Sunday, January 29, 2012

In My Mailbox (17): First Vlog Posting!

"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.

This pass week (actually pass month!) I have gotten an odd mixture of books ranging from Adult Romance, to Young Adult Mystery. I have recently been offered the position of "Head Blogger" for the RazOrbill Publishing Company's online website and therefore have privy to some amazing titles! This week and next I will be showing you the load they had given me this past Monday when I went to visit them all. One thing I will say it is an EXCELLENT year for Y.A. books :)


So without further adieu I give you my FIRST Video Blog posting. I hope you'll all enjoy it! (I was nervous, lol!)



RazObill
"Chopsticks" by Jessica Anthony & Rodrigo Corral
"The Dead I Know" by Scot Gardner
"Dark Eyes" by William Richter
"Darkest Light" by Hiromi Goto
"Bitterblue" by Kristin Cashore

Simon & Schuster:

Bought:
"Everneath" by Brodi Ashton
"Beyond the Highland Mist" by Karen Marie Moning

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Cover Reveal: Eternal by J.A. Belfield !!

Eternal by J.A. Belfield
A Holloway Pack Story
Publication Date: July 2, 2012
Target Readers: Adult

"An unmarried woman living in a house of men breeds hearsay and lore. If only the villagers knew the truth."

"It’s not Jem Stonehouse’s marital status that brings unwanted strangers to town. Rather, it’s that she is the only female werewolf in existence — a prize to any pack."

"Sean Holloway, the love of Jem’s life, has gone to great lengths to protect her. As a new attack becomes imminent, Sean realizes he must take greater measures with Jem’s safety or risk losing her forever. His first task must be to marry her, but a force greater than the largest werewolf stands in his way."

"Her mother."

Thoughts: Wow just look at that cover!! It is absolutely captivating! This is my first cover reveal that an author has asked me to put up on the blog so I hope I do it justice! My first thought once I saw the cover was "absolutely captivating and enchanting!" With three other books already in the Holloway Pack Stories this is by far my favourite cover of all. It has all the elements to describe exactly what this paranormal romance is about, without giving too much away! It has an antiqued feel with having the main colouration in a sepia tone and having some of the edges splattered with colour. I love how the couple in the background isn't the main image although still draws you in but then the wolf in the foreground is the eye catching part because it seems out of place although fits perfectly. It is a wonderful, and captivating cover and I am excited to read it once it is released!

For more information on J.A. Belfield, and her novels please visit the publishers link at the top!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (21)

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

This series has been a great pass time of mine reading it in between books and such. I absolutely love the cover art and I am very sad to see it come to an end! Although I am still one book behind in the series, I am still highly anticipating this read this upcoming May!




Endure by Carrie Jones
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Expected Publication: May 8, 2012

It’s all-out war (and no-holds-barred romance) in the climactic conclusion to Carrie Jones’s bestselling series. 

"Zara is at the center of an impending apocalypse. True, she’s successfully rescued Nick from Valhalla, but it simply isn’t enough. Evil pixies are ravaging Bedford, and they need much more than one great warrior; they need an army. Zara isn’t sure what her role is anymore. She’s not just fighting for her friends; she’s also a pixie queen. And to align her team of pixies with the humans she loves will be one of her greatest battles yet. Especially since she can’t even reconcile her growing feelings for her pixie king . . ."

Unexpected turns, surprising revelations, and one utterly satisfying romantic finale make Endure a thrilling end to this series of bestsellers.

