Fairy Blues by J.L. Bryan

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.

J.L. Bryan has completely entranced me with this series, I know this is only the second book, but so much has happened to Jason and his friends since the discovery of their enchanted instruments. Now, in Fairy Blues, the second in the Songs of Magic series, Bryan has created an even more unique vision of Faerie. Bouncing back-and-forth between the point-of-views of the Assorted Zebras and the Fairy troupe that lost their instruments, this book has interesting twists and turns on every page. It was fast paced, a fun read and bursting at the seams with magic. I'm loving the characters, and I'm dying to know more about Erin's heritage, which has been kept hidden from her all her life, and only hinted at so far. More interesting characters and creatures are revealed as Jason and his friends travel the road to stardom. But not all of them should be considered friendly, and the Assorted Zebras may have gotten in over their heads after they sign a music contract, unaware that their new benefactor is a Leprechaun.

Forgotten Fridays (9)

I invite and welcome anyone interested to post their own Forgotten Friday and join in the fun! I feature a book that I have read and have forgotten http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhow much I enjoyed it. Some books might recent reads and some might be older reads, but I hope thist helps these (sometimes forgotten) books earn a spot on your own TBR pile!

Released by Megan Duncan
Series: Agents of Evil
First Published: March 2011
My Review

After a demon apocalypse kills their parents and everyone they know, 17-year old Abby Phillips, her brother, Carter, and friend, Max flee their home to travel through what has become the wastelands of America. When radio transmissions of a resistance offering shelter and safety cease, Abby is tempted to give up. Struggling to overcome life-threatening obstacles in their dangerous journey, Abby and her companions quickly discover there are much worse things lurking in the dark than they could have ever imagined.

Theme Thursday (56)

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 - YES (Okay, sure, etc)

"I'm okay," she assured them both. She stepped forward, leaned up, and kissed William on the cheek. "Thank you for everything."

Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Summer 2012 Dutton Reads

Long Awaited

The Lost Prince by Selden Edwards (8/16/12)

After thirty years of writing, in 2008, Selden Edwards burst on to the literary scene with The Little Book, a masterpiece which critics, booksellers and readers fell in love with instantly making it a national bestseller. Now a mere four years later, he is back with The Lost Prince, a breathtaking story about a love that is capable of bridging unfathomable distances.  With vivid fin de siècle Vienna scenes, The Lost Prince is truly magical and equal in scope to its predecessor.

The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen (8/21/12)

We introduced one of the hottest international Scandinavian crime writers to the US for the first time last year with Jussi Adler-Olsen’s The Keeper of Lost Causes. The Absent One continues Adler-Olsen’s bestselling series about the deeply flawed, brilliant chief Detective, Carl Møerk and his enigmatic assistant, Assad, the mismatched team who run Copenhagen’s new cold cases division, Department Q. Find out what thriller fans world-wide are talking about with The Absent One.

Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong (7/24/12)

It’s been more than ten years, a dozen installments, and hundreds of thousands of copies since #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong introduced us all to the real denizens of the Otherworld: witches, werewolves, vampires, and more. And it’s all been leading to Thirteen, the novel her fans have been clamoring for: The epic finale of the Otherworld series. This is the urban fantasy release of the summer.

Summer Love

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood (7/7/12)

In this hot new contemporary romance from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood, a detective and a lawyer are falling in love—and making a federal case out of it. When IRS attorney Olivia MacKenzie is on the hunt to reveal an elaborate Ponzi scheme, her life becomes endangered. Smart enough to know when to call for reinforcements, she contacts Grayson Kincaid.  Together they make an excellent team to fight corruption but Olivia is also fighting the intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.

 

 

For Your Dad

 Hard Country by Michael McGarrity (5/10/12)

Bestselling author Michael McGarrity reinvents the Western with cowboys and outlaws so authentic you can smell the gunpowder as you turn the pages. Spanning the years 1875 to 1918, Hard Country is as much about the expansion of a nation as it is about the search for love, lost family, and the new beginnings in the harsh landscape. If you like Ken Follett’s novels, this is for you.

