Teaser Tuesdays (Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini)

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 Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini:

"He smiled down at her innocently, as if to let her know that he was just playing a little trick. She met his eye, but she also took a step back-- which meant she was brave but scared. Creon liked to see those two emotions together; it made him feel like he had won something."

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!

Meet the author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Alyssa Rose Ivy is the author of Beckoning Light, the first book in The Afterglow Trilogy and the upcoming Crescent Chronicles.  She grew up in New York, but while living in the South during college she fell in love with the area. After college, she decided to start writing.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a child I loved creating imaginary worlds and the habit never disappeared. Most of my earlier writing was shorter in nature. Beckoning Light is the first novel I finished.

What inspired you to write Beckoning Light?
It all started with a dream. Although the scene that inspired it all never made it into the actual book, it gave me the idea for the hidden world and one of the narrators (Charlotte).

What can you tell us about the sequel, Perilous Light?
Perilous Light picks up about a year after the end of Beckoning Light. There is a lot of action and romance, and most of the major characters return along with some new ones.

Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
I probably relate to Charlotte the most. Although I wasn’t as shy as she is when I was in high school, I can definitely relate to the social anxiety. I can also relate to having to deal with an older brother.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
I was surprised by the challenges of creating a fantasy world. Most of my previous writing was more realistic (which had its own challenges) but it takes a lot of work to effectively paint a picture of a fantastic world.

On your blog there is a "Coming Soon" on the "The Crescent Chronicles" page. Is this a new series in the works? Can you tell us anything about it yet?
The Crescent Chronicles is an urban fantasy series set primarily in New Orleans. The main character is a college student. I hope to have the first book out late summer/fall 2012.

If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Although I wasn’t as shy as Charlotte, I usually preferred smaller groups to large ones. I was a good student and spent a lot of time on writing and theater.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I love to spend time with my family, read, and enjoy the outdoors when time permits.

What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Some of the best writing advice I ever received was to embrace constructive criticism. It may not be easy at first but it makes all the difference. Other great advice is that the hardest part of writing is sitting down to do it. If you have an idea, go with it.

A special thank you to Alyssa Rose Ivy for taking the time for this interview.

Read my review on Beckoning Light, the first book in The Afterglow Series by Alyssa Rose Ivy.

You can also read this interview at Examiner.
To learn more about this author and her books visit her blog or check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

If you haven't done so already, you need to read Alyssa Rose Ivy's books!! While you're at it take a peek at my reviews too!

Book Review: Beckoning Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Genre: Young Adult  (Fantasy Romance)

Beckoning Light is the first book in The Afterglow Trilogy written by Alyssa Rose Ivy. The story is told through the eyes of siblings, Charlotte and Kevin, who have moved back to South Carolina after living in Alaska for three years. Charlotte sees mysterious lights coming from the old gate in her back yard. A gate that she was never allowed to go near as a child. She is drawn to this gate where she finds love and a new World very different from her own, yet it feels surprisingly familiar to her. Unaware of the danger she's in, Charlotte allows herself to be lead farther and farther from the gate. The longer she stays, she starts to develop special abilities. Kevin ventures in to rescue her, but will Charlotte want to be rescued?

I related to Charlotte from the very beginning. Her outlook on things reminded me a lot of how I was in high school making it very easy for me to live vicariously through her as I read the book. The relationship between Kevin and Charlotte portrayed siblings very realistically. You knew the two loved each other, but they were hilarious when they fought. Kevin was a classic big brother. He was both protective of her and oblivious to his best friend, Liam's, attraction to her. Liam was a constant presence in the story and a fast favorite for me. He is very close to the family. I feel like more will be coming from him in future books, and I'm excited to see what happens. Even though Charlotte falls in love with Calvin, I have hopes for Liam. Something tells me not to write him off just yet as far as Charlotte is concerned. I love the author's writing style and how she keeps you engrossed in her story. This book is a very fast paced and easy read. Beckoning Light made it easy to escape reality without realizing how many hours you've spent reading. Before you know it, it's three in the morning and you're wishing the second book was released so you could find out what happens next. It was a wonderful coming of age story full of innocence, love, and adventure.

