Waiting On Wednesday (26)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by "Breaking the Spine" were bloggers can post their anticipated upcoming publications!

Not always a Y.A. choice, but I am still Y.A. at heart! I've been noticing more and more that I am drawn to a mixture of genre's specifically adult paranormal romance, and all around Y.A. So this week I've decided to share a part of my adult paranormal romance addiction I seem to be accumulating on a separate book shelf at home and on Goodreads.com!

Wicked Nights (Angels of the Dark, #1) by Gena Showalter

Publisher: Harlequin

Expected Publication: June 26, 2012

From the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld comes a dark, seductive new series featuring angels poised at the brink of destruction… 

Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed too dangerous, too ruthless, and if he isn’t careful, he’ll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred . . . until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he’s never before known. 

Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation—or her ultimate damnation?


Thoughts: Well I think I have finally found it! A paranormal steamy romance based around angels! Now, I would have settled for any type of angel, but lets be real, darker angels are just more fun ;) hehe. ANYWAY! What first really drew me into the book was NOT the cover, but obviously it was a bonus, it was actually the title of the book. I was not expecting a seductive angel romance to be between the pages but, some demonic playboy of sorts. Although that being said, I am pleasantly surprised and please to find that this time around we are seeing things from a different side of the spectrum though, I am sure the heat will still be as intense as ever. The synopsis gives us just enough to really get hooked and want to know more about each character; why is Zacharel deemed too dangerous? (he is an angel after all); why does the King of demons want Annabelle as his own? these types of questions really pulled me in and fascinated me as I thought about it more. I have actually become obsessed and will confess I am going to pounce on this book once its published come June! And of course to add the cherry on top... the cover *swoon*! - can we say angels should wear low cut jeans more often!! Just look at that ... EVERYTHING! After getting past the initial "wow" of the angel, I did happen to notice the girl and thought it was very creative how his wings, basically his body is hiding her; almost protecting her, from himself. Very ingenius and a great tie in to the synopsis about Zacharel. June can't come fast enough for me! Waiting on Wednesday just got a little more steamy in my opinion! (hehe)

ANOTHER Cover Reveal: "Starling" by Lesley Livingston

OMG. OMG. OMG. Ever since I devoured and fell absolutely IN LOVE with "Once Every Never" by Lesley Livingston, I have been obsessed with her! She is a fantastic writer, with a passion for history that is contagious! Her upcoming novel "Starling" has been revealed along with its gorgeous cover! The cover delivers an air of mystery, along with a gorgeous backdrop, and eye catching lettering, this is by far one of my all time FAVOURITE covers! And if that doesn't hook you right away, the synopsis will pull you further into the mystery that is "Starling"! Absolutely wonderful - this book is going to be a MUST read this year!

Starling by Lesley Livingston

Publisher: HarperTeen

Expected Publication: August 15, 2012

"Love is just the beginning... of the end."

When Mason Starling rescues an unconscious young man from the ravages of a terrible storm—and he rescues her from the otherworldly creatures lurking in that storm—little does she know her whole life is about to spiral dramatically, mystically out of control. Someone is trying to kill her, someone else is trying to use her, and the only one who seems willing to help her is the tantalizing, dangerous stranger who can’t even remember who—or what—he is. All he remembers is his name: Fennrys Wolf.

What Fennrys doesn’t know is that, thanks in part to his past actions, a crack has appeared in the barrier between the mortal world and the Beyond Realms. The crack has opened up a nexus of dark energy in the middle of the East River and it’s attracting the attention of powerful entities on both sides of the rift.

Because of that, a longstanding truce involving the members of several ancient underworld cartels is now in jeopardy. Mason, Fennrys, and the students of elite Gosforth Academy—a neutral-ground “safe haven” for children of the Families—soon find themselves caught in the crossfire as the servants of the warring pantheons fight to see whose gods come out on top...and whose demons go down in flames.

Set in New York City, with all its dark, gritty sparkle, the STARLING saga explores the spaces between the worlds and the realms of the ancient gods… only a heartbeat beyond. It’s a tale spun from ancient mythologies—Norse and Greek and Egyptian—filled to the brim with adventure, danger, and romance, and played out against the backdrop of a city with its own siren-song.

