An Embrace Series Giveaway

With Entice, the second book in The Violet Eden Chapters or The Embrace Series, coming out early next month, I thought I'd do something a little fun on here. First off, I thought we'd discuss two of the main guys in the series, Lincoln and Phoenix. Second, how do you guys feel about a little giveaway? A copy of both Embrace and Entice?

To get things rolling, in September Sourcebooks will be having a day devoted to characters in the series which will lead up to Entice Me Day with all kinds of fun including more chances to win a copy of Entice and to enter the grand prize sweepstakes. While they will be doing that I figured that I would have my own little discussion on why I'm Team Lincoln instead of Team Phoenix. How does that sound?

Just to refresh your memories here are the covers for the first 2 books in the series that have released in the U.S.:

 Gorgeous, right?

One of the reasons why I really love this series (besides the gorgeous covers) is the characters. Violet isn't a girl willing to sit back and let some guy protect and save her when she can do it herself. She's tough, yet vulnerable. And while I do love that, I also think that we've gotten some pretty awesome guys in this series as well.

Which brings me to why I'm Team Lincoln (this is based off my reading Embrace, I haven't had a chance to delve into book 2 yet). From the moment Lincoln enters the story, it is beyond obvious the connection that he has with Violet. It is beautiful and intense and genuine. I never really felt like I had to question his motives. Lincoln wanted to love and protect Violet. But with Phoenix, I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I could understand why Violet was intrigued by him and wanted to learn more from him, I just never really felt like they were good together.

Phoenix is an interesting character and I definitely want to learn more about him as the series progresses, but I don't think that he's right for Violet. So, I am Team Lincoln all the way! What do you guys think?

And now on to the giveaway! If you would like a chance to win a copy of Embrace and Entice, then please fill out the Rafflecopter below (this giveaway is for U.S. Residents only):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Storm

Elemental 1

Author: Brigid Kemmerer 
Pages: 353 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy,
Release Date: April 24th 2012
Review Source: Kensington/Author

There are some books that have characters that just pull you in right away and plots/story elements that make you want to keep reading. This debut had both of those and so much more!

Becca Chandler makes the choice to save Chris Merrick from a terrible beating after school. Her life can't possibly get much worse with the rumors and attention her ex-boyfriend began circulating around the school.

At least, that's what she thinks. Then Becca learns that Chris and his brothers can control the elements. And now that Becca knows, she's in danger right along with them. A storm is coming and they all have to decide what side they are on.

From the very beginning Brigid went right into the action and I was hooked. She didn't hold back even in some rather uncomfortable scenes, really pulling you into the world that she created. I absolutely loved that! Any author can kill off certain characters or create a love triangle, but I loved how Brigid managed to pull me into the thick of it and feel what her characters were feeling.

Not only is the overall world pretty cool, but so are the characters. I felt like I really got to know both of the main characters, Becca and Chris, and loved reading their points of view. Brigid gave us characters that we could root for and relate to. Even though I'm not a teenager anymore, I could remember those feelings of not fitting in and butterflies in the stomach that were so adequately described.

She also gave us a pretty fascinating story plot that had me guessing until the end. A little bit was revealed along the way which, at least for me, kept me interested and eager to find out what was going on. Brigid's elemental's were so unique and fascinating, I didn't want the story to end. I loved her take on them.

I'm doing my best not give anything away because, even though the book is out, I'm sure there are plenty who haven't had a chance to read it yet and I don't want to spoil it for anyone. And book 2, Spark, is officially out today. I for one can't wait to continue the journey!

Brigid Kemmerer

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Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder

Lunar Chronicles 1

Author: Marissa Meyer 
Pages: 387 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Science- Fiction
Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Review Source: Purchased

This is probably one of my favorite debuts this year. I was beyond excited to read this and even more thrilled that I got to meet Marissa Meyer at Teen Con in March. I couldn't put this down!

Cinder is a cyborg and gifted mechanic living in New Beijing. Considered a second-class citizen not only by her stepmother, but also the rest of society, Cinder just wants to live her life in peace.

But when he sister catches the deadly plague and she meets Prince Kai, things end up completely out of control. With the ruthless lunar Queen coming to Earth and Cinder's mysterious past being revealed, she has to decide what path she wants to follow.

I absolutely fell in love with Cinder's story. My sister got to read this before I did, but when she told me how much enjoyed it, I knew that I would too. Marissa made Cinder's character relatable and one that readers will cheer for. Which I definitely did. She was fun and a cyborg! That was pretty cool in and of itself. I mean, what she could do and how easily she lived with it.

At the book convention, Marissa described this book as a space opera. I wasn't entirely sure what that meant or what to expect when I finally got the chance to read this, but now I most definitely do. So much takes place in this story, I can see why she called it that. Each new revelation had my jaw dropping and me scrambling to get to the next to found out what else was in store.

I loved the world Marissa created not only with New Beijing and Cinder, but also with the Lunar people. And as the rest of the series unfolds I'm looking forward to learning more about the rest of it. Since Cinder is just the first book in a four book series, I can hardly stand it waiting for the sequel. Her story most definitely isn't over and I'm excited find out what's next.

So I will sit here quietly twiddling my thumbs as I wait for a copy of Scarlet, book two of the Lunar Chronicles. Who's with me?