The second book in The Afterglow Trilogy, called Perilous Light, will be released in 2012.

Source: This book was sent to me from the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out my reviews of another book in this trilogy!

If you haven't done so already, you need to read Alyssa Rose Ivy's books!! While you're at it take a peek at my reviews too!

To read more about this series and the author, visit Alyssa Rose Ivy's Blog. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Book Review: Airel by Aaron Patterson & Chris White

 Genre: Young Adult  (Paranormal Romantic Thriller)

Airel is the first book in the Airel Saga written by Amazon Kindle best selling author, Aaron Patterson and Chris White. Airel is just a girl who wants a normal, under the radar, teenage life. A sudden illness causes her to be nauseous at the most inopportune times such as in front of her crush, the mysterious new guy, Michael. After she witnesses a murder, her life takes dangerous turn.

The book consists of two seemingly different stories that thread together into one as the book progresses.  The story fluctuates between Airel's perspective in present day Idaho to Kreios's perspective in Arabia in 1250 B.C. Kreios represents everything I love to see in a fictional angel. He has intelligence, strength, love, faith, and he is a warrior.  I didn't find the telling of the two stories to be confusing at all. In fact, I thought they complemented each other quite nicely. There were times, especially while reading some of Airel's thoughts where it was pretty obvious two guys were writing her story. For me, that added some additional humor to the story. Though the story is primarily told from either Airel or Kreios's point of view, you also get a glimpse into the minds of a couple of the other characters too.

The first few chapters dragged slightly, but the book as a whole is well worth the read. This book provides action, murder, romance, and so much more. As I've said before, I'm a sucker for a pretty cover. The cover on this book is gorgeous and begs you to read it. It doesn't disappoint. It is classified as a young adult book, but it has the feel of an adult fiction book. I think people of all ages would enjoy reading it.

Source: This book was sent to me from the publicist for review. The opinions are my own.

You can also view this review on Examiner 


To read more about this series and the authors, visit Stonhouse Ink. Both Aaron Patterson and Chris White are also on Facebook. Airel has her own page on Facebook as well.

Book Review: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

 

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)

Halo is written by Australian author, Alexandra Adornetto. Halo is the first in what is planned to be a trilogy. Three angels are sent to Earth to bring good back into the world. By avoiding human attachments, they struggle to keep their true identities and abilities a secret. When Bethany, the youngest of the angels, meets Xavier, they are instantly attracted to each other. A dangerous newcomer moves to town and the angels' mission is put in jeopardy.

I was very excited about reading this book, and I really wanted to love it. This book had many things going for it: a gorgeous cover, an intriguing plot line, and angels. I always enjoy reading books that involve angels. However, once I moved past the cover, my excitement over the book started declining. The plot moved along very slowly, and the relationship was instantaneous and superficial. The book is overly detailed, yet the information given about the angels' actual mission is vague. The main thing that bothered me was how the angels were portrayed. I didn't find the angels to be believable in any way. When I think of angels, I picture strong, intelligent, and adaptable beings. They are supposed to be God's warriors after all. The angels depicted in Halo were quite the opposite. Especially Bethany, who is also the main character. In Bethany's defense, she is the youngest of the angels, but that still doesn't excuse it. She was like a lost child put on Earth with no instincts or common sense. If our World depended on angels like these, we'd be doomed. In short, this book was simply not for me.

With all that being said, I give many kudos to the young author for going for it and getting her book published. It's not an easy feat, and I would imagine it would only be that much harder for a seventeen year old. The ending of Halo left some hope for a better second book. I hope that will be the case, but I was so disappointed by this book that I am still on the fence as to if I want to read the next one or not.

To read more about this series and the author, visit Alexandra Adornetto's website.