From the universe of Lesley Livingston’s WONDROUS STRANGE, a new series and captivating heroine make their exciting debut.

Add to Goodreads.com

Cover Reveal: "Luminosity" by Stephanie Thomas

This morning I have a special treat for all of you! The lovely cover reveal of Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas! Below is the synopsis and cover that in my opinion is a breath taking and beautiful cover fully indulging the reader in everything the book is about. My favourite part of the cover has to be the wings that seem to extend from the girls eye! I think that is a perfect representation of what it means to have "sight" in this book seeing as when Beatrice had her first vision she was rewarded with raven wings. 

But enough about what I liked, see for yourself!

Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Expected Publication: September 11, 2012

"My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win."

In My Mailbox (20)

"In my Mailbox" is a weekly meme hosted by the fantastic Kristi "the Story Siren". Bloggers are able to post what new books they've received either by buying, borrowing, or on loan from the library throughout the past week.

ENJOY!

"Lightbringer" by K.D. McEntire (correction: Published in November 2011)
"Thief's Covenant" by Ari Marmell
"Shadow & Bone" by Leigh Bardugo
"Lure of Shapinsay" by Krista Holle

Tour Stop: The World Among Us by Beth Ann Masarik

This week I have a treat for all of you! The Hardcover Obsession is hosting the lovely author Beth Ann Masarik who has delighted us with the creatively written, and captivating story of "The World Among Us". Brimming with Greek mythology, Beth takes an entirely new approach to the supernatural; mixing Gods, Goddess', Titans and Creatures of the Night in a compelling story of romance, betrayal, and world domination. Although slow at some points, the book delivers exactly what Beth promises, a battle of godly proportions.

For this tour stop, instead of the usual interview that most bloggers and author do, Beth has delivered a detailed description of how she was drawn to write about mythology. Also we have the next scavenger hunt instruction & a giveaway! 

So read, enjoy & enter to win a great prize pack!

What drew me to the world of Mythology?

That’s a really good question, and one that I am honestly not asked often enough.  At the time that I started writing The World Among Us the first time around, I was in college.  I had been dating this guy named Rob who was into Wicca.  I had studied it before in high school, and we had joined this group called the Wiccan Pagan Society in college.  This was long before I began to get really involved in my church by the way.  I was going through a rebellious stage at the time, and the church that I belonged to was going through pastors like musical chairs.  It was a really rough time for me, and I saw comfort in this “new” religion.

Anyway, Wiccans worship deitys, in other words, more than one god.  Studying this religion gave me a deeper insight into who I was, and helped me hone in on some natural abilities that I might otherwise have lost.  IE, empathy and intuition.  Learning about all of that stuff is what got me interested in Greek and Roman mythology.

That was only the start of my mini obsession with the Greek gods.  No, I don’t practice Wicca anymore, but I have a deep understanding and respect for it.  I still have my Book of Shadows and my Tarot cards, something I will never, EVER part with.  Whenever I see someone wearing a pentacle, I always greet them with the traditional Wiccan greeting of “Blessed Be.”  Honestly, that is such a pretty saying, and people need to say it to each other more.

No, I am NOT a Satan or Devil worshiper.  In fact, Wiccans and Pagans DO NOT WORSHIP Satan or the Devil at all.  That is a sad, common misconception that most people have of them. I worship God and Jesus Christ, but I also carry the lessons that I’ve learned from studying Wicca back in the day.

