writers write, right?

Monday Must Reads!...TEMPEST!

2012-02-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Not familiar with this little feature? It's simple, really. Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read (ha!).

This week's selection is one I read for the DAC ARC Tours, and I must say that I loved it! I'll have a review soon, so be sure to check back for that. Now for the reason of this post. Please rush over to goodreads and add to your TBR lists...

TEMPEST
by Julie Cross
pub date 1/17/2012

product description from goodreads.com
The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

See, doesn't that sound great?! Well trust me, it is! Now, quit reading and go get a copy for yourself!

Waiting on Wednesday...What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor!

2012-02-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week I've chosen a book by someone I just love. Her writing is beautiful, and her stories and characters are captivating (if you haven't yet, please read EDEN...it rocks!). Her latest title sounds just as great as all her others, and I urge you all to check out...

WHAT I DIDN'T SAY

by Keary Taylor

pub date 4/2012

product description from goodreads.com

Getting drunk Homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat.

His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.

When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.

Doesn't that sound so good?! Be sure to add it to your Goodreads TBR lists, and check out Keary's other awesome books!

Teaser Tuesday...TEMPEST by Julie Cross!

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (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 TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Her arms went from up against the wall to around my neck, yanking me even closer. Fingers were in my hair, lips moving across my cheek, hearts pounding. I wanted to tear off our clothes and let her crawl all over me.

~pg 141, TEMPEST by Julie Cross

Waiting on Wednesday...Jus Accardo!!

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week, I have two books that I'm chomping at the bits to read. One is sort of an in-between, and the second is a full-on book. They both are follow-ups to one of the best reads of 2011. Interest piqued? Then be sure to add to your TBR lists...

UNTOUCHED

by Jus Accardo

pub date 2/21/2012

(no product description)

UNTOUCHED is the in-between novel I mentioned earlier, and I do believe it is from Kale's point of view. No idea who Kale is? I feel bad for you! (seriously, though...read TOUCH)

TOXIC

by Jus Accardo

pub date 5/1/2012

product description from goodreads.com

When a Six saved Kale’s life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she’d lose the one thing she’d give anything to keep… And as if it’s not enough Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading, the Six brought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez's problems.

After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice—surrender to Denazen for the cure…or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn’t involve being bagged and tagged—or losing someone she loves—Dez keeps the poison a secret. But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there’s a traitor among them. Jade.

Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there’s any hope of proving Jade’s guilt before they all end up Residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead...

TOUCH was such an amazing and wonderful book, I can only imagine that TOXIC is even better. Hurry up May 1st!!!

Obligatory Dream Cast post

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read that correctly. Today I wanted to have a bit of fun...and what better way than to imagine who I would like to play the characters from my own book on the big screen!

So without further ado...cue the hotness.

Oliver Goodwill as Chance

Chance was very difficult to cast. He had to have a certain look (this guy has it), but he also had to have those vibrant green eyes that Ava can't look away from (this guy doesn't have those, but his are nice!).

Matt Dallas as Erik

Erik was much easier to cast--and Matt Dallas fits him perfectly. Dark hair, blue eyes (though a bit gray in this photo, but I ain't complainin!), mysterious aura. Perfect.

Danielle Panabaker as Ava

Ava was another easy one to cast, because from the moment Ava came to me, Danielle Panabaker is the face I saw. There's just something both innocent and bad-ass about her look, and that same mixture comes across on-screen as well--she is Ava to me.

Milo Ventimiglia as Aldric

Milo is sort of like Danielle in that he has that innocent/bad-ass thing going on, which works well for Aldric (though he's not really innocent, lol).

Chris Zylka as Sebastian

This is 100% Sebastian. Wavy blond hair, chiseled features, a bit of evil thrown in--Sebastian.

Lacey Chabert as Kayla

Though she's too old now, younger Lacey perfectly captures the character of Kayla--sweet, tough and innocent all rolled into one.

Megan Fox as Lila

Though she doesn't quite look the same now (a bit of work done, I believe), Megan Fox is the perfect blend of beautiful and powerful--exactly like Lila.

Well, that's it guys. These are the faces I saw when writing BLOOD BORN. Thoughts? Possible cast changes? Lemme know!

just a little update

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

First, let me apologize for being MIA in the blogging world last week. I was on a deadline and had to put all my energy into finishing the first draft of book 2 in THE BLOOD PROPHECY TRILOGY.

Totally what my pen felt like last week!

Which leads me to today's blog post. All the time I see posts from writers (published and on-the-way-to-being) listing the progress of what they're working on. I don't know about you, but I love these types of posts. Any time I read that others have added to their word counts, or edited a draft, or even found their way out of a particularly difficult scene, it just fuels me to open my WIP document and get to writing...it's great motivation to see others succeed!

So today, I thought I'd create my very first Progress Report blog post!

Now, I'm nowhere near as busy as some of the prolific writers out there (hello, Jennifer L Armentrout and Jennifer Echols. Hey, maybe I should change my name to Jennifer? Hmm...), so this post might be a bit lax on the the Progress part. But, it's progress nonetheless, and I'm proud of it!

So, as far as THE BLOOD PROPHECY series goes, I just sent off the first draft of BOOK 2 (that's the official title until I receive word that it's okay to share the actual title with you all) to the editor last week--YAY!

Mirror image of how I looked when it was done!

It was a long haul for that one (it's true what writers say...the 2nd book is much more difficult than the first), and my mind needed a break, so I took the past three days to regroup. My original plan several months back was to jump right into the third and final book to finish up the trilogy and move on, but alas, things tend not to work out as we plan, right? I have several ideas for book 3 that need to simmer and marinate and work themselves out in my head before ever seeing paper or computer screen, so I'm pushing it to the back burner for now. It isn't due till next year, so I have plenty of time to wait (fast forward a year, to me scrambling to meet the First Draft deadline!).

I have a couple of new projects that I'm working on, both of which are pretty much in the first stages.

UNNAMED PROJECT 1 - It's YA (duh). It's dystopian (I know, overdone, right? But hey, I wrote about vampires long after the genre became saturated, so I guess it's kinda my thing.). It has a title, but I'm keeping that quiet for now. It's only about 8,000 words so far--and has been about that many for a long time now. It's not that I don't want to finish (I will, promise), it's just that the contracted books have to come first, you know? But I fully intend to give this story its due allotted time very very soon.

UNNAMED PROJECT 2 - Also YA (duh again). Contemporary (a completely different world for me). This one is in the planning stage as of now--some character sketches, overall idea, a few scenes mapped out in my head. I'm very excited about this one, and it should actually be listed as U P 1 since I plan on working on it now. Some friends on Twitter turned me on to the world of contemporary and I love it, and I'd had this idea a long time ago but never thought I could write it. Now, after reading some excellent books in the genre, I feel like I'm ready to give it a go. I'm not saying I suddenly learned how to write contemps, but I'm willing to try.

That's pretty much it as far as WIPs go. Of course like all other writers out there, I have an endless supply of ideas and characters milling about the ole noggin, just waiting for me to get off my lazy bum and tell their tales. And I will...one day. :)

What about you guys? Any writing projects keeping you up at night? What are you working on? Tell us!

Donate for a friend...and you could win books!

2012-01-21T18:25:00.000-06:00

My good friend and awesome blogger Yara (check out her blog, Once Upon A Twilight, and follow her on Twitter @TwilightsDance) and her family recently lost their home and almost everything else in a fire. Thankfully everyone was safe, but they will be dealing with a lot of stress over the coming months.

You can help alleviate that stress a bit by donating to the fund set up by Twilight Moms. Every penny raised goes directly to Yara and her family, to help them rebuild after the devastation.

And if you check out my friend Lani Woodland's blog, LaLaLand, you'll see that Lani, Angela Corbett, Brenda Pandos, Kristie Cook and I are holding a giveaway for everyone who donates. There are books and swag up for grabs, so please check it out...and most importantly, donate anything you can for Yara!

TGIF at GReads!

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

The awesomeness that is Ginger (or G, as I like to call her!) over at GReads! has created a great meme that is tons of fun. Each Friday, she poses a question for anyone to answer. Go check her out and join in the fun!

This Friday's Question:

Recommend It:

Which book from the

last ten you've read

would you recommend

to a friend?

I can honestly say that I would recommend all of the past ten books I've read! Honestly, I've been fortunate to pick ten winners (well, thanks to a few recommendations!). But if I must choose a couple for the sake of this post, I will. ;-P

To try to make this as fair as possible, I'm gonna recommend one from both paranormal and contemporary, two YA genres that I absolutely love! (to all authors whose books I've read, remember this is only for the last ten!)

First up, paranormal. Now, there have been tons of these books that I have read and loved, so I'm thankful to Ginger that she narrowed it to the past ten (thanks, G!). And out of those ten, one stands out as my favorite. That one is...

HUSHED

by Kelley York

pub date 12/6/2011

product description from goodreads.com

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder

he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

And for contemporary...

ENDLESS SUMMER
by Jennifer Echols
pub date 4/19/2011

product description from goodreads.com

Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.

Lori can’t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends--including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she's always been just one of the guys. Now that she’s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that’s not going to happen--not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori’s romantic summer melt into one hot mess?

Remember, these are just two of the ten that I would (and have) happily recommend to anyone willing to listen!

What about you? What are your faves to recommend?

Waiting on Wednesday...PURITY!

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

Today's WoW selection is a good one, and my first contemp pick of 2012! The cover was just revealed last week, and its beautiful simplicity makes me wanna read it almost as much as the awesome synopsis. Please, be sure to rush to your Goodreads TBR lists and add...

PURITY
by Jackson Pearce
pub date 4/24/2012 (same as mine!!)

product description from goodreads.com

Hours before her mother died, Shelby promised her three things-- to listen to her father, to live life without restraint, and to love whenever possible.

Those promises were easy to keep when she was younger, but things get tricky when she turns sixteen. Shelby's still-grieving father joins a committee at their church to host a Princess Ball-- a dance where young women pledge their purity (namely, their virginity) to their father's safekeeping until they marry.

But Shelby has a Life List-- things she wants to do, to live without restraint like she promised her mother-- and getting married young isn't on it. Waiting until she's thirty to have her first time isn't on it either. But how is she supposed to keep her promise to listen to her father if she refuses to pledge? By exploiting a loophole- by losing her virginity before the Ball.

She and her best friend Jonas make a list of potential partners, but somewhere in-between failed attempts at losing her virginity, trying to answer some lingering questions about God, and planning the Ball with her Dad, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her PURITY.

Seriously, I am in love with that synopsis! It sounds so different and interesting, and I know that it's gonna be a superbly written book, just like all of Ms. Pearce's work! Be sure to pick up a copy when it releases on April 24th...and if you want, pick up a copy of my book, BLOOD BORN, which debuts that day, too! :)

Tune in Tuesdays at GReads!

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-06:00

I must admit that I am starting to love Tuesdays...thanks to Ginger over at GReads!, I'm enjoying some awesome music!

This week features one of my favorite singers EVER. A few years ago when my job consisted of tons and tons of travel, I would pop her CD into the player and let it roll over and over, loving every song. Unfortunately, she hasn't put out anything new lately, but I still listen to her classic hits whenever I can, so I hope you enjoy!

Thank You - Alanis Morissette

Uninvited - Alanis Morissette

Monday Must Reads!...ANNA and the FRENCH KISS!

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

Not familiar with this little feature? It's simple, really. Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read (ha!).

