Release Day! Book Review and Giveaway: NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel/Penguin
Format: ARC
ISBN: 978-0-399-25482-6
Price: $17.99 Pages: 452
Release Date: Oct 19, 2010

Young adult paranormal novels have been awash in all things vampire, werewolves and angels to name a few of the more prolific creatures. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer doesn’t stray from a popular choice—werewolves, but she certainly puts a fresh and intriguing spin on it.

The premise of Nightshade is quite simple. Seventeen-year-old Calla Tor is a werewolf—when she’s not behaving like a normal student at the Mountain School.  The time for her upcoming nuptials is fast approaching. She’ll be pairing up and marrying Ren Laroche, a fellow student and werewolf. Calla and Ren are alpha wolves. The marriage solidifying their union will serve as the catalyst for uniting their respective wolf packs, the Nightshades and the Banes.  Calla and Ren will then rule the newly created pack and fight side by side as one. This has always been the plan since they were small children. It has always been their destiny, but as often happens, plans change—no matter how much we may wish otherwise.

Calla goes against all the rules of her kind, of the masters that control them and saves the life of a human boy who has strayed into the wrong part of the forest. He’s no ordinary boy and Calla will soon find out that there is much more to Shay Doran than the beautiful visage that captures her imagination as she risks everything to save him from a sure and certain death.

Release Day! Book Review, Swag Giveaway and Author Interview: HUNGER by Jackie Morse Kessler. Two winners for this!

Title: Hunger
Author: Jackie Morse Kessler
Publisher: Graphia/ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: ARC
ISBN: 978-0-547-34124-8
Price: $8.99; Pages: 180
Release Date: October 18, 2010

Perhaps one can decipher what this book is about from its title: Hunger.  Indeed it does touch on that—the experience of hunger on a personal level, but it also takes the reader on an exploration of hunger on a wider scale—in an interesting and very original way.  Let me explain.

When you’re anorexic, you’re hungry—very. And at its core, that is what this book is about, but it is so much more. Seventeen-year-old Lisabeth Lewis is anorexic. Each day she struggles to hide her eating disorder and fake out her family and friends that nothing is wrong, even as the evidence is clear: she continues to disappear as she gets thinner. She’s acting very weird around food and everyone is afraid of what is happening to her. They reach out, hoping she’ll respond to their concern, their offers of help, but Lisabeth is only interested in listening to one voice: the Thin voice. It’s a constant reminder of what she’s eating, what she shouldn’t be eating and how much work she’s going to have to do to burn of those “excess” calories. That is until she meets Death…and War, and let’s not forget Pestilence. You see, Lisabeth becomes Famine, one of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse—literally.

Since she’s starving herself and contemplating suicide, Death (quite a sexy version, I might add) decides to make use of her natural inclinations and put her to good use. Combining Lisabeth’s most salient features: hunger, starvation and ultimately death, being appointed Famine is an ideal job for her—whether she likes it or not.

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler

Waiting on Wednesday is a terrific meme started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn what other bloggers are looking forward to reading as well as spreading a little book love of your own. This week, I can't wait to read RAGE by Jackie Morse Kessler. She's writing these connecting, issue-driven books that utilize magical realism. The protagonists in each of the stories become one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Lisabeth in Hunger, releasing 10/18/10 is anorexic and she becomes the Horseman known as Famine. In the next installment,  RAGE, Missy self-mutilates via cutting and becomes one of the other Horseman, War. Check out the amazon description...

She brought the razor to her inner thighs again and again and again, but with each sting came no release, no comforting numbness that dulled the horror of her life.
It wasn’t enough. So she cut again—swiftly, mercilessly.

Missy didn’t mean to cut so deep. But after the party where she was humiliated in front of practically everyone in school, who could blame her for wanting some comfort? Sure, most people don’t find comfort in the touch of a razor blade, but Missy always was . . . different. That’s why she was chosen to become one of the Four Horsemen Apocalypse: War. Now Missy wields a different kind of blade--a big, brutal sword that can cut down anyone and anything in her path. But it’s with this weapon in her hand that Missy learns something that could help her triumph over her own pain: control. A unique approach to the topic of self-mutilation, RAGE is the story of a young woman who discovers her own power, and refuses to be defeated by the world.

