Reckless Magic by Rachel Higginson

Kindle Edition

Published March 14th 2011

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: 16 year old Eden Matthews has been in and out of private schools for the last two years. She can't seem to stop herself from closing them down. Kingsley is her last chance to finish high school and the last private school willing to accept her. She is focused on just getting through graduation until she realizes Kingsley is not like the other private schools she's been to. The students may be different, but so is she. And after meeting Kiran Kendrick, the boy who won't leave her alone and seems to be the source of all of her problems, she is suddenly in a world that seems more make-believe than reality. To top it off, she is being hunted by men who want to kill Kiran and her best friend Lilly is taken away to a foreign prison. Eden finds herself right in the middle of an ancient war, threatening everything she loves. She alone has to find a way to save her best friend and the boy who has captivated her heart. Reckless is an intricate story about mystery, adventure, magic and forbidden love. Eden Matthews is an unlikely heroine determined to save the world and be with her one, true love before its too late.

You know, I really liked the sound of this book when I first read the blurb. Something about it caught my attention, and I thought it would be a good read. I was so right. I love it when that happens. From the very start, Higginson sets up a story with action, twists, and romance.

Eden is a very relatable character. I easily saw how a girl who keeps flooding or setting fire to her schools, would be a nervous wreck on her first day at a new school. Not the simple cliché girl we always see who’s scared of not making friends or talking in front of the class, she has genuine fears. She could blow everyone up! And it’s humorous being inside her head at times. She definitely looks at things like a true teen girl would. I thought her character was very well developed.

Enter the mega swoon worthy Prince Kiran. Need I say more? He’s a flippin’ prince! That alone made me fall all over myself. But toss in a cocky, self-assured jokester who wants Eden and goes after at all costs, and this guy had me at *grin*.  Their relationship was so much fun. Eden trying her hardest not to fall for his advances, and Kiran loving to make her squirm. As the story continues, we see the deeper side of Kiran, and Eden begins to truly fall for him. I thought their relationship progressed perfectly.

There are more characters that I liked. Like Talbot, Kiran’s body guard. He was just a fun, cool guy. And Angelo, who I don’t want to say much about or else I’ll spoil it. But I loved this guy. The plot was awesome. I enjoyed how the author weaved magic together with different races and added an original spin. The writing itself was good. Honestly, it’s hard for me to read anything and not see things that could be improved. It’s difficult to turn off that inner editor. I’d love to see this story tightened up a bit on punctuation, just because it would make a fantastic story phenomenal, but I don’t believe it’s anything that will distract the reader. As soon as you start reading, you’re immediately sucked in. I recommend this to anyone who’s looking for something fun, action-packed, and romantic. And it's FREE right now on Amazon!

SWOON Thursday

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Here's ours:

RACHEL:  His free hand tangled in my hair as he slid the strap away, grazing my shoulder with his teeth.--The Willows: Haven SWOON #YABound

TRISH: Mine is a little long this week. I just didn't want to break it up lol. But, for Twitter, I'll post it back to back ;)
  

My heart began to beat wildly and my magic was barely under control. Kiran's touch brought an electrical storm through my blood and I felt it begin to boil just below the surface of my skin. I saw Kiran smirk once again before leaning his lips close to my neck, breathing softly on my neck.-- RECKLESS MAGIC SWOON # YABound

YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

Interview: Chanelle Gray on her debut YA My Heart Be Damned

Hi guys! Please welcome debut author Chanelle Gray to YA Bound! She's giving us an inside scoop on her YA coming out next year. And I'm so excited for this book! Check it out here on Goodreads to read the summary. And make sure to check out Chanelle's links at the bottom to learn more about her and her work.

Hi Chanelle! Welcome to YA Bound. Love your name BTW. And, speaking of names, the title of your debut YA, MY HEART BE DAMNED, is fantastic. Coming up with a good title is SO hard. Can you tell us how you came up with it? And how it relates to the story?

Hi and thank you! Well, whenever I begin writing a story, I’ll save it under the first title that pops into my head and come back to it later. The original title happened to be ‘The Damned’ which is very boring but to the point. So I wanted a deviation of that. Damned are the fantasy element of the story (one of, but the main ones) and then Amerie, the main character, falls in love for the first time too and not necessarily at the best time. It seemed fitting.

