Blackout Cover Reveal and Giveaway!

Blackout (T.O.E. Trilogy, Book 2)

by Alecia Stone

Release Date: March 19, 2014

Centrinian Publishing Ltd

Summary from Goodreads:

What was shall no longer be. Was was not shall now become.

Despite having the protection of the talisman and the Legion, a reforming force of warrior angels and elementals, guarding his every move, things are not looking good for Charlie Blake. Tasked with the responsibility of saving mankind, finding the four diamonds to restore the talisman is all he can think of, but when his prophetic visions start to invade his reality and he suddenly can’t distinguish the dream world from the real world, the pending extinction of mankind becomes the least of his problems. Everyone assumes Charlie’s dormant powers are activating, until he starts showing symptoms of a deadly disease.

With his nemesis, Gaddis, threatening the lives of his loved ones, he faces a race against time to locate Raphael’s Stone, the air diamond, before an imminent pandemic destroys civilization. As he ventures into dangerous lands once again, he unearths shocking revelations about his past life that forces him to question his allegiance. With no one to turn to for answers, he can’t help but wonder if his purpose is truly to save mankind.

Excerpt from Blackout:

Charlie’s eyes shifted back and forth between Derkein and the knife. Derkein had a look in his eyes he didn’t recognise. This wasn’t the man he had moved in with. He wasn’t the man who was soon to become his adoptive father. This was an impostor.

‘My father always said everything happened for a reason,’ Derkein said, ‘but he never met you. What good is immortality if I’m stuck in one place?’ He stopped and dropped his arm by his side, the knife slipping out of his grasp and landing with a clunking noise on the marble floor.

Charlie stopped, leaving a few inches between him and Derkein, who was standing with a guarded stance. Charlie couldn’t help but wonder who was more afraid of whom.

‘You’ve left me to rot in this god forsaken world for the rest of my life, so forgive me if I seem a tad ungrateful,’ Derkein went on in a flat tone. His blank expression left no room for interpretation. ‘If I have to rot in hell, I don’t see why I should have to suffer alone.’

Charlie didn’t see it coming. Derkein lunged at him, grabbed him by the arms, and thrust him backwards. Charlie waited for the collision of his back with the conservatory door, but the impact didn’t occur. Instead, he found himself falling and landing hard on his back in darkness. The only source of light came from the kitchen ahead of him where Derkein was standing.

‘Why do you look so surprised?’ Derkein asked. ‘What did you expect was going to happen when you resurrected me, or did I not deserve the common courtesy of a conscious thought? I’m not like you. I’m not like them. Tell me, Charlie. What am I, exactly?’

Charlie rose up into a sitting position. He didn’t have the answers Derkein was seeking. ‘I’m sorry.’ The words barely escaped his mouth.

‘Yeah. Me too.’ In the blink of an eye, Derkein and the kitchen vanished, leaving Charlie in complete darkness. He sat in the empty silence, waiting. It wasn’t until he heard his rapid breathing that he realised panic had overcome him. Charlie scampered to his feet and charged ahead of him, ramming into the hard, rough texture of a brick wall.

‘Derkein!’ he yelled, pounding the wall with his fists. ‘Derkein, please –’

‘Sol.’

Charlie felt a crawling sensation move down his spine as a shrill voice echoed around him. With his palms braced against the wall, he remained still as the voice slowly faded. He held his breath as silence invaded the space once again. When the voice didn’t return, he made a move to the right, running his hand over the wall as he searched for the door.

Within seconds, he felt a tingle of cold air on the back of his neck that made him jump, and he released his breath. He spun around, shifting his head left and right, but his eyes couldn’t penetrate the darkness that surrounded him.

He reached up towards his neck and froze. The rhythm of his heart accelerated as he moved his hand over his chest in search of the familiar touch of the two silver rings he had become so accustomed to over the past five years, but the chain wasn’t around his neck. Although he couldn’t see anything, he suddenly felt as though the darkness was closing in on him, compressing his lungs as if attempting to stifle him.

A spotlight appeared a few feet in front of him, and his heart stopped. He gulped down the lump forming in his throat as he stared at the figure submerged in the light, dangling about two feet off the ground.

About the author Alecia Stone

Alecia Stone is a full-time writer who spends most of her days with her head in a book. She loves anything and everything paranormal - the stranger the better. Her fascination with all things supernatural sparked her obsession with books, particularly young adult fantasy fiction, which she has never grown out of. She graduated with a BA in Film & TV and has worked in television for a short period of time before branching out into storytelling.

When she's not writing, she enjoys watching movies and travelling. Blackout is the sequel to the Amazon bestselling YA fantasy novel Talisman Of El. She currently lives in the UK with her family.

Author Links:

Website ¦ Facebook ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Goodreads

Cover Reveal Organised by:

Blackout Cover Reveal Giveaway

Ends March 31st.

International. Open to anyone who can receive gifted ebooks from amazon.com and gift cards from either amazon.com or amazon.co.uk. Alternatively, gift card winners may opt for Paypal cash ($10) or a book of choice from The Book Depository ($10).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Book Review: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Paperback
356 pages
Expected Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Series: The Internment Chronicles, Book 1
HUGE thank you to S&S Canada for sending me this book to review!

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil. Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

This book was my introduction to Lauren DeStefano. I have the Chemical Garden Trilogy sitting right over there on my shelf, but I haven't read it yet.

