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Friday, June 29, 2012

Book Review: Dark Passage by M.L. Woolley & Giveaway!!




Genre: New Adult/Adult Fiction (Spiritual/Paranormal Romance)

Goodreads Blurb:
Jen hides in a rundown mansion when her life falls apart, has vivid experiences with a beautiful male entity who longs to be her soulmate, and must choose reality of living or dead. Her childhood friend Ivy 19, from a rough past, can communicate with the dead, and other supernatural gifts emerge. Ivy will resist the evil that would separate the lovers.

“With one final glance behind her, Jen urged her horse forward, and toward the safety of the mountains. Her heart was heavy and she immediately thought of the other realm. Her hope was that they were aware of what had happened and would help. Chaos was already breaking out; and the world was in danger of slipping back to a time of great darkness, reminiscent of the Middle Ages."


My Review:
Dark Passage is the first book in the Dark Passage Series by M.L. Woolley. Before I started reading, I thought this was going to be a ghost story. What I found instead was a good dose of secret worlds and spiritual warfare, with some horrific ritual sacrifices thrown in for good measure. Needless to say, it was hard to put down. I found myself getting a little lost in the beginning with the point of view changes, but I soon figured out who was who. There is so much going on in this story, I almost want to read it again to make sure I didn't miss anything. Dark Passage is building us up for something big in the upcoming books. I'm anxious to see what happens next. The imagination if M.L. Woolley is limitless. She tells a wonderful story that will keep you rooted to your seat as you read.

To learn more about M.L. Woolley and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Twitter.

I received Dark Passage by M.L. Woolley from the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Ready for the giveaway?? M.L Woolley has kindly offered 3 paperback & 25 ebook versions of Dark Passage to giveaway!! Plus, $10 and $25 Amazon Giftcards. The Rafflecopter form below will guide you through the entry process. Good luck!
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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Throwback Thursday: The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray




Throwback Thursday is a weekly feature co-hosted by Never Too Fond of Books and The Housework Can Wait. This is a fun way to write about and review beloved books we haven't read in a while.

Here’s how it works:
1. Pick any book released more than 5 years ago. Adult, YA, Children’s; doesn’t matter. Any great book will do.
2. Write up a short summary of the book (include the title, author, and cover art) and an explanation of why you love it. Make sure to link back to The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books in your post.
3. Link up your post at The Housework Can Wait or Never Too Fond of Books.
4. Visit as many blogs as you can, reminisce about books you loved, and discover some “new” books for your TBR list!
This week, my throwback is The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

Goodreads Blurb:
It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father a laudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.

The Order - the mysterious group her mother was once part of - is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.
My Review: 
The Sweet Far Thing is the final book in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray. This was the longest as well as the darkest book in the trilogy. The beginning is a little slow, but the second half will keep you engaged. There are unexpected twists and an ending that I definitely didn't see coming. Each character had their own story within this trilogy. I can't say that they all got their happy ending, but their were no loose ends left in their stories. I have a definite love-hate relationship with the ending. To avoid giving too much away, I'll leave it at that.

Check out my reviews of the previous two books in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy: A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels.

To learn more about Libba Bray and her books, visit her website and blog.


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Watcher's Trilogy Blog Tour: A Review of Awakening by Karice Bolton




 

Thank you for stopping by on our tour date along The Watcher's Trilogy Blog Tour hosted by A Tale of Many Reviews. Today, we will be posting a review of Awakening, the first book in The Watcher's Trilogy by Karice Bolton.

The Blurb:
Alone in snowy, remote Whistler village, Ana tries to build a new life since losing her parents. With a cozy condo, a sweet-faced bulldog and an evening job to leave the days free for the slopes, life slips into a great routine. If only she could shake the guilt for not remembering anything about her parents and banish the night terrors that haunt her every dream. On a whim, Ana goes out with Athen, a guy she’s just met in the Grizzly Pub... The only problem is that she feels like she already knows him.

Within 48 hours of meeting Athen and his family, Ana’s world implodes. She falls for Athen quickly and before she knows it, a past life begins to resurface. As thrilling as the revelations appear at first, she fights against the chilling information that Athen is from the underworld. Soon she begins to struggle as her own supernatural gifts are slowly unveiled, and she realizes that the nightmares she’s been having might be premonitions and not dreams at all. It is up to Ana to decipher between fact and fiction before it is too late, and her new love, Athen, follows in her same fate - one that is lost between two worlds.