Love it! And very clever ;) MHBD releases in October of 2012. Congrats! But, of course all the best books release during my Bday month ;) Please tell us a little more about the story and main character, Amerie.

Ooh I’m glad it’ll be in your birthday month! That’s so cool. The story follows 17-year-old Amerie. She was born into a family where every female becomes Hunters of Damned when they turn 16. And their mothers are their mentors. But when Amerie’s mother is killed on her 16^th birthday while on a routine patrol, Amerie falls off the map and quits Hunting. The story follows her as she goes down a path of self-discovery, gets caught up in a supernatural grudge started way before her time, and bruises not only her body, but her heart too. She’s pretty kick ass, if I can say so myself!

I don’t like spoilers. At all. But, I have to know more about Marshall. I know he has a big secret, and we can’t know that, but at least give us some juicy details about this hottie.

Hmmm. What can I say about Marshall? He’s a mommies boy. Can I say that? He makes money by swindling it from others and also by joining in on fight clubs. But out of everything in his life, the one thing he can rely on, the one thing that he will always love is his mother. Marshall is big on family.

Not only are you an author, but you also run your own book blog, as well as being a member of the group blog YAtopia. Do you find group blogging with other super cool authors beneficial? Please tell.

I LOVE blogging with YAtopia. The other bloggers are so cool. We all want to be published, and I have no doubt in my mind that every single one of us will have a book out within the next five years (you know how slow the business is!). They’re all super talented, and the thing is, we get each other. We all know how it feels to be rejected or to get bad feedback. We can help each other. Having a group blog not only gets you meeting and interacting with like minded individuals, but it also puts your name out there too. Great for marketing.

Now. For something personal. When you’re not writing, editing, reading, blogging or Tweeting, what’s your favorite thing to do? Hobbies, lovers, chocolate, or something so cool we can’t fathom?

God, I love to eat. I mean, the way I eat and the way I enjoy eating, I should be the size of a house by now. I don’t know why I’m not. But my favourite things to do often include food. Like going out to a restaurant with my friends, or watching a movie with lots of butter popcorn and a hot dog. Having a girls night in with pizza and sweets. I’m totally mood dependent on food and not even ashamed to admit it! A good meal can boost my mood within minutes. I’m not particularly interesting otherwise. I watch a lot of TV and I work very hard in a day job I’d really like to be able to quit so I can write full time! And of course, I like to shop. Online, in stores, from magazines. You name it. :D

Thank you so much Chanelle for sharing! And everyone, make sure you check out her links and find out more about MY HEART BE DAMNED.

Twitter

Blog

Website

Goodreads

Blot Tour: Red by Kait Nolan

Kindle Edition

Published August 14th 2011

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: Every fairy tale has a dark side...

Elodie Rose has a secret. Any day, she’ll become a wolf and succumb to the violence that’s cursed her family for centuries. For seventeen years she’s hidden who and what she is. But now someone knows the truth and is determined to exterminate her family line. Living on borrowed time in the midst of this dangerous game of hide and seek, the last thing Elodie needs to do is fall in love. But Sawyer is determined to protect her, and the brooding, angry boy is more than what he seems. Can they outsmart a madman? And if they survive, will they find a way to beat the curse for good?

I LOVE werewolf books. I’m probably the last reviewer/blogger of my kind. An endangered species. I will never get tired of authors finding different, original ways to shake up the werewolf scene. And Kait Nolan has done just that. When I first learned that this was kind of a retelling, I was a little discouraged. I’m not big on the whole fairytale thing. I’ve seen books do this well, but overall; I just want an original concept. But Nolan really impressed me. I didn’t feel like I was reading a fairytale. This story was original and of its own, and the characters were awesome.

Elodie is a fantastic character. I think she is one of the most believable characters in YA right now. Sure there’s some melodrama with the queen bees at school, that same old tired hierarchy—I’m just not a fan of that scene, I’m more about the fantasy—but it’s short and doesn’t way the story down as it quickly moves on. And Elodie faces some pretty difficult stuff. I think the way she rationalizes the issues and problems in her life is clever, and she’s a smart, tough girl. I heart her big time. Get it girl!