After reading Perfect Ruin, that trilogy will be moved waaaaaay up in my TBR pile.

This book was AMAZING.

You know when you read a book, and the plot just makes you go, 'WHERE DID THIS EVEN COME FROM IN SOMEONE'S BRAIN?!'? Like The Hunger Games or Harry Potter or the Uglies series? Where the author just blows your mind because you have no idea how someone could be so brilliant and have an imagination so wild that it thinks up the most wonderful things?

Yeah, THAT'S what this book is.

Hundreds of years ago (probably), a huge chunk of the earth is somehow taken from the ground and put up into the sky. Way up, like, miles and miles and miles. And it just kind of...hangs there.

The people who live on the earth have no contact with the people who live in the sky--which is called Internment.

The people who live on Internment pretty much believe that their 'sky God' is responsible for everything that happens in their lives. 

But some question that, and some feel like they want more out of life. Some even try to go to the edge--something that is strictly forbidden--and see the ground for themselves. And sometimes those people even try to jump off.

Perfect Ruin is the story of Morgan, who's brother was one of those jumpers.

Morgan is a normal girl on Internment, with normal friends and a normal boyfriend--her betrothed, because the people of Internment can't choose who they want to marry.

But Morgan, like her brother, wants more. 

And so the story begins.

I really enjoyed the romance in this book. It's not shoved in your face with constant make-out sessions.

It's subtle and sweet and just really normal. 

I loved pretty much every character, with the exception of Royals--who we're supposed to hate--and Thomas, but I think even he will grow on my throughout the series.

Pen, Morgan and Basil are particularly easy to relate to.

I'd definitely recommend this book to all kids 12 and up, and to their parents. 

It's definitely a great book to read together and discuss.

The only downside? 

Now I have to wait until 2015 for book two! [Vader]NOOOOOOOOOOO![/Vader]

YA Book Review- Ironskin by Tina Connolly

Hardcover
304 pages
Release date: Oct. 2, 2012
Publisher: Tor Books
Series: Ironskin #1
Author: Tina Connolly
Big thanks to Tor for providing this copy for review!

Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.  It’s the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain—the ironskin.  When a carefully worded listing appears for a governess to assist with a "delicate situation"—a child born during the Great War—Jane is certain the child is fey-cursed, and that she can help. Teaching the unruly Dorie to suppress her curse is hard enough; she certainly didn’t expect to fall for the girl’s father, the enigmatic artist Edward Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio...and come out as beautiful as the fey.  Jane knows Rochart cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things is true? Step by step Jane unlocks the secrets of her new life—and discovers just how far she will go to become whole again.

Ironskin is apparently a 'steampunk retelling of Jane Eyre'. I've never read Jane Eyre, so you won't find any comparisons here.
I'm just going to tell you MY thoughts about a cool book. :)

Ironskin takes place in a really amazing world. I just wish we learned more about that amazing world!
Because it takes place years after the war, and we only get a few flashbacks and memories, we don't know exactly what happened or why, and I REALLY wish we did!

The characters were mostly great. I loved Dorie and REALLY loved Poule, but I disliked Edward. A lot.
And the romance was just so forced. I almost wish that bit had been completely left out. It wasn't needed at all and really just slowed the book down.

With more world and character building, Ironskin could have been a great book.
As it is, it's a good book.

I'd recommend it to folks who enjoy steampunk or stories about the fey.
There's no heavy romance or violence, but the plot can be a bit complicated, so readers 14+ might enough this book.

Let me know if you read it!

YA Book Review: The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen

eARC
Release date: Sept 11, 2012
Publisher: Tundra Books (RandomHouse Canada)
Author: Susin Nielsen
Thank you to RandomHouse Canada for providing this ARC for review.

Darker than her previous novels, Susin peoples this novel about the ultimate cost of bullying with a cast of fabulous characters, dark humour, and a lovable, difficult protagonist struggling to come to terms with the horrible crime his brother has committed.

I made the mistake of 'judging a book by it's cover'. I mean, with that cover, how dark can it be, right?!
I WAS SO WRONG.

This book is dark and touching and real and absolutely beautifully written. It's one of those that stays with your for weeks after you finish reading it.

You can see that the blurb tells you pretty much nothing about this book, and I'm sticking with that idea. You'll find zero spoilers here!

What I CAN tell you is that Henry is a wonderful character, the book WILL make you sad and angry, but it DOES have a hopeful ending.

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen is a short, quick book, but it doesn't lack substance like many short books can.

I highly recommend this book to all kids over age 12, and to ALL parents and educators.

YA Book Review: Trevor, A Novella by James Lecesne

Hardcover
112 Pages
Release date: Sept. 25, 2012
Publisher: Triangle Square
Author: James Lecesne
Thank you to RandomHouse Canada for providing this book for review!

Trevor is an exuberant, sociable, and witty thirteen year old. So how come, when he takes that nerve-wrecking turn toward his locker at school, does he feel scared and alone? Shunned by his friends, misunderstood by his parents, and harrassed at school for being different, Trevor goes from wondering what color glitter to choose for his Lady Gaga costume at Halloween, to wondering why some feelings "are so intense it makes you just want to lay down and die rather than go on feeling it," and making an attempt on his life. Trevor mixes humor and realism in an urgent look at what it is like to feel alienated from everything around you. And more importantly, what critical ties can step in at the most unlikely moment, to save you from despair, and give you reason to go on living.  Trevor is an update of the film version of the story, directed by Peggy Rajski, which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in 1994. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning youth. As the recent attention to youth suicides has received increased media attention, and Dan Savage's IT GETS BETTER campaign has gone viral around the world, the public is finally beginning to face hard facts. Thirty-three percent of suicides among teenagers involve LGBTQ youth, one-third of all LGBT kids report having attempted suicide, and nine out of ten report overt harassment at school. Trevor is an effort to make those kids feel loved and supported, so they will find the strength to go on living.