Anywho, there you have it folks.  That’s what sparked my interest in Greek Mythology. Now, for a little bit about my novel, The World Among Us:

"In The World Among Us, Hades, the god of the Underworld, plots to take over the world, and remove Gaia, the head Deity, from power.  In order to do so, he plots against his own son, Damien, and cons him into killing his soul mate, the beautiful goddess of the moon, Selene.  Hades does so, because Gaia is his natural enemy, and Selene is her favorite grandchild.  He thinks that by killing off Gaia’s favorite grandchild, he will weaken her.  With Selene out of the way, Hades then moves in on the Creatures of the Night.  He wants to kill off their leader, Jason Aysel.  Jason is the go-between person between worlds, and another person that Gaia highly regards.  Hades manipulates and cons Jason’s best friend, Leon Greene, into murdering him, by offering him Jason’s position as his reward.  Because of these actions, a war is to take place on earth between the gods and other Creatures of the Night.  During this time, Selene is reincarnated, and kept hidden as a secret weapon to win the war against Hades.  In order to win the war of wars, the gods and some of the demons will have to fight together, and learn to co-operate with each other.  Will the Titans and Olympians be able to set aside their differences, and take back the world from Hades?  Or is the world as we know it, doomed to fall under Dark Shadows, forever?"

THE GIVEAWAY & SCAVENGER HUNT:

Beth Ann Masarik is offering:

An ebook of The World Among Us: Prince of Darkness

A bookmark

An autographed poster

A pin

THE SCAVENGER HUNT:

The last time I had you tell me who your favorite character was in any mythology legend.  Now, I want you to FIND ME A PICTURE of your favorite character/god/creature in any mythology legend.  Please send your entries to contests@bethannmasarik.com by February 29.  If you do, you will be entered to win a gift pack valued at about $100 dollars.  This prize pack includes: an autographed copy of The World Among Us: Prince of Darkness by the illustrator, and me a never before seen picture of Selene & Damien, a totebag, a personalized mug, & a keychain, plus the stuff listed above.  Pretty sweet huh?  The winner of the scavenger hunt will be announced on March 4^th. GOOD LUCK!

My Book Boyfriend (8): Alex Sheaths (Warren)

"Boys in books are just better. Right? lol" ... The meme, Book Boyfriend is brought to us by the fabulous author of "The Unread Reader" Missie. This meme is just for fun! Likeness represented are all fictional fantasies. This meme happens every Wednesday although it is open to "link up" from Wednesday to Wednesday. I'm earning my bragging rights for this weeks Boyfriend, how about you? ENJOY! 

Finally I can officially say I am back in my "Book Boyfriend Obsession" - after a hard break up I couldn't bring myself to enjoy writing about my many book boyfriends, but I think after a long over due hiatus from this particular meme I can fully enjoy all the swoon worthy boys out there! This week due to my obsession with "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver & the upcoming release of the sequel "Pandemonium" next week I've decided to choose for this weeks Book Boyfriend: Alex Sheaths/Warren. 


Alex Sheaths/Warren: Sweet, romantic, rebel, and forbidden - all words that can be used to describe Alex from Lauren Oliver's Delirium. First introduced to us in Delirium as a day time guard to an abandon medical facility, you can quickly tell he is hiding something but also he is flirtatious, sweet & humorous. As we get to know him more through the book we see why he is so private and guarded, he is an invalid, one that has not been "cured" from the disease of "Love" - which makes him even more attractive, he is forbidden, a rebel - makes him mysterious, and yet still highly vulnerable to Lena as well (girls like a bit of vulnerability in our guys, hehe). With autumn coloured hair, carmel sun kissed skin, deep amber eyes, and a crooked smile, how could you not swoon over Alex; not convinced? His personality doesn't fall short either - sweet, a good listener, confident with his feelings & beliefs, and passionate, complete this swoon worthy boy. One trait that truly sealed the deal for me with Alex, was how throughout the entire book you could tell how much he cared for Lena - he would protect her from anything yet open her eyes to an entirely new world she was so afraid of. His vulnerability showed clearly when he told Lena who he really was, and yet still pursued her for her affection - they had wonderful chemistry, and he acted like someone falling in love. Cute and sensitive, like when you're first meeting someone, but protective and passionate like they've known each other for years. Alex is the perfect combination of passionate & sexy rebel, but also sweet & vulnerable love struck teen. 


