Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, wishing you the happiest of times with friends and family, lots of books and great food!

Friday 56...The Lost Saint (38)

The book today: The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

It didn’t matter that he should have graduated last year.

The Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
* Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
* Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Future Favorites (21)

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

Wildcat Fireflies by Amber Kizer:
Release Date: July 12, 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Meridian Sozu is a Fenestra—the half-humanhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif, half-angel link between the living and the dead. She has the dark responsibility of helping souls transition safely into the afterlife. If people die without the help of a Fenestra, their souls are left vulnerable to be stolen by the Aternocti, a dark band of forces who disrupt the balance of good and evil in the world and cause chaos.

Having recently lost her beloved Auntie—the woman who showed her what it meant to be a Fenestra—Meridian has hit the road with Tens, her love and sworn protector, in hopes of finding another Fenestra. Their search leads them to Indiana, where Juliet, a responsible and loving teenager, works tirelessly in the nursing home where she and several other foster kids are housed. Surrounded by death, Juliet struggles to make a loving home for the younger kids, and to protect them from the violent whims of their foster mother. But she is struggling against forces she can't understand . . . and even as she feels a pull toward the dying, their sickness seems to infect her, weighing her down. . . .

Will Meri and Tens find Juliet in time to save her from a life of misery and illness? And will Meri and Tens' own romance weather the storms of new discoveries?

Wednesday Random Recommendation (37)

Dance Upon the Air:
When Nell Channing arrives on charming Three Sisters Island, she believes that she's finally found refuge from her abusive husband-- and from the terrifying life she fled so desperately eight months ago. But even in this quiet, peaceful place, Nell never feels entirely at ease. Careful to conceal her true identity, she takes a job as a cook at the local bookstore cafe--and begins to explore her feelings for the island sheriff, Zack Todd.

But there is a part of herself she can never reveal to him--for she must continue to guard her secrets if she wants to keep the past at bay. One careless word, one misplaced confidence, and the new life she's created so carefully could shatter completely.


First in the Three Sisters Island series, Nora Roberts takes you away to a quaint little town surrounded by ghosts and magic. In true Nora fashion this book is filled with new beginnings, mystery, friendship and romance. The characters are heartwarming and you’ll simply fall in love with them.





I invite and welcome anyone interested in participating to post their own "Random Recommendation" (original post) on their blog (and include a link back to this blog) 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 bookshelf!

White Flame Tour with Jordan Deen

Welcome back Jordan! I’m so happy to have you visit my blog again and to be a member of the White Flame Tour! For full rules, the Tour list and how to earn extra entries, go to Jordan’s blog for more information.



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

Hi Amy, thank you so much for hosting the White Flame Tour! As for inspiration, I find inspiration in everything. Lately, my inspiration usually comes from interactions I have with other people. Characters are everywhere, just have to pay attention. :)


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

I love everything paranormal and as they say, you write what you love. I wanted to share characters that people could connect with, not only for the situations they are in, but for the people that they are as well. I think the paranormal element just adds that extra layer of mystery and intrigue.


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

My favorite character, by far, is Brea. She’s the new BFF in ‘Half Moon’ and she kicks serious werewolf butt. I hope she is the one character that everyone loves from this book. She’s one to watch in ‘Full Moon’. No spoilers from me, but watch her!


4. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?
I love reading all young adult novels. Edgy, Contemporary, fantasy- you name it. I read everything!


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

I’d be She-Ra, Princess of Power. :) Like most writery folks, I do have a ‘day’ job, so- boring as it may be- I’d just keep being that full time.


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)

This is a NO brainer for me. My first is Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, 13 to Life by Shannon Delany and Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. I admire each author and I’m amazed by each of their stories.


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

Ooooh ‘Must Haves’! Chocolate, music, and a good book. Yes, it sounds strange. But, I have to have a good book to distract me from my own characters when they are aggravating me.


8. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why?
Wow. This is a horrible question! OMG. Seriously!?! Okay, if I had to be trapped in a book, I’d have to be stuck in a series like Vampire Diaries or Evernight Academy. I want to have lots and lots of characters and story lines to live in. :)

And now on to my review!

Half Moon:
Faced with death, Lacey Quinn ran away from the only family she’d ever known.

That... was just the beginning.

As the decision she’s made sinks in, Lacey struggles to fit in with the pack and find the key to bonding with her werewolf soul mate, Brandon. But, lies can only be concealed for so long.

Adjusting to a powerful new best friend, a twelve-year-old roommate with a nauseating Barbie fetish, and a lost love that won’t stop haunting her dreams, she knows she has no hope of having a normal future—ever again.

After a long talk with the dead mother she never knew, and an almost deal-breaking night out with Brandon, Lacey starts spiraling into the underworld—a place where all things are possible and everyone is out to kill her.

With mysterious legends of witches and sorcery marring her past and clouding her future, she quickly learns—werewolves aren’t the only ones lurking in the woods...waiting to claim her powers for their own.

The Mares? Well, they are the least of her worries.