What is it like to be a LGBTQ teen these days? To be bullied and insulted and alienated every day of your life? To be misunderstood by even your parents?

Trevor explores these issues in a funny, touching and very real way.

It's a short book, but it's written well and it might appeal to more reluctant readers. Yes, yes, there are books out there that are longer and probably better-written, but Trevor is a good 'stepping-stone' book for LGBTQ kids.

I truly hope that ALL parents and all school libraries will keep this book on hand. It just might save a life.

YA Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Paperback
408 pages
Release date: Sept. 18, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Series: The Raven Cycle #1
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
HUGE thank you to Scholastic Canada for providing this book for review!

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.” It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble. But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little. For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

What would life be like if you were the only non-psychic in a house full of them?
This is only ONE of Blue's troubles in the AMAZING new book, The Raven Boys!


This was my introduction to Ms. Stiefvater, and yep, it was a good one to start with! (I've had both The Scorpio Races AND the Shiver trilogy on my bookshelf for MONTHS now and haven't had the time to pick them up!)

The characters are amazing. I wanted to be Blue, with all of her flaws and quirks and awesomeness.
Adam and Gansey are both so, so amazing in such different ways. There's no way I can choose between them.
Noah--Aw, Noah. I think I loved him most of all--but it's a completely different kind of love than what I feel for Adam and Gansey, with the hugs and the hair-petting and...d'aw. Noah.
And Ronan? Well...I love his name! And not much more! Ha!

The mysteries, twist and turns in The Raven Boys are fun and thrilling, and the cliff-hanger ending left me literally stunned and speechless!

The book IS a bit over-long and it does lag from time-to-time, but the lovable characters, the intriguing quest and the fabulous writing will definitely keep you turning the pages.
Keep in mind that this IS book 1 of a series and it definitely can't be read as a stand-alone novel, though!

I can honestly say that book 2 is now one of my most anticipated reads of 2013, and I really, REALLY hope we see more of Ronan--who was kind of left on the back-burner with all of the other important plots that were happening-- as well as some of the foreshadowing Ms. Stiefvater teasingly adds in The Raven Boys!

If you liked the Dead Poets Society or Stephen King's It, I think you'll really enjoy this book.
I highly recommend it to teens 14+, because of the slightly complicated plot twists, and to moms and dads, too!
And, YES, I'm happy to say this is a great book for boys to get into, too!

PLEASE oet me know if you read it! I'd love to discuss it with you!

Book Review: Touched by Cyn Balog

eBook
Release date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Author: Cyn Balog
A big thanks to Net Galley and Delacorte for providing this eARC for review!

Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work. But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn and finds out about the Book of Touch. Now the path that he thought he was on begins to shift . . . and there's no way to stop things from happening. Or is there?  In a life where there are no surprises, nothing has prepared Nick for what he's about to discover--or the choice he will be forced to make. . . .

So that's a pretty cool blurb up there, right? Well let me tell you, it does NOT do this book justice!
I couldn't put it down!

Touched is about this guy named Nick who can see his future. ALL of his futures. Every decision he makes changes what will happen in his life, but he remembers futures that COULD have happened too.
His marriages, his deaths, his children, it's all there in his head.
Crazy, right?!

What a fascinating concept! I LOVED it!

Enter Taryn, who changes Nick's future yet again....but this time it's NOT a future Nick wants.
The two must do everything they can to change what will happen.
It's quite a roller coaster ride for the reader, let me tell you!

I love the characters. Your heart goes out to Nick when you realize what the poor guy has to go through everyday.
And I adore Nan.

But the best part? The ending! Oh em gee, that ending! I can't say a word about it, but it's twisty and shocking and it'll leave you teary.

There's no excessive sex or language or anything too mature in Touched, so I'd be comfortable recommending it to kids 12+, and it's written from a boy's perspective, so it's perfect for boys, too!

Book Review: Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle

eBook
Release date: July 23, 2012
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau (Random House)
Author: Victor LaValle

Lucretia's best friend and upstairs neighbor Sunny-a sweet pitbull of a kid, even as she struggles with a mysterious illness-has gone missing. The only way to get her back is for Lucretia to climb the rickety fire escape of their Queens tenement and crawl through the window of apartment 6D, portal to a vast shadowland of missing kids ruled by a nightmarish family of mutants whose designs on the children are unknown. Her search for Sunny takes Lucretia through a dark fantasyland where she finds lush forests growing from concrete, pigeon-winged rodents, and haunted playgrounds. Her quest ultimately forces her to confront the most frightening specter of all: losing, forever, the thing you love the most. Lucretia and the Kroons is a dazzlingly imaginative adventure story and a moving exploration of the power of friendship and the terror of loss. This all-new novella serves as the perfect companion piece to The Devil in Silver, a thrillingly suspenseful work of literary horror that continues the story of Lucretia.

This was a weird book. Not at all what I expected, and that's not a bad thing. It was creepy and a bit disturbing and it made me think. It was sneaky that way, with the thinking.

