Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the Starcrossed Giveaway is:

donnas

 Thank you to everyone who entered! I'll get this in the mail for you next week, Donna. I should have more giveaways on here in the future and I encourage everyone to keep their eyes open for them.

 Oh and I have quite a few reviews coming up too, so be sure to check back for those!

Friday Finds and New Reads

Friday Finds and New Reads

I know that I'm always looking for new books to read, but sometimes I don't really know where to look. So I thought it would be fun to post different books that really caught my attention and what new books I'm reading or am waiting on.

First this week is Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs:

 Summary: Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

I've found that I really like this types of stories... if they are done well. The cover and description of this story caught my attention right away. And I have a feeling that it's going to take me completely by surprise.

Next there's Forsaken Harbor by Laura Kreitzer:

Summary: The Secret Clock Society has infiltrated every aspect of the government. You can’t hide from them, you can’t out run them—the only choice is to surrender or die fighting. Well, Summer’s found her voice and her confidence. She’ll fight if necessary, but for now she’s on the run. And the only place that can offer her refuge is the one city that’s been devastated with disease and death. Full of savages, Forsaken Harbor holds her life on the edge of a knife. Is there still hope to be found here after all? Or will survival mean savagery?

Not only is this cover fascinating, but I absolutely loved the first book in this series. Laura is a phenomenal writer and really knows how to pull her readers in to her stories. If my reviews of her other work is any indication. Be sure to check out Phantom Universe, too!

Some new reads that I'm looking forward:

Thank you guys again for your support and let me know what's caught your attention! Oh, and I'll be posting the winner of the Starcrossed ARC tomorrow.

Friday Finds and New Reads

 Friday Finds and New Reads

This is where I talk about new books that really stand out to me or sound unique, and what new books I have to read or will be getting soon.

Well, first this week I have The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson:

 

Summary: Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

Not only does the title sound fascinating, but this description is pretty much seals the deal for me. I love when there's the element of a special character who is either really rare or hasn't been heard of in centuries. It makes the discovery of who they are and what they can do even more exciting. I really can't wait for this book.


Next is The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon:

Summary: A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?

A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRís calls to her body and soul.

She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in.

The cover for this particular story is what first caught my eye. I don't even have words to describe it. Something tells me that this series and author are going to be ones to watch out for. I can't wait to find out just what she has in store for us with this story.


I'd also like to mention The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin:

Summary: Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

I can't really explain what it is that has me so intrigued by this particular book. Maybe it's the rather vague description and the somewhat sinister cover (you're not entirely sure what's going on), but whatever it is, I am so excited for this book to come out. The first chapter or so has been available to read, but I'm refusing to do so until I have the actual book in my hands. Because I have a feeling I won't want to put it down once I do start reading it.

And, last but not least, I've mentioned this book before, but I'd like to do it again. Wildefire by Karsten Knight:

Summary: Ashline Wilde never received an instruction manual on how to be a 16-year-old Polynesian volcano goddess. If she had, it might have contained helpful warnings such as:

• Dreaming about your (thankfully) mortal boyfriend may cause your bed to spontaneously combust
• Oven mitts should be worn at all times during heavy make-out sessions

Instead, Ash has to learn these life lessons the hard way as her dormant powers erupt at the most awkward times. In the wake of a hometown tragedy, Ash transfers to Blackwood Academy, a boarding school nestled in California’s redwoods, where a group of fellow gods-on-earth have mysteriously convened. As if sophomore year couldn’t get any worse, her storm goddess older sister, the wild and unpredictable Eve, resurfaces to haunt Ashline. With a war between the gods looming over Blackwood, Ash must master the fire smoldering within her before she clashes with her sister one final time, which leads us to life-lesson #3:

• When warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

Now, this particular book/series has everything that I like: an awesome cover that leaves the reader wanting more, mythology and legends, and a good sense of humor. I've been hoping to get an ARC for this book because it just sounds fascinating, and after watching a few of Karsten's vlogs and tweeting back and forth with him on Twitter, I don't think I'll be disappointed with how this book comes out.