Thoughts: Wow! Who could say no to this eye catching cover with a stunning synopsis to go with it! I have always been a fan of this series covers, they are always so rich in colouring and really do catch your eye one way or another. Even though the photo I have up is a bit pixilated (and I apologize, I couldn't find a better photo of the cover) it is still breathtaking with the golden design in the background and the giant golden eye in the front. The other main thing I really love about this series is in fact the romance that goes on in the book! You all know me and I am a HUGE romantic when it comes to books, I thrive basically off of love triangles, and against the odds romances! And Zara and her relationships are probably at the top of my favourite category! I am still one book behind (so don't tell me anything! lol) but I am definitely an all for Zara and the Pixie King!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Book Trailer: "The Taker" by Alma Katsu


Recommended by my dear friend Chelsey, from Chels & A Book, "The Taker" by Alma Katsu will sweep you off your feet and drop you into a seriously dark story that made her favourites list!  It is definitely NOT your average Y.A. novel, but that is ok every once in a while :)
Watch the book trailer above and see why! Chelsey describes it as "bone-chilling and enthralling -- absolutely captivating". Her review also can be found, here!

the Greenhouse Scene: Jace & Clary's first kiss from Jace's POV

For those of you who know me and have been following the blog for sometime, you know I am obsessed with Cassandra Clare and her fantastic series the Mortal Instruments and the Infernal Devices. Well about two days ago (or so, I honestly cannot remember, lol) I read on her tumblr account that she would be posting a full scene of the Greenhouse scene from Jace's point-of-view (POV). It is a wonderfully written scene and it makes your pulse quicken and swoon a little more for Jace.

Below I have posted a little snippet of it for a teaser, and then the full link for your viewing pleasures! If you are as obsessed as me, and haven't yet read it I encourage you to do so, it will definitely change your perspective of the scene and of Jace and Clary's relationship ... hopefully for the better. 



Jace: "Most Shadowhunters get their first Marks at twelve. It must have been in your blood.”
Clary: “Maybe. Although I doubt most Shadowhunters get a tattoo of Donatello from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on their left shoulder.” She is smiling, in that way she does when she says things that are totally inexplicable to him, as if she is fondly remembering. It sends a jealous twinge sparking through his veins, though he isn’t even sure what he is jealous of. Simon, who understands her references to a mundane world Jace can never be a part of? The mundane world itself that she could one day return to, leaving him and his universe of demons and hunters, scars and battle, gratefully behind?
Jace: He clears his throat. “You wanted a turtle on your shoulder?”
Clary: She nods, and her hair falls back into place. “I wanted to cover my chicken pox scar.” She draws the strap of her tank top aside. “See?”
Jace: And he sees: there is some sort of mark on her shoulder, a scar, but he sees more than that: he sees the curve of her collarbone, the light dusting freckles on her skin like a dusting of gold, the downy curve of her shoulder, the pulse at the base of her throat. He sees the shape of her mouth, her lips slightly parted. Her coppery lashes as she lowers them. And he is swept through with a wave of desire, a kind he has never experienced before. He’s desired girls before, certainly, and satisfied that desire: he had always thought of it as hunger, a need for a sort of fuel that the body wanted. He has never felt desire like this, a clean fire that burned away thought, that made his hands — not tremble, exactly, but thrum with nervous energy. He tears his eyes away from her, hastily. “It’s getting late,” he says. “We should go back downstairs.” ...

Read More: Here!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Review: Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston


“Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker… but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.”

“Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time—literally—maybe even get a date.”

A historical young adult romance novel filled with supernatural time travel - how much more could I ask for! From the very beginning when I started this book I could tell I was going to be hooked. Clary and her best gal pal Alice are a dynamic duo and their chemistry flows great with the supernatural twists thrown at both of them while visiting Clary’s curator aunt Magda in London, England. Alice or Al as Clary calls her is a mixture of nerd, brainiac and rationalist and Clary is the complete opposite concentrating on landing a date and being popular rather than her studies, although she is just as smart as Al; which is why they make the perfect duo and perfect best friends, never judging each other no matter what.

Lesley Livingston has brought a forgotten time in history to the forefront of Young Adult literature within Once Every Never. Being the history obsessed individual I am, and also wanting nothing more than to work in a museum once I am out of school, this book was absolutely perfect for me, and embodied what I dreamt about as a teenager. I wanted my history books to come alive and time travel me to those places, to meet those people and see them sculpt history. Alas that never did happen to me but Clary she gets more than she can handle in the past and present! Jam-packed with fantastic characters, interesting situations and a fast paced storyline, Once Every Never will sweep you off your feet and hopefully you’ll land about 2,000 years prior.