Stats:

• Tall, muscular build (perfect for hopping fences, hehe)
• Golden brown - autumn coloured hair
• Striking amber coloured eyes
• 3 triangular scars just behind his ear (gives the illusion he has been cured)
• Crooked smile
• Fantastic kisser
• 19 years old
• Fast swimmer; athletic
• Humorous, & witty 
• Sweet, & gentle, yet passionate
• Good listener
• Resourceful & Protective
• Vulnerable
• An Invalid

NOTE: The actor I have chosen for my version of Alex Sheaths/Warrens is none other than Liam Hemsworth. Now I know he is already playing a lead role in "The Hunger Games" this March, although the overall look of him, and acting skills makes him a perfect candidate for an Alex in my books - so ENJOY!

Quotes:

Alex: “Everyone is asleep. They've all been asleep for years. You seemed ... awake.' Alex is whispering now. He closes his eyes, opens them again.'I'm tired of sleeping.” 

Delirium, Lauren Oliver

Lena: “I know the rules. I've been living here longer than you have." 
He cracks a smile then. He nudges me back. "Hardly." 
"Born and raised. You're a transplant." I nudge him again, a little harder, and he laughs and tries to catch hold of my arm. I squirm away, giggling, and he stretches out to tickle my stomach. "Country bumpkin!" I squeal, as he grabs out and wrestles me back onto the blanket, laughing. 
"City slicker," he says, rolling over on top of me, and then kisses me. Everything dissolves: heat, explosions of color, floating.

Delirium, Lauren Oliver

Alex: “Are you sure that being like everybody else will make you happy?" 
Lena: "I don't know any other way." 
Alex: "Let me show you." 
And then we're kissing...

Delirium, Lauren Oliver

Alex: “And I love you too.” His fingers skate the edge of my jaw, dance briefly over my lips. “You should know that. You have to know that.” 

Delirium, Lauren Oliver










FOLLOWERS!! PLEASE BE ADVISED: Due to the change in Blog Name & URL, if you follow through "Google Friend Connect" on blogger.com you will have to re-follow the blog with the new URL to receive updated posts in your "dashboard" feed. To "re-follow" just remove my blog from your "add/manage blogs" section on your dashboard and come back and follow under the NEW URL. I wouldn't want any of you to miss out on some of the upcoming posts such as Author Interviews, Giveaways, Blog Tours and Raving Reviews (i'll have up this week!). It takes 2 minutes to do, and in the long run will benefit all you amazing followers out there so you don't miss out on anything!

Waiting On Wednesday (25)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by "Breaking the Spine" were bloggers can post their anticipated upcoming publications!

This weeks "Waiting On Wednesday" was made on the decision of much I was obsessed with the first book in this fast paced, captivating series! I feel captive to my fellow blogger friends that found out I had not read "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver yet over the weekend, and was mercilessly hounded until I picked it up & started reading ... I now know that they hounded me out of love because I was addicted from the first page! So this weeks WOW is dedicated to the sequel, which also comes out in a mere 6 days!

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins 

Expected Publication: February 28, 2012

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame."

"This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite."

Thoughts: It is hard to believe that I had left this wonderfully thrilling series till NOW to read! Although with just completing "Delirium" earlier this morning (...2AM, haha) I only have to wait 6 more days to see what is going to happen with all the characters I have come to love, hate & swoon over. "Pandemonium" gives little in the synopsis except making the reader crazy with feelings of anticipation, and excitement of how little but still how much it tells us about the book. Lena is about to embark on the adventure of her life, that will shape and change how the third book will play out - I can't help but imagine with the last three sentences of the synopsis' of Lena standing on the "Wilds" side of the fence watching her old life go up in flames; it literally gives me goosebumps of excitement just waiting to read this book. Although the first cover was a little bland for me (I am a cover whore when it comes to beautiful covers) "Pandemonium" gives us flashes of bright bursting colours, and a changed woman on the front, more defiant, courageous and sure of herself, as with "Delirium" we had a shy, withdrawn girl on the front cover (on the hardcover edition after the dust jacket). Everything about "Pandemonium" screams rebellion, transformation, and forbidden everything, not just romance (but hey I'll take forbidden romance ANY day of the week! Especially with Alex). I am thoroughly confident that this sequel will take book stores by storm next week!

Cover Love: Hidden by Sophie Jordan

Publication: September 11, 2012
Publisher: HarperTEEN

"Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory."