This week I don't have any new books in, but I am planning on getting some that have recently been released:

What about you guys? What has caught your eye recently or what are you reading now that you're really enjoying?

Oh, and don't forget to check out the giveaway I'm holding for an ARC of Josephine Angelini's debut book Starcrossed.

Starcrossed Review and Giveaway

Starcrossed
Starcrossed 1
Author: Josephine Angelini
Pages: 496 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: May 31st 2011
Review Source: Harper Collins

When I first read the description of this book, I knew that I would want to read it. Greek mythology is quite possibly one of my favorites and this was a modern day version of it. And I was so right about this!

Helen Hamilton lives on the small island of Nantucket and has always tried to blend in with everyone around her. She doesn't like to stand out and just wants to make it through school so she can go to college.

But that all comes to a screeching halt when the Delos family moves to the island. One look at Lucas Delos and Helen completely loses control. But that's not even the worst part, she doesn't know why or even understands what's happening. The only people who can tell her are the Delos', whom she can't stand to be around. There's so much she needs to learn and they have to figure out how to work together.

Josie has completely set the bar as far as debut novels go with this incredible story. Not only does she expertly use the famous Greek legends and myths, but she also really develops her characters so that you feel like you know them too.

Now I've read plenty of books lately, but I've never read one that had my stomach falling and my heart racing in certain areas. I wanted to cry and laugh and scream right along with Helen, feeling like I was seventeen again as I experienced the things she went through. Her relationship and connection with Lucas was strong and I hated it whenever they weren't together. I honestly can't wait to find out what more is in store for them.

There are two more books in this series and I can say with out a doubt that I am so antsy for the next installment. Thank you Josie for introducing us to such wonderful characters and creating a fabulous world with such well known Greek legends. I highly recommend this book and series to anyone!

To keep updated with the Starcrossed series and what's going on with the author you can check out her website http://www.JosephineAngelini.com or you can follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/josieangelini.

And now for the giveaway!

Since it's my birthday this weekend I thought I would celebrate a little early with a somewhat short giveaway. I happen to have an extra copy of Starcrossed thanks to HarperTeen and would like to share it with one lucky.

So, here's what you have to do:

• Leave a comment on this post
• Follow this blog
• Feel free to Tweet about this contest
• Fill out this FORM
• Giveaway will end Wednesday, April 27th at 11:59 CST.
• Open to U.S. Residents only.

Shades of Atlantis Blog Tour

 
 Shades of Atlantis
Shades of Atlantis 1
Author: Carol Oates
Pages: 308 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: 2010
Review Source: Omnific Publishing

As most of you have been able to guess, I really love books that deal with mythology. It's so much fun to learn about the stories and legends that other cultures wrote about so many years ago. So, when I read the description of this book, I jumped at the chance to be able to read it.

Triona and her brother Ben have been raised by their Aunt and Uncle since the deaths of their parents and lived pretty normal lives. That is, at least, until Caleb Wallace enters the picture, and the somewhat mundane quality that Triona's life has taken on comes to a screeching halt. Their attraction to each other is instantaneous and life changing.

But there's so much more to Caleb than Triona could have ever imagined. And when she learns that she's apart of this new world, Triona has to come to grips with who she's always thought she was and who her destiny is to be.

Now, normally, I'm all for jumping right into the action. I love for stories to get straight to the fantasy elements, but not this time. I like that Carol took the time to build up the characters and really show the relationship between Triona Caleb before delving into the other part of the story. We got the chance to better understand her and Caleb without her trying to wrap her mind around something impossible.

And I also loved the legends mentioned in this story. Carol used Irish mythology, the tale of King Arthur, even the missing city of Atlantis to weave her amazing tale and it made it all the more fun for me to read. We only got a little taste of it in this book and I'm looking forward to seeing what else she has in store for us in the other books. I fell in love with the characters and the story and I hope you guys do to.