I read the arc of Hunger and found it to be a very unique and thought-provoking book. I'll be posting my interview with the author on release day as well as giving away some swag. Jackie Morse Kessler is amazingly accessible and a joy to communicate with.  I can't wait to see what she has next with RAGE.

Releases April 18, 2011.


Toodles!

Movie Review: Let Me In. Twilight for middle schoolers. OMG. It's "bloody" awesome!

After work today, I decided to see the movie, Let Me In. I briefly recalled seeing a review that said it was good, so I decided to check it out. My goodness, was it ever. It is Twilight for the middle school/junior high set, but with bite. I mean it. Serious, bloody bite. No neat, vegetarian-like vampire here. This is good, old "I-need-blood-and-I'm-gonna-get-it-by-any-means-necessary. Now, that being said, let me be clear. This is not a gratuitous, bloody vampire horror. It's a somber, sad, touching, poignant, loving, bloody vampire horror. It's a kind of coming-of-age vampire story...almost, but there's one problem...vampires don't age, so only one half of the couple does that. That would be 12 year-old Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee). He's a lonely, fragile boy who is ignored by his parents who are going through a divorce. He's tormented by bullies at school and spends time spying on the exploits of his neighbors through his telescope when he's not in the mirror pretending to be a serial killer. Then he meets Abby. She's 12 too...give or take some years.

Abby moves in next door with her "father"(Richard Jenkins from Six Feet Under). She lets Owen know right away that they "can't be friends", but of course they do and then some. The characters are 12, so they are not sexualized to any great degree, but exploration of that I-think-I'm-in-love-for-the-first-time component is squee-worthy. I'm not going to say anything more. I don't want to spoil it for you, but I'm telling you, you owe it to yourself to see this movie. It's based on a Swedish novel called "Lat den Ratte Komma In" by John Ajvide Lindquist. There was a Swedish movie adapted from the novel called Let the Right One In in 2008 that seems to have received some very good reviews.

I have a feeling this movie is going to fly under the radar and come and go without a lot of people knowing how totally awesome it is. Maybe if the book had been translated into English, it would get more attention. I sure would love to read it. Don't read any reviews first. It's best to sit there and watch the story unfold. You won't regret it.

Toodles!

10/09/10: Hey guys. I  just learned from Indigo via a comment, that the book is out in English and it's the same name as the film, Let Me In.

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: Jane by April Linder

Waiting on Wednesday is the super meme started by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It gives all of us book lovers a chance to talk about what we're waiting to read. This week I can't wait to check out Jane by April Linder. It's a young adult book that's a modern take on an old classic--Jane Eyre.

According to the Publisher Weekly's review, Jane Moore's parents die in a tragic accident and she is left with only two unfeeling, absentee siblings to call family. Poor and alone, Jane quits college, interviews to become a full-time nanny, and because of her unassuming personality and total lack of celebrity awareness--quickly lands a job caring for the daughter of an aging, world-famous rock star who's about to make his comeback.

Jane is mesmerized by her new employer, Nico Rathburn. He's brooding, magnetic and an older man. Jane soon finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance, but a torturous secret from his past threatens to destroy what they've created.

I read Jane Eyre years ago as a kid. I also always loved to watch the movie when it came on TV. I'm looking forward to this. It sounds Gothic, atmospheric and windswept. Anyone going to join me?

We won't have to wait long. It releases October 11, 2010.

Toodles!

Sights of England: The Waterlily House--Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew ( aka Kew Gardens)

As some of you know, in my first attempt at novel writing, the spiral staircase in the Palm House of the Royal Botanical Gardens was the scene of my teen couple's first romantic moment (see 8/13 post). I couldn't wait to get to England to see it in person. But, the Palm House isn't the only awesome place in the Gardens. From time to time, I'll post more of the pictures I took there. Right now, enjoy the Waterlily House. I didn't even know waterlilies grew so big. I was almost tempted to climb into one...Lol...somehow, I don't think that would have worked out...