Sawyer. Swoon, baby, swoon. I love me the tough and broody protective type. It must be the season for this type of character, and that’s fine with me. I’ve read a few books lately with this type of dude. But that’s all good, because I can’t get enough. Sawyer and Elodie have that instant attraction/connection, but I didn’t mind that with them. They’re a different species, after all. And it felt right between them. I think it would be unbelievable for the story if they didn’t. My only complaint, I want more! I didn’t want the story to end, and I wanted the chemistry between them ratcheted up. I’m hoping this will become a series. I recommend this to anyone who, obviously, like werewolf books, Paranormal Romance, and wants an action-packed read with a little romance, and lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Great Read!

In addition to this review, YA Bound has a fantastic Miniview with author Kati Nolan. Please welcome Ms. Nolan! Thanks for stopping by on the tour, Kait.

Elodie is the descendant of the woman who inspired the Little Red Riding Hood legend. How did you weave together this fantastical story into a modern fairytale? And how is Elodie’s character similar/different than Red herself?

It was easy, really.  So many stories evolve from the answers to a “What if…?” question.  The what if that spawned this book was, What if Red Riding Hood fell in love with the wolf?  What would the repercussions of that be?  I knew I wanted something contemporary (I have no love for the depth of research required to write historical), so it just seemed to make sense that the heroine would wind up being a modern day descendant.  And sometimes happily ever after just takes a few centuries to sort itself out.   

One of the glaring differences is that Sabine (the original Red) was never, herself, a werewolf.  She fell in love with one, and her daughter was the first one to express the gene.  I think, largely, the two are actually very different.  Sabine was wild, a dreamer, always longing for adventure. Elodie, because of her knowledge of the curse and what she’s going to become, always longs for normal.  She’s practical to a fault, always prepared, and absolutely NOT looking for love.

Part of the story is told from Sawyer’s perspective. Which, I loved, by the way. I liked being able to get inside his head. Do you find writing from a guy’s point of view easier or harder than a girl’s? Why?

OMG, can I just say that teenage boys are every bit as stubborn on paper as they are in real life?  Sawyer was such a brat at times, refusing to talk when I wanted him to, frequently not telling me what he was thinking, how he was feeling.  So in that sense he was harder to write and less accessible.  But at the same time, sometimes guys (teen or adult) are easier to write because they don’t tend to soften things or beat around the bush or play mind games.  They are often a lot more straight-forward, which is how I tend to be in real life (my mother calls this lack of tact because I am a woman). 

You’re well known for your adult series, Mirus. What inspired you to write YA? And will there be future works for your fans to look forward to?

I always loved YA—or the idea of it anyway.  Back when I was that age, there was very little in the genre worth reading, so it was as an adult that I stumbled into the current trend and fell in love all over again.  YA as a genre today is so much what I wanted then and still want today that I read it almost exclusively.  So I always had in my mind to write some, I was just waiting on the right characters.  When Elodie hijacked my brain, that was it. 

And yeah, I absolutely will be writing more YA in the future.  I have a YA spinoff planned in my Mirus world, along with a trilogy based on Native American folklore, and another based on Celtic mythology, plus a handful of stand alones that are kicking around in my head.  It’s mostly just finding the time…

Bio: Kait Nolan is stuck in an office all day, sometimes juggling all three of her jobs at once with the skill of a trained bear—sometimes with a similar temperament. After hours, she uses her powers for good, creating escapist fiction. The work of this Mississippi native is packed with action, romance, and the kinds of imaginative paranormal creatures you’d want to sweep you off your feet…or eat your boss.  When she’s not working or writing, she’s in her kitchen, heading up a revolution to Retake Homemade from her cooking blog, Pots and Plots.
You can catch up with her at her blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Her debut YA paranormal, Red, is currently available from Smashwords, Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Barnes and Noble, the iBookstore, and All Romance EBooks.

Brightest Kind of Darkness by P. T. Michelle

Kindle Edition

Published June 27th 2011 by Patrice Michelle

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

O. M. G. I finished this book just yesterday, and my mouth is still in the shape of a perfect “o”. I don’t know how I’m going to review it without giving any spoilers. And trust me, you don’t want to know too much going in. The tension and climax at the end come from trying figuring out what is going on with Nara and hottie Ethan. And girls, Ethan IS smoldering.