This week's Must Read is a good one, by one of my new favorite authors. It was recommended to me by a few people, the most vocal being my pal @GReadsBooks (she's good at ~~forcing~~ recommending books!), and I am so glad I finally read it! If you haven't yet (which I'm sure you have), please pick up and enjoy a copy of...

ANNA and the FRENCH KISS
by Stephanie Perkins
pub date 12/2/2010

product description from goodreads.com

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

I can't say enough how great this book is, really. Beautifully written with vivid descriptions that transport you to Paris, France, it's a winner, trust me! And if you'd like, check out my review here!

TGIF at GReads!

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

This Friday's Question:

2012 Must Reads:

Which books are at the

top of your list to be

read this year?

Of all the questions Ginger has given us for TGIF, this one is by far the toughest! I mean, how in the world am I supposed to give a list of all the books I wanna read this year?! I think I'll just list my top 3...otherwise we'd be here all day!

Top of the list of 2012 Must Reads? None other than...

INSURGENT

by Veronica Roth

pub date 5/1/2012

product description from goodreads.com

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

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

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

DIVERGENT was one of my favorite reads of 2011, so I am eagerly awaiting INSURGENT, because I just know it's gonna be better!

Next on my 2012 Must Read list is...

SHINE

by Jeri Smith-Ready
pub date 5/1/2012

product description from goodreads.com

No other love has burned so bright

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past. As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

SHADE and SHIFT are two of the best books I've ever read, and though I don't want this story to end, I can't wait to see how it ends!!

And my final pick for 2012 Must Reads is...

TOXIC

by Jus Accardo
pub date 5/1/2012

product description from goodreads.com

Sequel to TOUCH.

When a Six saved Kale’s life the night of Sumrun, she warned there would be consequences. A trade-off. Something taken for the life they gained. But Dez never imagined she’d lose the one thing she’d give anything to keep… And as if it’s not enough Dez finds her immunity to Kale fading, the Six brought in to help Kale learn to control his killer touch starts drooling on him the moment they meet. Worse than that? Jade can touch Kale. But bimbo Barbie is the least of Dez's problems.

After Dez and Kale got away at Sumrun, her father lost not only his most powerful weapon but an important piece of the Supremacy project. Forced by Denazen to remedy the situation, he poisons Dez and offers her a choice—surrender to Denazen for the cure…or die. Determined to find a solution that doesn’t involve being bagged and tagged—or losing someone she loves—Dez keeps the poison a secret. But when a rash of Denazen attacks hit a little too close to home, Dez is convinced there’s a traitor among them. Jade.

Sacrifices, broken promises, and secrets. Dez will have to lay it all on the line if there’s any hope of proving Jade’s guilt before they all end up Residents of Denazen. Or worse, dead...

TOUCH was such a wonderfully written, exciting read that totally took me by surprise. I cannot wait to read more about Dez and Kale!!

As I'm sure you can see, all three of my top picks come out on 5/1/12. Needless to say, I'll be super busy for several days afterward!!

What about you? What are some of your top picks for 2012 Must Reads?

Waiting on Wednesday...THE ONE THAT I WANT(again)!

2012-01-11T00:07:00.000-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

Today's selection has been featured here before...as a Waiting on Wednesday post. I know, it just doesn't seem fair, does it? Hey, it's my blog, I'll do what I want! haha No seriously, I did feature this one a couple of months back, and when it went on sale I scooped it up and devoured it (like I do all of this author's works). But that was only the ebook.

Now, I am seriously waiting on the hard copy of...

THE ONE THAT I WANT
by Jennifer Echols
paperback pub date 2/7/2012

product description from goodreads.com

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

Like I said, I've already read this one (and loved it!), but bet your patootie that on 2/7/12, I'll be picking up a copy! And if you're interested in reading my review, you can check it out on the author's website (how cool!) here.

DESTINY'S FIRE Blog Tour stop, with a review!

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

I am so SO happy to be a part of the DESTINY'S FIRE Blog Tour! My friend Trisha Wolfe's debut novel, DESTINY'S FIRE, is amazing--filled with hotties and steampunk and romance and...did I say hotties? (Reese!!!) Ahem.

So, today my little ole blog is a stop on the blog tour, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm proud to help promote and spread the word about this fantastic book, and I hope each of you who reads this runs and buys a copy now--especially since it releases TODAY! (Happy Book Birthday, Trish!)

Check out all the other stops on the blog tour, and be sure to visit the final stop on January 18th for a Grand Prize giveaway!

What, exactly, is DESTINY'S FIRE? Well, here's a bit about it...

DESTINY'S FIRE

by Trisha Wolfe

pud date - TODAY!

product description from goodreads.com

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

Need to know more? Learn everything about the book and the author here:

Blog Twitter Website Facebook Tumbler YouTube

Come on, a race of shape-shifters, Egyptian pharaohs, a growing love for her bestie...what more do you need?! In case that awesome synopsis doesn't hook you, here's

My Review:

DESTINY'S FIRE tells the story of Dez Harkly, a shape-shifting descendant to the Egyptian secret service. She's spunky, tough, loveable--all the qualities one needs in a kick-butt heroine! From the very beginning, I fell in love with Dez and rooted for her right up to the very end.

I'm not going to go into too much detail for fear of spoiling this awesomely fun read for others, but trust me when I say DESTINY'S FIRE has it all: an exciting, well-paced plot that moves with the right amount of action; well-rounded characters that jump from the page with distinct voices; and enough steam-inducing romance to melt glaciers. Seriously! Though the plot was so fun and addictive, it was the romance that hooked me and reeled me in--and makes me wanna jump inside Trisha's head to get the rest of the story. (One word: Reese!) (Okay, two words: Jace!)

My Rating:

Overall, DESTINY'S FIRE is a fantastic read that keeps you hooked from beginning to end, and I couldn't be happier to give it 5 Stars. I urge each of you to pick up a copy today and fall into the magical world Trisha Wolfe has created!!

Monday Must Reads!...Destiny's Fire by Trisha Wolfe

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

Okay, so it's been, like, forever since I had a Monday Must Reads! post, and for that I do apologize! Not familiar with this little feature? It's simple, really. Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read (ha!).

Today's Must Read is a good one. Well, a great one, in fact! I just finished it yesterday, and I must say that I LOVE it! It's a new venture for me (being steampunkish and all--and SO much more!), but it's filled with everything good: excellent writing; fun, entertaining plot; great characters; love! Yes, I urge you all to hit your fave book-buying website tomorrow when it releases and pick up a copy of...

DESTINY'S FIRE
by Trisha Wolfe

product description from goodreads.com

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

See, I told you it was so much more than just steampunk! Believe me when I say this one is a MUST READ! And be sure to stop by tomorrow, when I'll be posting my review of DESTINY'S FIRE as part of the Destiny's Fire Blog Tour!

And congrats to my pal Trisha Wolfe on her debut!!

TGIF at GReads!

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

It's been a few weeks since I joined in the fun that is TGIF, so I'm happy to be back! The awesomeness that is Ginger (or G, as I like to call her!) over at GReads! has created a great meme that is tons of fun. Each Friday, she poses a question for anyone to answer. Go check her out and join in the fun!

This Friday's Question:

Reading Resolutions:

What are some of your

reading goals for the

new year?

Last year was my first foray into setting an actual reading goal. I used goodreads as a base, and set a goal of reading 50 books in 2011. I am happy to say that I reached and surpassed that goal! This year, I'm sorta thinking "Hey, if it ain't broke"...so I'll once again be setting a goal of reading 50 books this year!

I know, for some of you 50 books is a cake walk. And I wish I could read 500 books in a year. But being that I have a little thing I like to do on the side (yes, I am a writer), I don't have all the free time that I used to! So, 50 is an attainable goal for me. (As a sidenote, I have writing goals for 2012, but that's for a future post!)

I also plan on filling that goal with many more contemporary YA books this year. Last year, I didn't jump onto the Contemp bandwagon until the end of the year, but those I read (Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and everything by Jennifer Echols!) rocked. So, this year I'm going to expand on that streak by reading many more contemps...wish me luck!

What are your reading goals for 2012? Join in the TGIF fun by signing up on Ginger's blog now!

Winner of HUSHED by Kelley York!

2012-01-05T10:37:00.001-06:00

Sorry for the delay on today's post...I usually get these up much earlier than this!

So I won't delay any longer...the winner of the ecopy of HUSHED by Kelley York is....

Mandie Baxter!!

Congrats, Mandie! I'm so happy you won! I'll forward your info to the proper authoriities (er, um, I mean people!) and your prize will be on its way...enjoy it!

And thanks to those of you who entered the giveaway!

Tune in Tuesday at GReads!

2012-01-03T00:16:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've hopped on the Tune in Tuesday bandwagon sponsored by the awesome Ginger at GReads!, so I thought I would kick off my return with my current (and most likely long-lasting) fave song. I know everyone who turns on the radio has heard it, so it's not gonna be a surprise. But I seriously love it, so I'm picking it!

Someone Like You - Adele

Adele's voice is haunting, mesmerizing, soulful...really, I could go on and on. She is one of those singers who can reach inside you with her voice and grab you, squeezing you tightly and filling you with emotion. She's amazing! And since I'm currently in the midst of some angsty, soulful scenes in my current WIP, this song is played daily by yours truly.

I hope you enjoy, and be sure to visit the other stops on Ginger's Tune in Tuesday meme here!

My 500 Followers Giveaway winner!!

2012-01-02T09:35:00.000-06:00

I want to thank everyone who entered my 500 Followers Giveaway...you guys are the best! Getting right to the point, the winner of a signed, personalized ARC of my upcoming debut novel, BLOOD BORN, and some swag is...

Barbara W!

Congratulations, Barbara W! If you will, please email me your mailing address and how you'd like your ARC personalized (or just signed, up to you!), and I'll get it out to you asap! And a huge thanks to you all for entering the giveaway and for following my blog!

And be sure to check out my other giveaway going on here.

Happy New Year!

TOXIC by Jus Accardo Cover Reveal!!

2012-01-01T16:07:00.000-06:00

Hey everybody, I'm so super excited to be a part of the cover reveal for Jus Accardo's sophomore novel, TOXIC! If you haven't read her debut novel TOUCH, then you are seriously missing out on an awesome read. So go now and read it, because you're gonna want to read more.

And that "more" is coming soon...in the form of TOXIC, the second book in the Denazen series. Wanna see the cover? Then you've come to the right place!

Ladies and gents, feast your eyes on...

Doesn't that look awesome! That's Dez, the MC (the cover for TOUCH features Kale, the uber-hot male lead, so go check it out, too!).

Now, hurry on over to the TOXIC goodreads page here and mark this one as To Be Read. And be sure to pick up a copy when it releases on 5/1/2012!

And a huge thanks to the author, Jus Accardo, for letting me be a part of this awesome cover reveal...can't wait to read the book!!

HUSHED Blog Tour...interview with Kelley York!

2011-12-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hi guys!

First, let me apologize for being absent from the blogosphere for 2 weeks (the horror!). Due to the holidays, I took some time away to spend with family/friends, but I'm back now! And what a way to return, with an interview with the the awesomely talented Kelley York!

As part of the HUSHED Blog Tour, I get to interview Ms. York today, and I couldn't be happier! I hope you enjoy the interview, and be sure to check out the giveaway at the end...but first, here's a bit about her debut wonder, HUSHED.

