Future Favorites (74)

Future Favorites is an awesome blog feature created by Alex over at Electrifying Reviews. I post about a book that is yet-to-be-released and that I can't wait to read!

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
Release Date: May 8, 2012 by Harcourt Children's Books

It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (93)

This is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Books I read last week:
Graveminder by Melissa Marr
The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols



The book I’m reading now:
The Smoke Thief:
For centuries they’ve lived in secret among northern England’s green and misted hills. Creatures of extraordinary beauty, power, and sensuality, they possess the ability to shape-shift from human to dragon and back again. Now their secret–and their survival–is threatened by a temptation that will break every boundary....

Dubbed the Smoke Thief, a daring jewel thief is confounding the London police. His wealthy victims claim the master burglar can walk through walls and vanish into thin air. But Christoff, the charismatic Marquess of Langford, knows the truth: the thief is no ordinary human but a “runner” who’s fled Darkfrith without permission. As Alpha leader of the dra´kon, it’s Kit’s duty to capture the fugitive before the secrets of the tribe are revealed to mortals. But not even Kit suspects that the Smoke Thief could be a woman.

Clarissa Rue Hawthorne knew her dangerous exploits would attract the attention of the dra´kon. But she didn’t expect Christoff himself to come to London, dangling the tribe’s most valuable jewel–the Langford Diamond–as bait. For as long as she could remember, Rue had lived the life of a halfling–half dra´kon, half mortal–and an outcast in both worlds. She’d always loved the handsome and willful Kit from the only place it was safe: from afar. But now she was no longer the shy, timid girl she’d once been. She was the first woman capable of making the Turn in four generations. So why did she still feel the same dizzying sense of vulnerability whenever he was near?

From the moment he saw her, Kit knew that the alluring and powerful beauty was every bit his Alpha equal and destined to be his bride. And by the harsh laws of the dra´kon, Rue knew that she was the property of the marquess. But they will risk banishment and worse for a chance at something greater. For now Rue is his prisoner, the diamond has disappeared, and she’s made the kind of dangerous proposition a man like Kit cannot resist....


Books that spark my interest this week:
The Missing by Shiloh Walker
Fracture by Megan Miranda
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

The One That I Want:
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?

This was a cute, romantic, twisty love story by Jennifer Echols. A well played out book of the whole "he said, she said" scenario. Jennifer creates such wonderful, honest characters; even if sometimes they don't exactly resonate with the reader, you do still feel their emotions as if they were your own. I was a little disappointed that some of the more serious topics were merely mentioned and then basically brushed aside. Max mentions Gemma's desire to lose weight: and worries that without truly having a goal in mind, she might not know when to stop, and that could lead to a serious eating disorder. Not that I believed Gemma would fall into that category, she seemed like a strong character to me. All her life Gemma has hidden herself in the shadow of her best friend Addison (who in reality wasn't much of a friend at all) and once Gemma begins to outshine Addison she learns who her true friends really are.

In My Mailbox (98)

In My Mailbox was created, and is hosted by The Story Siren.

Undying Love by Teresa Mummert
Primal Anthology
Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Savage Grace by Bree Despain
Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

Doubletake by Rob Thurman
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Afterlife by Claudia Gray

On My Wishlist (94)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - a linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

Darkness Bound by Stella Cameron:
WHEN NIGHT FALLS

After her husband's tragic death, Leigh Kelly arrives on Whidbey Island determined to start over. Yet the tiny town of Chimney Rock is not as peaceful as it seems. Women have been disappearing, and Leigh can't shake the feeling that she's being watched . . . especially at night. Soon, she's experiencing visions she can't explain and fighting her attraction to a handsome stranger who seems to know her most intimate desires.

PASSION TRANSFORMS THEM

As the leader of the Team, a pack of werehounds forced to hide their very existence, former special ops soldier Niles Latimer is desperate to prove a man's heart beats beneath his predator's body. And Leigh-the mysterious beauty possessing powers she doesn't yet understand-may be the one woman who can help him. But Niles isn't the only one who recognizes Leigh's true identity. Something evil is waiting in the woods-and the hunt has begun . . .



Mortal Ties by Eileen Wilks:
FBI agent Lily Yu is living at Nokolai Clanhome with her fiancé, lupi Rule Turner, when an intruder penetrates their territory, stealing the prototype of a magical device the clan hopes will be worth a fortune--if a few bugs can be worked out . . .

But the prototype can be dangerously erratic, discharging a bizarre form of mind magic—and it looks like the thief wants it for that very side effect. Worse, whoever stole the device didn't learn about it by accident. There's a Nokolai traitor in their midst. Lily and Rule have to find the traitor, the thief, and the prototype. One job proves easy when the thief calls them--and his identity rocks Rule's world.

As they race to recover their missing property, they find Robert Friar's sticky footprints all over the place. Robert Friar―killer, madman, and acolyte of the Old One the Lupi are at war with―an Old One whose power is almost as vast as her ambition to rock the entire world . . .



Doubletake by Rob Thurman:
Half-human/half-monster Cal Leandros knows that family is a pain. But now that pain belongs to his half-brother, Niko. Niko's shady father is in town, and he needs a big favor. Even worse is the reunion being held by the devious Puck race-including the Leandros' friend, Robin- featuring a lottery that no Puck wants to win.