You can also view this review on Examiner

Book Review: Crossroads by Mary Ting

Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal Romance)

Crossroads is the exciting debut novel by Mary Ting. Claudia Emerson is the main character. She just lost a dear friend who had the same first and last name. Claudia finds she is able to visit a world called Crossroads in her dreams. It's a place where humans shouldn't be able to enter. Her ability to travel between the two worlds catches the attention of some less than friendly beings, putting her life in danger. Michael is the Nephilim bad boy put in charge of keeping Claudia safe, but everything is about to change as their forbidden love grows and secrets are revealed.

This was a very entertaining story. Crossroads contains action, twists, and romance that has you flipping through the pages so fast that you're at the end and ready for more before you know it. The strong romantic attachment came on very early in the book for Claudia and Michael. It would have been nice to see Micheal's attitude hang around a little longer to build up some anticipation. Even though their relationship intensified so quickly, the pace of the story itself flowed naturally. Claudia was a little overbearing with her questions, and she spoke more grown up than people her age normally would. It was unnatural at times, but through this, a lot of your own questions are answered as you read. The characters, as a whole, are very loveable. The author gave just enough detail that her readers can easily picture the story as they read. The story reels you in. The author put a lot of thought into creating her angels and the story behind them. Their world is fascinating.

I loved that Mary Ting included prayer, church, and other Christian themes within the story. I feel like this is missing from most angel related books that I've read lately. It made the story more relatable to me, and she pulled it off without making you feel like you were being preached at. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. The story can go in many directions, and I'm excited to see what happens next.

Crossroads is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and World Castle Publishing.

To learn more about this book and the author, visit the Mary Ting's website, Twitter, and Facebook page.

Check out my reviews of some of Mary Ting's books!

Source: This book was sent by the author for review. The opinions are my own. A very special thank you to Mary Ting!

Get Bright Young Things with Bonus Material Free

 

Do you have a Nook? Bright Young Things with Bonus Material by Anna Godbersen is Free at Barnes & Noble today. Be sure to get it at the link below.

Bright Young Things with Bonus Material by Anna Godbersen

Lust, jealousy, glamour, ambition, heartbreak: In New York City, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Godbersen’s rich, evocative writing brings flapper-era Gotham to life through the eyes of two small-town girls trying to make their way in the Big Apple. This fun romp follows the young women as they celebrate in speakeasies, strive for stardom, and side-step an occasional scandal. The plucky protagonists would be at home in today’s New York social scene, but the 1920s-period detail makes for a unique and nostalgic adventure.

Kathryn Stockett's 'The Help' Turned Down 60 Times Before Becoming a Best Seller

This is a very inspirational article to all aspiring writers out there. I just came across it and I had to share it with all of you. Never give up on your dreams!

How do you keep going when it seems the world, not to mention 60 literary agents, wants you to fail? Kathryn Stockett, author of the best seller "The Help", started keeping secrets, even from her husband: “It was as if I were having an affair.”
By Kathryn Stockett

Read the complete article by Kathryn Stockett

Book Review: Need by Carrie Jones

Genre: Young Adult  (Fantasy)

After her father's death Zara hasn't been herself. She's obsessed with phobias, and she's seeing someone semi-stalking her who she thinks is a figment of her imagination. Her mom sends her to Maine to live with her grandmother in hopes that Zara will regain her sanity by being away from home. Zara soon finds out that not only has her stalker followed her to Maine, but young males are disappearing in the area and things are not what they seem. Zara seems to be the center of it all.

The storyline was a great idea. At the same time, there were many similarities to other Young Adult books that are popular right now. The beginning especially reminded me of a certain popular favorite, and I think that put a bad taste in my mouth from the get go. I would have liked something a little more original. I had a love hate-relationship with Zara. She seems fun and intelligent in her mental dialogs, but there are things the audience will figure out way before she does, even when they are completely obvious. I loved Zara's phobia addiction. They were random and quirky, but phobias are something that interest me quite a bit, not to the great extent as Zara, but I've always enjoyed learning about them. There was a surprise or two along the way that kept the book an entertaining and fast read. As a whole, it just didn't grip me like I hoped it would.