What I found truly unique and creative in Once Every Never was how Livingston created such a realistic young adult story, with real teenage problems, and a touch of supernatural mystery. The characters and storyline will really draw you in and not let you go until the very last page!

Nerds Are Sexy: I think the title says it all. Nerds. Are. Sexy! Lesley Livingston delivers with characters in Once Every Never; there is definitely no shortage of opposites, especially in Clary’s love interests. We first meet Milo, Alice’s cousin who works and lives in London. He is the a-typical nerd and brainiac Clary remembers from when they were all children playing together, although he has definitely grown into his looks. Tall, blonde, sculpted and yet still obsessed with the “space time continuum” and batman! His opposite we meet later on when Clary “shimmers” (time travels); Connal, an ancient druid warrior is definitely not nerdy, although still appeals to Clary on certain levels. He is basically what a 16-year-old girl daydreams about, instead of the sensitive, adoring nerd right in front of you we have tall, built, bronze skinned druid warrior with a killer smile. I personally found Milo a much more striking character than Connal – perhaps not with looks, but his personality and his nerdy tendency’s really pulled me into him, especially how he was so dedicated to Clary even though he didn’t quite understand her “shimmering” abilities. Milo wanted to protect Clary even though he didn’t know how, Connal it came naturally being a warrior, so it seemed much more romantic when Milo did try. There is definitely never a dull moment in Once Every Never, may it be time traveling to Roman occupied England, or choosing between a 2,000 year old Druid warrior and an attractive 21st century nerd.

History is Exciting: No one ever believes me when I say, “history is exciting” they all look at me like I am some obsessed history student, but finally I have a young adult novel to back me up! Once Every Never makes history exciting for the reader and for Clary! She never knew until she started to time travel that history is A. Important, and B. more than old bones, and rusted swords – that these tools and people were once strong and thriving civilizations. Every time Clary time travelled my heartbeat spiked, and I felt an adrenalin rush because it was always a different experience and never the same for Clary and me. History definitely comes alive with each flip of a page and Lesley Livingston has won my affection for sharing such a beautiful and yet tragic time in history.

A Real Teenager:  What I found really unique and appealing in Once Every Never is that Clary, Alice, and even Milo were all real teenagers. Now not to get confused, most young adult books we read has the average teenager, although their situations are never very normal. Clary, not so much Alice, worry about normal things such as if she is going to get a date over the summer, or what she is going to do after she graduates – even though she can time travel she always had boys on the mind it seems, which was refreshing because that is how I normally thought when I was 16! It was a invigorating change of pace to read about normal teenage girl problems, even when Clary “shimmered” to 2,000 years prior the princess’ she meet were having the same teenage problem – “Do you think he likes me?” – which seems to still be a common question among young girls today.

I personally loved this book because of all the qualities above, but I did find many of the characters very accepting of Clary’s abilities not really questioning anything at all. It could have been because of the proof Clary would deliver once asked, but still I would be a bit wary at first. Another thing I did find slightly irritating was the antagonist Stuart Molhort; I thought he could have been a bit more diabolical than he was. Of course the story needed a certain type of villain, one that understands the history and importance of antiquities and artifacts, I just personally thought Stuart could have been MORE evil and not just a glorified thief – it really irritated me hence the 4 out of 5 stars I had given it on goodreads.com.

Nevertheless, Once Every Never is a fantastic read for all ages that will leave you breathless and satisfied all in one spell binding mystical adventure. The witty British humor, the nail biting adventure, and the love affairs all brought together in a magical coming of age story, where one girl finds out who she truly is. Beautifully written, and a gorgeous “shimmering” cover to match, Lesley Livingston delivers a refreshing, and delicious read. 