Marissa Meyer
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Cover Reveal: Iridescent

Hosted by A Tale of Many Reviews here's the cover and description the sequel to Carol Oates' Ember, Iridescent :

Summary: Candra Ember used to dream of saving the world one person at a time. She never expected to become an angelic weapon and the last hope in the battle against ultimate darkness.

Falling for a Nephilim wasn’t part of Sebastian’s plan. Distraction is something he can’t afford when his rival, Draven, wants what Sebastian has. 

Lies, manipulation and corruption are twisting the lives of the citizens in Acheron. The Arch is missing from Heaven and a demon is intent on claiming the city. At a time they should be growing closer, grief and paranoia is driving Candra and Sebastian apart.

If the price of restoring the Watchers to Heaven is a human soul, who deserves to be saved?

 Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13614229-iridescent
Website: http://www.caroloates.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caroloates.author
Twitter: @CarolOates, https://twitter.com/caroloates

My Review Policy

I just wanted to do a little post about how I do my reviews, in case anyone is interested.

The whole reason I decided to start this blog was so that I could discuss the books that I'd been reading and what I enjoyed about them. When I started the influx of amazing authors was really just beginning as well, so I wanted to give people a chance to see what I was reading and maybe discover some new reads for themselves.

My reviews are always 100% honest. I don't needlessly talk up a book or an author. What I put in my reviews (and the stars I give on Goodreads) are solely based on my opinion and what I liked about what I read.

If, for whatever reason, I can't finish a book or didn't like it... then I won't review it. That's just me personally. I would rather write about and discuss the books that I did enjoy and if anyone wants to offer their opinions or comments about them, please feel free to do so. I want your feedback and would love to hear what you think.

Reading and offering up reviews, for me, is fun and something I've really enjoyed doing for the past couple of years. I don't plan on stopping either. I just wanted to put that out there.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to check out my blog and reviews. You are why I do this.

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

A Temptation of Angels

A Temptation of Angels 1

Author: Michelle Zink 
Pages: 435 pgs
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Release Date: March 20th 2012
Review Source: Purchased

This was the first Michelle Zink book I discovered that I really wanted to read (along the way I discovered her other series as well). It sounded so interesting and right up my alley and, let me tell you, it did not disappoint.


After sixteen year old Helen Cartwright loses her parents, she's forced to intrust her safety to two brother's she's never met before. Soon she's discovering the existence of the Dictata and her place in world she didn't anything about.

Though she's been trained for path, nothing could have prepared her for finding the one person she never expected to see again. Will Helen be able to set things right and follow her heart?

I absolutely love Michelle's writing. There's just something so fluid about it that just makes me want to keep reading it. And before I'd even gotten a chance to read any of her work I (and my sister) got to meet her at a Teen Book Con back in March. Just hearing talk about her books, the legends she used, and the research she did only made me want to dig in more.

One of the things that I really enjoyed in this story was Helen's feistiness. There wasn't a clear time-frame for when it was set, but clearly it was during a time of corsets and propriety and you all know how much I love me some historical fiction. So, to have a female character in such a time period ready and willing to fight back was refreshing. She was a lady and was treated as one, but she also didn't allow the two brother's (or anyone really) to keep her out of anything. She was touch when she needed to be, yet gentle.

The intricate weaving of the story details was also another plus for me. So much takes place, but it isn't an overwhelming since of information. It is presented to the readers a little at a time, only adding to the already intriguing bases. YET, there is still so much that can be left to tell. I for one am crossing my fingers that there will be more.

I definitely love this book and can't wait to read more from Michelle, she has ensured that I will keep reading her stuff and I hope you guys will too!

Michelle Zink
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A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont

A Breath of Eyre
Unbound 1

Author: Eve Marie Mont 
Pages: 342 pgs
Genre: YA, Re-Telling, Time Travel
Release Date: March 27th 2012
Review Source: Kensington Publishing Corporation

Eve Marie Mont's debut YA novel was a fun read that thrust readers into the world written by Charlotte Bronte. I was initially intrigued and couldn't wait to check it out.

Emma Townsend is a bit of an outsider. Not only at her prep school, but also at her home. After losing her mom at a young age, she prefers to keep to herself and daydream the day away.

She receives a copy of Jane Eyre and a journal for her sixteenth birthday, both of which turn her world upside down. When Emma finds herself living in Jane's world and falling for Mr. Rochester, she finds herself wondering what's so great about her world. But is that truly where she belongs?

One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the fact that Emma Townsend was very much a modern day teenage girl. She struggled with the same things we all have at one point or another and had to find herself. Just as could be said about Jane Eyre in the time period she was written about by Bronte. Those parallels were beautifully portrayed and I could see how Jane's world was so appealing to Emma.

But since Emma was a modern girl, I loved that Eve showed the difference in the two time periods. While she may have initially been drawn to Bronte's world, what Emma really wanted was much more. There was so much more to her story and it couldn't be discovered or figured out while living someone else's life. While I did find myself confused in certain places, I ended up understanding why Eve did what she did for Emma's story.

And, though there were no cliffhangers, I'm still anxious for the next book in this trilogy. At least after the description I read! Eve's new look at these classic stories is fun and compelling for any age and has even sparked my interest in checking out the originals.

Eve Marie Mont

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