As Cal tries to keep both Niko and Robin from paying the ultimate price for their kin, a horrific reminder from Cal's own past arrives to remind him that blood is thicker than water-and that's why it's so much more fun to spill.

Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Graveminder:
Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville. While growing up, Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual at every funeral: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words, "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is gone and Bek must return to the hometown—and the man—she abandoned a decade ago, only to discover that Maylene's death was not natural . . . and there was good reason for her odd traditions. In Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected—and beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D. From this dark place the deceased will return if their graves are not properly minded. And only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk.

Graveminder is an intricately woven story that speaks highly of Melissa Marr's attention to detail and writing style. It has a slower pace, but that in no-way-shape-or-form takes away from the story at all. Although I did still have a few questions by the end of the book, I was completely drawn into the pages and enjoyed it from start to finish. Melissa has a talent for creating deceptive layers in her stories, and this was done beautifully in Graveminder, and as you dig a little deeper you learn something more about the world she has created. Each character plays an important role in moving the story forward at a steady pace; the book was deep and enthralling, with page-after-page of complex relationships. The walking-dead Melissa imagined seem so realistic, I could so vividly see them, wondering around in everyday life and at the same time, made my skin crawl. I loved the small town secrets and mystery behind Rebekkah's return home after years of wandering. Beneath the story of Rebekkah and Byron's past are the more serious issues of trust, honor, betrayal and family duty. They both enter into a bargain that they don't fully understand, but if they don't carry out their roles as Graveminder and Undertaker...the lives and souls of everyone will be at stake.

Forgotten Fridays (3)

I invite and welcome anyone interested to post their own Forgotten Friday and join in the fun! Some books might not be very recent reads, but I hope that just helps these (sometimes forgotten) books earn a spot on your own TBR pile!

Master of Swords by Angela Knight
First Published: October 2008

Witch Lark McClure has survived a vicious vampire attack that shook her confidence and left her struggling with feelings of helplessness and fear. The last thing she needs is a partnership with Gawain, a handsome vampire knight who means to seduce her every chance he gets.

Gawain believes he needs Lark for one thing and one thing only—and it’s not her skill with magic. In the process, he plans to help her overcome her fear and show her the pleasure to be found in a vampire’s arms.

But even as passion sizzles between Lark and Gawain, a revenge-driven killer targets them. If he has his way, Lark, Gawain, and the world itself will pay the price.

Interview & Giveaway with J.L. Bryan

1. When did you first start writing, and was there something in particular that inspired you?

I started writing in elementary school. I just liked to read a lot and I was pretty amazed at the idea that could write stories, too. My elementary school had a “publishing company” where volunteer moms would come in, type up your stories and bind them in these cheerful little covers. I got addicted to the idea of seeing my stories as finished books right about then!


2. What first attracted you to the paranormal realm when it comes to writing?

I like the freedom to use your imagination! You can stretch and bend reality, or take familiar creatures and find a new slant on them. It’s a combination of escapism and getting to take human nature and explore it in very unusual and extreme situations.


3. In regards to your own characters, who is your favorite and why?

It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but some of my favorites are the minor secondary characters. In the Jenny Pox books, Darcy Metcalf is secretly my favorite character. In my new Songs of Magic series, there’s a huge pop star, a white rapper with truly, truly bad lyrics called DJ Smoov-Moov, who becomes more involved in the story in Book 3. I don’t want to say too much about his background because that third book hasn’t come out yet, but he cracks me up.


4. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?

I like all kinds of speculative fiction—sf, fantasy, and horror—and also straight fiction. I’m not a big fan of mysteries or spy novels.


5. If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

Maybe a journalist or a historian. Probably not a professional mountain climber, I don’t like cold weather.


6. As a reader I know how difficult it can be to name a ‘favorite’ book, would you mind listing your top three? (Past or present authors)

It’s still hard to pick! I’m going to go with Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, Dune by Frank Herbert, and anything by Gore Vidal.


7. What are some must haves when you sit down to write?

Caffeine, preferably in coffee form, and music. And light. And a computer. I actually prefer writing by hand, but it’s so inefficient to transcribe handwritten pages. I’m dreaming of a tablet that will let me write all my first drafts by hand again.


8. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

I think one Peter Pan’s Lost Boys. I wouldn’t pick Peter Pan himself, because who wants to be a big target like that? But there’s a lot to be said for life in Neverneverland—you can fly, you don’t get old, you have sword fights with pirates. On the other hand, Wonderland from Alice in Wonderland seems to have a greater variety of creatures and places to explore, so I might rather live there instead, except the political system in Wonderland is just atrocious.

You can read my review of Fairy Metal Thunder here.

About Bryan:

J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on the English Renaissance and the Romantic period. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He is the author of five novels and one short-story collection. He enjoys remixing elements of paranormal, supernatural, fantasy, horror and science fiction into new kinds of stories. His goal is to provide highly original fiction like you won’t find anywhere else. His new novel is The Haunted E-book. The sequel to his novel Jenny Pox will be available by summer 2011. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, as well as some dogs, cats, and domestic plants.