These are always the toughest reviews for me to write. The ones where I didn't love the book, but I didn't hate it either.
This book is really just kind of ho-hum for me.

It's a novella, so it's an easy day-read. The characters are interesting, and I did really like Loochie.

It's the horror bits that were just okay for me. I prefer my horror to be realistic, and Lucretia and the Kroons is more a fantasy-horror.

That being said, it did interest me enough to want to read it's companion novel, The Devil in Silver, but only because it continues the story of Loochie...without the odd Kroons.

If you're looking for a short read and you like off-the-wall kind of stuff, you might like Lucretia and the Kroons.
I'd say it's for ages 16+. Some of the horror bits might gross out younger teens.

Book Review: Rift Healer by Diane M. Haynes

eBook
Release date: March 12, 2012
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Author: Diane M. Haynes
HUGE thank you to the author for providing this copy for review!

After a minor earthquake, the enchanted forest in Bidwell, MA, is infested with monster-spewing rifts. Gisele's great nephew, the gifted Micah, and his distant cousin, Selena, arrive to assist. Together with Gisele's summer students, twins Haley and Lacey, they will try to help the magical forest. Much to the consternation of the beautiful Selena, Micah identifies Haley as The One whom he'll share his future. But after witnessing a terrifying display of Micah's Gift, Haley cools to his advances and unexpectedly discovers her own Gift-- she can heal the earth.  Monsters, mayhem, and teenage angst follow the small group as they confront evil in the forest and a dangerous prediction that 'one will fall'. Will they heal the rifts in time? Can they save the unicorns? And is Haley really destined to be with Micah?

Okay, I'm ashamed to say that this book is a classic 'don't judge a book by it's cover' case for me.
I'm not really a fan of the cover, and the blurb on the back was only mildly interesting. Those things almost made me pass on this book.
HOLY COW, that would have been a HUGE mistake!!

Let me try to put this into perspective for you--
I have a 4 year old daughter, and I've been buying YA and MG books for her. Yes, I realize that she won't be able to read them for years. I just want to have the books I LOVED on hand for her for when she's ready.
I have Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, Heidi, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Are You There, God...?, The Book Thief, and many more.
All classics, all amazing books.
Guess what else will be on that shelf soon? You got it. Rift Healer. THAT'S how much I LOVED this book, and THAT'S how much this book means to me now.
It easily deserves a spot on my daughter's shelf with the classics I fell in love with as a girl.

Rift Healer transported me back in time. I was again 12 years old, adventuring beside our heroes, twins Haley and Lacey.
I could feel my heart pounding during the battles, I held my breath during the anxious moments, and 12 year old me blushed right along with Haley when Micah would say something sweet.

This book is like a mash-up of Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Narnia and The Lord of the Rings--but it's so fantastically UNIQUE.
The characters are amazing and wonderful. The writing is so vivid that you WILL be in the forest alongside Giselle. You WILL hear The Terrors. You WILL feel the grass beneath your feet. You WILL see the beauty of the flowers.

Without spoilers, I can tell you that the last battle will have your heart in your throat, and that you'll fall in love with the Greenman. ;)

I don't know if Rift Healer is the first in a series or if it's a stand-alone novel--but I truly hope this isn't the last we've seen of Haley, Micah and the rest.
I can tell you most definitely that every single one of these books, if written, will find it's spot on my shelf ready and waiting.

I HIGHLY recommend Rift Healer for middle graders and teens 10+. There is NO excessive language or sexual scenes, and I'd be very comfortable letting my daughter read this book when she's ready for it.

Thank you SO MUCH, Diane, for allowing me to read this gift.

You can purchase Rift Healer here.... And I really hope you do.

Young Adult Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to the Young Adult Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Reading Teen.

Are you ready for an EPIC giveaway?! Want to know what you'll win?! Okay!

ONE winner will receive a hardcover copy of Ashfall by Mike Mullin, a Hunger Games back sack, a Saving Angels series postcard signed by Tiffany King, an Innocent Darkness bookmark signed by Suzanne Lazear, a Velveteen bookmark signed by Daniel Marks AND an Auracle wristband!

The best part? This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! ANYONE can enter! 

Just fill out the rafflecopter form below!

(Open internationally.
ONE winner will be chosen.
Contest is open from Aug. 8 to 11:59pm ET on Aug.14, 2012.
The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen.
Not responsible for items lost or damaged in the mail.)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please hop over to these awesome blogs for more great YA giveaways!

Book Review: The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner

Paperback
216 pages
Release date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill Canada (Penguin)

You wake in the middle of the night, your arms and feet pinned by strong hands. As you thrash your way to consciousness, a calm voice says, “Steady. We’re here to help.” Your mind registers a paramedic, a policeman, an ambulance. You are lying on the lookout at Keeper’s Point, the lookout Amanda Creen supposedly threw herself off. And you have absolutely no idea how you got there. Aaron Rowe walks in his sleep. He has dreams he can’t explain and memories he can’t recover. Death doesn’t scare him—his new job with a funeral director may even be his salvation. But if he doesn’t discover the truth about his hidden past soon, he may fall asleep one night and never wake up. A potent, intense psychodrama that will keep you gripped to the very last page.

It's so tough to write a review when you're not sure exactly HOW you felt about the book you're reviewing!