My Review:  
Awakening is told from Ana's point of view. I enjoyed seeing everything through her eyes as she met (or re-met) Athen and gradually got her memories, and started putting the pieces of her life back together through the awakening process. The romance happened fast, but it worked smoothly for this book, since they weren't really strangers. Ana was an entertaining character. She had many moments of obvious obliviousness that were frustrating, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt in hopes that she'll grow to be less oblivious once her awakening is complete. There were times I would blank out while reading, but for the most part the story kept my attention. Matilda, the English Bulldog, was an irresistible character. I love that the author has an English bulldog in real life too. That added a little bit of fun to the story. Awakening was a wonderful introduction to this trilogy. I think there are some big things in store for us in the next book, and I look forward to finding out what happens next.
To learn more about Karice Bolton and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

I received Awakening by Karice Bolton from the author for review. The opinions are my own.

There will be 2 separate giveaways going on during The Watcher's Trilogy Tour! You can enter both of them through the Rafflecopter forms below! (The Watcher's Trilogy Tour Click here to see entire tour schedule.)

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The Grand Prize Giveaway!The Rafflecopter form below will guide you through the entry process. Good luck!
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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Propheticus Blog Tour!!





Blurb:
This is a self published, sci-fi fantasy book set in an ancient universe. Four destined characters run into each other by chance and discover their pasts connect them in a prophecy to destroy some of the universes most gruesome creatures. The mystery of Aniah's past begins to unravel when she meets a stranger in the desert outside her ranch on the planet Delucia. Strange things start to happen around the ranch and Aniah experiences horrible nightmares of a dark creature the longer this stranger stays and the more she begins to question her fathers disappearance years ago. This story takes you to other worlds and although the first novel offers a little more romance and mystery with some thriller, the other novels in the series have more action and adventure in them as the characters travel the universe and visit incredible worlds. Sample from the book: There is something frightening about the way a hateful, unknown creature looks back at you. The way its beady red eyes snarl at you, and it's cheek curls with a hiss to reveal the greedy canines beneath. It is one thing to dream of this beastly creature, and it is another to have it inches from your face, its warm ungodly breath on your cheek, and its pallid gray bones reaching to devour you. My name is Aniah, and once my world was safe. But like many others throughout the universe-and here on the planet Delucia-fate would have me meet with the Mangitori de Sangue; an ancient army of blood-lusting creatures who have been frightening and devouring the inhabitants of the universe for decades. My fate brings me deep into their world. In fact, it is written somewhere-and the stories have been told long before I was ever born-of a prophecy wherein a young woman with the heart and soul of an angel will lead the universe in a victory against the Mangitori de Sangue. I am that woman. I just have to stay alive long enough to figure out how.

Teaser:

Her name was Dyna.” His eyes cleared as he stared off achingly into the distance of the room. This was the first time I had ever heard Novell refer to anyone by name. He had gotten to know her well and he became quite fond of her. I found that this fondness made me not favor her as he continued his story.

He described her short golden hair again and seemed stuck on how it looked in the moonlight, and her deep blue eyes that stayed alarmingly intense with apprehension. They took long walks in the moonlight as they talked about their travels. Dyna had been all over the universe, and told him unbelievable stories about all the places she had visited but expressed to Novell that she wished to stay settled on the planet Delucia.  I was frozen with disbelief. First, that someone had been to all those places that she talked of, and second, the way that Novell began to speak of her. It made it hard to breathe and I felt as if tears might begin to fall right in front of him and there would be no way to stop them. But he continued and the tears did not fall; they hung solemnly in my heart instead. Novell already had someone special and this was her, I was certain.
About the Author:
At only the age of three, you could find Emma perched in the center of the dining table, a tape player in her lap, while the other kids gathered to listen to her recite her own creative version of her favorite tales like "Jack and The Bean Stalk" or "Peter Pan". Her imagination was fueled when she signed up for a high school Greek Mythology class. It was there in high school Mythology class that Emma found her dream. Her teacher recognized her talent, and encouraged her to pursue a career in the one thing that brought her imagination to life, writing. As a military wife and with life's fast pace and strenuous demands, it wasn't until she was 26 that she finally decided to pursue those long forgotten dreams. She started her very first novel Propheticus in November of 2008, which will be released in December of 2010 and is working on the 2nd and 3rd sequels, with several other book ideas on the shelf waiting to be dusted off and put into words.