Jordan Deen’s new addition to her werewolf trilogy is filled with action, mystery and magic. I admit in the beginning there were a few dull moments while I waited for things to get moving, but once they did it was fast paced and kept me turning pages. The story begins with Lacey in a very emotionally dark place, taken away from the only home she has ever known and thrust into a world she knows nothing about. There is so much secrecy surrounding Lacey and her family’s’ past, and as secrets were revealed I was even more intrigued by Jordan’s characters. The packs’ efforts to have her bond with Brandon seem to hinder them rather than help; by separating Lacey and Brandon they felt this would benefit them both. But on the rare occasions they were able to steal some time alone, the bond would spark again only to be ripped away by Brandon’s constant absence. There is something hidden in the background that is keeping Lacey’s heart and mind confused about her past feelings for Alex and her need and love for Brandon. Alex found a way to talk to Lacey in her dreams, causing an even larger rift between her and Brandon, and although those moments were sweet, I wanted Alex to just leave Lacey alone. My heart broke every time some of the older members of Brandon’s pack were cruel to Lacey. While there were some who only wanted to help, like Brea her childhood friend from before she was kidnapped, but there were others who couldn’t see past the fact that she was raised as a human with no knowledge of their werewolf history. Lacey has an inner strength that truly comes into play as she fights to stay with Brandon—to learn the truth about her real parents and what it truly means to be a member of the Amana pack.

Trance by Linda Gerber

Trance:
Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what's to come a trance. She's pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she's never been able to stop it not even when the vision was of her mother's fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn's life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear; it's up to her to save Jake from near-certain death.







From the very beginning of this book Linda Gerber drew me right into Ashlyn’s story. The mysteries of her visions play a strong role in the book almost as if they themselves are a character. This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster and was a fast paced thriller. After the tragic death of her mother Ashlyn has become emotionally abandoned by the rest of her family, her sister, Kyra, who also suffers from visions has moved away and refuses to even speak to Ashlyn. Their father constantly hides himself in the sanctuary of his home office or is away on business trips, refusing to engage in the life he now has with his daughters. Ashlyn has become isolated and lonely with the exception of her friend Michelle, who in my opinion is the type of friend everyone needs. And then through her job at the mall, Ashlyn meets Jake, an incredible musician who is willing to work to be closer to Ashlyn, despite her fears and constant need to push him away. But as they become closer, Ashlyn discovers that he is in danger and even though she fears that he will turn away from her forever, she will have to trust him with her secret to keep him safe.

Teaser Tuesdays (30)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly event hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.


Today's book: Entice by Carrie Jones

"'Am I really not allowed to complain about being here?' I ask as we enter Bedford High School about an hour late for the winter ball. In an attempt to make it more ball and less high school, the lights are dimmed in the front foyer and giant white snowflakes and twinkly lights dangle from the ceiling. They are supposed to look festive, but they are dingy from years of use. The white is sort of an off-yellow that looks like old tea=stained teeth more than snow." (Page 1)

Here is how it works:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2 or 3) “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!)
- Remember to show the title & author, too, so that others can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (30)

This is a fun weekly meme hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books.


Books I read last week:
The Broken Lake by Shelena Shorts
Nocturne by Syrie James
In the Dark of Dreams by Marjorie M Liu



The book I’m reading now:
Trance by Linda Gerber:
Ashlyn Greenfield has always known when bad things are going to happen. Each time that familiar tingling at the back of her neck begins, she knows what's to come a trance. She's pulled in, blindsided, an unwilling witness to a horrible upcoming event. But she's never been able to stop it not even when the vision was of her mother's fatal car accident. When soulful Jake enters Ashlyn's life, she begins having trances about another car accident. And as her trances escalate, one thing becomes clear; it's up to her to save Jake from near-certain death.


Books that spark my interest this week:
Entice by Carrie Jones
Plain Kate by Erin Bow
The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé

In the Dark of Dreams by Marjorie M Liu

In The Dark of Dreams:
She could never forget the boy with the ice blue eyes . . .

She was only twelve when she saw the silver boy on the beach, but Jenny has never stopped dreaming about him. Now she is grown, a marine biologist charting her own course in the family business—a corporation that covertly crosses the boundaries of science into realms of the unknown . . . and the incredible.

And now he has found her again, her boy grown into a man: Perrin, powerful and masculine, and so much more than human, leaving Jenny weak with desire and aching for his touch.

But with their reunion comes danger. For Perrin and Jenny—and all living creatures—their only hope for preventing the unthinkable lies in a mysterious empire far beneath the sea . . . and in the power of their dreams.

I always enjoy Marjorie M Liu’s work and this book was no different. Her vivid characters have a depth that is indescribable and more fulfilling with each new book. The beauty of Marjorie’s writing can leave you breathless, in tears or filled with laughter as her imagination takes you into worlds unknown. When her characters are brought together, the intensity of the emotions becomes a apart of you, and you feel everything right alongside them. With every new Dirk & Steele novel Marjorie leads you down a twisted path of mystery, romance and danger. There are characters from earlier in the series and I’m still dying to read their stories, each time we see them again we learn something new. Once I picked this book up I couldn’t put it down, the action is almost immediate and doesn’t let up until the last page is turned. And what a beautiful ending it was. Both Jenny and Perrin are broken and haunted by their past. Jenny comes from a family in which one side uses their power to extort and harm, while she and others seek to help and understand. Perrin is from the ocean but exiled; never to return, and this is a slow, painful death for his kind. When they met by chance as children a bond was formed between them and they never truly stopped looking for one another. After he is given a terrible vision, Perrin seeks out help from Dirk & Steele to stop an event that could cause the destruction of half the planet, and by chance he and Jenny are reunited. Danger and betrayal surround Perrin and Jenny as their childhood connection flares and survival depends on both their strength and love.

In My Mailbox (35)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.


Just one this week, so I'm cheating a little this week by not taking my own picture!

Wish by Alexandra Bullen