One thing first. The cover alone made me want to read this. It's gorgeous! And for once, you actually can judge the story by the cover. It's perfect. 

I loved Nara. She is the type of girl I see myself becoming fast friends with. She’s loyal, despite her best friend pulling kind of a shitty move, but regardless, she still sticks by her. That’s not to say she doesn’t give her a piece of her mind. And for that, I was happy. She’s also smart. When Fate becomes her enemy, she doesn’t sit back and take it. Nara uses her mind as well as other resources to figure things out. Go girl!

Ethan Harris. Holy smokin’ hotness. He’s everything I look for in a lead guy. Not only is he quiet and broody, the longer who has no idea how hot he is, but he’s fiercely protective. I think that’s what I loved most about him. How he guarded Nara, protected her, did everything in his power to keep her safe. And can we talk about the kissing scenes? Michelle is a master at romance, and she can make your toes curl. All I can say is I HAVE to have the next book. Although it does wrap up there at the end, it definitely leaves you demanding more and asking questions, having to know what is going to happen next. Especially for Ethan.

A must read for Paranormal Romance lovers as well as anyone looking for something fresh and new in the YA market. And for only .99 it's a flipping steal. No excuse not to get your read on.

Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY: The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier *Giveaway Closed*

YA Bound is stop #25 on The Willows: Haven blog tour! I'd like to welcome Ashton to the blog to share a little bit about herself. Also, after you read her fab interview, make sure you leave a comment with your email addy for a chance to WIN an e-book of The Willows: Haven! Check out the rest of the stops here to read other great posts and enter giveaways along the tour. Good luck!

*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED*

From Goodreads: When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finders herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay? Buy From Amazon Here

Hi, Ashton! How would you describe your current situation (new revelations and recent events)?

The best word I can think of is: wow. So much has happened over the last few months, it's kind of hard to process.

How are you handling things?

I'm taking things a day at a time. In my life, that's really the only option. I have some solid people at my side though.

What has been the most difficult thing you’ve faced so far?

I'd have to say it's a combination of things, but losing my family, knowing "what could've been," is the toughest part. My life would've worked out differently had a certain someone never come into the picture. It's hard not to think about that.

How would describe your relationship status?

*laughs* Complicated? I couldn't be happier on the one hand, but it'd be nice to have things go easy for a while.

What has been the best part about this journey?

Learning about my extended family. All the incredible people I've met. *smiles* My current (complicated) relationship. Take your pick!

If you were to do anything again, what would it be?

Well, am I going back with the knowledge I have now? If so, first, I'd make my relationship with my dad a better one. I'd try to recognize why he was the way he was and respect that. And second, I'd make changes to who I spent time with in the past!

What do you think is your strongest attribute?

*lifts an eyebrow* I don't know if you'd call it an attribute, but I can be pretty adamant ... though I think Gabe would call it stubborn.

What do you consider your weakness?

See the above answer.

What is your biggest fear?

*sighs* My biggest fear is my own selfishness. I'm terrified I'll make the wrong choice and someone will suffer the consequences of my mistakes.

What brings you the most joy?

Being with those I love, and I know I can trust. Nothing carries more joy than peace.

Rapid Questions:

Coke or Pepsi? Sweet tea!

Favorite food? Payday candy bars.

Hobbies? Swimming, reading and music.

Favorite movie? Pride and Prejudice. I'm pretty sure I've set a record watching that one.

Favorite book? I'm going to go with a poem and say, "The Lady of Shallot."

Thanks, Ashton! Awesome interview! And guys, make sure you leave a comment with your email to enter the giveaway! =)

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published September 20th 2011 by HarperTeen

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: “It seemed so right. Danny was mine, I was his, and that wasn’t going to work if he was dead. So I would make him not dead, not anymore. I didn’t think any further than what it would feel like to kiss him again, to wrap my arms around him and bury my head against his shoulder.
That was my first mistake. It also turned out to be the biggest.”