To learn more about Emma Daley and her books, visit her website and the Propheticus Blog! You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Teaser Tuesdays: Dark Passage by M.L. Woolley





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

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share  doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week is from Dark Passage by M.L. Woolley


Crows cawed several times on a tree outside, A cold chill swept through the room, and Lisa was oblivious to the shadow figure that seemed to disappear into her body.









Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!






Monday, June 25, 2012

Book Review: Witchblood by Emma Mills




Genre: Young Adult/New Adult (Paranormal Romance)

Goodreads Blurb:
When Jess steals a glance at a gorgeous guy in a Manchester nightclub, little does she realise how he is going to change her life…or should that be death? Yet, the vampire clan could never have predicted what they were taking on.

With Luke pronounced ‘off-limits’ and the blood of a vampire simmering in Jess’s body, can she forget the love of her life and move on? If not, she will risk exposing the entire Northern vampire clan to untold dangers, in order to live her life the way she wants.

Can Jess be sure that Luke is all he appears to be? Will she succumb to the attraction she desperately tries not to feel for Daniel? And why does she still crave a packet of crisps more than a tasty teenage boy’s blood?


My Review:
Witchblood is the debut novel by Emma Mills. When Jess is turned into a vampire, she learns that she wasn't completely human to begin with. This is an unexpected twist for the vampires as she is not the obedient fledgling they'd like her to be. Jess is torn between her feelings for Luke, her soul mate, and the feelings that grow day by day for Daniel. The characters had their moments, as they all do, but were very likeable overall. There was so much of the unexpected in Witchblood, that I never knew what was going to happen in the turn of a page. Emma Mills is a very good storyteller, and she adds that little something extra to the vampire genre. This is definitely a book to check out! I'm already looking forward to the next book!

To learn more about Emma Mills and her books, visit her blog. You can also find her on Twitter.

Check out my reviews of the other books in The WitchBlood series!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

WitchCraft Tour: Guest Post by Emma Mills




Thank you for joining us on our stop on the WitchCraft Tour!! We're excited to have Emma Mills, author of the Witchblood Series with us today. She will be taking over the blog to talk about her character's zodiac signs. Take it away Emma!


Character Zodiac Signs

While racking my brains to think up suitable, fun guest posts to write for my blog tour my lovely writer friend, Patricia Lynne, suggested the idea of Character Horoscopes. It was something she had done last year, and I have to say this was one of the most entertaining posts I have written! It was great fun and even helped me a little understanding their characters, so big thanks to Patricia!


I decided to find star signs for my main three characters: Jess, Daniel & Eva. Jess was the only one I needed to worry about because her birthday had been mentioned in Witchblood as being a couple of months after Christmas, so I knew it had to be February or March, but I was in luck, or maybe the stars are on my side and a little magic is working after all, because it turns out Jessie is a perfect Aquarius. Her birthday is February 16th, she is an Air sign. Daniel and Eva were easier as I hadn’t mentioned their birthdays, so I looked through the zodiac signs until suitable ones jumped out. Daniel is a Scorpio, a water sign. His birthday is November 3rd and Eva is an Aries, her birthday April 11th… a fire sign. Here are their descriptions:


Aquarians are born looking for ideologies to which they can stubbornly cling. They refuse to budge whenever an issue involves what they believe to be a matter of principle. They are unprejudiced and tolerant of others point of view. They are quick, active and persevering and express themselves with a dry humour.


I can see these traits in Jess immediately. Remember how stubborn she is regarding her views on feeding from humans in Witchblood? She also has very strong principles when it comes to her relationships; she struggles with her feelings for Daniel until she has realised that her relationship with Luke is over. She refuses to let go of Alex, her best friend, has definite plans for revenge upon the girl gang, and she doesn’t let the new imposed rules get in the way. Furthermore she has a dry, sarcastic humour.
Scorpions stubbornly cling to emotional attachments. They rarely forget or forgive an emotional rejection. They have to learn that jealousy and possessiveness are self-defeating. No other sign has the emotional strength of Scorpio. Scorpio is a loyal and dedicated friend, but fiercely competitive and subject to fits of vindictive jealousy. On the surface you may seem easy-going, congenial, and gregarious but you are also extremely tenacious with a need to control your surroundings.