HUSHED

by Kelley York
pub date 11/30/2011

product description from goodreads.com

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

Sounds good, right? Trust me, it is. But don't take just my word for it...check out these rave reviews for HUSHED (which it totally deserves!):

'Kelley York delivers in this impressive debut. I was at the edge of my
seat waiting to see what would happen next! Bottom line, this was
unputdownable!!!' --- YA Fantasy Guide ---

'How exciting that we live in a time when gay teen protagonists can be
just as screwed up as straight ones -- and their stories just as creepy!'
--- Brent Hartinger, award-winning author of Geography Club and Shadow
Walkers ---

Believe me when I say these awesome reviews are spot-on!

Here's a bit about the author herself, Kelley York:

Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she still resides
with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets. (Although she
does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.) She has a
fascination with bells, adores all things furry - be them squeaky, barky
or meow-y - is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to
pretend she's a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real
unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid.

Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres
from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers,
paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. She loves stories where character
development takes center stage.

Kelley's website: http://www.kelley-york.com/blog
And now, on to the interview!

Hi Kelley, thanks forstopping by my blog and answering some questions today! Let's get to it, shallwe?

1. HUSHED is a great blend of darkness and light, showcasing how one person canbe both good and bad simultaneously. Did you find writing such a multi-dimensionalstory easier or more difficult than writing one focusing on just the good orbad?

WheneverI'm asked something like this, I'm never entirely sure how to answer because itwasn't a conscious choice. I just kind of go with the flow where my characterstake me, both to the good and the bad places. But I do think it's easier for meto write dark and heartbreaking than it is to write light, fluffy, and happy.

2. Archer, though an evil murderer by society's standards, pulls on your heart relentlesslythroughout this book. Though he does bad things, you feel for him andultimately root for him. Was this a difficult character to write? And is Archerbased on a real-life person (well, besides the whole 'killing' thing, lol)?

Archerwas the easiest to write out of allthe characters in the book. I have a fondness for (and thus, I suppose, a lotof practice at writing?) characters like him. Ones who are so fragile andbroken, and bend over backwards to make others happy. Archer definitely wasn'tbased off of anyone, though. Vivian is the only character who minimallyresembles anyone I know in real life, and she was a sort of general idea aroundmany girls I knew in high school. Those types of girls who put guys beforetheir friends, and never got into a relationship that was good for them.

3. Evan. Ah, Evan. When you think of someone you'd like to run into and fall inlove with and spend the rest of your life with, Evan is definitely on thatlist. He's smart and sincere and considerate and loving...the total opposite ofViv. Was the decision to have a bad and good character in Archer's life aconscious one on your part, or did one or both of these characters grow intowhat we read?

Nope,not a conscious decision at all. In fact, when I started out, Vivian wasintended to be a much more sympathetic character than she turned out to be, andEvan wasn't meant to be in love with Archer. But once I start writing, thecharacters take on a life all their own. By the end of the original chapterwhere Archer and Evan meet (which is not the one in the final draft of thebook), I realized Evan wanted to gather Archer up and love him and protect him,and...well, the rest is history.

4. Do you have any plans to write more about Archer and Evan and Viv? Like,perhaps, a sweet, romantic comedy about Archer and Evan?!! ;-)

Itwon't be a full novel, but I would like to do a short follow-up for the boys!It seems to be in high demand, so who knows... Maybe I'll put something up onmy blog. ;) They might make (very brief) cameos in some of my other books, too.

5. And finally, the question I ask all interviewees. If you were stranded on a desertedisland with only one book to read, which would it be and why?

ONE?Can't I say my Nook so I have many?! No?? Oh, all right. It would probably beHannah Moskowitz's GONE, GONE, GONE, or...if I go way back into my childhood,THE LAST UNICORN by Peter S. Beagle. (I'm always stunned by how few people haveread that.)

Thanks so much, Kelley, for taking time to visit today! HUSHED was a fantasticread that sucked me in and didn't let go until it was over...nicely done! Can'twait to read more from you!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there's a giveaway! The awesome folks at Entangled Publishing has offered up an e-copy of HUSHED for my followers today. If you'd like to win it, simply comment on this post by Wednesday, 1/4 at midnight CST. That's it! I'll announce the winner on Thursday.

And since it's an e-book, this contest is international!!

So be sure to comment, and check back on Thursday for the winner!

Review: TRANSCENDENT and a giveaway!

2011-12-21T07:54:00.006-06:00

I am happy to be a stop on the Transcendent Blog Tour! Be sure to visit the Transcendent Facebook page here, and the Goodreads discussion here!

Here's a bit about the book.

Transcendent: Tales of the Paranormal

pub date 12/2011

product description from goodreads.com

Discover the secrets of a siren, fly with a hawk girl over the mountains of Montana, and flee supernatural party-crashers as the décor comes to life in this magical journey through paranormal stories.

Along the way, watch for ghosts in a haunted house, or ride through the moonlight with a stranger. Save a comatose boy who has lost his soul, and don’t forget to bring your garlic and wolfsbane—you never know when the shadows will snag you.

Transcendent includes eight stories of magic, love, death, and choice by some of the newest names in young adult fiction.

My Review:

Transcendent is a great collection of fun, spooky short stories that does a great job of keeping your interest. I've often found that with short story collections, there's always at least one that I'll start and then skip to the next one, but each of these was interesting enough to make me keep reading (nice job, authors!)

Of course, I have a few favorites. The story of the shipwrecked ex-friends who happen upon a siren was a fun read, as was the story of the Homecoming party that comes to life and the ghost-hunting group of teens who spend the night in a haunted house (no way would I have EVER done that! lol). All in all, these were well-written stories with defined characters that flowed well from one to the other right to the end.

My Rating:

I'm happy to give Transcendent: Tales of the Paranormal 4 stars, and recommend it for anyone looking for short, spooky reads that will entertain--and sometimes scare!

Giveaway!!

The authors of Transcendent have been kind enough to offer an ecopy of the book for my followers today (yay, giveaway!). To enter, simply comment on this post between now and Sunday at midnight (yes, that's Christmas for those who celebrate it!), and I'll post the winner on Monday...that easy!!

And be sure to visit wendyswore.blogspot.com (the tour host) for more awesome giveaways, and check out the other stops on the tour:

And if you're interested in picking up a copy of Transcendent, you can do that here:

For your Kindle! (paperbook coming soon!)

For your Nook!

TGIF at GReads!

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

The awesomeness that is Ginger (or G, as I like to call her) over at GReads! has created a great meme that is tons of fun. Each Friday, she poses a question for anyone to answer. Go check her out and join in!

This Friday's Question:

Most Popular:

What blog post has gotten
the most comments/activity
on your blog this year?

Excellent question as always, G! Hmm, let's see.

My all-time most active post was when I hosted my 100 Followers Giveaway. In that post, I gave away a set of books that a certain someone (hint: her name starts with G, ends with "inger") had never read, and I couldn't be happier that she won, because now I consider her a friend! :)

As far as regular, non-giveaway posts go, that would have to be a post I did on Writing Compelling Characters. It was part of an experiment hosted by the awesome @elanaj, and though the traffic it received was nowhere near the 100 Followers Giveaway post, it did get a lot of views and comments!

What about you guys, what's been your "biggest seller" as far as the ole' blog goes?

And thanks for stopping by!

500 Followers! And a giveaway!!

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

My blog just hit 500 followers.

That's crazy.

Seriously.

I can't believe that 500 of you actually care what I have to say (which isn't much), but thank you!! Honestly, truly, thank you so much! I've been trying to get more reviews going, maybe throw in some posts on writing and the whole "getting published" process, so I promise...it'll get better! ;-P

Now, in honor of you guys clicking that little follow button, I wanna reward you somehow.

What can I do, what can I do...

Oh! I know!

How about an ARC of my upcoming book, Blood Born?

Anyone care to win a free copy of that, personalized by yours truly? Well, if you do, then you came to the right place!

Now, I'm not one of those who makes you scour the earth for clues, or earn 5,000 extra entries by posting about my giveaway all over the web on a daily basis (please feel free to do so, though!). No, I try to keep it easy. Normally, I simply ask for a comment on this post.

This time, though, I would like you all to take it 2 steps further. I know, you're all screaming "But hey! You just said--"

And I did just say I'm not that type, and I promise I'm not. But hey, this is an ARC of MY book--I can't give it away that easily! ;-P

So, to enter the giveaway (which is only for those folks in the US. Sorry international peeps, next time!), here's what you gotta do.

1. Comment on this post. (see? easy!)

2. In said comment, give me a link to somewhere you mentioned this giveaway (Twitter, your blog, Facebook, anywhere)

3. Head over to goodreads and add Blood Born to your TBR lists (see? easy again!)

That's it! I told you it wouldn't be that bad.

I'll keep this giveaway open until Midnight on Sunday, January 1 (Happy New Year!). Then on Monday, January 2nd, I'll post the winner!

Oh, and some Blood Born swag has been ordered, so if it arrives before I mail our the winner's ARC, I'll toss some of that in as well (bonus win!).

And thanks again to you all for following along with me...I <3 each of you!!

Review: The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

The One That I Want

by Jennifer Echols

pub date 12/6/2011

product description from goodreads.com

My Review:

The One That I Want is yet another winner from Jennifer Echols! It's fun, quirky, sexy, filled with great dialogue...need I go on? The difference with this one, however, is that it kind of breaks the mold with its characters.

Let's start with Gemma, who is not your typical high school teenager. We learn right away that Gemma just lost some weight. A lot of it. About 50 pounds to be exact (which is a lot if you've never struggled with your weight, believe me!). And throughout the book, we see how Gemma deals with her new image--both inside and out. That's definitely not something you see everyday in these fun romance novels. I love it! Gemma is an excellent character, very real and down-to-earth in a way that makes her very relatable. I found myself chugging right along with her, keeping my fingers crossed that things worked out the way she hoped!

Now on to Max, the male lead. He's your typical jock: hot, athletic, hot, popular, hot. Ahem. What's different about Max, what makes him stand out from the endless supply of YA male leads...is he's Asian. Now that is definitely not something you see often in this genre, and it's a breath of fresh air! On the surface, Max seems to have it all: outstanding talent in sports, steamy good looks, parents who love him. But what we learn is that just like Gemma, Max struggles with being different--and always has. This connects Gemma and Max in a way that nothing else can.

It also connects the reader with these two characters in that same way, that "I was different growing up, too, so I can relate!" way. As each of these characters came to life and their stories unfolded, I was right there with them, nodding my head and completely understanding the feelings they expressed. Well done, Ms. Echols!

My Rating:

As if you have to ask. I honestly don't think I could ever give one of Ms. Echols' books less than a 5 star rating, and The One That I Want is no exception. A great story told through relatable, believable characters, witty, spot-on dialogue, and of course romance, believe me when I tell you that this book is The One That You Want! :)

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Lola and the Boy Next Door

by Stephanie Perkins

pub date 9/29/2011

product description from goodreads.com

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My Review:

Lola and the Boy Next Door is the companion novel to Stephanie Perkins' debut, Anna and the French Kiss. And I must say...I liked it even better than the first! Lola is a spitfire character, quirky and funny and very realistic and relatable. She lives with her two dads (her birth mother comes into the picture later in a big way), and dreams of working in the fashion world. She works at a movie theater in San Francisco (with a certain girl who lived in Paris for a year--yes!) and is madly in love with her older boyfriend, Max--a budding rock star. But someone from Lola's past reemerges and shakes up things Lola had thought were long buried.