The Dead I Know is a simply written book, about a very difficult subject. When researching this book I discovered it was written for teens ages 14-18.
No way would I recommend, or even allow my OWN children to read this book at 14! I think 16, even 17 is the youngest.
There are many very graphic scenes and the content just isn't acceptable for younger teens.

Now, that THAT'S out of the way, lets get to it, shall we?

Aaron is an interesting character, and one that was--for me at least--difficult to relate to.
But I DID care about him, and that's what kept me turning the pages.

Aaron goes through hell during this book, and that's really tough to watch when you're as empathetic and sensitive as I am.

The behind the scenes at the funeral home is fascinating, if slightly gory and macabre, and Aaron's boss and his family are wonderfully written.

I'm going to recommend this book to teen--boys especially--ages 16 and up...But ONLY if a parent reads it first.
I truly believe that this is a book that needs to be discussed after it's read.

Book Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

eBook
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Series: Seraphina #1
Author: Rachel Hartmen

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high. Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

Fantasy will always be my first love. Sometimes, when I stray for too long, I forget just how much it really does mean to me.
So thank you, Seraphina, for reminding me and for bringing me home again. :)

This is a REALLY good book. It's got dragons and battles and romance and mystery. Teens who already love fantasy will love Seraphina.
However, this is NOT a good introduction-to-fantasy book.
It does lag a bit in the middle and I found my eyes glazing over for a chapter or two before it picked back up.

Seraphina is a wonderful character. The 'garden in her head' is an amazingly brilliant idea. Wow.
She's very likable and by the end of the book, I didn't want to leave Goredd. I wanted to follow her new adventures right away!

The dragons are written in a new and unique way. Genius, really. Dragons that can take human form and walk among us!

My favourite characters are minor, but oh, so important. Fruit Bat and Loud Lad. I know you'll fall for them just as hard as I did. ;)

There are a few parts that will make you emotional and one or two that will make you laugh out loud.

I'm really, really looking forward to book 2.

I definitely recommend Seraphina to fantasy lovers of all ages!

Small Medium at Large Book Launch and Giveaway!

Today I went to my second ever author event! I met Joanne Levy, author of the MG book, Small Medium at Large!

This was an extra special event for me because it was so wonderfully close to home! Right in my own city!
And because of that, I was able to bring my little girl with me, who seemed to really LOVE the cupcakes!

Joanne read a short bit from the book and took some questions after signing for everyone.
The venue was packed to standing room only, which was really great to see!

I saw a few other bloggers there and I'm kicking myself now for not going to say hello.
One day I will! I promise! It's just a bit awkward for me. I think it's because I'm so much older than they all are! Haha!

We didn't stay long after the Q&A. Belle had finished her cupcakes and was getting restless. I was so proud of her for sitting quietly as long as she did!

It was a really nice time with my girl. I can't wait to do more things like this with her now that she's getting older!

I was able to get my books signed, of course! Yes, I said bookS. Plural. You didn't think I'd forget about you guys, did you? ;)

And the swag bag! OMG, I've never SEEN such swag! As a blogger, I realize that I sometimes get some perks, and I'm so unbelievably grateful and thankful for EVERYTHING that authors do for us, but this? This was like I've never seen before!

Joanne put together a bag with two ARCs, a cupcake and a TON of bookmarks, stickers, buttons and other sundry, some of it signed by her fellow authors!
HOLY COW!!!

So, THANK YOU JOANNE, FOR BEING SO AMAZINGLY AWESOME!!  ♥

So!
Who wants to win signed stuff?! Yay!








There will be TWO prizes!

ONE winner will receive a signed copy of Small Medium at Large and a wristband, and ONE winner will receive a signed Small Medium at Large bookmark and a wristband!

Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!
Open INTERNATIONALLY.
Winners will have 48 hours to reply after being contacted. If I don't hear from you another name will be chosen.
Contest is open until 11:59pm ET on Saturday, July 21, 2012.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review-- Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas

eBook
Release date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Egmont USA
Series: Quarantine #1
Author: Lex Thomas
Thank you to Net Galley and Egmont for providing this galley for review.

It was just another ordinary day at McKinley High—until a massive explosion devastated the school. When loner David Thorpe tried to help his English teacher to safety, the teacher convulsed and died right in front of him. And that was just the beginning. A year later, McKinley has descended into chaos. All the students are infected with a virus that makes them deadly to adults. The school is under military quarantine. The teachers are gone. Violent gangs have formed based on high school social cliques. Without a gang, you’re as good as dead. And David has no gang. It’s just him and his little brother, Will, against the whole school.  In this frighteningly dark and captivating novel, Lex Thomas locks readers inside a school where kids don’t fight to be popular, they fight to stay alive.

This book sucked me right in and I was shocked that it did it so quickly!
Right from the beginning, the action starts and it doesn't stop until the very last page. It was intense!

The characters are likable, but I didn't get attached to any one. Will, however, is annoying and I wanted to punch him. Many times. ;)

The gangs are very cool. As I read I found myself wondering where I would have fit in high school.
The story is seriously amazing. It's like nothing I've ever read before.
It's kind of a mix of The Breakfast Club meets Lord of the Flies. And it's dark. I mean DARK. Violent and bloody and terrifying.
Again I found myself wondering...how possible is it that events would unfold the way they do in the book if something like this were to happen in real life?
Sadly, I think the book comes pretty close to nailing it.

This is NOT a book for younger teens. I'd really only recommend this book for more mature 16+...especially boys. MATURE boys who can handle gore and bloody fights without wanting to reenact them with their friends. ;)
This would definitely make for some great conversation with your boys (and girls! I'm not forgetting them!) if you were to read it together.