I thought Daniel well suited Scorpio’s description because he does appear easy going in the way he supports Jess in the early days… and chills out in-front of the football; but as his attachment to her grows so does his jealousy! He suffers many jealous sulks throughout both Witchblood and Witchcraft, and in the explosive ending he becomes the victim of his own emotions.

Aries people need to keep busy. They accomplish many things simply because of their restless energy. Though others may find it difficult to keep pace with an Aries they are attracted to their animation and spirited personality. Key words are independent, generous, enthusiastic and courageous. She can also be short-tempered and impatient.


This is Eva all over, she is animated and enthusiastic and Jess quickly finds her to be a good friend. At the same time there are many parts in both books where we see Eva’s short-tempered, impatient side. She generously (and dangerously) sources the Book of Shadows for Jess and will equally go into battle fearlessly to protect her friends.

 

Thank you Emma for joining us today!! To learn more about Emma Mills and her books, visit her blog. You can also find her on Twitter. Also, read my review of Witchblood.

Don't forget to check out the other stops along the tour!

The Giveaway:The Giveaway is International. The Rafflecopter form below will guide you through the entry process. Good luck!
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Friday, June 22, 2012

Book Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith




Genre: Adult Fiction (Historical Fiction/Paranormal Fiction)

Goodreads Blurb
Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation.


My Review:
I've been curious about Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter for a while, but I never got around to reading it. With the movie coming out, I'm one of those people who has to read the book first. So, I did. I have to say, it was a very clever book. We all know vampires don't exist, but this story made them seem very real as it fit the vampires in and around historical happenings. It's obvious the author put a lot of effort into this story, so that it all flowed together. It couldn't have been an easy feat, but he pulled it off. It was believable. I would zone out in parts where the political talk was heavy, but the vampire action kept me tuned in. This was an interesting read, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. My hubby and I will be going to see the movie tonight. So, we'll see how the two match up. 

To learn more about Seth Grahame-Smith and his books, visit his website. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Check out the book trailer below!

You can also check out the movie trailer below!


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Throwback Thursday: Rebel Angels by Libba Bray




Throwback Thursday is a weekly feature co-hosted by Never Too Fond of Books and The Housework Can Wait. This is a fun way to write about and review beloved books we haven't read in a while.

Here’s how it works:
1. Pick any book released more than 5 years ago. Adult, YA, Children’s; doesn’t matter. Any great book will do.
2. Write up a short summary of the book (include the title, author, and cover art) and an explanation of why you love it. Make sure to link back to The Housework Can Wait and Never Too Fond of Books in your post.
3. Link up your post at The Housework Can Wait or Never Too Fond of Books.
4. Visit as many blogs as you can, reminisce about books you loved, and discover some “new” books for your TBR list!
This week, my throwback is Rebel Angels by Libba Bray.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

Goodreads Blurb:
Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain. . . .

The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girls’ great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship.

But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.
My Review: 
Rebel Angels is the sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty. The girls are able to leave their boarding school for Christmas and though they are not always together, they all find themselves in different and sometimes scary situations. Their friendship still isn't a true friendship per say. If anything, it seems to have gotten even more superficial to me. This book introduces you to new settings and new characters including a new love interest for Gemma. That's right! Kartik has some competition! This was a great second book. It sets you up for book three nicely. Rebel Angels takes things a little darker and adds more danger this time around, and it's not without some surprises.

To learn more about Libba Bray and her books, visit her website and blog.


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Love of a Bad Boy: Guest Post by Georgia Cates




We have a special visitor today! Georgia Cates, author of Going Under and The Vampire Agape novels, has stopped by with a special guest post. We ALL love the bad boy, so Georgia is about to take over the blog to talk about just that... the Love of a Bad Boy.


Love of the Bad Boy

Good girls crave bad boys in real life and fiction. They come in all forms-fallen angels, vampires, werewolves, shifters, jocks, rakes, boys with bad attitudes. The list could go on and on, but there is one thing for certain-bad boys are our guilty pleasure. 


Some of us might be too afraid to act on our inner bad boy desires in reality, especially young women and teens, so we choose to get our “fix” through fiction. It’s safe. Fictional bad boys don’t hurt us like bad boys in real life will and we’re almost always guaranteed a happy ending. But...what does a happy ending with a bad boy mean?

We have to begin with why we love a bad boy to understand how to get the happily ever after with him. It’s a simple fact that bad boys are damaged and we want to save them. We want to change them. We want to be the first woman he ever loves. And the last...sigh.