Friday, January 6, 2012

the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge 2012

What a fantastic new Reading Challenge for the 2012 year! The "Soul Screamer Reading Challenge" hosted by Fiktshun is a challenge dedicated to the reading or re-reading the Rachel Vincents, Soul Screamers series! This challenge is a bit different than your usual reading challenges that last from January 2012-January 2013, instead there is a time frame in which you are able to read and link up your posts about each Soul Screamer book leading up to the release of Before I Wake. 


The Details:

The Soul Screamers Challenge will begin on January 15, 2012 and end on June 14 2012. Anyone can join the challenge at any time during the above dates by signing up in THIS POST.

You do not have to be a book blogger to join. You just need somewhere to post your reviews and/or talk about the books you’ve read (IE: Facebook Page, Goodreads.com, Personal Blog, etc) – If you don’t have any of those outlets,
Fiktshun would be happy to post your review as a guest post on her, “My Reading Pile” as long as the review is a positive one!

You can read the book in any format or edition you’d like – eBook, Audiobook or even in Print!


Each month, on the 15
th, there will be a post in which you can link up our reviews or posts for THAT MONTH ONLY. You can leave more than one link if you’ve read and reviewed more than one of the books that month.

IMPORTANT: If you chose to do a participation post, you can leave your participation post link on the SSRC page. At the end of the challenge, those who have added their links will automatically be entered into a giveaway for either a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card or $50 in books of their choice from Amazon or The Book Depository.

NOTE: If you’ve already read and reviewed all the books in this series, do not fear. Re-reads count as long as you are re-reading them during this challenge! You don’t have to do a new review unless you want to. Just create a post talking about the re-read experience – Was it better the second time around? Did you discover something new that you missed the first time? Did you love Tod just a bit more? There is plenty to talk about!!

The Dates & Books:
My Soul to Take
January 14 - February 14, 2012

My Soul to Save
February 15 - March 14, 2012

My Soul to Keep
March 15 - April 14, 2012

My Soul to Steal
April 15 - May 14, 2012

If I Die
May 15 - June 14, 2012

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Cover Reveal: "City of Lost Souls"

From the moment I started the "Clockwork Angel" by Cassandra Clare, I was hooked on Shadow hunters, demons, the institute and of course a few chosen boys I fell in love with! OF course I then had to follow up with her first series, the Mortal Instruments series that happen in the 21st century instead of the Victorian Era (like Clockwork Angel) and again I fell in love. I have been patiently, and excitedly awaiting the release of the cover of "City of Lost Souls" and finally today we get a sneak peek at the first little bit of the book from Simons point of view, and of course the gorgeous cover! So without further adieu I give you, "City of Lost Souls" by Cassandra Clare.