Kill Decision by Daniel Suarez (7/19/12)

Fans of Michael Crichton won’t want to miss bestselling author Daniel Suarez’s fascinating and terrifying new stand alone Kill Decision. Suarez’s first book, Daemon was lauded “the Greatest. Techno-thriller. Period,” by William O’Brien, former Director of Cybersecurity at the White House. Now, in Kill Decision, Suarez takes the real science behind drone warfare to the next level.  What will happen when automated drones are capable of making the decision to take human life without human intervention?  Find out.

Debut Fiction to Discover

The Last Trade by James Conway (6/14/12)

James Conway has written the corporate thriller for our age, when the power of new media and the hunger of Wall Street converge to form a deadly entity capable of bringing the global economy to its knees. Drew Havens sees things others can’t, from the collapse of the American real estate market to the multibillion-dollar rise of his ruthless and charismatic boss. Although rich beyond his wildest dreams, Havens’ work at the Rising Fund has cost him his marriage and now it may cost his life.

Caravan of Thieves by David Rich (8/23/12)

From debut author David Rich comes a riveting crime thriller about a charming con artist, a complicated heist, and a son charged with constructing a fragile truth out of lifetime of lies. Rollie Waters is the smartest guy in any room and he’s never less than two steps ahead of trouble—a talent he inherited from his infamous con artist father who he hasn’t seen in years. A lot of U.S government money has gone missing and rumors have it that Rollie’s father took it. To find his dad, Rollie must trace the frail tendrils of truths scattered in the past and go deep into the undercover identity of a lifetime: his own.

My Book Boyfriend (64)

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme hosted by Missie of The Unread Reader, in which we swoon over boys in books!
(I--as in me, Amy--don't like to use commercial photos, I like to use the authors' descriptions and my imagination.)

Caleb Blackney

Book: Crimson Moon by J.A. Saare

Series: Crimson Trilogy

He's a werewolf, a loup garou, and huge, standing several inches over six feet. His chiseled chest and arms attest to his incredible strength. His jaw is smooth, strong, and slightly squared. Deep indigo blue eyes framed by thick, dark lashes and a strong southern accent that would make any girl melt. Long dark hair hangs in soft waves around his temples, complimenting smooth tanned skin.

Quotes:

"What does bonding mean, exactly?" I asked,... He didn't hesitate this time. "It means the wolf inside, as well as the man I am, have recognized you as a mate."

"I will never leave you, Emma." His voice deepened with emotion, the tone unmistakable.

"You have no right to her." Decimus's yellow eyes glowed as he stood his ground, releasing my wrist to face him. Caleb stopped inches away, irises shifting, blue colors merging deftly into each other. "I have every right. As Beta of the Mohegan pack, I, Caleb Nathaniel Blackney, challenge you for Emmaline Hope Johnson--my bonded mate."

Guest Post & Giveaway with Bryan Cohen

Bryan Cohen here, guest poster and author, promoting my new book The Post-College Guide to Happiness for The Happiness Blog Tour. I'm giving away free digital review copies of the book and doing a giveaway for paperback copies, audio copies and even a Kindle Fire! Read on and check out the info below the post.  

"To be happy is not the purpose of our being rather it is to deserve happiness."
- Johann G. Fichte

 Deserving Happiness

I think that everybody deserves happiness if he or she is willing to work for it. I came into a conflict with my editor over whether or not I should use the phrase “everybody deserves happiness.” After all, she’d had a boyfriend of many years leave her with that same line. He said he just wanted to be happy and something along the lines of “Don’t I deserve to be happy?” Maybe he did deserve to be happy and maybe he didn’t, but it’s unlikely that a new girl, a new car, a new job or a new location will make anybody completely happy. There are really two parts to becoming happy. Working on being happy and deserving that happiness.

I’ve written a lot of posts on this tour about working on the happiness but not very many about deserving it. I don’t think there’s some kind of cut off line for happiness. It’s not the kind of situation where if you’ve been this nice, you’re on the left side of the happiness line and if you’ve been this cruel, you’re on the negative side of the line. You don’t have to be perfect to deserve to be happy, which is thankful, because nobody is perfect.

People who deserve and earn their happiness are kind to others and not just when other people are looking. They aren’t simply kind externally, but they think kind thoughts about the people around them. Those deserving of happiness can certainly get angry at others, but they eventually snap out of it and think the wiser of it. A person who deserves happiness may contribute time or money to charity and he may spend all of his time creating something for the betterment of man and womankind. The deserver of happiness doesn’t always say the right things but almost always means well. She gives people a chance and trusts others, even if they’ve let her down a time or two.