When her boyfriend, Danny, is killed in a car accident, Wren can’t imagine living without him. Wild with grief, she uses the untamed powers she’s inherited to bring him back. But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy she once loved.

Wren has spent four months keeping Danny hidden, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school and somehow, inexplicably, he can sense her secret. Wren finds herself drawn to Gabriel, who is so much more alive than the ghost of the boy she loved. But Wren can’t turn her back on Danny or the choice she made for him—and she realizes she must find a way to make things right, even if it means breaking her own heart.

Amy Garvey’s transcendent teen debut is perfect for fans of Shiver and Beautiful Creatures. Wren’s unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

I really had no idea what to expect going into this novel. Zombies? Yes, but not in the way Garvey used them. I admit, at first, I was a little let down by the slow crawl of the story. I wanted it to start When Danny was alive, so that I’d get a chance to know him in life, but, he truly is an amazing character getting to know him through Wren’s memories. And the whole story really is just through her. There’s not much action, but the emotional rollercoaster was so refreshing and riveting. I really loved this story.

I was sucked into Wren’s world, into her feelings and her emotions. The dialogue between characters is honest and real and raw, and I felt as if I was in the room with them. This wasn’t a story about zombies or even the paranormal, though it was heavy throughout. It was a story about love, finding it and losing it, and how to cope. Wren didn’t cope well at first. Obviously. But when she finds Gabriel, he knocks down those barriers she’s placed around herself and the tiny world she’s carved out for her and Danny.

Gabriel is a fascinating character, also. I did really want more of him. I wanted to know about his special ability, about his desires and his feelings toward Wren. But, I think for the pace of the novel, his relationship with Wren was perfectly executed. Definitely a book that will keep you turning pages and move you. And the romance was bittersweet. I recommend to paranormal lovers as well as lovers of contemporary YA.

SWOON Thursdays

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Here's ours:

RACHEL: I'm so excited to see Trish's short story UNVEILED out in the world this week, and since Ms. Wolfe is the QUEEN of steam and swoon in my very humble opinion, I had to use a quote from her story!

He cups the back of my head & rolls on top of me, his kiss deepening as the weight of him presses me into the ground-UNVEILED SWOON #YABound

TRISH: His kiss made me tremble as a delicious melting unfurled inside me. I smiled against his mouth -- BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS SWOON #YABound    

YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

Starstruck by Cyn Balog

Hardcover, 256 pages
Published July 12th, 2011 by Random House Children's Books
Buy from Amazon Here

From Goodreads:
Gwendolyn "Dough" X doesn't think she has much going for her—she carries a few extra pounds, her family struggles with their small bakery in a town full of millionaires, and the other kids at her New Jersey high school don't seem to know that she exists. Thank the stars for her longtime boyfriend, Philip P. Wishman—or "Wish." He moved away to California three years ago, when they were 13, but then professed his love for her via e-mail, and he's been her long-distance BF ever since.

At the beginning of her junior year, though, Wish e-mails that he's moving back to Jersey. Great, right? Well, except that Dough has gained about 70 pounds since the last time Wish saw her, while Wish—according to his Facebook photos—has morphed into a blonde god. Convinced that she'll be headed for Dumpsville the minute Wish lays eyes on her, Dough delays their meeting as long as she possibly can.

But when she sees Wish at school, something amazing happens. He looks at Dough like she's just as gorgeous as he is. But Wish is acting a little weird, obsessed with the sun and freaked out by rain. And the creepy new guy working at the bakery, Christian, is convinced that there's more to Wish's good looks than just healthy eating and lots of sun. He tells Dough that a mark on Wish's neck marks him as a member of the Luminati—an ancient cult of astrologers who can manipulate the stars to improve their lives. Is Wish and Dough's love meant to be—or are they star-crossed?

Cyn Balog is one of my favorite young adult authors. Her stories always have the perfect blend of magical realism/supernatural, romance, and wit. The unique spin she puts on paranormal stereotypes and expectations constantly amazes me. I adored FAIRY TALE and swooned at SLEEPLESS, so while I wasn't sure what to expect with STARSTRUCK, I knew that I was in great hands.