That person? The devilishly charming Cricket.

Cricket is tall. Overly tall, according to Lola. He's gorgeous, and sweet, and says things in this book that will make your heart melt (the story he tells Lola toward the end? *swoon*). But Cricket comes with baggage--namely, his twin sister Calliope. Cal fears what's happening between Lola and Cricket (fears it again, since these two share a semi-romantic past), afraid of being left alone if her twin falls in love. So much so that she tries to keep it from happening. But Cal doesn't realize that Cricket is already in love. In fact, he never fell out of it when it comes to Lola (I know, right?!) And he tells Lola as much, sending Lola's seemingly perfect life into a tailspin. Does she still love Cricket? What about her boyfriend, Max? Where will she end up?

These questions and more all get answered in the best way, through Ms. Perkins' charming, witty, steamy love story. Seriously, these characters are so fun, you don't want the book to end!

My Rating:

Just like with Anna, I happily give 5 stars to Lola and the Boy Next Door, and can only say that if you love a book filled with fun, laughter, tears, romance, and great characters...this one's for you!

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2011-12-12T09:06:00.005-06:00

Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

pub date 12/2/2010

product description from goodreads.com

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

My Review:

Anna and the French Kiss is such a fun, romantic read, whose pages are filled with quirky characters, steamy romance, just the right amount of humor and, of course, love. It tells the story of Anna, a teen forced by her father to move to a boarding school in Paris, France her senior year . Anna of course doesn't want to go, and can't wait until the year is over so she can move on toward her dream of becoming a film critic. But once she's there, fate takes over...and it shows Anna what her true path is.

That path? Etienne St. Clair.

Oh, St. Clair. He's dreamy. He's tall. He's hot. He has an accent. He showers Anna with attention. Basically, he's perfect. At least Anna thinks so, until she truly gets to know him. She quickly learns that he has his own personal demons to wrangle (mainly his dad), and that the overwhelming good looks he possesses are not the best thing about him. The two go on a journey of discovery in this book, taking the reader along for an enchanting ride. Set against the beautiful city of Paris (seriously, if Ms. Perkins has never been there, she is one heck of a great researcher!), Anna and the French Kiss is a love story at its finest.

My Rating:

I'm happy to give Anna and the French Kiss 5 stars, and urge you all to jump on this one and devour it like I did. Of course, seeing as how it's been out a whole year, I'm sure I'm one of the last few to do so! :)

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

This Friday's Question:

Book to Movie:

Which book-turned-movie
do you feel did the best adaptation?
What about the worst?

I must admit that I am a sucker for movies made from books. Especially if I love said book. And I also must admit that even though the movie may not have been as good (which is usually the case, right book lovers?), I still enjoy it.

With that said, I can easily choose my top and bottom in the Book-to-Movie genre (though there are several that I love).

Best Adaptation:

Has to be Silence of the Lambs. Has to be. The book? Awesomely creepy. The movie? Even better.

Seriously, Anthony Hopkins brought Hannibal Lecter to life in such a gruesome, cringe-worthy way that 20+ years later still has people talking about it. Every actor (Jodie Foster was made to play Clarice, that's all I'm saying) pulled Thomas Harris' words from the pages of the book and showed them to us in raw and gritty form. To me, one of the best Book-to-Movie turns out there!

Not So Best Adaptation:

Now this one was a bit tougher to decide, because like I said, I love movies. But, if I have to choose (which I do, because G will hurt me if I only answer half of her question), I'm gonna go with...

Let The Right One In
by John Ajvide Lindqvist

This book creeped me out in the best way. If you've never read it, you should. It's so powerfully good and disturbing and scary that I was off-the-wall excited for the movie. Well, it kinda let me down.

Again, I love movies made from books. And even though some are not good, I still like them. So even though this one is my choice for least best adaptation, I still liked it.

What about you guys? Any goodies or baddies out there I should (or shouldn't) see?

Review: Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

2011-12-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

Endless Summer
by Jennifer Echols
pub date 5/25/2010
product description from goodreads.com

Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.

Lori can’t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends--including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she's always been just one of the guys. Now that she’s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that’s not going to happen--not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori’s romantic summer melt into one hot mess?

My Review:

Jennifer Echols has done it again (no surprise, right?). She has written a quirky, sexy, romantic, funny little story that picks up right where The Boys Next Door left off and takes us even further into the lives of Lori, Adam, Sean and the rest of her stellar cast.

Endless Summer tells of Lori and Adam's lives after making a mistake in their super-new romance...a mistake that they fight tooth and nail to correct throughout the entire novel. Everyone believes they did something wrong, and the duo has to try and salvage what's left of their relationship--and their reputations.

Adam--hot-headed, head-over-heels-for-Lori, shmexy-as-heck Adam--stumbles and screws up and does the wrong things practically from page 1, and this only makes you love him even more. He wants to do what's right (or what he thinks is right), but just can't seem to get there. And Lori is no help, making her own mistakes in trying to get everyone to see that she and Adam belong together.

Complete with Echols' signature charm, wit, great characters and steam-inducing romance, Endless Summer is a great addition to The Boys Next Door, and further proof that this author knows her stuff!

My Rating

I happily hang 5 stars over Endless Summer, and urge you all to pick up this great book (but be sure to read The Boys Next Door first)!

Waiting on Wednesday: OBSIDIAN!

2011-12-07T07:00:00.001-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week's selection actually came out yesterday (12/6 is quite a day for releases!), but I'm still waiting on it, so I thought it fit for today's post. I'm super-excited to read this one, not only for the whole alien storyline, but also because it comes from Entangled Publishing, and they're kick-butt novels are all winners! Please, if you haven't already, check out...

Obsidian
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
pub date 12/6/2011

product description from goodreads.com

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Yeah, sounds awesome, right? I know, I can't wait to read it, either!

It's Eternal Starling Day!!

2011-12-06T07:00:00.001-06:00

You heard it here first, folks...today, the 6th of December in the year 2011, is officially deemed

ETERNAL STARLING DAY!!!

What is "Eternal Starling Day", you're all asking? Why, it's the day that my good friend Angela Corbett's book, Eternal Starling, makes its world debut!

I'm so over-the-river-and-through-the-woods excited for her, and I just wanted to tell everyone about it. So please, go visit her website, blog, or follow her on Twitter, or like her Facebook page, and give Angela a HUGE congrats on her book baby's birthday!

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, ANGELA!!

Review: Hushed by Kelley York

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hushed
by Kelley York
pub date 12/6/2011

product description from goodreads.com

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

My Review:

You guys, please believe me when I tell you to read this book. Seriously. Hushed is such an awesome, well-written, gritty, heart-warming, sexy (yeah, I could fill this post with adjectives) novel that sucks you in from the very first page and doesn't let go until the end. After reading it, you're gonna want more, trust me.

Hushed tells the story of Archer, a self-loathing college student who has lived his entire life basically as a whipping boy for his best friend, Vivian. Archer loves her. She doesn't feel the same way. But that doesn't stop Archer from doing whatever he has to to give her a better life. The pain Archer goes through on virtually every page is so real and honest that you find yourself hurting right along with him--an excellent feat, Ms. York!

And there's no way I could talk about Hushed and not mention the opposite of Vivian in Archer's life, Evan. Aah, Evan. He's sweet. He's sexy. He genuinely cares for Archer--and Archer for him. Evan is light to Vivian's darkness, constantly fighting her pull on Archer. Evan only wants to help Archer believe in himself, think for and of himself, and put himself before others--especially Vivian. Evan's love for Archer is constant and strong and oh-so-good...an excellent character!

My Rating:

I seriously would give Hushed higher than 5 stars if my rating system were greater (hmm, maybe I could change it just this once? Okay, 10 stars then!). It's such a fun, sexy, gut-wrenching read that leaves you breathless and altered afterward. This book releases tomorrow, so please...pick up a copy ASAP!!

I'm Outta Here!

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

I know this is a lame-o blog post, but I didn't have time this week to come up with anything else. Just a quick note to say that today is my last day of employment (as of right now), and I'm actually kind of excited about it (I'm probably gonna get hate mail now).

I had been thinking a lot about taking some time off to really focus on my writing (you know, to actually get good at it!), and this happened. Coincidence? I think not.

So, the plan is to take the next few months to churn out some great ideas I have and to hopefully move my goal of having a writing career a few steps closer...wish me luck!

New Winner Chosen!

2011-12-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

Since I received no response from the original winner of the Eternal Starling Blog Tour giveaway, I've selected a new winner...and that person is...

SupaGurlBooks!!!

Congrats, Supa! (ha, love that!) Please email me (jmanni32 @ yahoo dot com) with your mailing address, and I'll pass it along to Angela so she can mail you your prize!

Thanks again to everyone who entered, and be sure to stop by from time to time, because I'll be hosting an ARC giveaway for my own book very soon!

Waiting on Wednesday: DESTINY'S FIRE!

2011-11-30T07:00:00.001-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week I've chosen something kind of new to me: Historical YA. Of course it's YA (gee surprise, right?!), but I've never read historical, so I'm venturing out (hey, I am!). And what better book to start with than...

DESTINY'S FIRE (no cover available)
by Trisha Wolfe
pub date 1/10/2012

product description from goodreads.com

Sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—a part of a nearly extinct race of Kythan descended from ancient guardians who protected the pharaohs of Egypt. As Shythe, they must keep their shape-shifting ability and electric power hidden from the humans of their steam-powered world.

It’s the year 2040 and the Shythe Council has lowered their barrier, allowing the Narcolym—the dominant race of Kythan whose Flame ushered in the steam era—to enter their haven. As the Narcolym airships get closer, Dez secretly trains for an attack that her best friend Jace believes is coming despite the Treaty Act. Not only is Dez wary of war, and her growing affection for Jace, but she fears the change her fast-approaching birthday will bring.

When her power rockets out of control, Dez knows she’ll never attend the Shythe Academy with her friends, and worse, her mother’s planning to run. But a Narco named Reese could change her fate . . . if she can trust him. After Dez discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, her guarded world crumbles. She’s forced to choose between the race who’s raised her and the enemy she’s feared her whole life.

DESTINY'S FIRE is an emotional journey of Dez’s struggle to overcome her fear and embrace her power—her destiny.

This one just sounds so cool, right? And the author is top-notch, too, so I know I'm gonna love it! And to top it off...it comes out on my birthday! (I think I know what I'll be buying myself!!)

Teaser Tuesday...Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols!

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (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 TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

He leaned over me. My body sparked again, like a match held to fuel that burst into flame all over. He pressed down on me. I leaned up to meet him. Our mouths met for that doozy of a kiss I'd been waiting for.
~pg. 505, Endless Summer/The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols

Monday Must Reads!...THE BOYS NEXT DOOR!!

2011-11-28T07:00:00.001-06:00

Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read! (ha!).

Today's selection is from one of my favorite authors. I only recently discovered her, thanks to my friends @MandieBaxter and @GReadsBooks (thanks ladies!), but so far I have loved everything I've read...and this one is no exception!

The Boys Next Door

by Jennifer Echols

product description from goodreads.com

Cute, available, and one cabin over....

Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties in the house next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys.

But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.

But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girlfriend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard....

Great characters, excellent writing and fun, quirky, sexy story make this one a Must Read!

Happy Turkey Day...see you Monday!

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to say a quick Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate! And to those of you who don't...Happy Thursday!! :-)

I'm taking a couple days off from the ol' blog, but I'll be back on Monday...have a great weekend everyone!