How would teens today adapt if they were left on their own, trapped in a large group in a relativity small area? How would they survive?
I'd love to hear what your teens say if they read it!
Comments are always welcome!

Shark Bait-- Interview and Giveaway!

I mentioned in my review of Shark Bait that I was going to do a giveaway for the eBook....and here it is!

The author, the amazingly, wonderfully, talented Jenn Cooksey has agreed to answer a few questions for us about herself and her debut novel!

Enjoy!

Tell us a little about yourself?

So I'm sitting here trying to think of what I can tell you about myself that isn't already public knowledge and wondering if anything in this interview would be considered admissible. So let's see, what does that leave me with...? Well, I'm an only child, at 13 I lost my grandparents on my dad's side when they died in a plane crash and thus I have no desire to ever visit Wyoming, which is where the wreckage was found after more than a week of not knowing where they went down. I spent most of my teen life living with my mom and my remaining set of grandparents and I currently have 5 tattoos. I got my first ink when I was 18, the next at 19 and although my grandma knew and thought they were cool, I kept them both hidden from my mom until I was digging in her closet for a pair of shoes and she saw my ankle. She didn't realize it was a tattoo and asked what it was. My immediate response was to say "Dirt" and then I ran down the hall to my room at top speed and proceeded to hide under my blankets while my boyfriend who was living with us laughed at me and my sheer panic. I'm seriously codependent and can't make a decision to save my life (ask anyone who's ever been a participant in one of my text polls). I'm fiercely protective of my family and friends and I was classically trained in ballet. I love board games except my oldest BFFLE and I aren't allowed to play Monopoly together because the last time we did in 5th grade, we got into a fist fight with each other over making change (one of us was bogarting the ones, and no, I can't remember who it was anymore because it was like 30 years ago), and no one will play Clue with me anymore because I ALWAYS win. Everyone says I cheat, but I swear, I don't—I'm just awesome like that.

What's the first book you remember LOVING as a teen?

As much as I adore reading now, I hated reading as a teen. Until I was handed a copy of Dean Koontz's Watchers the summer before my junior year of high school. From there on out, I read everything I could find of his, I mixed in some Stephen King, Michael Crichton, and I read the entire Bourne series including The Road to Gandolfo by Robert Ludlum in like 4 days, but the brilliance of Matt Damon aside, don't even get me started on what they did with the Bourne movie franchise...

Why did you become a writer? What is it that draws you to it?

This is a tough one...I don't know if most authors always knew that they wanted to write, but it was never even a faint thought of mine. Even as a child I was told that I have a gift for writing, but I mean I hated reading, so why would I want to write?! However, a few years ago one of my BFFs and I had stayed up entirely too late reading, and we were on the phone discussing the the book we'd just finished and we were being punchy. We got off topic (shocker, right?) and were laughing about an outlandish idea we had for a book—I mean it was a total sham...like a parody of every vampire story you've ever read combined with a movie that I won't name because we might still go back and do it. Anyway, she and I decided we wanted to write a book together. She works full-time though, and I have no life so I started working on it the morning (er...afternoon) after that late-night phone call. And I didn't stop. She loved what I was coming up with and told me to just run with it, so, I did. I discovered I actually enjoy writing more than reading—if you can believe it—and that, in a nutshell, is how I started my writing career. 

As far as what draws me to it, well...I'm honestly not sure. I know it's really freaking awesome, though, that I can end my stories the way I want them to end—that way when I finish reading the book, I don't want to throw it across the room because it didn't end the way I was hoping it would.

Why did you decide to write your first book about teens?   

Actually, I didn't. The first book I wrote was paranormal and all the characters were old enough to legally vote and buy booze in any state and/or country. It was the first in a trilogy and despite having a partial of the manuscript requested by the first literary agent I queried, not only did I not publish it, I never finished writing the series because the first three sentences of chapter one in Shark Bait blindsided me while I was driving my kids to our homeschool park day one Friday. From there, the story practically wrote itself, so I kind of don't think I had any choice in the matter.

There are a LOT of '80s/'90s TV, movie and music references in this book. Why? What about those decades do you love so much?

Sigh. Yeah, I know... Basically, Camie and I are of like minds when it comes to music. I whole heartedly believe that music is important in our lives and I don't think I know anyone who can honestly say that they don't have a mental soundtrack for some of the big events they've either already experienced or hope to some day in the future—seriously, Bob Carlisle's Butterfly Kisses wasn't such a huge hit just because it's a catchy tune. It was played at every wedding and danced to by every father and daughter in the free world for almost an entire decade, so now when someone hears it, it's more than likely they're going to picture a wedding reception. But that's what music is supposed to do... You hear a song or piece of music and if it does its job, it inevitably transports you to a different time or place, evoking memories and inspiring dreams. Plus, I think music helps us to remember because unlike our memories which can fade over time without something to anchor them in our minds, music is eternal and provides an excellent weight, enabling us to hold onto what is precious.