In STARSTRUCK, Ms. Balog has an unexpected protagonist. Gwendolyn is an overweight (230 pounds) teenage girl with unfortunate hair, an even more unfortunate wardrobe, and a truly mind-blowing nickname. She’s invisible at her own school—well, when she isn’t the butt of their jokes, that is. But she has an amazing best friend who also happens to be her boyfriend. The only problem is that for their entire relationship he’s lived on the other side of the country. When Dough discovers he's moving back, she is nothing short of shocked. And thanks to Ms. Balog’s superb writing and knack for nailing the teenage voice, I felt every single fear along with her.

I have to admit that when I first started reading, I was nervous. Even the skinniest girl in school had body issues in high school at some point, so living in someone’s head with so much against her instantly had my stomach in knots. I wanted to drop kick a few characters at first, and even secretly hoped something would happen that would transform her into the school’s Ms. Thang. But that’s why it’s a very good thing that I did not write this story. It is absolutely perfect the way it is. Gwen’s weight does not define her, and her relationship with Wish was just so sweet. I loved having him come back, all gorgeous and popular, and having him still loving her. I loved being able to live vicariously through Gwen’s eyes and watching all those people who made fun of her before now have to see her with new eyes. I loved witnessing her finding herself, gaining confidence naturally, and in the end realizing how beautiful she truly is and always was. It made my heart happy.

As for Wish, he was a great love interest! The fact that he saw Gwen for who she really was and didn’t even blink when he met her again after so many years actually brought tears to my eyes. Then again, I am a sap. But still, he supported her and truly cared for her, and I only wish there had been a Philip Wishman back when I was in school. And the ending with him was pure perfection.

My only complaint is not getting to know new guy Christian even better. He was hot, sweet, and the perfect amount of bad boy. The glimpses into his past and heart were awesome and I would LOVE to see him get his own story somehow in the future. (Please, Cyn? Just a thought??) The other characters were great, too. The relationship with her sister Evie was realistic, as was the crowd that populated the high school.

The magical realism/supernatural spin was unique (at least to me) and a concept that is fun to explore. That is the gift of Ms. Balog. All three of her books have left me wanting more of that story world. To see other characters with similar issues, and/or explore more with the main characters we already know and love. All three have left room for many other books to spin off if she so chose, and I would be the first in line to snag them up. Keep them coming!!

EMBER Blog Tour: Quote Battle

Welcome to the last stop of the EMBER Blog Tour! The author, Carol Oates, has put together a quote battle between leading guys Sebastian and Draven. Personally, I'm Team Sebastian, but these quotes make it difficult to choose. Enjoy!

Quote Battle

Round 1

Sebastian

“Hmm, I expected a warmer greeting,”

Draven

“You don’t have to thank me.”

Round 2

Sebastian

“Every life has significance; everything we do is significant. It’s all cause and effect, Candra. Sometimes we can’t see why, but it is there, just waiting for us to stop walking around with our heads up our asses and bumping into each other long enough to figure it out.”

Draven

“You don’t have to concern yourself with that volatile, surly child. You have me to protect you now.”

Round 3

Sebastian

“They are all wrong about me. I know what they think: that I can’t accept what I’ve done, that I’m still looking for forgiveness. I’m not proud of my actions, but I did what I had to, and if I’m being honest, I would make the same decisions again. You don’t invalidate what I’ve done in the past. What I did in the past was right at the time, but I hate that I had to do it.”

Draven

You are a beautiful flower…the most beautiful flower, and you need the correct care and attention to blossom to your full po­tential. I want to help you discover what we can achieve together. I have been waiting for you for a thousand lifetimes.

Round 4

Sebastian

“You don’t have to be perfect. Just be yourself. Do what’s right for you,”

Draven

“I’m sorry. I hope you will one day understand why this is the only way, but I’m not sorry I met you, Candra.”

Round 5

Sebastian

“Well, actually, I didn’t think at all. Isn’t that nearer to the point you’re getting at?”

Draven

“There is a darkness spreading across this world like a sick­ness, infecting humans and making them act on their darkest thoughts.”

 Make sure you check out the blog tour schedule and visit every blog on the tour and comment to enter into the grand prize giveaway! There's some fabulous prizes including a gorgeous butterfly necklace, and also, seven random blogs are giving away ebooks of EMBER.