This person doesn’t necessary do all of these things, but he makes a concerted effort to do at least one as often as possible. Lastly, she is grateful that she has the opportunity to be happy even if circumstances aren’t always pointing in the sunniest of directions.

If you can adopt some of these habits, you’ll find that one of the best ways to become happy is to be deserving of said happiness.


Giveaway:

Bryan Cohen is giving away 61 paperback and audio copies of The Post-College Guide to Happiness and a Kindle Fire between now and May 7th, 2012 on The Happiness Blog Tour. All entrants receive a free digital review copy of The Post-College Guide to Happiness. Bryan hopes to give away at least 1,000 copies during the blog tour. To enter, post a comment with your e-mail address or send an e-mail to postcollegehappiness (at) gmail.com. Bryan will draw the names at the end of the tour. Entries will be counted through Sunday, May 6th.


About Bryan:

Bryan Cohen is a writer, actor and comedian from Dresher, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005 with degrees in English and Dramatic Art and a minor in Creative Writing. He has written nine books including 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More, 500 Writing Prompts for Kids: First Grade through Fifth Grade, Writer on the Side: How to Write Your Book Around Your 9 to 5 Job and his new book, 1,000 Character Writing Prompts: Villains, Heroes and Hams for Scripts, Stories and More. His website Build Creative Writing Ideas helps over 25,000 visitors a month to push past writer's block and stay motivated. 

Feel free to follow along with the tour at The Happiness Blog Tour Hub Page or on the book's Facebook Page.

Future Favorites (79)

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 that I can't wait to read!

Crimson Sunrise by J.A. Saare

Release Date: June 18, 2012 by The Wild Rose Press

Beware the calm before the storm…

After eradicating the obstacles between them, Emma Johnson and Caleb Blackney are ready to embrace their future together. They have a lot of decisions to make. There is the issue of Emma's fae heritage, her choice to become a werewolf or remain human, and Caleb's refusal to partake in anything that could cause harm to his mate.

When Caleb's sister goes missing, personal issues are forced aside, and he and Emma are faced with a past threat that has come knocking at their door. As the search for Sammie reveals plans far more sinister than they ever could have imagined, Emma and Caleb will face their fears, confront their enemies, and unite their families to stand against an evil that won't stop until vengeance is served.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (98)

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

Books I read last week:
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The book I’m reading now:
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.







Books that spark my interest this week:
Torn by Amanda Hocking
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Savor Me Slowly by Gena Showalter

In My Mailbox (103)

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

Ascend by Amanda Hocking

On My Wishlist (99)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event created by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. The meme has been taken over by Cosy Books. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

Purity by Jackson Pearce:
Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

Extranormal by Suze Reese:
Mira Johns is pretty much like any other teenage girl. Except that she knows how to harness electro-magnetic energy to communicate without words. And she’s really, really far from home. Her assignment as an emissary to Earth sounds fairly simple: blend in, observe, and stay away from the planet’s primitive males. But after she finds one mysterious boy too irresistible for stupid rules, she realizes the real reason she’s supposed to keep her distance: mates from her world can die if separated. But a series of serious accidents make it clear that someone wants to force her return. Mira decides her only hope is to uncover the truth to why she, the most mediocre of candidates, was actually chosen for this assignment—before the agency discovers her secret and sends her back home.

Taken by Storm by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:
Bryn knows first-hand that being the alpha of a werewolf pack means making hard decisions, and that being human makes things a thousand times worse. She's prepared to give up her humanity, but the wolf who promised to Change her is waiting - though for what, Bryn doesn't know. Still human, she must take her place in the werewolf Senate, the precarious democracy that rules the North American packs. Standing side by side with werewolves who were ancient long before she was ever born is enough of a challenge, but Bryn soon learns that the Senate has been called to deal with a problem: the kind of problem that involves human bodies, a Rabid werewolf, and memories that Bryn, Chase, and the rest of their pack would rather forget. With bodies stacking up and political pressure closing in from all sides, Bryn and her pack are going to have to turn to old enemies and even older friends for help - especially when it starts to look like this time, the monster might be one of their own.