The TV and movie references are simply because I want to show that these characters are normal, everyday people. They watch TV and go to movies just like everyone else does, and realistically, these are the things kids will initially bond with each other over. Not many teens are going to be interested in debating politics with their friends (I certainly don't blame them there) and typically, one of the first things kids are going to talk about when they meet is one or all three of those things—music, movies, and TV shows. With Camie and Tristan however, they're very similar in their tastes and their preferences to less contemporary media is what sets them apart from their peers, giving them something more in common with each other than with others of their generation. Plus, I personally have a habit of speaking in pop-culture references in my own life. And in my opinion, a lot of the things I reference have value in and of themselves. Like it's my heartfelt belief that everyone should watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer at least once in their lives, because if they don't, they're not taking advantage of the phenomenal opportunity to see what true, on-screen genius looks like.

And as far as what I love about the '80s...well...what is there to not love? We had it all...great music, rockin' hair styles, mostly decent fashion, Ronald Reagan, and the best social networking was done hovering around a keg in some kid's backyard while his trusting parents weren't home. So maybe aside from the over abundance of blinding neon and the unfortunate success of parachute pants, and the fact that Aqua Net hairspray probably has a lot to answer for with the planet's diminished ozone layer, the '80s can probably proclaim itself the best decade in the history of the world. And I turned 21 in the '90s, so, it was a kickass time for me.

WHERE did you get your crazy sense of humor?!

I think my sense of humor is a survival skill that's developed over many years of life throwing me and/or my loved ones some wicked curve balls. You can't possibly hit them all out of the ballpark, so when you swing hard and miss, ending flat on your ass, it helps to be able to laugh about it. Plus, crying give me migraines. Not only that, but I'm married to a guy who has instilled the deep belief in our daughters from the time that they were in diapers that farts are funny, and being that babies (and guys) are pretty damned gassy, I've just accepted that resistance is futile.

Do you have a favorite character in Shark Bait?

Ugh. This is one I don't think I can answer. It's like Sophie's Choice—asking me to pick a favorite between my children as all of my characters live and breathe for me. I will say this though; I really heart the guys in my books.

Can you tell us about your next project?

Well I'm sort of OCD with my writing process, and right now I'm wholly focused on the Grab Your Pole series. I've already written books 2 and 3, and I'm part way into book 4. I might go back to that paranormal trilogy I was working on before Shark Bait took over my creative life, and I have some very preliminary ideas for roughly 7 stand alone YA stories (and when I say preliminary, I mean I have some ideas for titles), but I won't be touching those ideas until books 4, 5, and 6 in the GYP series are completed. I'm also toying with the idea of doing a collection-type thing with the Wall of Infamy conversations that don't make it into any of the books—just for fun. And if one of my BFFs who is a screen writer decides to write a pilot for GYP like she's thinking of doing, then I'm sure I'll stick my nose in that too. I mean I know I have no business writing anything for TV or the silver screen, but I at least would like a little say so in casting, or maybe I could finagle myself onto the set during filming. I mean come on...who wouldn't sell their soul for one of those uber-awesome chairs with a star and their name on the back of it?!

What do you hope readers will get from Shark Bait? 

First and foremost, I want people to enjoy their reading experience. I'm not in it for fame or money (Shhh...don't tell my husband I said that), I just honestly love doing what I do and I want my characters to have a life outside of my hard drive. I'd also like readers to understand that regardless of how someone might appear to be perfect on the outside, no one is. We all make mistakes and ill-advised decisions, and we all behave poorly sometimes and that's okay. The goal is to learn from ALL of our experiences and without knowing what the bad stuff looks and feels like, the incredibly great things in life wouldn't be nearly as amazing. And the fact of the matter is, life is messy and shit happens. We can't go around with our heads stuck in the sand like an ostrich, ignoring the scary or ugly stuff, but we can learn how to overcome the setbacks and deal with the mess, as well as what it truly means to extend grace.

Where do you see Tristan and Camie in ten years?

I hate to be such a tease, but you'll have to wait and read book 6 to find out the answer to this. ;-)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hahaha! Thank you so much, Jenn! You rock! 

And now here's YOUR chance to win an eBook of Shark Bait for either Kindle or Nook!

All you have to do is comment below and tell me what YOUR favourite 80's movie is!

The giveaway is open internationally and closes at midnight ET on July 14.  Random.org will choose ONE winner, so PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT so I can contact you if you win!

The winner will have 48 hours to reply before another winner is chosen.

Ready, set, GO! 

Book Review-- Shark Bait by Jenn Cooksey

eBook
Release date: June 15, 2012
Self-published
Series: Grab Your Pole #1
Author: Jenn Cooksey

Camie’s worldly wisdom might be severely lacking (i.e., the closest she’s come to being kissed was sitting too close to the TV whilst Jake Ryan leaned in to give Samantha that fateful 16th birthday kiss), but she does understand her only hope for survival is if she’s thrown some kind of “social” life preserver before she sinks like a freaking rock. However, what will her fate be when she endeavors to flag down the only lifeguard on duty, the enormously popular and ridiculously beautiful Tristan Daniels? The most sought after and virtually most unattainable guy in school who not only makes Camie’s heart flatline on a recurring basis, he’s also the one guy who seemingly doesn’t know she exists. Feeling like an inept piece of chum that could ultimately be swallowed by Jaws, can Camie get Tristan to rescue her from floundering in the treacherous deep, or is she destined to be Shark Bait?

I've been sitting here for an hour now, trying to come up with a word to describe this book.
It FINALLY came to me; adorable!

Shark Bait is an adorable, fun, HILARIOUS book. I mean laugh-out-loud, hold-your-sides hilarious.

Our main character, Camie (short for Cameron), is wonderful. She's snarky and funny and flawed and sweet. I seriously loved her.