Toodles!

The Five Finalists of the Wind Warrior Super Giveaway by Romance Author Cynthia Roberts are....

This was one of the grandest giveaways I've ever seen an author do. Cynthia Roberts has run a month-long giveaway which will have five winners of really lovely prizes. This is in honor of her debut novel Wind Warrior. I've been so honored to be a part of it. She's requested the five finalists that will join the many others from other participating blogs to be entered in the Big Drawing. And here they are!




1) spamgirl (realitybbq@gmail.com)


2) mrsshukra (delilah0180@yahoo.com

3) Michele (rlawrence110@yahoo.com)


4) Kara (kara.kpdesigns@gmail.com)


5) Mickey (mickeycoutts@yahoo.com)

If one or more of the five finalists above are winners in the Big Drawing, they will be contacted by the author.  All finalists were selected randomly utilizing Random.org.

Congratulations girls and the best of luck in the final phase of the giveaway! I'm rooting for you.

Toodles!

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma: Can you say sibling love of the sexual kind?

Waiting on Wednesday is a super meme started by the very creative Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is a super way to learn about what's new, what's coming out and what your fellow book lovers are looking forward to digging into.

Forbidden...The only thing I can do is let the blurb of this book speak for itself. Here it is:

Sixteen-year-old Maya and seventeen-year-old Lochan have never had the chance to be "normal". Having pulled together for years to take care of their younger siblings while their wayward, drunken mother leaves them to fend alone, they have had to become much more than simply brother and sister. And now, they have fallen in love. But this is a love that can never be allowed, a love that will have devastating consequences...

             How can something so wrong, feel so right?

The author, Tabitha Suzuma is the product of a British mother and a Japanese father. She hated school and dropped out at age fourteen, much to her parent's distress and her teacher's delight. She ultimately returned to school at some point and indulged her love of writing. Forbidden is her fifth novel.

This is clearly a topic that has a huge "ick" factor. A brother and sister succumbing to sexual desire--for each other. As a therapist of children, I've encountered all sorts of problems. I recall a case of suspected incest and the girl was pregnant--by her father. Major double yuck.

I want to know how Ms. Suzuma handles this story, a subject that is taboo and cleary makes people more than a little uncomfortable.

Forbidden released in the UK, May 2010. It will be available in the US, June 2011

Can you handle it?

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

Thanks for stopping in and checking out the review. I appreciate your answers and was surprised to learn of the variety in vampire books you've read. I wasn't familiar with a lot of them. I'll be hosting a giveway of some "hot off the presses" YA books over the next week or two. A publisher surprised me with one the other day, so I'm giving it away. Now, without further ado, let's get to the good stuff. The winners of Dracula in Love are...

Book Review and Giveaway: Dracula in Love: Two Winners for this one!

Title: Dracula in Love
Author: Karen Essex
Publisher: Doubleday
Format: Finished Book
ISBN: 978-0385528914
Price: $25.95; Pages: 370
Release Date: August 10, 2010

I have a faint remembrance of reading the original Dracula many years ago. I recall it's told from the perspective of the men in the story, particularly Jonathan Harker, whose fiancee Mina Murray, was the object of Dracula's desire...or something along those lines. In Dracula in Love, Karen Essex takes the story in a new direction. She tells this old classic from the female point of view. It is written in first person from the perspective of Mina. Let's take a look at the blurb on the book.

Reader, you are about to enter a world that exists simultaneous with your own. But be warned: in its realm, there are no rules, and there is certainly no neat formula to become--or to destroy--one who has risen above the human condition...The truth is, we must fear monsters less and be warier of our own kind. (from the books prologue)

London, 1890. Mina Murray, 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've been told. But now, from Mina's own pen, we discover that the story is vastly different when told from the female point of view...

And the Winners of Blogmania 2010 are...