Bad boys don’t fall in love easily, so you’ve accomplished the near impossible when you win his heart. When the right woman breaks through his icy exterior, he will fall hard and forever, so you better watch out. There is no limit to the extremes he will go to in order to protect the love of his life. We crave that powerful protection. It’s sexy and being protected makes us feel wanted and sexy. In short...a bad boy makes the perfect boy to fall in love with instead of the worst.

We all have our favorite bad boys and I’d love to share some of my list toppers with you.

1. Jessie Boone from Going Under by Georgia Cates. (He’s my character, so I had to list him first. Man...he is so hot with all of his tattoo yumminess.)
2. Travis Maddox from Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire.
3. Beau Vincent from The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines
4. Daemon Black from Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout
5. Keilor from The Charmer by Autumn Dawn (Not a YA book, but definitely Bad Boy nomination worthy)

Good luck with finding your next Bad Boy read to satisfy your guilty pleasure
.

A great big thank you to Georgia Cates for joining us today!! To learn more about Georgia Cates and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Twitter.

How would you like to win an ebook of Going Under by Georgia Cates??
The Rafflecopter form below will guide you through the entry process. Good luck!

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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Character Guest Post: Reece from Heart Waves by Danielle Sibarium




We've never had a character guest post before, so this is a special day for us! Reece from Heart Waves has joined us to talk about Jenna. Awwe!

"It's like Romeo and Juliet, You're going to break my heart." These were among the first words Jenna spoke to me. As I stood there watching her lips move, I couldn't help but wonder if they tasted as delicious as they looked. I fell under her spell, and I knew like the star crossed lovers she just mentioned, I'd fallen in love at first sight. Jenna later joked if I were looking to mirror a love story, one where the lovers die tragically probably isn't the best choice.

She ran off so fast I couldn't help but follow. I was intrigued, captivated. We connected in that instant, like our hearts fused together. I couldn't understand why had my buddy called her "The Ice Queen?" She was so beautiful, and there heat nothing but heat between us. I wanted to know more about her. I found her out back, sitting by herself.

She looked upset and I wondered why. Did she feel it too? Like she was jumping out of a plane unsure if the parachute would open? I fought the urge to wrap my arms around her and taste the sweetness of her lips, boy was that a struggle.The attraction between us was mutual and magnetic. I could see she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. She fought against it, and I wondered if I'd met her on the boardwalk or on the beach, anywhere else, would she have reacted differently? If she didn't convince herself in the first minute we met that I would hurt her, would she have trusted me?

I had no choice, I had to win her over. If you want to find out if I did and if I managed to get that silly prediction out of her head, you're just going to have to read along and take the ride with us.


A special thank you to Danielle Sibarium for letting us borrow Reece! To learn more about Danielle Sibarium, visit her website. You can also find the author on Twitter.


Teaser Tuesdays: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share  doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My teaser this week is from Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by


Abe didn't say a word. He made straight for his journal and wrote down a single sentence. One that would radically alter the course of his life, and bring a fledgling nation to the brink of collapse.

"I hereby resolve to kill every vampire in America."











Do you have a blog? Post a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments. No blog? Post a Teaser in the comments anyway!



Monday, June 18, 2012

Red Blog Tour!! A Guest Post by Heather M. White




Thank you for stopping by on the second part of our stop along the Red Blog Tour. We have the author of Redheads are Soulless, Heather M. White, with us today! She'll be sharing with us how music has influenced her writing and her life. So, without taking up any more of your time, we're going to hand over the reins to Heather.

If it was not for music, I truly believe that I would not be a writer right now.

When I was 12, I wrote my first song. I also was learning to play the drums. After (less than) a month of playing the drums, I decided "I want to play the guitar." So, I traded my drum set for a guitar and an amp. While still learning the drums, I learned to play the guitar. It came very naturally for me.

When I was 14, I was in the studio recording a song. The bass player that was playing for me... He... Just wasn't playing the way I wanted him to. So, that day for the first time, I picked up the bass and I played the song MYSELF. And we recorded me playing it. (I am an AMAZING bass player - is that bragging?).

Between the ages of 12 and 22, I have wrote over 500 songs. That's lyrics, music, everything. To me, A song is a lot like a book. Each and every song tells a story. It's a part of me that I'm sharing.

I think music gave me a lot of experience with writing. Music is poetry. Also, it gave me lots of confidence. If it wasn't for music, I know I wouldn't be where I am today... As a writer, or a person.