And her sister, Jillian? Oh, I MUST read more about Jillian! She quickly became my favourite character! You'll see why when you read the book. Spoilers! ;)

Tristan, however, I often wanted to punch. :P
He's moody and jealous and yes, charming and gorgeous and funny and super-smexy!

The friendships written are really fabulous. I wish I'd had friends like Kate when I was in high school!

Shark Bait would make a great beach read. It's light and...did I mention hilarious? And it has BUFFY references, people! BUFFY!

Jenn Cooskey hit it out of the park with her first novel. Her writing style is unique and random and amazing.
And she's a really awesome person, too!

I wouldn't call Shark Bait a YA novel. It's a little bit more mature than I'd recommend for a teen. I'm going to use the 'new' term, New Adult. That seems to fit better, although it does have younger main characters than usually fit into the NA column.
Because of some subject matter and swearing, I recommend this book to teens 17+ and to adults. Especially those of us who grew up in the 80's/early 90's. You'll love Shark Bait!

I'm SO looking forward to the second book in the series, The Other Fish in the Sea, which I hope has more Jillian and in which I hope Jillian ends up with Pete, although not for a few years because Jillian is too young for him just yet! :P

Look for an interview with the author AND a giveaway of Shark Bait coming soon!

Book Review-- Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Paperback
387 pages
Release date: January 5, 2012
Publisher: Puffin
Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Author: Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, the ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .  Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Wow, did I love this book!
Seriously, a re-imagining of Cinderella where she's a CYBORG?! That's brilliant!

Sometime in the distant future--in a dystopian society-- androids and cyborgs are common, but definitely not seen as equals.

War looms and a plague has been killing people around the world for years.
Cinder, a mechanic, is doing what she can to survive--as well as working to support her step-mother and step-sisters.
Her only friend is an android named Iko, and her whole world suddenly changes when Prince Kai brings his android to her for repairs.

I adore Cinder. She's just so likable and my heart went out to her. The poor girl goes through hell!
Kai is also great. He's a prince, but he's not very princely. I prefer my royalty real and nice and not-snobbish, don't you? ;)

I can't really say much more without giving away key plot points, but I will tell you that I'm REALLY looking forward to book 2.

Ms. Meyer's vivid retelling of this story is fresh and new and wonderful, and I can't wait to see where she goes next!

I highly recommend Cinder to teens age 13+, and to you moms, too!

YA Book Review-Talisman of El

E-book
Source: Net Galley
Published: May 20th, 2012
Publisher: Centrinian Publishing
Series: Talisman of El #1
URL: www.talismanofel.com

One Planet.Two Worlds. Population: 7 billion....Humans. Others ... unknown. When 14 year old Charlie Blake wakes up sweating and gasping for air in the middle of the night, he knows it's happening again. This time he witnesses a brutal murder. He's afraid to tell anyone. No one would believe him...because it was just a dream. Just like the one he had four years ago - the day before his dad died. Charlie doesn't know why this is happening. He would give anything to have an ordinary life. The problem: he doesn't belong in the world he knows as home. He belongs with the others.

Charlie is a 14 year old boy who's had a rough life. He's lost his mother, then his father, and now his adoptive dad turns out to be a criminal.
But things are about to get even more difficult...
Alecia Stone paints a beautiful picture of Arcadia, a heaven below the earth.
Charlie and his gang go through turmoil and conflict that will test even the bravest among them in a world full of fantasy, angels and demons.
I really enjoyed the world of Arcadia. It's often described so perfectly that it was very easy to imagine the world as I read this book.
The people and creatures of Arcadia are also fun to experience.

This book is a YA novel, but even so, I felt the plot was somewhat muddied at times. I often found myself confused when transitioning from one scene to the next, and keeping the hirearchy of Arcardia straight was difficult.

That being said, this is a fun little book. It would be a perfect starter book for your not-into-reading preteens/young teens between 11 and 14 or so, and this would definitely be a great starter book for boys.
This is only the first in a trilogy, and I expect many more great adventures are in store for Charlie and his gang in the next two books.

(You can purchase Talisman of El here.)

Book Review-- The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Paperback-473 pages
Release date: May 24, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Steampunk Chronicles #1
Author: Kady Cross

In 1897 England, 16-year-old Finley Jayne is convinced she's a freak.   No normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch.   Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special . . . that she's one of "them."

As some of you know, I've been REALLY into Steampunk lately.
Even going so far as to put together a cosplay outfit for future cons.
It's a fun and fascinating genre, so I was really looking forward to reading my first Steampunk novel, The Girl in the Steel Corset.

This book reminded me a lot of Sherlock Holmes, with a bit of X-Men and Jekyll and Hyde thrown into the mix.

Finley Jayne is a GREAT character. I loved her from page 1, but she gets even better as the book progresses.
My favourite, however, is Emily. She reminds me so much of a character I used to play in an MMO. Irish, with a shy, self-conscious side hidden by her feisty nature.

Griffin and Sam are fine...but I'm DEFINITELY team Jack. Oh, how I fell for Jack Dandy. *swoon* ;)

The plot, while slow in parts, is unique and interesting. The Organites are a great concept--Like something out of a ST:TNG episode. Great touch.

This is a bigger book, so I think I'd recommend it for kids 14+, and for adults, of course.
I AM hoping we see a bit more romance between Finley and Jack in the second book. I'll be reviewing that one soon, so keep an eye out for it!