Find Bryan:

Website | Twitter | Facebook



Second in the Songs of Magic series:

Fairy Blues:
With their enchanted instruments charming the crowds, the Assorted Zebras attract interest from record producers, and soon they’re off to cut their first album and music video. Jason and his friends don’t know they’ve just become pawns in a sinister plot by a cabal of evil fairies...

Meanwhile, Aoide and her band pursue a new strategy for regaining their stolen instruments, one that will take them into the most haunted region in Faerie.

Giveaway:

Jeff is giving away eBooks of both Fairy Metal Thunder and Fairy Blues to one lucky winner!

Rules for entry:
- Giveaway ends March 23, 2012 12AM EST.
- Open Internationally.
- Leave a comment and fill out the FORM below, entries in the comment section will NOT be counted.

Theme Thursday (52)

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event hosted by Reading Between Pages that will be open from one Thursday to the next. Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

• A theme will be posted each week (on Thursdays)
• Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
• Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
• It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don’t necessarily need to have the word)
  Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have “They kissed so gently” or “Their lips touched each other” or “The smooch was so passionate”

This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

This week's theme is - FOOD (First snippet from the book having any relevance to food, drinks, eating, drinking, etc.)

I would have loved to get lost in Atlanta with Max, walking through old neighborhoods, exploring shops off the beaten path, grabbing coffee at someplace he knew.

The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols

Interview & Giveaway with Inara Scott

1. When did you first start writing, and was there something in particular that inspired you?

I have been a diehard romantic for as long as I can remember. When I was in middle and high school I read hundreds of romances. Harlequins and historical bodice rippers were my favorites , all the better if they involved pirates! I started writing so I could live inside those worlds that I loved. My first few novels were all historical, and most of them involved pirates. I didn’t start writing YA until much later, when I was inspired by a snarky voice in my head and visions of a world in which there was no black and white, and no way to tell the good guys from the bad guys.


2. In regards to your own characters, who is your favorite and why?

Is this a trick question to try to get me to say if I like Cam or Jack better? ;-) I tend to fall deeply in love with whatever character I’m working on at the moment. I’ve just started working on a new YA, so right now, the narrator of that story is my favorite. She’s a snarky, sarcastic computer genius, and absolutely fearless--except when it comes to boys. I’m really enjoying listening to her voice in my head!


3. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?

Outside of romance, YA, and some light fantasy, I really enjoy non-fiction. Two of my favs are Malcolm Gladwell and Diane Ackerman.


4. If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

I actually am a whole bunch of things besides being a writer! I’m a lawyer, and love to argue and write persuasively. I love to teach, whether it be about writing, law, or the environment. I used to guide outdoor trips and really enjoyed that, although I haven’t done it for a while. I also work on a student arts anthology, doing outreach to schools and students. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to help someone realize their dream of publication.


5. What are some must haves when you sit down to write?

If I’m writing new words, I need a chunk of time to focus and relative quiet (I can listen to music, but it has to be instrumental—if there are words on , I tend to lose my grip on my own words!). When I’m revising, I’m much more adaptable. I’ve revised documents in the car, at the park, and at the pool while my daughter has swimming lessons. But I will admit, either in revision or with new words, a cup of coffee never hurts!


6. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

My all-time favorite book is DRAGONFLIGHT, by Anne McCaffrey. I would definitely choose life in Pern as Lessa. McCaffrey’s books have everything I love: romance (I’m completely in love with F’lar), fantastic heroines (Lessa is a total bad-ass), empathetic dragons, and flying.

You can find my review of The Candidates here.

About Inara:

Inara was born in the winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. She promptly commenced complaining about being cold, and didn’t stop until she moved to Durham, NC, to attend college at Duke University. After graduating with a degree in History and Women’s Studies, Inara wandered around the country teaching outdoor education and writing bad poetry. She eventually obtained a Master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the State University of New York at Cortland, where she wrote her thesis on the effects of wilderness programs on the body image of female participants.


Find Inara:

Website | Twitter | Facebook



Inara's Newest Release:

The Marked:
Dancia’s back at Delcroix, but this year, everything’s different. Dancia’s Talented, and her powers have earned her an invitation to join Delcroix’s real raison d’etre –the Program. Dancia’s wanted to use her powers to help people all her life — and now Delcroix is going to give her the training she needs to use her Talent for good. At least…that’s what the school saysshe’ll learn to do with her powers. Her cuter-than-cute boyfriend Cam insists that it’s true, and so do all the other students. But there’s still a little voice inside her head that wonders — if the Program’s so great, why did her almost-only-a-friend- Jack run away rather than join? And why would the school be getting attacked by angry ex-students? Dancia’s a loyal student…and a loyal girlfriend. But if finding out what’s really going on means talking to Jack, well — it’s a risk she just might have to take.

Giveaway:

Inara is giving away one copy of The Marked to one lucky winner!

Rules for entry:
- Giveaway ends March 22, 2012 12AM EST.
- Open to Canadian and US addresses ONLY.
- Leave a comment and fill out the FORM below, entries in the comment section will not be counted.