To keep updated on this series and other books Carol's writing you can check out her website http://www.CarolOates.com and you can also follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/CarolOates.

Oh! There is also a big giveaway of Shades of Atlantis swag and books in honor of the tour. Here is what's up for grabs in the giveaway:

Giveaway 1) Signed copy of Shades of Atlantis, a lined spiral notebook with SoA cover, bookmark, keyring, SoA 2011 calendar, and SoA mug.

Giveaway 2) Signed copy of Shades of Atlantis, a lined spiral notebook with SoA cover, bookmark, keyring, SoA 2011 calendar

Giveaway 3) Ebook copy of SoA

Giveaway 4) Ebook copy of SoA

To enter for this giveaway, you have to leave a comment on each stop on the tour! The giveaway is international and the winner will be announced on April 19th on Julie's blog: A Tale of Many Reviews

Be sure to check out the other blogs so you can enter the contest:

April 1: Mundi Moms

April 2: Once Upon A Twilight -Guest Post Blog

April 3: Good Choice Reading: 

April 4: Frenzy of Noise - character interview

April 5: Girls Just Reading

April 6: Books, Movies, Reviews. Oh my

April 7: CSI:Librarian

April 8: YA Bound

April 9: YA Booklover Blog

April 10: The Reading Fever

April 11: Home Between Pages

April 12: Books and Shtuff

April 13: Bookworm Lisa

April 14: Moonlight Book Reviews

April 15: One Book Shy of a Full Shelf

April 16: Diva's Bookcase

April 17: Ticket To Anywhere

April 18: The Crazy Bookworm

April 19: A Trail of Books Left Behind and

A Tale of Many Reviews- video interview with author - Final Stop

Giveaway Winner!

Okay, so first of all I would like to thank everybody who participated in my first giveaway! You guys were awesome and I wish that I could give everyone a copy.


And, without any further adieu, the winner of the advance copy of Hereafter (with a little help from random.org) is:

Mandy

Congratulations Mandy and I will be emailing you in a little while to confirm.

If you didn't win don't worry, I have one more giveaway coming up soon that you can participate in as well, so be sure to check back for that. Thank you for checking out this little blog of mine and I hope you enjoy it! 

 

Friday Finds and New Reads

  Friday Finds and New Reads

I thought I'd try to post something on a weekly basis that would be fun for my followers and any newcomers that join the group. And I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for really interesting story lines and new books to read.  So how about each week I post about an interesting book/s I've discovered as well as the new books that I've gotten to review? How does that sound?

Well, this week I have quite a few interesting finds I've found on Goodreads. *rubs hands together excitedly* Let's get started.

First off I'd like to mention Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch:

Summary: Rumors of war hang over Princess Jeniah's peaceful country of Arden, a land that shuns both magic and warfare. Following a lifelong dream, Jeniah forms a telpathic bond with a revered creature called a chayim, who is prophesied to save her kingdom. But when a Darborian knight comes upon Jeniah with her chayim, he sees only a vicious monster about to devour a maiden, and he slays the beast.

Devastated by the loss of her chayim, and fearing that her own magic is evil, Jeniah doubts her destiny. When an enemy invades Arden City, they slaughter the people, storm the castle, and execute the entire royal family except the princess. Rescued by the knight who slew her chayim, Jeniah is now heir to the throne of Arden and the only hope for freeing her people from tyranny.

On the run and hunted by enemy soldiers, Jeniah must place her life and the fate of her kingdom in the hands of this trained killer. Torn between embracing her destiny as queen of Arden, and her love for a mere knight, she must ultimately rely on her magic to save herself and her people from death and tyranny.

I've really taken to the historical, science-fictiony type stories (such as Eragon) and found that this one sounded fascinating. Mythical creatures, magic, princesses, who wouldn't want to read about that. The description pulled me in and I definitely want to get my hands on this book.