Carol Oates Links:

Blog: http://www.caroloates.com/

Twitter: @caroloates

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3988619.Carol_Oates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Carol-Oates/165822436796666?ref=ts

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Paperback, 386 pages

Expected publication: October 25th 2011 by Harlequin

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

Is there any way to express my feelings in one single review for a series that has meant so much? I don’t think so. I’m so happy Kagawa chose to write one last book, and decided to do this from Ash’s POV. It was every bit as action-packed, romantic, and powerful as the Iron Queen. I didn’t think anything could compare to my favorite book of the series, but Ash brought it. And if possible, I fell even more in love with him and the rest of the characters of the Iron Fey series.

I’ll admit, it was difficult at times to see the darker side of Ash through his memories and thoughts. There were some things I almost didn’t want to experience and pretend it wasn’t the same person. But, like going through a story with any character that grows, it was rewarding to see how much he’s changed, yet kept the traits that makes him Ash. His unyielding love for Meghan was tested, and tested hard, but through everything, he remained true to her. And that is what I love so much about this series. Meghan’s and Ash’s true, unwavering love for each other. Against all odds—everything stacked against them—they don’t give up. Or in Ash’s case, give in. *Sniff* I’m going to miss this series. But it ended with a bang, and left me content.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the interaction between Ash and Puck. I knew of their history, but it was thoroughly explored here. We got to know everything of their past together. And their banter was so much fun. I heart Puck. He has a special place in my heart. And one day I hope his story continues.

If you haven’t picked this series up yet, I don’t know what’s stopping you. It has everything. Sure it’s romantic, but it’s also action-packed, deep, hilarious, dark, powerful and gripping—stirring every emotion. With a heavy sigh, I say goodbye to the Iron Fey series, but I’ll be visiting it often, reliving the story of these Fey. Their names won’t be forgotten.

WINNERS Roundup

We only have one winner to announce today. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Shea Berkley THE MARKED SON Giveaway! The winner will receive a copy of the novel and some other swag from Entangled Publishing. And the winner is . . .

Lisa Richards/alterlisa Congrats! Entangled Publishing will be contacting you soon for your info to get your prize to you.

More giveaways are coming soon. We had some mad giveaways going on during August and September so we're trying to fill our pockets back up for shipping costs. The start of October will start more giveaways and we have something very cool lined up.

For now, I'm giving away a brand new copy of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE over at my author blog. Feel free to check it out and enter! Thanks!

SWOON Thursdays

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Here's ours:

RACHEL: Up for SWOON today, I have a yummy quote from M. Leighton's Blood Like Poison: To Kill An Angel. I love this series and so sad to see it come to a close, but boy did Ms. Leighton bring the steam with this one!!

A shower of fire and light exploded inside me and I closed my eyes and let the pleasure consume me. -To Kill An Angel SWOON #YABound

TRISH:  And sorry! I used mine from last week. I've been editing, with not much time to read =( But, I will have two for next week. RED is awesome, though. So two weeks to have a quote up it deserves.


“What do you want?”he asked, lips against my throat.“You,”I whispered, closing my eyes to ride the sensation.“Just you." RED SWOON #YABound   

YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Hardback & ebook

Expected publication: September 20th 2011 by Greenwillow Books

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who needs her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

Sometimes words just fail me when reviewing a book I love. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is probably my favorite book of 2011, and it’s one of my favorites of all time. I loved it that much. Elisa is not your typical protagonist. Hardly. When we first meet her, she’s more concerned over what the kitchen in her palace home will be serving for dinner than she is about the affairs of the country she’s about to rule. She knows she’s been chosen by God for some great act of service, but she doesn’t feel very worthy, and she’s lazy and apathetic about pretty much everything else. This in not to say she’s an unlikable character. She is very easy to relate to, and being inside her head was entertaining. I loved how she viewed things, and she had a humorous way of looking at herself, even though she often felt bad about being overweight.

After she marries, she’s confused about how she feels toward her husband and how she wants him to feel toward her. The fact he kept her a secret really burned me up. I felt for her, felt her embarrassment. And oh, there’s a scene during a celebration when my heart just went out to her. I know how she felt, and watching the way she lost herself in despair, I ached for her.