Eternal Starling Giveaway Winner!

2011-11-21T09:00:00.004-06:00

I first must say thanks to those of you who stopped by on Friday and commented on the Eternal Starling Blog Tour post...you guys rock!

Now, on to the winner!

Using random.org, the winner of the Eternal Starling giveaway (a signed ES bookmark and some awesome jewelry inspired by the book) is...

Krystal Larson!!

Congrats Krystal! If you will email me your mailing address (just click on my name for my email addy), I'll forward it on to the author Angela Corbett, and she'll get your prize out to you! For the rest of you who entered, sorry you didn't win this giveaway, but don't fret...

Because you're all winners!!

That's right! Angela was nice enough to send me some extra Eternal Starling bookmarks (not signed, but still awesome!), so if you would like me to send one out to you, please email me your mailing address!

Thanks so much for entering my giveaway, and be sure to pick up a copy of Eternal Starling when it's released on December 6th! (or, you can go ahead and pre-order a copy right here)

Eternal Starling Blog Tour Stop...with giveaways!!

2011-11-18T07:00:00.006-06:00

Today I am so happy to be a part of the blog tour for my friend Angela Corbett's debut YA novel, Eternal Starling. Be sure to read through this post, because there are some awesome giveaways at the end!

Here's a bit about Angela...(as a side note...I have no clue why this section is highlighted in white...grr Blogger!)

As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator on the stereo and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height, and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own. She started writing poetry in elementary school and worked as a journalist in high school and college, but could never leave her love for writing fiction behind.

She is a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She loves classic cars, traveling, and escaping in a good book. She lives in Utah with her incredibly supportive husband and their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin, whose following of fangirls could rival Justin Bieber's.

You can learn more about Angela and her writing through her website, Twitter, or Facebook!

And just in case you haven't heard of Angela's book, here's a bit about it...

Eternal Starling
by Angela Corbett
pub date 12/6/2011

product description from goodreads.com

A love so strong, even eternity can’t separate them.

Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang. All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men.

For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie—but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she’s not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society—the soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance—the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn’t understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren’t the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

Sounds good, right? As part of the blog tour, I was lucky enough to read the ARC to review, so here it is!

My Review:

Angela Corbett's Eternal Starling is the story of Evangeline (Evie) Starling, a young, independent woman who is off to college with the hopes of a great life. Evie is such a great character that I instantly fell in love with. She's strong and opinionated and stands up for herself against two very strong, opinionated guys--Alex and Emil. Way to go, Evie!

And speaking of Alex and Emil? Oh, my! These two guys are so good and bad all rolled into one, and you literally don't know who to root for by the end! Alex seems to be Evie's best choice, right up until Emil shows his true colors. Then Evie (and the reader) is torn as to who is being honest with her and who she truly loves. Such a nice job, Angela!

Overall, Eternal Starling is a refreshing YA debut with a unique storyline and exciting action and characters that keeps you questioning what's truth and what's not, right up until the end...where it leaves you wanting more! I am more than happy to give it 5 stars, and recommend that you all pick up a copy as soon as it comes out!

Giveaways!!

Angela has been kind enough to offer up some really cool, unique jewelry and a signed Eternal Starling bookmark for me to give away today to one lucky commenter--how cool is that?! Wanna see what's up for grabs?

Isn't that awesome? So cool! Now, if you'd like to be entered to win this, it's really easy. Simply spread the word. See, told you it was easy! Either Tweet, or Facebook, or Blog post, or add Eternal Starling to your Goodreads TBR list...then come back here and comment with a link to how you spread the word. That's it!! I'll choose a winner and announce on Monday!

Also, Angela will be hosting a Pre-Order Contest to win a Kindle! Anyone who pre-orders Eternal Starling can be entered to win--simply email Angela a photo of your receipt, or a copy of your email receipt for proof of purchase, to EternalStarlingContest@gmail.com. The Pre-Order Contest runs from November 1st until the Eternal Starling release date on December 6th, so get your copy pre-ordered now and enter to win!

And be sure to visit Once Upon A Twilight to follow along with the rest of the Eternal Starling tour!

Review: The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols

2011-11-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

The Boys Next Door
by Jennifer Echols
pub date 6/26/2007

product description from goodreads.com

Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends—including the two hotties in the house next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys.

But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.

But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girlfriend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard....

My Review:

This is the third Jennifer Echols book that I've read and I have to say, it delivers! The Boys Next Door is a fun, quirky, humorous and sexy look into the life of Lori and her summertime job at a southern marina. Filled with great writing, great characters and some steam-inducing scenes, this one is not to be missed!

Lori is an excellent character in that she is strong and independent and comes into her own with a bit of humorous style. The one drawback I see in her is that sometimes...she's totally blind! (Can't tell you how, just read the book to find out!). But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed going along on her journey of discovery, laughing at her humor and cringing at her blatant ignorance to things right in front of her...haven't we all been there?! :-)

And in true Echols style, there of course are boys, boys, boys. The main one being Adam, who happens to be Lori's bff (love when they do that!). Adam is the youngest of the three Vader boys, so Lori relates to him the most (their bdays are only weeks apart), and the two grow up being super close. But things change the summer they turn sixteen, and seeing that play out was such fun!

My Rating:

I am happy to give The Boys Next Door 5 stars, and to say that if you're looking for a great time in the balmy Alabama heat, then you need to pick up this book!

Waiting on Wednesday: ANNA & the FRENCH KISS! (yeah, I know)

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

So as you could most likely tell from the title of this post, my WoW pick this week is a weird one. Mainly because it's been out for like a year. Yes, I am aware that I'm a loser when it comes to keeping up with my reading. :(

But, now that I will be gainfully unemployed in 3 weeks (cue the band!), I will have some time to catch up. And my plan? Start with...

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins
pud date 12/2/2010

product description from goodreads.com

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

Now I know most (if not all) of you have read this one, but I, alas, have not. So, excuse me while I say how excited I am to read this book!

Review: Touch by Jus Accardo

2011-11-15T07:00:00.001-06:00

TOUCH
by Jus Accardo
release date 11/1/11

product description from goodreads.com

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there's something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she'll turn to dust if he touches her.

It's not until Dez's father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there's more to this boy, and her father's "law firm," than she realized. Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation -- an organization devoted to collecting "special" kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons -- his entire life.

And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills.

The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they're caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

My Review:

This book Rocks! Ahem, excuse me. Just had to get that out. Okay, TOUCH is the story of Dez, a strong, opinionated, no-holds-barred girl raised by a non-existent single father who happens upon a mysterious, hot guy in the woods. His name is Kale (well, sort of) and Dez is instantly drawn to him. And things only get better from there.

Kale is one of the best leading guys in YA . He's hot, and strong, and hot, and mysterious, and hot. Um, yeah, sorry again. But seriously, Kale is great. He has been basically locked away his entire life, so once he's out, everything is new and foreign to him, and Dez has to help him learn his way. While doing so, they both fall hard for each other, and the moments they share are enough to keep this book going by themselves, without any of the awesome action.

And speaking of action, TOUCH is loaded with it! Dez's father works for a company called Denazen, that has more secrets than the White House staff. Denazen is up to no good, and Kale and Dez get caught in the middle of a supernatural tug-of-war that leads to an intense, edge-of-your seat ending that admittedly had me biting my nails through every page. This story flows very well, leading you along as Dez and Kale try to figure out exactly what's going on while trying to stay alive.

Filled with secrets and surprises, plus some kick-butt supernaturals, TOUCH is an exciting, pulse-pounding read that I didn't want to put down.

My Rating:

I am happy to give TOUCH 5 stars, and I am eagerly awaiting the sequel, which I know will be as good (or better) than the first. Hurry, run out and get a copy now!

TOUCH Blog Tour Stop!

2011-11-12T07:00:00.001-06:00

Today I am more than excited to be a stop on the blog tour for Jus Accardo's YA debut, TOUCH. This is an awesome book that I know everyone is going to love, so I'm happy I got to read it early!

Make sure to visit the official tour page at YA Bound, where you can check all the tour stops and follow along. Visit and comment on each post to be entered in the GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY--an ebook of TOUCH and a secret gift from Jus herself! So make sure you comment on every tour stop with your name and email to be entered, and good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Here's a bit about the author:

Jus Accardo is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. Her first book, Touch, is due out in November 2011 from Entangled Publishing. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

You can learn more about the talented Jus on her website, Twitter, Facebook, and blog!

And here's a bit about her excellent book, TOUCH:

TOUCH
by Jus Accardo
pub date 11/2011

product description from goodreads.com

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there's something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she'll turn to dust if he touches her.

It's not until Dez's father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there's more to this boy, and her father's "law firm," than she realized. Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation -- an organization devoted to collecting "special" kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons -- his entire life.

And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills.

The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they're caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

Doesn't that sound awesome? Well trust me, it is...so hurry up and order your copy now!

I'm very fortunate in that I got to ask the MC, Deznee, a few questions...enjoy!

Hi Deznee! I'm so happy that you could take some time away from Kale (err, I mean school) to answer a few questions on my blog today!
Thanks for asking me to hang. You have any cookies? I'm starved.

Oops. Um, someone ate them all. (I think it was Kale.)
I don't think you've had a really close relationship with your
father, but it had to sting a bit once you found out what he had really
been up to, right?
Dad was always kind of a tool, ya know? But when I found out what he was
really about? Yeah. It stung. To think I share the same genetics with that
bastard... *Dez shudders and taps the side of her nose* I'd love to say
I'm adopted but have you seen him? We have the same huge honking nose.

Yeah, I noticed it. Didn't wanna say anything! :)
I had hoped for a much bigger reaction when you first met your mom,
but I understand your shock. What was that moment like for you?
I felt kind of sick. And happy (which is weird considering the timing of
the whole thing). And nervous (even weirder). Can you believe that? I was
nervous. One of my first thoughts was, will she be disappointed in who
I've grown up to be?

I don't think she would be!
Do you still have feelings for Alex--good or bad?
Oh, I have feelings for him alright. Feelings I'd like to share. Hey...I
don't suppose you have any shaving cream? And a razor maybe? If not, how
about some strawberries? Alex is al--err--I mean strawberries are my
favorite.

Um, okay. Touchy subject...moving on.
Tell me...is Kale as hot as he sounds? :-D
Oh, hell yeah. Have you seen his eyes? And those arms? And that voice...
He makes this little growling sound sometimes that makes my legs turn to
soft serve. I'm seriously the luckiest chick alive.

Yes you are!
Now, the question I like to ask all interviewees: If you were told
you could only read one more book, which would it be and why?
Honestly, I'm not a big reader. Kale is, though. He lives for anything
educational. The guy is like a sponge. He's especially rabid about nature
books. Bears particularly...

*gets mental image of Kale fighting bears...whoa*
Thanks Deznee (and Jus)!! :-)
Thanks for the invite! You're pretty cool. You should come hang out with
us sometime! I think you and Kale would totally hit it off.

I think we would, too. Set that up Dez, pronto! :-P

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

This Friday's Question:

Love-Hate Relationship:

Which characters
from a book do you
love to hate?

Excellent question--and not an easy one to answer! I may be the odd man out on this one, but my favorite characters often times are the baddies. Those who are thrown in the way of the protag to wreak havoc and screw things up. Ursula in The Little Mermaid comes to mind as one of the best baddies ever, and I just love her scenes in that movie!