It was nice to read something a little different. I know there are a few out there, but this is the first book I've read so far that uses this particular type of antagonist. The ending left me curious enough to read the second book in the series.

To read more about this series and the author, visit Carrie Jones' website.

CYou can also read this review on Examiner.

Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Genre: Adult Fiction; Historical Fiction

The Help is told from the eyes of three women, two African-American maids and one white girl just home from college, who form an unlikely friendship in 1960's Mississippi. Skeeter comes home from college with aspirations of being a writer, but she soon finds out that women aren't considered for the serious writing jobs. She accepts a position writing a housekeeping column, but she knows nothing about housekeeping. She seeks advice from Aibileen, the maid of her friend. Add the sassy mouthed Minny to the mix and these three women begin putting together a collaboration of stories, both good and bad, from the maids of Jackson, Mississippi.

While The Help is a fast and entertaining read, it covers the issues of racism, integration, and feminism, making it heavy and thought provoking as well. I found it very interesting to view life through the eyes of Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. These three characters add three different perspectives to a time where it was scary for them to be friends let alone writing such a controversial book together. The characters come alive within the pages making it easy to disappear into their lives as you read.

There were a few things that brought the book from a five to a four. The violent, naked man was completely unnecessary. Telling you about him is not a spoiler, as he doesn't offer anything to the story. When he appeared, I thought he would add comic relief, but he didn't. In my opinion, he had no purpose. Also, I would liked to have felt more from the ending. I was so absorbed into the lives of these women throughout the book, and I lost that in the ending.

Overall, the book was wonderful. It is a story that inspires hope. Through the happy and sad times, the women never lose hope for a better future.


To learn more about this book and the author, visit Kathryn Stockett's website.

Book Review: A Wolf's Duty by Jennifer T. Alli

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance (recommended for readers 18+)

A Wolf's Duty is told from two perspectives: Tobias, the last surviving werewolf prince and Alex, a human who has suffered emotional and physical abuse her entire life. In order to be king, Tobias must first have a mate. He has been searching for his mate for over two centuries, while most wolves have find their mates within a few decades. His search almost comes to an end after he receives a mysterious call for help. Once Tobias carries her away from her abusive life, Alex learns she's a little more than human herself and no safer from danger here than she was at home.

When I began reading this book, I thought I was going to be reading a Young Adult novel. Once I got a few chapters in, I realized I was wrong. Oops! Though there are only a few scenes of intimacy, this book is most definitely not for a Young Adult audience. However, if you enjoy Adult Romance, it was very tastefully written. The story itself flowed smoothly and kept my interest. In so many stories, the couple immediately falls in love. I really liked how Alex didn't let herself fall blindly in love with Tobias. She made him work for it a little.

To learn more about this book, the author, or purchase the book visit her blog: Jennifer T. Alli: A Writer's Haven

Source: I won this book through a Blog Hop that the author participated in.

Meet the author: Norma Druid

Nashville based author and fellow Examiner, Norma Druid, has ventured into the realm of young adult science fiction with her book, A Test of Alien Alliance. In the book, humans are forced to move to another galaxy to live among a humanoid alien race called the Varangians. Over five hundred years, humans and Varangians have learned to live quite well with one another until three Varangians disappear in human territory. A Test of Alien Alliance brings something new to the table for fans who enjoy Science Fiction with a Star Trek feel.