I’m trying really hard not to give any spoilers, so I’ll just say that something happens to Elisa that forces her to not only use her mind, but her body in different ways than she’s used to. Put in this situation, she grows, becoming a beautiful, fierce, and amazing character. I was really impressed with how Carson showed her growing over the novel. And by the end, I wanted to stand up and cheer. It was that powerful.

There were some wonderful and difficult moments between Elisa and three guys during this story. Each having its own impact on her growth. One tore my heart out, one made me change my first impression and in the end, I cried, not knowing how I truly felt. The other I have hope for.

All I can say is, if you want a novel that will move you, still have you thinking about it days—weeks afterward, read The Girl of Fire and Thorns. It’s an amazingly powerful read that will make you proud to be a woman. Go Elisa! You’re my girl!

Live Chat: YA Author Amy Garvey 9/15 8:00 P.M.

Join us as we chat with debut author Amy Garvey on the release of COLD KISS! Set a reminder below.

SWOON Thursday!

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)
Here's ours:

RACHEL: Okay, so I'm gonna cheat just a bit here (he he). I have TWO, both from my recent read EMBER by Carol Oates! Only one fits the guidelines of 140 characters, which is the one I'll share on Twitter:

He wanted to worship her, consume her & make her part of him so that he would never have to be without her.—Sebastian, Ember SWOON #YABound

BUT here's another HOT, SWOONY quote that I just HAD to share for all you lovely blog followers:

He wanted to taste her skin and explore her mind and body to the point they would both be left used up, sated, and unable to think of anything besides each other.—Sebastian, EMBER SWOON #YABound

Le, sigh.

TRISH: “What do you want?”he asked, lips against my throat.“You,”I whispered, closing my eyes to ride the sensation.“Just you." RED SWOON #YABound 

 


YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

Famished by Lauren Hammond

Published July 26th 2011

S.B. Addison Books

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: There is no United States. There is no world. An asteroid has destroyed what the human race knew as earth and The Great Famine has wiped out most of the surviving human population. For the few remaining survivors, food is scarce-- precious--a luxury. A luxury that most humans can’t find.

Seventeen year old Georgina Carver is fortunate. She’s survived the destruction. She eats three times a day while the rest of humanity is plagued by The Great Famine. And she’s safe, hidden away in an underground colony with her family and several other families of survivors.

All of that changes the day she’s randomly selected to be a gatherer. Georgina must leave her safe yet simple world and venture out into a world unknown. A vast, dangerous, destroyed world that could literally eat her alive.

After Georgina is severely injured, her life begins to fall apart. She can’t remember how she got home or what happened to her while she was on the new earth. The boy she is crushing on avoids her and she keeps having visions that involve an unknown person with violet eyes.

As Georgina begins to unravel the truth, it doesn’t take her long to figure out that maybe her safe yet simple life isn’t that safe at all.

The world of FAMISHED is eerie and frightening. The thought of living underground, scared to breach outside dirt walls, creeps me out in so many ways. Georigie’s life in the colony is harsh, but it’s marginally better than living above her guarded city. At least she eats and has friends and family. Those that survived the apocalypse have been turned into desperate creatures seeking food. Cannibals driven mad by starvation. It paints a haunting picture of what our world might look like after a catastrophe of this magnitude.

Georgie’s a smart girl, but like so many of us when we’re young, she falls for a real jerk. Collin, oh man, there’s so many things I want to say about this guy, but I don’t want to give anything away. I wanted her to smack him on so many occasions, and I’m glad she did stand up for herself. He’s cruel and more than that, abusive. So when another character—who’s part of a big twist—comes along, I was relieved. I definitely want to know more about him.

The whole book I read in two hours. It’s average length, I just couldn’t stop reading. It’s one of those books I didn’t realize I was taking down so quickly, the action had my flipping pages and inhaling it. The end wraps up the questions of the story, but it also leaves it open for book two. I have to know what’s going to happen to these characters now. With Collin and Owen both working with Georgie, it should be interesting. A great, action-packed read with intense scenes and characters, FAMISHED is a must for Dystopian lovers.