So, literary evils, huh? This list would be endless for me, so to save time (and space!), I think I will keep it to just one and go with my all-time favorite, someone who is so diabolical he makes the devil seem tame. I'm referring to...

Hannibal Lecter - The Silence of the Lambs

This one pretty much goes without saying. Hannibal is probably the most evil, spine-tingling character ever created, and was portrayed on film by the uber-talented Anthony Hopkins in such a way that 20 years later people still have nightmares about him!

Waiting on Wednesday: SHINE!

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

After a nice conversation on Twitter yesterday with a couple of friends (hi Mandie and Jess!) about the awesome SHADE and SHIFT, I just had to choose the third book in this awesome series for today's WoW. Don't you agree?

SHINE
by Jeri Smith-Ready
pub date: 5/1/2012

product description from goodreads.com

No other love has burned so bright

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

I can't hardly wait for this book! I loved the first two in the series, and even though I'll be sad it'll be over (no more Zachary!), I know it's gonna be a great read. And as a little side note...it comes out a week after mine! (note: it's gonna be way better than mine)

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-11-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

This Friday's Question:

Gateway Books:

Which particular books
opened you up
to a new genre?

Well G, you know my answer to this one all too well...since you're the face behind the book that brought me over to the contemp side! And since November is Just Contemporary month (see the cute little button down on the right?), it's a perfect time to showcase the two books that opened my eyes to the world of Contemporary YA!

Going Too Far
by Jennifer Echols

product description from goodreads.com

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

Forget You
by Jennifer Echols

product description from goodreads.com

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them?

Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her.

Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

Ginger forced me to read these two books, and I couldn't be happier that she did. I mean, I always knew about the contemporary genre, and I had even read a couple of contemps here and there. But these two books really opened me up to the great books out there that I was missing out on...so a huge thanks to my pal G, and to Jennifer for some great writing!

It's Contemp Time!

2011-11-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

For the month of November, the awesome Ashley at Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing and Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit have teamed up to bring us Just Contemporary--a month-long tribute to the awesome world of Contemporary novels! (yay them!)

Now, I will admit that I'm not a contemporary reader per say, but since a couple of friends (Hi G! Hi MB!) kept kicking me in the pancreas till I read some Jennifer Echols books (which were awesome, btw!), I can now say that I'm a fan! Contemporaries (or Contemps, as some may call them) are great ways for teens--and yes, some of us adults who think we're still teens--to discover themselves, or lose themselves, or reinvent themselves through reading. These books are packed with emotional turmoil, love, distress...the list goes on and on and on. But what they always showcase is the ability for humanity and the human spirit to rise above any and everything it faces...now how is that not a good thing?

So, come join us on this month of exploring and celebrating the Contemporary genre...it's gonna be fun!

Waiting on Wednesday: THE ONE THAT I WANT!

2011-11-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week I have chosen one of my new favorite authors and her newest release. It doesn't come out till next year, so unfortunately we have a long wait...fortunately, I have two more of hers to keep me company till then! So please, check out...

The One That I Want
by Jennifer Echols
pub date: 12/6/11 ebook
2/7/12 paperback

product description from goodreads.com

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

My good friend Ginger turned me on to Jennifer Echols' books, and I couldn't be happier! I love her writing style, and her characters are so real you feel like you know them. So come on, December...hurry up!

Teaser Tuesday!

2011-11-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (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 TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's peaceful like this, on my back. A loving sun caresses my face and it wraps me in a blanket of fluffy clouds, like the feeling of my mother's hands when she first held me.

~pg 189, On The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Monday Must Reads...TOUCH!

2011-10-31T07:00:00.001-05:00

Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read! (ha!).

By the time you read this post, I will have finished reading today's selection. But even as I'm writing this, I am in love with this book! The two main characters are so well-written and fun and great, that all I wanna do is stop toiling away at the day job and read! If you haven't already, be sure to add to your TBR lists today's pick...

TOUCH
by Jus Accardo

product description from goodreads.com

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

Except, there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting the “Afflicted” and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Afflicted hell bent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

Seriously folks, you want to read this book, trust me. Great action, cool plot, awesome characters. Winner! And the best news? It comes out tomorrow!! So be sure to pick up a copy, you'll be glad you did!

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-10-28T07:31:00.005-05:00

This Friday's Question:

Spooktacular Reads:

Which books do you consider
festive Halloween reads?
Which stories have chilled you
to the bone?

Excellent question, G! And how fitting that it's the Friday before Halloween. Did you plan that, G? ;) So, a list of scary, spooky, bone-chilling books? Why, my pleasure.

The first on my list is one that really scared me the first time I read it. And when I saw the movie? Forget it. It still freaks me out. It's none other than...

IT
by Stephen King

(I used the movie image because the clown creeps. me. out.)

Okay, so this book is a must for horror fans. It's creepy and scary and creepy and scary and...yeah, you get the idea. To this day, I don't particularly care for clowns. I trace that origin back to this book.

The Scariest Stories You've Ever Heard
by Mark Mills & Richard Kriegler

I know most of you probably have never heard of this book, or the sequels, but when I was a kid, this one scared the crap out of me! It's a collection of scary, creepy short stories all compiled for your reading pleasure. And I can remember being a bit freaked out at some of them!

Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley

This is right up there with To Kill A Mockingbird as one of my favorite books. It was required reading in high school, but I didn't mind, because it is such a great book! I know some people would classify it as horror, but to me it's just a great read with some scariness thrown in!

Like all of you, this list could have gone on for days and days. But none of us have time for that, right? What about you? Any books that scared the mess out of you?

Oh, and Happy Halloween!

Waiting on Wednesday: SPELLCASTER

2011-10-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week's choice is a sequel to a YA book that came out this past summer, and I cannot wait to read it! I love the cover, and the way it ties in to the first one, and the synopsis sounds so good! Please check out...

Spellcaster
by Cara Lynn Shultz
pub date 3/27/2012

product description from goodreads.com

Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil--not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.

Agh! I can't wait to read more about Emma and Brendan! Hurry up 2012, hurry up!

Tune in Tuesday (10)...Soundtrack Edition!!

2011-10-25T07:41:00.003-05:00

Today it is once again time for Tune in Tuesdays, a really cool meme created by my friend Ginger (or "G" as I like to call her!) over at GReads! This is a super fun meme that is filled with all sorts of music sure to give you a boost of energy and make you smile.

And G has gone one step further for the month of October, creating the Tune in Tuesdays: Soundtrack Edition!. I'm so excited about this, because songs only enhance movies in my opinion, and there are countless soundtracks that I love! Oh, and I'm like Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy...I think life would be so much more fun if it came with a soundtrack! :)

The soundtrack I picked for this week is one of my favorites--as is the movie it came from. It's one of those coming-of-age, angsty teen movies that for some reason I just loved. It really had no plot other than showcasing a group of teen coworkers through the course of their day, but something about it just inspired me. And the music is awesome!

Empire Records Motion Picture Soundtrack

And of course the most famous song from the movie (famous if you've seen the movie, probably not so much if you haven't), performed (in the movie only) by a familiar face...

Yes, it may be cheesy or ridiculous, but in this movie?

It rocked!

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-10-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

This Friday's Question:

Book Blogs That Make You Smile:

Pick 5 Book Blogs
you visit often
and think others should, too.

These types of questions are always so hard for me to answer, because there are so many blogs I visit daily! But, to narrow down to five book blogs...

Confessions of a Bookaholic - This blog is loaded with author interviews, book reviews/recommendations and some pretty awesome giveaways. If you are one of the few who haven't visited before, then hurry over and check it out. It's great!

Cari's Book Blog - I was lucky enough to meet Cari at ALA in New Orleans a few months ago, and she is super nice. And her blog is chock full of book reviews and recommendations that are sure to fill your TBR pile (cause, you know, that pile isn't big enough already!).

Wicked Awesome Books - This book blog is filled with outstanding reviews, IMM posts, author videos and teasers from books I'm dying to read. If there's a book you're curious about, odds are it's mentioned here.

GReads! - There's absolutely no way I can do a post about fave book blogs and not mention you, G! Seriously, Greads! is top-notch when it comes to book reviews and recommendations. I've read many a book based on Ginger's review (or her constant pressuring me to pick it up!) and I'm so glad she won my giveaway all those months ago, because I truly consider her a friend!

Mundie Moms - This blog was created as a tribute to The Mortal Instruments series, but has turned into a great place to find great books. The Moms are all about showcasing/reviewing/recommending YA books that I have come to love....so thanks for that, ladies!

So there's my pick of 5 Book Blogs that I visit often (mostly every day!), and that I think you should check out, too. And to all my friends who were not featured, you know I love ya! (I was trying to stick to only book blogs, not writer blogs, so Pam, Quita & Mandie...you know you ladies rock in my book!!)

Review: Going too Far/Forget You by Jennifer Echols

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Going Too Far
by Jennifer Echols
release date 3/17/09

product description from goodreads.com

Forget You

by Jennifer Echols

release date 7/20/10

product description from goodreads.com

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them?

Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her.

Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

My Review:

I figured that since I read these two books back-to-back, I would review them the same way (yeah, I'm creative like that). So please excuse the length of this post...but I wanted to include the descriptions for each book so you all can read them and run out and pick up a copy like I did!

So, let's begin with Going Too Far, the first book by Jennifer Echols that I have ever read. GTF tells the story of Meg, an out-of-place girl stuck in a small southern town. Her only dream? To leave (I can relate!). But then, as tends to happen, she meets one of the best male leads in YA: Officer After. He's 19. He's gorgeous. And he's fallen for Meg big time. And Meg's fallen for him. Of course, neither will admit it at first. Which makes for really good reading for all of us!

With quirky writing and some steamy scenes (that I'm not going to reveal here, you'll just have to read the book!), Going Too Far was a fun read that kept me hooked until the very end. And after I turned the last page, I found myself thinking about what Meg and Officer After might be doing now...a true sign of a great book!

I happily give Going Too Far 4 stars. If you're a YA contemp lover who wants to go on a journey with great characters and great writing, I urge you to pick this book up today!

Forget You is another great Echols novel that I literally read right after Going Too Far (as in, I finished GTF and picked up FY five minutes later). It tells the story of Zoey, a teenager who fights to be perfect in an imperfect life. After surviving a car crash, Zoey's memory goes AWOL, and Zoey is left to try to piece together what happened. And we are left enjoying Zoey and her suddenly new-found romance with Doug (a contender for Best Male Lead in YA against Officer After, in my opinion!).

The story that unfolds is funny and touching and beautifully written, and like Going Too Far, it keeps you glued to the pages until the very end. And once again, I was dreaming of Meg and Doug after it was over, wishing for more!

I also am happy to give Forget You 4 stars, and have already bought three more Jennifer Echols books that I can't wait to dive into...come join the fun!

Waiting on Wednesday: BECOME!

2011-10-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week's selection is one that I just can't wait to read. I've chatted with the author on Twitter and she's so nice, which is icing for what sounds like an awesome read! My WoW pick is...

Become
by Ali Cross
pub date 11/11/11

product description from goodreads.com

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.

When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—from something she’s never had before—a friend.

What she Becomes is neither light nor dark.

Neither good nor evil.

Something neither Heaven nor Hell expected.

Doesn't that just sound cool? And I love the name Desolation--awesome! Come on 11/11/11...hurry up!

Tune in Tuesday (9)...Soundtrack Edition!!