To learn more about Heather M. White and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

I received the ARC of Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White from SupaGirl Tours for review. The opinions are my own.
 

Red Blog Tour! A Review of Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White




Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)

The Blurb:
High school senior, Sofia Black, has had a very hard life. Since her father's death 7 years ago, she has had to look after her drug addicted, alcoholic mother. School isn't any better for her either. The other kids constantly tease, and ridicule her. All she wants is to get out of her small hometown in Alabama.

When new student, Jason, shows up, Sofia's world is turned upside down. She doesn't understand why he wants to befriend her so badly... And, just when she thinks she can trust him, trouble appears.

Jason's twin brother, Robbie, moves into town, and things go haywire. Sofia is now running for her life - and Jason is forced to share hidden secrets with her. She learns the truth about her father's death, and finds out that she may not be as "human" as she once thought. She struggles to accept her fate, while fighting for her life.

My Review:
Redheads are Soulless was a fun book to read. It had action, humor, and romance that kept your attention focused on the book. I was a little bothered by how Sofia was so crazy about one guy one moment and then before you knew it she was crazy about the other guy. It happened so quickly that it made her seem awfully fickle. Most people don't shut off such intense feelings so instantly. Redheads are Soulless is a catchy name and has a beautiful cover to match. All in all, it's great for some quick weekend reading entertainment. The story itself kept me on my toes. Who's good? Who's bad? And what in the World is up with Sofia's mother??  You'll have to read to find out!

To learn more about Heather M. White and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

I received the ARC of Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White from SupaGirl Tours for review. The opinions are my own.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Book Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick




The Blurb: 
The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

My Review:
Silence is the third book in the Hush, Hush series. I enjoyed this book more than the previous two so far. You didn't see too much of Patch in the beginning and that made it drag a little for me, but that all changed once Patch stayed on the scene more and more. I love his attitude. He's the perfect bad boy. I liked Nora's character even more in this book too. Even though her memory is basically wiped clean, she didn't let it hold her back. I feel like she grew more as a character in this book. Silence gives you more information and brings some of the pieces from the last two books together. It was hard to put down, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!


If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it. It is well worth the read! Don't forget to check out my reviews of the first two books in this series: Hush, Hush and Crescendo


To learn more about Becca Fitzpatrick and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Check out my reviews for the other books in this series!






Friday, June 15, 2012

Black Satin Blog Tour: Interview with Rae Hachton & Swag Giveaway




Author Bio:
Rae Hachton [pronounced H-ton] is the nom de plume of author Desirae Hennington. She is the Indie Author of the Gothic Romance series Pretty in Black. She is twenty-three years old and lives with her Muse and her Ghost. When she is not composing new novels, she is working on her cinematography studies, and devouring YA books. Her favorite band is The Raveonettes, and she is a major fan of Edgar Allan Poe and Ravens and Crows. Although she is writing Gothic Fiction at the moment, her favorite genre of all time is Contemporary YA. Favorite contemporary book: tie between Forever by Judy Blume and the Summer I turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. Favorite author: David Levithan. If Rae Hachton wasn't writing, she'd give it one last shot at being kewl, and probably start a band. 

How long have you been writing?
Officially, Officially: Since April 2011

Before that, I'd written tons of poems, started and stopped a few Manuscripts, and then finally wrote Maybe, Maybe Not when I was 19, which was 4 years ago. But Now, I think it's going to be a permanent thing.

What inspired you to write your Pretty in Black?
This is my Top Asked question—LOL!

Inspiration came from a cemetery apparition of two people—a guy and a girl—laying on a stone, talking, but their embrace looked tragic and I wanted to know why they were there. Unable to think of nothing else, I began writing the story the very next day.

Did you always plan for it to be a series?

I did not. After seeing the apparition, I just began writing. I wasn't even sure it would become a book at all, just something that served to Muse me. I didn't realize it would be a book until I ended up with one. I didn't realize it would be a series until Marcus Marble appeared to me again in a dream, displeased, and told me I'd gotten certain things wrong and insisted I begin retelling the story, so I ended up removing things from the Original Pretty in Black file in order to give him a voice, and moved certain ideas to other places in the rest of the book series.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
Marcus Marble, I think he and I have a lot in common, including a Birthday. He is intense, the way I am, and he is also very head strong. He wants what he wants, but at the same time he isn't demanding, rude, or mean. He's actually soft and gentle and understanding. He also knows far more than he portrays to know, but he doesn't do it to withhold information, he just doesn't want people knowing too many things at once.