"The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning...."

"Loyalties are tested and sacrifices made in the explosive conclusion to Sophie Jordan's Firelight trilogy."

Thoughts: SO! What do we think about the final cover in the trilogy? All of these covers have "wow'd" me again and again! I absolutely love the look of the cover, the colouring, and the lettering - all of it draws your eye in and makes you obsessed, wondering what is lying in wait between the covers! Also, the synopsis is a great teaser for all of us fans awaiting "Hiddens" release come September 2012. I haven't read "Vanish" yet that came out this pass fall but I can't help get excited about "Hidden" because of how well the synopsis is written, and also because of the obvious romance that has happened between Jacinda, and Will. I can't help but feel giddy and swoon over romance in any story, and Jacinda and Will's is quickly becoming one of my favourites!

Other Covers:

   

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by "Breaking the Spine" were bloggers can post their anticipated upcoming publications!

This week I decided to something a little more steampunk. I seem to go through trends every week with my Waiting on Wednesday posts - last week adventure fantasy, this week steampunk, so I thought who better to show case for my WOW than author Kady Cross!

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

Expected Publication: May 22, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin

"In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous."

"Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves."

"One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens."

Thoughts: Could there be a more perfect steampunk anticipation?! The title says it all; and my god look at that cover! Although I cannot take all the credit for this fantastic choice this week, as I was perusing around another blog, Fiktshun (amazing blog! If you haven't checked it out yet I HIGHLY suggest you do so!) they had this book show cased on their side bar as one of their covers they love, and how couldn't you just LOVE that cover! It is absolutely breathtaking, and incredibly inviting! It has the perfect mixture of Steampunk, Victorian, supernatural-esk, type of vibe. But putting the cover aside, the ploy synopsis is most definitely something I would desire reading! It has the perfect mixture of misfit rebellion along side adventure, and supernatural aspects and of course ROMANCE! I just can't ever get enough of the romance in books! I must say that my choice for this weeks "Waiting On Wednesday" definitely sated my hunger for a good Steampunk novel! 

So what are all you waiting for on this wednesday? Leave your links below!

FOLLOWERS!! PLEASE BE ADVISED: Due to the change in Blog Name & URL, if you follow through "Google Friend Connect" on blogger.com you will have to re-follow the blog with the new URL to receive updated posts in your "dashboard" feed. To "re-follow" just remove my blog from your "add/manage blogs" section on your dashboard and come back and follow under the NEW URL. I wouldn't want any of you to miss out on some of the upcoming posts such as Author Interviews, Giveaways, Blog Tours and Raving Reviews (i'll have up this week!). It takes 2 minutes to do, and in the long run will benefit all you amazing followers out there so you don't miss out on anything!

In My Mailbox (19)

"In my Mailbox" is a weekly meme hosted by the fantastic Kristi "the Story Siren". Bloggers are able to post what new books they've received either by buying, borrowing, or on loan from the library throughout the past week.

Well as you can see there is no video this week for my "In My Mailbox" posting, due to one main reason ... and that is I have a very bad cold - seriously I sound like a frog, and every time I tried to record, my voice would cut out half way through. SOOOO! I thought I would just do some photo's of the couple books I have to show you this week; I hope you enjoy them all the same!

ARC's:
"Legacy of Tril: Soulbound" by Heather Brewer
ARC: Dial Publishing (Penguin USA)
Expected Publication: July 2012

"What's worse than being blackmailed to attend a hidden school where you're treated like a second-class citizen? How about nearly getting eaten by a monster when you arrive? Or learning that your soulmate was killed in a centuries-old secret war? And then there's the evil king who's determined to rule the world unless you can stop him..."

"Meet Kaya, a young woman with the power to heal and the determination to fight. But struggle as she will, she remains tied to three very different men: a hero who has forsaken glory, a tyrannical ruler who wants to use Kaya, and a warrior who's stolen her heart. Kaya learns the hard way that some ties can't be broken...and blood is the strongest bond of all."

"Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone" by Kat Rosenfield

ARC: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin Group USA)

Expected Publication: July 2012

"On the night of Becca’s high school graduation, the discovery of an unidentified dead girl left to bleed out on the side of a dirt road sends the town—and Becca—into a tailspin. Becca has always longed to break free from her small home town, but as the violence of the outside world creeps into her backyard, she withdraws and retreats inward, paralyzed for the first time in her life."

"Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson’s life are intercut with Becca’s own coming-of-age summer, unfolding into the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and tense romantic relationships as the summer’s tumultuous events twist Becca closer and closer to the truth about Amelia’s murder."

"Cold Fury" by T.M. Goeglein

ARC: Putnam Juvenile

Expected Publication: July 2012

"Sara Jane Rispoli is just a normal sixteen-year-old girl coping with school and a developing crush— until her parents and younger brother are kidnapped, and she discovers her family has been a key figure of Chicago’s Outfit (aka the mob) for decades. Her father, grandfather and great grandfather all used their special ability, cold fury, to settle disputes between the two mob factions—the muscle and the money. And unless Sara wants the mob to think her now missing family has turned state’s evidence, she will have to fill her father’s shoes as the mob’s peacemaker, using her own cold fury."

RazOrbill Launch:

"Darkest Light" by Hiromi Goto (Finished Copy)
Publisher: RazOrbill (Penguin Canada)
Published: January, 2012

"The breathtaking follow-up novel to the award-winning Half World."

"The nightmarish adventure picks up sixteen years after Melanie’s return in Half World. With a new dark hero whose unlikely companions are a heartless cat and a self-destructive Neo Goth girl, Darkest Light is a compelling journey through despair in a desperate search for redemption."

I had already received a copy of "Darkest Light" as an ARC earlier in January, although I wanted to show you the finished copy as well, because this past week at the RazOrbill Launch part Hiromi Goto was kind enough to give me a signed copy of her book :)




PLEASE BE ADVISED FOLLOWERS: Due to the change in Blog Name & URL, if you follow through "Google Friend Connect" on blogger.com you will have to re-follow the blog with the new URL to receive updated posts in your "dashboard" feed. To "re-follow" just remove my blog from your "add/manage blogs" section on your dashboard and come back and follow under the NEW URL. I wouldn't want any of you to miss out on some of the upcoming posts such as Author Interviews, Giveaways, Blog Tours and Raving Reviews (i'll have up this week!). It takes 2 minutes to do, and in the long run will benefit all you amazing followers out there so you don't miss out on anything!

Waiting on Wednesday (23)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by "Breaking the Spine" were bloggers can post their anticipated upcoming publications!

This weeks "WOW" is something a little different, and a lot more edgy than last weeks. I am in the mood for books such as "Graceling", and "Eon: Dragoneye Reborn" and I thought that this book bellow fit into those categories quite nicely!

The Legacy of Tril: Soulbound by Heather Brewer

Publisher: Dial (Penguin USA)

Expected Publication: July 5, 2012

"What's worse than being blackmailed to attend a hidden school where you're treated like a second-class citizen? How about nearly getting eaten by a monster when you arrive? Or learning that your soulmate was killed in a centuries-old secret war? And then there's the evil king who's determined to rule the world unless you can stop him..."

"Meet Kaya, a young woman with the power to heal and the determination to fight. But struggle as she will, she remains tied to three very different men: a hero who has forsaken glory, a tyrannical ruler who wants to use Kaya, and a warrior who's stolen her heart. Kaya learns the hard way that some ties can't be broken...and blood is the strongest bond of all."

Thoughts: Well lets start with the synopsis of the book (mix it up a bit, lol). I have been itching all week for a really good fantasy/adventure Young Adult novel to just sink myself into, and alas I haven't been able to find one on my giant stack of books! Until, I feasted my eye on this lovely beauty! The storyline really caught my eye, similar to those of Graceling or Eon, I thought this would be a great story to add to my 2012 most anticipated pile. The fact that she is a strong and independent warrior WITH a love interest and a strong struggle ahead of her caught my attention immediately. The cover also was something that really held my intrigue when I came across it. There is a lot going on, on the cover but it is not too much and draws your attention where needed, such as the girl with the chain mail vail - creative and mysterious all at the same time. Or how about the fact the series title is written along the side, but "Soulbound" (the main title) is in tiny white script along the bottom. These attributes draw your attention to where it is needed most, and I absolutely adore it! I'm a sucker for beautiful covers, and this is definitely one of them!