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today it is once again time for Tune in Tuesdays, a really cool meme created by my friend Ginger (or "G" as I like to call her!) over at GReads! This is a super fun meme that is filled with all sorts of music sure to give you a boost of energy and make you smile.

And G has gone one step further for the month of October, creating the Tune in Tuesdays: Soundtrack Edition!. I'm so excited about this, because songs only enhance movies in my opinion, and there are countless soundtracks that I love! Oh, and I'm like Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy...I think life would be so much more fun if it came with a soundtrack! :)

This week's choice is a bit old school I guess you could say. It's horror (well, horror to some. To me, it was just a really cool movie--that happened to redefine a genre), and was considered edgy in its time. And I'm sure you've all heard of it (or at least the movie). It's none other than...

Scream Motion Picture Soundtrack

Such a great movie that really did sort of reinvent the horror genre. Before, it was all about gore and scary monsters stalking people in woods or in dreams (holla to Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street!). But Scream brought forth the slasher flicks centered around hormonal, drinking teens who are really too dumb to survive a real-life killing. But hey, they had cool music. Like this song:

Youth of America - Birdbrain

This is one of many great songs from this soundtrack that every time I hear it I am instantly jamming...love it!

Monday Must Reads...SHATTER ME!

2011-10-17T07:36:00.003-05:00

Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read! (ha!).

Today's selection is another one that came from a friend (that seems to be happening a lot lately!), so I think it's perfect to pass the love along even more. It doesn't actually come out until next month, so technically it could be my Monday Must Read and my Waiting on Wednesday! (but I won't do that to you...I'm not mean like that. Ignore that voice telling you I'm lying. I'm not mean.)

Today I recommend you all read...

Shatter Me
by Tahereh Mafi

product description from goodreads.com

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

I plan on doing a review for this book later, so be sure to keep an eye out for that. And when November 15th rolls around, make it a point to go pick up a copy of this book!

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

This Friday's Question:

Show & Tell:

Where do you grab a book
and get lost in it?
Show us your favorite spot
you like to read.

Honestly, I don't really have a favorite spot to read. Not really. I mean, I can read anywhere: lying in bed, sitting in a chair, lying on the floor, my car...it doesn't matter to me!

But I suppose that if I had to pick a place, it would have to be outside. But only twice per year--Fall and Spring. Nothing is better than sitting in the shade of a tree with a cool breeze blowing through and your mind lost in the pages of a book. I can literally sit there for hours (if people let me, which rarely happens).

If you've never tried it, please do. You'll love it!

not an actual tree I sit under, but you get the idea

Review: With or Without You by Brian Farrey

2011-10-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

With or Without You
by Brian Farrey
Release Date: 5/24/2011
page count: 368

product description from goodreads.com

Eighteen year-old Evan and his best friend, Davis, get beaten up for being loners. For being gay. For just being themselves. But as rough as things often seem, at least Evan can take comfort in his sweet, sexy boyfriend Erik--whom he’s kept secret from everyone for almost a year.

Then Evan and Davis are recruited to join the Chasers, a fringe crowd that promises them protection and status. Davis is swept up in the excitement, but Evan is caught between his loyalty to Davis and his love for Erik. Evan’s lied to keep his two worlds separate. Now his lies are about to implode…and destroy the very relationships he’s been trying to protect.

My Review:

With or Without You is, simply put, astounding. It tells the story of Evan, a gay teen who is trying to find where he fits in the world, while dealing with some very emotional and life-changing events.

From page one, Farrey's writing grips you like a tool shed vice, squeezing and squeezing on your emotional self until you reach the popping point. Beautiful prose is blended masterfully with realistic, almost four-dimensional characters that I desperately wanted to see rounding the corner in real life. Evan, the MC, reminded me so much of my younger self in that he is a "peacekeeper" of sorts, trying not to ruffle the delicate feathers of his perfectly-proportioned life (I was so like that when I was a teen!). But nothing can stay as is, Evan learns, and the two parallel paths of his life come crashing into each other in a beautiful and heartfelt and painful way that almost had me in tears. My heart was lunging page after page, anticipating/dreading what I just knew was coming. Farrey hooked me, no doubt about it.

With our Without You is also filled with an intense cast of supporting characters. From Shan, Evan's somewhat controlling sister, to Davis, his broken and mad-as-hell best friend, this book isn't wanting in the flawed character department. But the one who stole the show, in my opinion, is Erik, Evan's seemingly perfect boyfriend, who takes Evan on a journey of self-discovery that reminded me of a car accident on the freeway: you don't want to watch, but you just can't look away.

Many times throughout this book, I was scared for these two and their future. Evan's concealment of Erik from the rest of his family and friends blows up big time, and Erik doesn't take it lightly. And the drama and tension and conversations between these two is so realistic I felt like I was eavesdropping on their relationship. Well done, Mr. Farrey, well done.

My Rating:

Only because it's the highest number I use am I giving With or Without You 5 stars. But believe me, this book far surpasses that. If you're a fan of authentic, flawed, pained characters forced to make decisions that could potentially destroy the life they've built, then you need to read this book!

Waiting on Wednesday: BREATHE!

2011-10-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

Today's choice comes from a Twitter friend of mine, who's amazing astounding cover was just revealed a few days ago to rave reviews. And the synopsis for the book only makes me wanna read it more. So please, rush over to Goodreads and add this to your list:

BREATHE
by Melanie McCullough
pub date 11/11/11

product description from goodreads.com

Life's hard. People make it harder. They tether you to them. Make it difficult to breathe, and damn-near impossible to leave...

Seventeen year-old Abby Rhoades knows this all too well. Born to a mother who could never love her and who vacillates between a sloppy drunk and a suicidal maniac, Abby's never had it easy. But Abby can swim. And Abby has a plan--win the state championship, earn a free ride to Penn State, and leave her small town and suffocating mother behind.

But then the body of Tom Ford, her mother's latest boyfriend and a man Abby adored, washes up along the shore of the Susquehanna River. His injuries suggest murder and suspicion quickly falls on Abby then on her best friend Garrett Scott, both of whom saw Tom the night he died.

They both know what happened that night, but neither one is talking. There's too much at stake and the truth could tear them apart.

Doesn't that just sound awesome? And HOLY COVERS, BATMAN!! This one seriously rocks. I could just sit and stare at it all day! I'm so, so thankful that the wait isn't a long one for this book!

Tune in Tuesday (8)...Soundtrack Edition!!

2011-10-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today it is once again time for Tune in Tuesdays, a really cool meme created by my friend Ginger (or "G" as I like to call her!) over at GReads! This is a super fun meme that is filled with all sorts of music sure to give you a boost of energy and make you smile.

And G has gone one step further for the month of October, creating the Tune in Tuesdays: Soundtrack Edition!. I'm so excited about this, because songs only enhance movies in my opinion, and there are countless soundtracks that I love! Oh, and I'm like Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy...I think life would be so much more fun if it came with a soundtrack! :)

For Week 2, I've gone a bit darker than my choice last week. This week's selection is from a movie that came out a few years ago--back before the whole YA explosion (though it's totally YA, so I kind of consider it the start of it all!). It's none other than...

The Craft - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

This soundtrack is truly awesome. So many great choices of angsty, emotion-filled songs that just rock. Here's my fave:

Tomorrow Never Knows - Our Lady Peace

Isn't that awesome? I'm so thankful for the Soundtrack Edition, G, because I had almost forgotten about this song! Now I have one more I can listen to to help keep my mind in that angsty, teenage mode!

Monday Must Reads...WITH OR WITHOUT YOU!

2011-10-10T08:34:00.003-05:00

Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read! (ha!).

Today's Must Read is one that my good friend @MandieBaxter recommended to me (and loaned out to me) and I couldn't be happier that she did. This book, simply put, ROCKS. Here's the synopsis so you'll know what it's about...

With or Without You
by Brian Farrey

product description from goodreads.com

Eighteen year-old Evan and his best friend, Davis, get beaten up for being loners. For being gay. For just being themselves. But as rough as things often seem, at least Evan can take comfort in his sweet, sexy boyfriend Erik--whom he’s kept secret from everyone for almost a year.

Then Evan and Davis are recruited to join the Chasers, a fringe crowd that promises them protection and status. Davis is swept up in the excitement, but Evan is caught between his loyalty to Davis and his love for Erik. Evan’s lied to keep his two worlds separate. Now his lies are about to implode…and destroy the very relationships he’s been trying to protect.

Trust me when I say that you want to read this book. Superb writing and heartfelt characters are just the beginning. Hurry and snag a copy today, and get lost (like I did) in the pages of Brian Farrey's gritty world!

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

This Friday's Question:

To Be Read:

How big is your TBR pile?
Which book keeps getting pushed
down the stack, but you keep
meaning to read it?

Thanks for putting us all on the spot, G! haha.

But seriously, if you're a book lover (I suppose if you're reading this you most likely are, which is awesome!) then you know all about the ever-rising TBR pile. If you're not a book lover, TBR means To Be Read (and also...why don't you love books? I mean look at them, they're so pretty and smell great and have awesome adventures and romance and horror and angst inside!). And I'm sure that like each of you it's insanely ridiculous how many books you have yet to read.

Currently my TBR list on Goodreads is 361.

361?! Come on, if I read a book a day it would take me more than a year to finish it. Oy. I mean, my TBR pile is so tall I had to install one of those flashing lights to warn aircraft. Yeah, it's massive.

And I'm also sure that like most of you, books do tend to get moved down the list (and to be fair, some get bumped up the list, right?) from time to time. I know that when I discovered The Hunger Games I had to move several books down the list, because I just had to read the next two books immediately. And that has happened countless times over the years.

So I don't know if I can pinpoint one book that keeps getting bumped down to the bottom of the pile, studiously working its way back to the top only to be bumped down again (that sounds like Book Abuse, which should totally be illegal--but I'm so glad it's not because I'd be in jail). One that comes to mind right now is Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, which I've had for a while now but I just haven't brought it out to read. I'm not sure why, since so many people rave about how great it is. But alas, I haven't read it.

And judging by some great books I've discovered lately that seem to have jumped right to the top of the pile, it may be a while before I actually do!*

*my apologies to Anna, Etienne and Stephanie, who I'm sure are all great.

Waiting on Wednesday: UNNATURAL

2011-10-05T07:41:00.004-05:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week's choice is one that is already out, but is currently on its way to me via Barnes & Noble...so I really am Waiting on Wednesday! lol

It's YA (naturally!), it's paranormal (dur), and it sounds really good! If you've never heard of it, please check out my WoW pick...

UNNATURAL
by Michael Griffo
pub date 2/22/2011

product description from goodreads.com

In the town of Eden in northwestern England stands the exclusive boarding school known as Archangel Academy. Ancient and imposing, it’s a place filled with secrets. Just like its students…

For Michael Howard, being plucked from his Nebraska hometown and sent thousands of miles away is as close as he’s ever come to a miracle. In Weeping Water, he felt trapped, alone. At Archangel Academy, Michael belongs. And in Ciaran, Penry, and especially Ciaran’s enigmatic half-brother Ronan, Michael finds friendship deeper than he’s ever known.

But Michael’s only beginning to understand what makes the Academy so special. Ronan is a vampire—part of a hybrid clan who are outcasts even among other vampires. Within the Academy’s confines exists a ruthless world of deadly rivalries and shifting alliances, of clandestine love and forbidden temptations. And soon Michael will confront the destiny that brought him here—and a danger more powerful than he can imagine…

Vampires outcasting vampires? Oh yeah, awesome! Like I said this book (and the 2nd in the series) is already out and on it's way to me, so I can't wait to start reading it!

