Book Giveaway: Destined (House of Night) by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

Hey guys, the publisher is giving away a copy of Destined, the ninth book in the House of Night series by P.C. and Kristin Cast.

Check out the description:
  
In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side - and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together - if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what's destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

If you're interested in being the winner, just leave a comment and let me know if you've read any books by this mother-daughter team of authors and what you like about their stories. I've never read them, so I'm really interested. If you haven't read any, like me, just say so. Don't forget to include your email so you can be contacted if you're the winner.

Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only at publisher's request. It ends Wednesday, November 2, 2011.

Toodles!

A Waiting on Wednesday Double Header!

Waiting on Wednesday is the fantastic meme started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's a great way to learn about new books coming out and what people are anxious to read. For the first time, I'm posting about two books. The first, The Pledge by Kimberly Derling is a dystopian-fantasy that I'm not waiting on, but YOU should be. It's absolutely awesome. Honestly. When I read the announcement about this book in Publisher's Weekly, back in February, it didn't particularly intrigue me. Boy did I underestimate it. This story captured my imagination from the first page. It's so well written. Derling can really write! I haven't read her first series, The Body Finder, but it's on my shelf and The Pledge has made me excited to get time to dig into it. Let's look at the description of The Pledge...

In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom. 


The Pledge is a series not to be missed. It's that good. And now, on to the second selection...

UK cover. Book Two

The second book that I am waiting for is Until I Die by Amy Plum. It's the second book in the Die for Me trilogy. Remember that one? The one with Vincent, the revenant (or handsome zombiesque fellow) and Kate his love interest, the American girl living in Paris? Check out the Die for Me description to refresh your memory...

Book One

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.
When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.                             


The whole revenant mythology is pretty original and I can't wait to see how the story continues. Isn't the cover gorgeous? I'm totally taken with the colors. This is the UK version. We're still waiting to see what the US is going to come up with.

The Pledge releases November 15, 2011by Simon and Schuster

Until I Die releases May 8, 2012 by HarperCollins

Toodles, ya'll!

In MY Mailbox...

In MY Mailbox was started by Kriti over at The Story Siren.  I was happy to receive some books that I was given and that I bought this week. I contacted the publisher Little Brown to inquire about receiving the awesome debut, Daughter of Smoke and Bone. They were gracious enough to send me a copy.  They were kind enough to send me a couple more books this week, hardcover copies of Bunheads by Sophie Flack and How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr.  Bunheads is Flack's first novel. She was a professional ballet dancer for a company in NY, so she's writing the story from an experts opinion. I can't wait to dig into it.  I'm a huge fan of Sara Zarr. I mean, seriously. I just collect her books, even if I don't have time to read them right away. I put them on the shelf and know that I will get to them. They're like fine wine. Never trendy, just excellent true-to-life stories.

I received an ARC of  Everneath by Brodi Ashton. I love these kind of dark, edgy stories. This is also the author's first book. In addition to these freebies, I spent some money and purchased Kate Morton's Distant Hours. I already had her book, The Forgotten Garden. I haven't read either of these yet, but I'm totally captivated by the covers! I've leafed through them and the descriptions of the stories and the writing is so lush and atmospheric. She's written a third book and I plan to get that one too. The Morton books are also like vintage wine that sits patiently, waiting for you to partake of their loveliness...
Until the next time...

Toodles!

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

Waiting on Wednesday is a great show of blogger community. The concept was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine and it's where we take the opportunity to talk about what books we're anticipating reading and looking forward to. This week, I'm back in the contemporary YA camp. Check out the description of If I Tell...

Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a one night stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

Well! This sounds complex. I love a story that has a menagerie of nooks and crannies filled with intrigue and complexity of emotions. Thank goodness I don't have to truly wait for it. It came out the first of this month. I love the cover. The color scheme, which happens to be aqua and green, is one of my favorites. The cover model is a good choice too. The girl actually looks biracial, though there's no absolutes in this area. I know some people that you would never know had parents of two different races. It's genetic Russian roulette! Lol....

If I Tell released October 1, 2011 by Sourcebooks Fire.

Sweetie goes to the doctor....

My cat, Sweetie is the original scardy cat. I mean, they must have known she was coming and coined the word in her honor. When she was born, she was the most timid of the litter. When her brother and sister would play and pounce on each other, Sweetie wanted nothing to do with it. No rough and tumble life for her! When the other kittens started to eat solid food and came running when they saw me approach, not Sweetie! She hung back and had to be coaxed to eat. The others would scramble to get down if you picked them up, but Sweetie would just lie there, quietly. She's eleven years old now and still timid. If we have guests over, Sweetie won't even come in the house. She has to be carried in to make sure she eats! She is a sweet girl and hence, her name.

These pics are from her latest visit to the vet. She was so frightened, she literally trembled during the whole exam. Poor baby. We love her so much...

Who's that?!?

 

 

 

Oh God. How long is this gonna take?

  

                                                                                             

That's it. You can do it.

No. I don't want to.

    

Can we go home now?

Toodles!

And the Three Winners of Dracula in Love are...

Thanks for dropping in, girls. I wish there were enough books for everyone, but at least three of you will get it. Let's get right to it. The winners are...

Bookworm Nattie!!
Kathy Ann Coleman!!!
Nikki!!!

Please contact me and give me your mailing information so it can be passed on to the publisher. If the winners don't respond in 72 hours, others will be chosen in their place.

Toodles!

Book Giveaway and Author Interview: Dracula in Love by Karen Essex. Three Winners for This One!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED AS OF 10/12/11

Dracula in Love was published in hardcover, last summer. In honor of the new paperback edition, the author, Karen Essex, in conjunction with her publisher, are offering three winners a chance to read it. I read it last year and it's a really original take on the story. It's told from the viewpoint of Dracula's love interest, Mina Harker. Check out the blurb...

London, 1890. Mina Murray Harker, the rosy-cheeked, quintessentially pure Victorian heroine, becomes Count Dracula’s object of desire. To preserve her chastity, five male “defenders” rush in to rescue her from the vampire’s evil clutches. This is the story we have been told. But now, from Mina’s own pen, we discover a tale more sensual, more devious, and more enthralling than the Victorians could have ever imagined. From the shadowy banks of the river Thames to the wild and windswept Yorkshire coast, Mina vividly recounts the intimate details of what really transpired between her and the Count—the joys and terrors of a passionate affair, as well as her rebellion against her own frightening preternatural powers.

You can put the title in the search engine on this blog and learn more from the review I posted last September.

And the Winner of The Crown on Your Head by Nancy Tillman is....

This is the sweetest book. The winner of said book is...

LuAnn!!!

I hope your grandson enjoys it. Please send me your mailing info so I can pass it on to the publisher. If I don't hear from the winner in 24 hours, another will be selected in her place. The winner was chosen randomly, using Random.org

Toodles!

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: Living Violet--The Cambion Chronicles by Jaime Reed.

Book One

Waiting on Wednesday is an awesome opportunity to learn about new books coming out and what folks are salivating to read. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. I've ping-ponged back in the paranormal camp this week. Check out Living Violet: the first book in the Cambion Chronicles series by Jaime Reed...


He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . .

Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile. 

But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it.

The girl is biracial and we don't see much of that in YA. I remember when this author's agent announced her book deal. This is her debut novel and I love the premise of the story.  I'm looking forward to learning how she pulls it off. Anyone gonna join me for the ride?

Living Violet--The Cambion Chronicles releases December 27, 2011.

Toodles!