Teaser Tuesday (13)

Teaser Tuesdays is a bookish meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author too, so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

                                         the Teaser:

“The entire time I'm burning in Hell, I'll regret each tear I made you weep. But if Hell were the price for twenty days with you, I'd condemn myself again and again"

Cian MacKelter

"Spell of the Highlander" by Karen Marie Moning

Author Interview: Jessica Spotswood

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY! 

Jessica Spotswood, author of Born Wicked out in stores today, has graciously given this bewitched blogger an interview with her about, her book, her writing choices, and herself! I have compiled the questions I asked and would like to share what I learnt about this wonderful author.

INTERVIEW:

1. What inspired you to write about witches? (was it something about the witch trials during the 1600s perhaps? I am a history student so I can’t help myself but ask)

Jessica: I wanted to write about a society where educated, independent girls weren’t valued but without making it seem preachy. I wanted to give the Brotherhood and the general populace a real reason to fear them. In this society, the Brothers use witchery as an excuse to persecute disobedient women, but the witches did do some terrible things in the name of protecting themselves.  Their magic does give them a great deal of power. It’s not entirely black and white. And it gave my girls a lot of inner conflict, too, as they struggle with what they believe about their magic and their own potential.

2. Have you always wanted to write for the young adult (Y.A.) genre? If not, what drew you into the genre?

Jessica: I have! The books I loved most as a child were all YA: L.M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, Sunfire historical romances. I went to grad school for theatre history & criticism, and read plays pretty exclusively for a few years. But when I was finished, I came right back to reading YA – including what was popular then, like Vampire Academy and Wicked Lovely andTwilight. I’ve never really tried to write another genre. 

3. How on earth did you create Finn Belastra? (He is one delicious character! hehe - I think he has stolen the heart of many bibliophiles out there!)

Jessica: Thank you! I think, as a reader, I was a little tired of mysterious, brooding, alpha-male heroes. I wanted to write a romance that where the hero really respects the heroine, flaws and all, and doesn’t try to boss her or stifle her independence. Finn is strong, but he doesn’t need to diminish Cate to prove it. And he’s cute, but dorky-cute, with glasses and freckles and messy hair and a book in his hand. We don’t see many heroes like that; I think that’s part of his appeal. 

4. Do you prefer peace and quiet when you write, or do you listen to music? Any specific kind of music?

Jessica: I don’t write with music on, but I do like to take brainstorming walks with my iPod. Some of my favorite music for BORN WICKED was by Snow Patrol, Florence + the Machine, and Mumford & Sons.

5. If you could meet ANY fictional character, who would it be? (You may choose one female and one male, if you're stuck between one or the other)

Jessica: I think I’d like to hang out with Frankie Landau-Banks, from E. Lockhart’s The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. She’s smart and funny and one of my all-time favorite characters.

6. If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Jessica: I’d love to go to Greece someday. My youngest sister and my mom went a few years ago, and their pictures were gorgeous! A second choice would be Scotland, and my husband and I are hoping to go this summer to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for two weeks. He’s a playwright, so he can see lots of shows, and when I get tired of theatre I can have tea and scones and visit castles!

So there you have it! Isn't she just wonderful :) I had such a hard time trying to pick the right questions to ask her, but I couldn't resist asking her how on earth she created Finn Belastra (his name says it all, and just makes a girl swoon) or where she'd like to travel once she gets a chance (by the way YES! to Scotland - ugh I cannot wait to visit there myself!). I hope you've all enjoyed getting to know Jessica a little more, and I hope you all pick up a copy of her book, Born Wicked!

If any of you are interested, I was able to read Born Wicked as an ARC and I have already put up my review this pass January! Here is the link to it if you're interested in reading my thoughts on it :)

"Born Wicked" Review