Tune in Tuesday (7)...Soundtrack Edition!!

2011-10-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Today it is once again time for Tune in Tuesdays, a really cool meme created by my friend Ginger (or "G" as I like to call her!) over at GReads! This is a super fun meme that is filled with all sorts of music sure to give you a boost of energy and make you smile.

And G has gone one step further for the month of October, creating the Tune in Tuesdays: Soundtrack Edition!. I'm so excited about this, because songs only enhance movies in my opinion, and there are countless soundtracks that I love! Oh, and I'm like Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy...I think life would be so much more fun if it came with a soundtrack! :)

To kick off G's Tune in Tuesdays: Soundtrack Edition!, I had to pull out the one that kick-started my writing career (well, the book did actually, but the soundtrack definitely helped!). Now, if you know me--or have read my bio on here--then you know that a certain book made me get off my rear and start trying to become published. And I am not ashamed to say that I love said book. And I am also not ashamed to say that I love the soundtrack that goes along with it!

So my choice soundtrack for today is none other than...

Twilight - The Motion Picture Soundtrack

If you've never listened to it, you should. It really does have some great music! And as a feature, I've chosen my favorite song from the album. It's very very popular amongst Twilight aficionados, but non-Twilighters like it, too! It is...

Decode - Paramore

I love this song, this video, the mood it creates...basically all of it! I hope you enjoy!

Monday Must Reads...TIGER'S CURSE!

2011-10-03T07:33:00.005-05:00

Monday Must Reads! is a feature I created to showcase books that I think you, well, Must Read! (ha!).

I've only just begun today's selection, but I have to add it to the Monday Must Reads! list. The writing is excellent and pulls you in from the very first page and only gets better from there. With exciting characters and prose, I hope you'll enjoy...

Tiger's Curse
by Colleen Houck

product description from goodreads.com

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.

But that’s exactly what happened.

Face-to-face with dark forces, spell- binding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

“. . . a sweet romance and heart-pounding adventure. I found myself cheering, squealing, and biting my nails — all within a few pages. In short, Tiger’s Curse is magical." -Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush

For fantasy, Tiger's Curse is one of the best. Go see for yourself!

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-09-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

This Friday's Question:

Banned Books:

How do you feel about the
censorship of the freedom to read?
Do you think the education system
needs to be more strict on what
children are exposed to
in books?

I admit that this one is tough for me.

Let me start off by saying that I am against banning books/censoring our freedom to read. Ignoring the blatant civil rights issue here, I don't think it is healthy for people to not be allowed to read anything they choose. Reading--and the knowledge that inevitably comes with it--is not only a healthy way for us to cleanse our minds and fill them with imagination and creativity and wonder, but it's also a great way for seemingly incompatible people to connect.

That leather-clad, long-bearded biker you see speeding down the street on his Harley could be rushing to a book signing for his favorite author. Or your neighbor--whom you've never given more than a passing "hello"--could be as fanatical about a book as you are. The point is, reading bridges gaps between people, races, cultures, families...in a word, it's magical.

With that being said, I do feel strongly about not necessarily censoring what children read, but at least being involved in what they read.

I can remember as a child my mother reading to me, like I'm sure most mothers did. Of course the books were age-appropriate, but I seriously cannot recall her ever telling me that I couldn't read something. I don't remember ever saying "Hey mom, I wanna read Madame Butterfly!", and her saying "Not a chance." Why? Because I wasn't given the option of reading a book that wasn't right for my age.

I know this is confusing, that it sounds like I'm saying "Yes! Ban books!", but I'm really not. But we as Parents--not our teachers--should be censoring what our children are reading. We should be making the decision if a book is appropriate or inappropriate based on our child's age...or possibly even their emotional state (I know I would not have wanted to read Old Yeller until I was old enough to understand death. It would have traumatized me!). I don't think these types of decisions should be made by committees--whether it be in a school setting or anywhere else. Banning a book for an entire group of people just doesn't make sense to me. I agree and completely understand that some children aren't prepared to read some things (Twilight, The Mortal Instruments, even To Kill A Mockingbird are all books that are not for everyone), but punishing every child by not allowing them to read said books? That's not fair, either.

So, how do we fix this problem? How do we allow children to read books they want to read, while still giving children who don't want to read that book the freedom not to? Aye, there's the rub. In no way do I claim to know the answer, but I can't help feeling that if we get more involved in what children are doing/listening to/watching on TV/reading, then we would be much more informed as to what books they can/cannot handle--instead of just removing the choice altogether.

That's my time on the soapbox folks...and if I offended anyone, I truly didn't mean to! :)

Indelible Blog Tour Stop...Character This or That w/Yara!

2011-09-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

I am more than happy to have not 1 but 2 stops on the Indelible Blog Tour for my friend Lani Woodland's sophomore YA novel, Indelible! If you missed my review on Monday, you can check it out here. And be sure to visit Once Upon a Twilight, the hosting blog, for a list of all the great posts from the tour!

Today's post was really fun. I got to ask the main character from Lani's trilogy, Yara, some quirky This or That questions...I hope you all enjoy!

1. Chips or Cookies (of course I would start with food!)
Chocolate chip cookies. Food is where I start too.

2. Beach or Snowbound
I would usually say beach but after last year . . . how about beach adjacent. I liked it when Brent made it snow last year but I'm all for the sun.

3. Book or Movie
Movie

4. (hang with) Family or Friends
Friends

5. The Vampire Diaries or The Jersey Shore (answer carefully Yara)
The Vampire Diaries. That was an easy one.

6. Sunny & Warm or Cloudy & Cool
Sunny and Warm

7. Pendrell Academy or Public School
Pendrell Academy (Cherie and Brent go there.That made it a no brainer)

8. Burgers or Pizza (it's okay if you choose both!)
Pizza

9. Edward Cullen or Jacob Black (haha!)
In the movie? Jacob without a doubt. I like being warm and have you seen Brent? I like muscles.

This was so much fun! Thanks so much, Lani (and Yara!), for stopping by my blog, and everyone be sure to pick up a copy of Indelible--you won't be sorry!

Waiting on Wednesday: TOUCH

2011-09-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

My pick this week is one that I just came across thanks to the awesome blog Once Upon a Twilight (you rock, Yara!). And when I saw this cover, I knew I had to read this book! Maybe you'll agree. Please, check out...

TOUCH
By Jus Accardo
pub date 11/1/2011

product description from goodreads.com

When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears his shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

Love love love! This description sounds so cool and mysterious, and the cover matches that mood! Can't wait till November 1st!

Indelible Blog Tour Stop!!

2011-09-26T07:00:00.002-05:00

Today I am super excited to be a part of the blog tour for my friend Lani Woodland's sophomore YA novel, Indelible! A huge thanks to Yara at Once Upon a Twilight for hosting this great tour--and for letting me be a part of it!

And now, my review of Indelible (a book you will definitely want to read)!

Indelible
By Lani Woodland

Page Count: 416

Release date: *see below

product description from goodreads.com

Yara is beginning to understand just how much her life will change now that her Waker abilities have emerged. She has come to terms with the fact that seeing ghosts is part of her life, but she isn’t ready to let being a Waker dictate her choices. All she wants is a ghost-free senior year with her boyfriend, Brent, and her best friend, Cherie.

But Yara soon discovers that there are more dark secrets in her school’s history than just the curse she broke. While an angry ghost makes Yara question everything she thought she knew about spirits, she and Brent learn that there are long reaching consequences to last year’s adventures. As new enemies emerge and old ghosts resurface, Yara finds herself in the center of another deadly mystery, and this time she has to contend with the living as well as the dead.

My Review: (may include spoilers if you haven't read Intrinsical)

Once again, Lani Woodland has not only drawn us in with a stunning book cover (I mean, look at it) , but she has also created a story that is filled with romance and humor and mystery. Indelible is the second book in Ms. Woodland's wonderful Yara Silva Trilogy. It further tells of Yara and Brent and their growing love amidst the chaos of Yara's Waker abilities (she can see ghosts).

Yara is such a great character. In Intrinsical (book 1), we got to see Yara's fiery personality and resistance to change. With Indelible, Yara has grown so much. She is still a spitfire, but now she is much more open to the possibility of what could be. We get to see that in her relationship with Brent (who's great, btw!) and in the way she has embraced her Waker side. Such a great progression in this awesome character, Lani!

And one of the best things about Indelible? Vovo!!

Vovo is Yara's grandmother, and she's an outstanding character. Strong, determined, humorous yet stern, Vovo is the backbone to Yara's past. She epitomizes what it means to be a Waker (which can be difficult sometimes), and she pushes Yara to become her true self.

My Rating:

I am happy to give Indelible 5 stars. This second installment in the trilogy only proves that Lani Woodland is no one-hit wonder. I urge you all to run out and pick this up as soon as it's released!

**Release Update:

Due to unforeseen issues (it happens folks), the release date for Indelible has been pushed back (I know!). The ebook version will still be available tomorrow (yay!), so be sure to order that.
And go here to read the news from Lani herself, and be sure to pick up a hardcover copy when it does come out ( in addition to the ebook version that I know you're all gonna go buy tomorrow, right. Yeah, thought so. ;-P )!

TGIF over at GReads!

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

This Friday's Question:

Reading Challenges:

Did you sign up for
any this year?
How has your
progression been?

Excellent question, G! And I am proud to say that I have joined a reading challenge, thank you very much! :-)

I entered the 2011 Reading Challenge via Goodreads and as of today, I am currently running 1 book behind (I know, boo me). I wasn't as confident or adventurous as some people (hint hint...it's you, G!), so I only opted to read 50 books this year...so I guess being only 1 behind is pretty good!

I do hope to complete the 50 books before the end of the year, but I have lots of editing/writing to do by then (1st draft of Book 2 is due in January...agh!), so we will see!

How about you guys? Any reading challenges you're a part of? Any you wish you were a part of?
Comment away!

Waiting on Wednesday: THE HELP

2011-09-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

The lovely Jill (a fellow Alabamian!) over at Breaking the Spine created the Waiting on Wednesday meme for us bloggers to showcase books we're waiting on.

This week I've chosen something very different for me. If you follow this blog (or stop by from time to time), you know that I'm a paranormal/dystopian junkie. Seriously, they're like crack to a user. But today I've done a 180. Thanks to the constant pressuring from some coworkers, I've decided to pick what I would classify as a contemporary piece...and it's not YA! But it is one that I keep hearing nothing but amazing things about (both the book and the newly-released movie).

And before you say anything, yes I know the book has been out a couple of years. But I'm still waiting on it, so it qualifies!

What is it? Why, none other than...

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
pub date 2/10/2009

product description from goodreads.com

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

Tune in Tuesday (6)

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today it is once again time for Tune in Tuesdays, a really cool meme created by my friend Ginger (or "G" as I like to call her!) over at GReads! This is a super fun meme that is filled with all sorts of music sure to give you a boost of energy and make you smile.

My choice today is a song that I listen to literally every day (yeah, I'm like that). I don't really know what it is, but there's something about the music and the lyrics and the voice that sort of inspire me and help keep my head in my fictitious world where it needs to be! I'm sure some of you have heard of this group (if not necessarily this song), but for those of you who haven't, please enjoy...

Muse - Time Is Running Out