I tell you. This was a lot of fun...and a lot of work! Whew! But I"m grateful for everyone who stopped in, had kind words to say about my blog and became a follower. I truly appreciate it and never take you guys for granted. I'm happy to have my largest number of winners in a giveaway yet!

You had the opportunity to meet some awesome sponsors. They were kind and generous in contributing to this giveaway. When time allows, check out their links again and do some shopping. They have fabulous items at excellent prices.

I know everyone wants to know if they've won, so I won't keeping you waiting any further. The winners of Blogmania 2010 are...

Teen Love, Angst and Shenanigans! A YA Extravaganza: Blogmania 2010. Eight Winners for this!

***CONTEST NOW CLOSED***

Well folks, I'm at it again. Another totally awesome opportunity to get some great reading material and freaking outstanding jewelry into your hands! I mean, you've gotta love this. I know I do and I'm stoked to offer it all to you. Let's get right down to business.

My Giveaway and Rules:

If you follow this blog, you know I make it easy. In my humble opinion, there's nothing worse than seeing something you would like to win, but you have to jump throw too many hoops to get it...ugh!...torture. If you're interested in a chance to win, just become a follower if you're not already (you wont regret it!) and leave a comment with your email. That's it. Just know this,  all winners are selected randomly, so when you enter, there is no guarantee which one you will win.  Since most of the prizes are coming from sponsors, I can't guarantee they will ship outside of the US, so the giveaway this time is open to residents of the US only.  Now, let's get to the good stuff.

The Grand Prize consists of two books by my favorite YA author Simone Elkeles: Perfect Chemistry,  her breakout novel and Rules of Attraction, released this spring and a New York Times Best Seller!
 I'm also including a beautiful necklace from one of my super sponsors, One Heart Jewelry. The jewelry is handcrafted and gorgeous. Make sure you click that link and check out that site! Bookmark it. I just bought some beautiful earrings from there.

                                                  

 Harlequin TEEN has graciously offered to donate some books, and I'm extremely appreciative.  They will be sending three winners one of the following: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kadawa, released 8/1/10; Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagan, released 9/1/10 and Unraveled by Gena Showalter, released 8/31. A special thanks to Natashya Wilson of Harlequin TEEN for making the books available.

The First Prize will consist of The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa and a lovely blue enameled pendant. The Iron Daughter is a tale of faeries, betrayal of love and war in a world other than our own.The pendant is contributed by Ox Original Art Jewelry, another site of beautiful hand-crafted jewelry. Make sure to check in. This blue-green enameled pendant is done in the abstract expressionism style with color fields of aqua, teal and blue. The fields are separated with lines of brown and rust. The hand wrapped bail features an amazonite abacus and copper accent beads.

The Second Prize is a very special timepiece. It's a handmade clock that fits in perfectly with our Love theme. This unusual timekeeper is coming your way, courtesy of MakingTimetc. You will not believe the decorative clocks you'll find there.       


















The Third Prize finds us back to Harlequin TEEN and the YA book,  Unraveled. The main character is a teen boy who has werewolves for friends, a girlfriend who's a hungry vampire and four human souls living in his head. Sounds like he's going through Hell to me. No wonder he's unraveling, so...Lol...I'm going to pair this book with an unusual hand-crafted collage teen angst pewter pendant with 24 inch chain. This is being donated by Fireflygirl Inspirations. You'll find unique and copyrighted pieces at her shop that you're not going to see anywhere else.

And the Winners of Blogfest 2010 are...

Gosh. You guys are great. I wish I had a prize for each and everyone of you.  I'm glad my selections seem to have been a hit. I do my best. Let's get to the winners. The Grand Prize winner is...

Three Day Giveaway Only: Sept 10-12. A Literary Mix and a Little Touch of Bling! Three Winners for This! BlogFest 2010

***CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED***

WELCOME To BLOGFEST!    
       

This is an awesome opportunity to explore lots of blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGFEST GIVEAWAY  (For Three Days Only: 9/10-9/12) .

