jana Oliver

        "I'm not going to faint at the sight of your butt," she said.

        "Ya might, and I don't want that on my conscience," he said, tossing the jeans aside.

Musing Mondays (33) &It's Monday! (29)

 Hosted by Should Be Reading.

 This week’s musing is…

What are you currently reading? And, is it better, as good as, or worse than your last read?

The last book I read was Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina. I was in the mood for more steampunk goodness after finishing the Leviathan trilogy. Sadly, this novel didn't have much of that (you'll read why in my upcoming review). Currently I'm reading Seraphina by Rachel Hartman, and OMG it is so good. It's been so long since I've read an awesome fantasy piece like this with dragons, and knights, and silly princesses, and handsome princes, and a cunning heroine who's going to turn everything upside down! It comes out July 10 and I tell you now go pre-order a copy because this is an Amy's Book Den MUST READ 5/5 book!

Out This Week!

April 15 - 21

The Wicked and the Just by Jillian Anderson Coats 
Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Cecily’s father has ruined her life. He’s moving them to occupied Wales, where the king needs good strong Englishmen to keep down the vicious Welshmen. At least Cecily will finally be the lady of the house.

Gwenhwyfar knows all about that house. Once she dreamed of being the lady there herself, until the English destroyed the lives of everyone she knows. Now she must wait hand and foot on this bratty English girl.

While Cecily struggles to find her place amongst the snobby English landowners, Gwenhwyfar struggles just to survive. And outside the city walls, tensions are rising ever higher—until finally they must reach the breaking point.

Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Embrace

(The Violet Eden Chapters)

Author: Jessica Shirvington

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire, 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Follow Friday (32)

Hosted by Parajunkee.com and Alisoncanread.com

This week question is: 

What is one book that you would be nervous to see a movie adaptation of because you think the movie could never live up to the book?

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky

Author: Veronica Rossi

Publisher: Harper Collins, 2012

Genre: YA Post Apocalyptic Dystopia

Buy: Amazon – B&N – TBD

Overview

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Waiting on Wednesday (40)

Hosted at Breaking the Spine, spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am eagerly waiting for... 

Fang Girl

Helen Keeble

September 2012 

Goodreads:

Things That Are Destroying Jane Greene’s Undead Social Life Before It Can Even Begin:

1) A twelve-year-old brother who’s convinced she’s a zombie.
2) Parents who are begging her to turn them into vampires.
3) The pet goldfish she accidentally turns instead.
4) Weird superpowers that let her rip the heads off of every other vampire she meets.(Sounds cool, but it doesn’t win you many friends.)
5) A pyschotic vampire creator who’s using her to carry out a plan for world domination.

And finally:
6) A seriously ripped vampire hunter who either wants to stake her or make out with her. Not sure which.

Being an undead, eternally pasty fifteen-year-old isn’t quite the sexy, brooding, angst-fest Jane always imagined....

Why am I waiting for it?

This sounds like tons of fun! I wish they changed the cover though.

Teaser Tuesday (39)

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 

Spell Bound
by Rachel Hawkins

          Knowing I'd probably regret it, I crossed the room and yanked the canvas off the mirror. As before, he was sitting on the table, smirking at me.

          "Jackass, jackass on the wall, where's the info on Hex Hall?"

~ ♥ ~

          "So the Casnoffs are at Hex Hall," I said. "Probably with however many demons they've managed to create. What are they doing there? Throwing a hellacious slumber party?" When no one said anything, I added, "Get it? Hellacious? Because they're all...Forget it."

Happy Birthday to ME!

Book blogging has certainly been one of the reasons that have made this last year a wonderful year. I've read so many books, and friended so many people, and connected with so many others that I really wish I'd started blogging sooner. I still get all tingly and excited with every comment I receive. To know that people actually read and like what I post is just amazing. It gives me hope that someday people will like my novels too. Another thing that has made this last year pretty amazing was being accepted into Seton Hill's Writing Popular Fiction program. I've never written, ranted, or talked so much about writing in my life! And, of course, I've never procrastinated so much while being under deadline! LOL I really have to thank my official critique partners, and the unofficial ones too! My writing style and I are growing so much thanks to you guys! What I really want to say is just thank you to everyone. Thank you for being there ♥!

Musing Mondays (32) &It's Monday! (28)

 Hosted by Should Be Reading.

 This week’s musing is…

What do you think are the top 5 books ever woman should read? 

The Fun Reads

The Classics

The Adult Reads

Out This Week!

April 8 - 14 

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
 Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

 

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own . . . brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

Early Review: Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Kill Me Softly

Author: Sarah Cross

Publisher: Egmont USA, 2012

Genre: YA Fairy Tales

Buy: Amazon ♥ B&N ♥ TBD

Overview

Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own . . . brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.