SNEAK PEEK: Taken from USAtoday.com
Simon stood and stared numbly at the front door of his house.
He'd never known another home. This was the place his parents had brought him home to when he was born. He had grown up within the walls of the Brooklyn row house. He'd played on the street under the leafy shade of the trees in the summer, and had made improvised sleds out of garbage can lids in the winter. In this house his whole family had sat shivah after his father had died. Here he had kissed Clary for the first time.
He had never imagined a day when the door of the house would be closed to him. The last time he had seen his mother, she had called him a monster and prayed at him that he would go away. He had made her forget that he was a vampire, using glamour, but he had not known how long the glamour would last. As he stood in the cold autumn air, staring in front of him, he knew it had not lasted long enough.
The door was covered with signs—Stars of David splashed on in paint, the incised shape of the symbol for Chai, life. Tefillin were bound to the doorknob and knocker. A hamesh, the Hand of God, covered the peephole.
Numbly he put his hand to the metal mezuzah affixed to the right side of the doorway. He saw the smoke rise from the place where his hand touched the holy object, but he felt nothing. No pain. Only a terrible empty blankness, rising slowly into a cold rage.
He kicked the bottom of the door and heard the echo through the house. "Mom!" he shouted. "Mom, it's me!"
There was no reply—only the sound of the bolts being turned on the door. His sensitized hearing had recognized his mother's footsteps, her breathing, but she said nothing. He could smell acrid fear and panic even through the wood. "Mom!" His voice broke. "Mom, this is ridiculous! Let me in! It's me, Simon!"
The door juddered, as if she had kicked it. "Go away!" Her voice was rough, unrecognizable with terror. "Murderer!"
"I don't kill people." Simon leaned his head against the door. He knew he could probably kick it down, but what would be the point? "I told you. I drink animal blood."
He heard her whisper, softly, several words in Hebrew. "You killed my son," she said. "You killed him and put a monster in his place."
"I am your son—"
"You wear his face and speak with his voice, but you are not him! You're not Simon!" Her voice rose to almost a scream. "Get away from my house before I kill you, monster!"
"Becky," he said. His face was wet; he put his hands up to touch it, and they came away stained: His tears were bloody. "What have you told Becky?"
"Stay away from your sister." Simon heard a clattering from inside the house, as if something had been knocked over.
"Mom," he said again, but this time his voice wouldn't rise. It came out as a hoarse whisper. His hand had begun to throb. "I need to know—is Becky there? Mom, open the door. Please—"
"Stay away from Becky!" She was backing away from the door; he could hear it. Then came the unmistakeable squeal of the kitchen door swinging open, the creak of the linoleum as she walked on it. The sound of a drawer being opened. Suddenly he imagined his mother grabbing for one of the knives.
Before I kill you, monster.
The thought rocked him back on his heels. If she struck out at him, the Mark would rise. It would destroy her as it had destroyed Lilith.
He dropped his hand and backed up slowly, stumbling down the steps and across the sidewalk, fetching up against the trunk of one of the big trees that shaded the block. He stood where he was, staring at the front door of his house, marked and disfigured with the symbols of his mother's hate for him.
No, he reminded himself. She didn't hate him. She thought he was dead. What she hated was something that didn't exist. I am not what she says I am.
He didn't know how long he would have stood there, staring, if his phone hadn't begun to ring, vibrating his coat pocket.
He reached for it reflexively, noticing that the pattern from the front of the mezuzah—interlocked Stars of David—was burned into the palm of his hand. He switched hands and put the phone to his ear. "Hello?"
"Simon?" It was Clary. She sounded breathless. "Where are you?"
"Home," he said, and paused. "My mother's house," he amended. His voice sounded hollow and distant to his own ears. "Why aren't you back at the Institute? Is everyone all right?"
"That's just it," she said. "Just after you left, Maryse came back down from the roof where Jace was supposed to be waiting. There was no one there."
Simon moved. Without quite realizing he was doing it, like a mechanical doll, he began walking up the street, toward the subway station. "What do you mean, there was no one there?"
"Jace was gone," she said, and he could hear the strain in her voice. "And so was Sebastian."
Simon stopped in the shadow of a bare-branched tree. "But he was dead. He's dead, Clary—"
"Then you tell me why he isn't there, because he isn't," she said, her voice finally breaking. "There's nothing up there but a lot of blood and broken glass. They're both gone, Simon. Jace is gone. . . ."


Waiting on Wednesday (20)

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

The New Year is upon us bringing great sequels, and astonishing debut books! Who is excited!? I am quickly getting all of my books together for the DAC and the SRC going on this year and this book bellow is definitely on my Debut Author List 2012! 





Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
Publisher: Tor Teen (MacMillon)
Expected Publication: January 13, 2012

"New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes."

"There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behaviour—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back."


"Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different."


"Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. 
That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved."

Thoughts: 
What is there not to love about this debut book & author! In a world where the Bill of Rights doesn't exist nor does the police or the justice system - this exciting new book with grip you tight and never let go it seems. A few things that really drew me into this book was the dystopian like destruction that occurs in this new America, the strong heroine Ember, and of course the chance at a little romance between her and her mothers arrestor. Ember really drew me into this book, she reminds me of a Clary, or a Katniss type character and I really loved those characters so I think she will be a great addition to my collection of awesome Heroines! The cover isn't gorgeous or anything but it is very unique and really depicts the synopsis well. I like the dash of red colour in the grey scale picture as well. So what do you guys think?