Next on the list I thought I'd point out is The Pledge by Kimberly Derting.

 Summary: Words are the most dangerous weapon of all.

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

Now, it is no secret at all that I absolutely fell in love with The Body Finder Series that Kim Derting has written. Her descriptions and characters were beautiful and really made Violet's gift seem plausible. So when I found out she was writing a new series that would be published by Simon and Schuster, I jumped at the chance to find out just what it would be about. And from this description alone I have a feeling that I'm going to love her new series just as much. A dystopian world using different languages as the divider... yeah I'm definitely there.




And lastly, I thought I'd talk about Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey and Hourglass by Myra McEntire.

Summary: Lenzi hears voices. She also sees visions--gravestones, floods, a gorgeous guy with steel gray eyes. She knows she must be going crazy, just like her dad did. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't do anything to help, and the voices just keep getting louder, the visions more intense. But when Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, everything makes sense.

Sort of.

He tells Lenzi that she's a reincarnated Speaker--someone who can talk to lost souls and help them move on--and that he has been her Protector for centuries. But instead of embracing her abilities, Lenzi struggles between her life as the girlfriend of a sexy musician and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. Yet time is running out; a malevolent spirit has been trying to destroy Lenzi for ages, and he will surely kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Her choices are clear: Destiny or normalcy. Alden or Zak. Life or death.

Summary: One hour to rewrite the past . . .
 
For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.
I mentioned these together because they sort of deal with the same topics, but are obviously two completely different stories. Not only are the covers for both beautiful, but they also both have intriguing descriptions. I for one can't wait to read either one.


And now, for the last part of this post. New reads that I've gotten in this week for review:

These are both ARCs that will be released later this year and I am so excited for the chance to be able to review them. So keep your eyes open for them. In the mean time, what are you reading now? Or what has caught your eye that you'd like to read. Let me know.


Until next time! Oh, and don't forget to enter the Hereafter giveaway that I have on this blog. You have until midnight tonight!

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Hereafter
Hereafter 1
Author: Tara Hudson
Pages: 400 pgs
Genre: YA
Release Date: June 7th 2011
Review Source: Harper Collins

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I first started reading this book, but what I discovered was that it was so much more. Tara Hudson not only pulled together a great tale, but she also left her readers eager for more.

Amelia doesn't really remember much. All she knows is that she's a ghost and she keeps reliving the day that she died over and over again, stuck in the nightmare of the river that took her. That is until she finds another before headed for the same fate and she awakens from her fog. She can't touch him, but she somehow manages to get through to him and he climbs to safety.

Now that Amelia is awake and the boy that she saved, Joshua, can see her, she has to figure out how she died. But that's going to be difficult with Joshua's grandmother threatening to exorcise her and Eli, another ghost, wanting her to join him. Amelia has to find her way, or risk losing the one thing she holds dear.

One of the first things I loved when I began reading this was the connection between Amelia and Joshua. It's so natural and sweet, you almost forget that she's a ghost. Whenever Amelia met up with Joshua again there was a subtle shift in the tone of the narration that I just absolutely loved.

The scenes with Eli, Amelia's sort of tormentor, left me squirming and uncomfortable. So hats off to Tara for delivering that one character that every ghost story needs. And Hereafter is a ghost story through and through, with sweet and tender moments and terrifying, heart stopping moments. You will definitely feel like you've gone through a roller coaster ride when you've finished.

All I have to do now is patiently wait for the next book in this series to find out more about Amelia and Joshua's journey. When you get your hands on this be sure to leave the lights on. That's all I'm saying.

To learn more about the world of Hereafter and the author you can check out her website http://tarahudson.com/ or follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/thudsonwrites. Oh, and don't forget to check out the giveaway I'm hosting if you'd like to win a copy of this phenomenal book. It ends April 15th!