Each blog will have a link and take you to the next blog you should visit. When you are finished here, please go to this link:
 Reader Girls: http://readergirls.blogspot.com to continue your blogging treasure hunt!

If you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, you can bookmark that site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all that it has to offer. 

*** There is a massive BlogFest 2010 grand giveaway!  Head on over to http://ajourneyofbooks.halfzero.net and click on the Tracking Site link to head to our own exclusive tracking site.  Once there you can register with a valid email address (to be used solely for the purpose of contacting the winner).  This site will allow you to track your progress through BlogFest 2010!  You can log on from anywhere at any time and continue where you left off.  The best part is that every blog that you visit and mark off through this tracking site will give you one entry into the massive giveaway!  We have a great collection of books, goodies and other swag that is looking for a new home!

 

Now, here are the particulars of MY GIVEAWAY and RULES:

Grand Prize

I like to keep it simple folks. For a chance to win the Grand Prize, the First Prize and the Second Prize just become a follower if you're not already and and leave a comment with your e-mail or some way to contact you. That's it! What could be simpler? Let's go over the lovely prizes:

The Grand Prize consists of two books, the thriller novel, Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo as well as Grace Under Pressure-A Manor House Mystery by Julie Hyzy. The Grand Prize package also includes a charm bracelet made up of pocketbooks. I know someone who preferred a necklace and took the bracelet apart to use the charms for that purpose. You're only limited by your creative vision.

Grand Prize

Grand Prize

                                 

First Prize

The First Prize consists of the novel Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner, the British author who is one of the "Founding Mothers" of Chick Lit. This is her debut novel and I picked it up in a bookstore when I visited London this summer. It's brand new and unread-I haven't had time, so I may as well let someone enjoy it. Accompanying this First Prize is a pair of jade tone earrings with a gold tone setting. The picture doesn't do them justice and they're quite pretty.

First Prize

                                      

                            

Second Prize

The Second and final prize consists of the historical Romance, The Beloved Scoundrel by Iris Johansen. This is new and unread as well. Just not enough time in the day, but my loss is your gain.  

Winners will be chosen randomly, so when you enter, there is no guarantee which prize you will win.  The winners will be announced during the week of Sept 13. Giveaway open only to residents of the US and Canada. Sorry folks, but the shipping can be quite expensive. Thanks for coming by and don't forget to stop by

Reader Girls @ http://readergirls.blogspot.com when you leave here to check out what's being offered!

Thanks guys and don't be strangers. I hope you stop by again. I try to keep it interesting around here.

 Toodles!

Awesome Giveaway! Romance Author Cynthia Roberts of Wind Warrior wants you to check this out!

Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway      


Sept 1 ~ Sept. 30

Cynthia Roberts, author of her debut historical romance, Wind Warrior has something pretty darn dynamic for all of Writing is a Blessing visitors, friends and subscribers ... one of the largest blog tour promotional giveaways ever attempted.

Breaking into the world of romance fiction is a challenge unto itself but more so, when you’re a newly published author. Writing is a Blessing is excited to participate in this venture with Cynthia and help introduce Wind Warrior to the world of romance readers. The bonus … every one has the chance to compete for not one, but five pretty extraordinary prizes which will include:


1. Romantic Two-lid willow picnic basket with deluxe service for two ~ $125.00 value


2. Succulent Godiva Chocolate Tier ~ $75.00 value


3. Exquisite Pearl & Crystal Necklace ~ $50.00 value


4. Amazon Gift Certificate ~ $25 value


5. Amazon Gift Certificate ~ $25 value


To view the gifts & read further descriptions visit her website at http://www.romanceauthorcynthiaroberts.com./

Contest Rules Are As Follows:

My Selection for Waiting on Wednesday: Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Jill at Breaking the Spine hosts this meme that lets all of us check out and learn what are the hotly awaited books to read.


Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is. 

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued. 

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her. 

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed. 

This sounds so creepy and horrific. I want to know what's up with this girl that the most terrifying of creatures are afraid of her! I have an idea, but I've got to read this book to find out if I'm right. Is any one willing to join me?

Releases February 22, 2011

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