What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
Well, if I said, then everyone will know, now won't they?

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?

I do not believe my teenage life would make much of an interesting read: I wanted to do several things, but never did do any of them. But I will be totally honest, although I was considered "a good student" what I really waned to do, was be bold like Ellie and just walk out of class whenever I pleased without caring about the consequences. This is why I find her such an interesting character to write about. People I know in real life thought and still very much think I Loved school.

Oh! Here's my secret: I HATED SCHOOL. People think I loved it when I really hated it. I just wanted to get out of there. If I had a YA Book it would be an internal conflict and would probably told in diary entries about things I wanted to do, but never did, and no one would care to read it.

What book have you read too many times to count?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Stephen Chbosky 7 times
The Blue Mirror: Kathe Koja 3 times
Forever: Judy Blume 4 times
The Summer I Turned Pretty: Jenny Han 3 times
Twilight: Stepehenie Meyer—haha. Don't Judge Me, but I've read it about 10 times since 2008. I have a Hate/Love relationship with this one book. The first time I met it, my Brother had handed it to me, it was a small mass market paperback of book number one with the movie cover and a girl he knew at school told him he should read it. He was like, yeah right, and gave it to me. I read the first 5 pages and threw it against the wall and it later got buried in my closet. I went to see the movie on my birthday that year and then I found myself buying the Hardback. Now, I've read it 10 freaking times. True Story, no fairytales.

I know how much I read a book, because I have a page stuck in each one where I put tally-marks for each time I read it. It's an odd habit, perhaps.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
There are No Rules.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?
That I have a grotesquely geared imagination.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Shopping, Reading, Daydreaming, Learning how to play drums, pretending I can sing.

Are any of the things in Pretty in Black based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Seriously? It's all imagination!!

Well, you did say your inspiration for writing the book came from  a cemetery apparition. That's technically a real life experience. So, it couldn't hurt to ask.

To learn more about Rae Hachton and her books, visit her blog and the Pretty in Black blog.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Black Satin Blog Tour: Review of Black Satin by Rae Hachton





Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)

The Blurb:
What if you weren’t who you thought you were?
What if your whole life changed in an instant and you were released to a new identity?
What if you were forced to kill the one you love?
What if everything you knew wasn’t real, and you awaken to a new world?
What if love could take you to unknown places? How beautiful is death really?

Marcus Marble has disappeared from Ellie’s life, and she needs answers to questions and he’s the only one who can answer them. How is her sister back from the dead, and why is Ellie still alive? When Ellie realizes Marcus isn’t coming back, she is forced to move on with her life the best way she can, in hopes of finding the answers herself, but when people at school begin to be viciously murdered, and Giles reveals to her a life changing secret, she decides to investigate the possible truth of it. What she discovers is more than she thought she would. The only time Ellie feels normal is when she’s around Walter, the new guy at school. And normal is how she wants to feel, now that Marcus is gone from her life. But Walter may not be all that he seems, either, and she just might spiral in to an even more dark world, she never thought possible. And when it occurs to her that Marcus has made the decision to pass on through to the afterlife, during the Risorgimento, she races against time to stop him, while knowing she has feelings for Walter, too.
Will she make it in time to stop Marcus from passing through, and if she does, what will she tell Walter? Her heart will have to make the final decision. But will the choice be worth dying for?
The Review:
Black Satin is the second book in the Pretty in Black series by Rae Hachton. Black Satin starts off with a slight review of Pretty in Black from Marcus's perspective before switching back to Ellie's view. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of Marcus's feelings and what went on with him behind the scenes of Pretty in Black. Like Pretty in Black, there were conversations that were very similar to some I have read or seen in other stories. For me, that always takes away from a book. I finally know what an Evermore is! While they're not completely new creatures like I thought they were in book one, they do have some differences to the original. This book introduced new characters, new creatures, and took you to new places. The romance becomes a triangle, and I have to say I really grew attached to bachelor number two. I loved the ending, it makes me wonder what the author has in store for us in the next book.

Haven't read Pretty in Black yet? Check out my review!


To learn more about Rae Hachton and her books, visit her blog and the Pretty in Black blog.You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received the ARC of Black Satin by Rae Hachton from the SupaGirl Tours for review. The opinions are my own.