Do you have a favorite writing spot in Nashville?
Actually, I do all my actual writing at a workstation in my bedroom. Its aqua walls and familiar paintings provide a restful background, except for the occasional cat fight. I plan my writing just about everywhere, wherever I have a bit of free time – rather like daydreaming. A lot of the idea creating and polishing is done with my son, Lawrence, at monthly meetings in restaurants.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing seriously in the early 1970s when I took a creative writing class at Watkins Institute. There I got consistent feedback that my work was good and interested people, so I was encouraged to keep on. I began writing science fiction as a sort of game with my son, Lawrence, and after retiring decided to publish.
What inspired you to write A Test of Alien Alliance?
Well, it started with Lawrence’s science fiction enthusiasm. I had been writing as long as he could remember, and he asked me to write a Star Trek story. There are lots of fan-created Star Trek stories in various fanzines. After having fun with science fiction for a while, I decided to create my own universe, one as complex as the real one I learned about during my business career.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating A Test of Alien Alliance?
The most surprising thing was that I had to keep backing up and putting things in. I was so anxious to tell my story I was just making up characters and situations as I went along. Then I would realize how much it would strengthen the story to introduce them earlier and flesh out their lives. I hope to be more attentive on the next book!
Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
I relate most to Nimrod Ekeroth because he is ‘different’, being an alien half-caste and therefore feels not quite accepted. He has enormous abilities and does a hard job, but he needs the emotional support of his close friends.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When I’m not writing science fiction, I write healthy restaurant reviews and political buzz for Examiner.com in Nashville. I am very active politically, since I have the time. I also paint dressed up cats on small objects and sell them at local festivals. They are NOT the Felidae I write about in A Test of Alien Alliance.
If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
Conflicted and creative. My younger brother was born schizophrenic at a time when most people did not accept mental health problems or special needs kids. Our family was lucky to find help for all of us. During group therapy, I learned a lot about the things that can mess up a teen’s life.
Both my parents were creative and urged me to be. They helped me work on my strengths, playing the piano, sewing, embroidering, reading, listening to the opera. Sure, everybody dies at the end of the opera, but first you get to let it all hang out with a full orchestra. That’s catharsis for a lot of pent-up feelings. I started drawing my Creative Cats in high school.
What book have you read too many times to count? and why is it a favorite?
There are a bunch of those, but the most recent is Terry Pratchett’s Night Watch. This is fantasy rather than science fiction, and I picked it up in the library because of the time travel cover. It has remained a favorite because it creates two compelling portraits – Commander Vimes of the Watch and Lord Vetinari the Patrician. Of course, then I discovered the rest of the Discworld books, but that’s always been a favorite.
What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Various people at various times have told me I was not putting in enough physical description of the characters or the setting. I tend to concentrate on the characters’ emotions, interactions, and what they are trying to communicate. It seems easier just to live in their heads. After all, a spaceship is a spaceship is a spaceship. Thankfully, Lawrence reminds me every time I forget to describe something. This has made me a much stronger writer.
To learn more about Norma Druid or to purchase her book, visit her website. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Tell your local Tennessee bookstores and libraries that you want to read A Test of Alien Alliance by Norma Druid.
You can also read this interview on Examiner

Book Review: Fate Fixed by Bonnie Erina Wheeler

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Fate Fixed is the debut novel written by Bonnie Erina Wheeler. It is the first in what will be a series of five books in the Erris Coven Novel series. The next book in the series is due out this fall. Fate Fixed is told from alternating point of views among three of the characters. Lexie's family moves to Maine after her mother marries a man from Romania who has three sons. Her new step family is secretive, controlling, and even her mom's behavior stars changing. Everything Lexie thought she knew about the World is about to change after she meets Torrin, the boy who has been appearing in her dreams. When animals and humans are found savagely killed, both Lexie and Torrin will be forced to fight for their families, their love, and their lives.

Fate Fixed was entertaining from beginning to end. Lexie and Torrin's love is intense, and it is described so well within the book that when you read each character's point of view you can fully understand and feel their emotions for one another along with their inner conflicts. There are moments in the book that may be better suited to a more mature young adult audience depending on parental preferences. It provides a little something for everyone with its pleasant mix of romance, action, drama, and suspense.

Fate Fixed is available through Amazon, Smashwords, and Lulu.

To learn more about this book and the author, visit the Fate Fixed website and Facebook page.

You can also find this review on Examiner