Sunday, September 26, 2010

In My Mailbox (24)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board.

The past week has been crazy with me packing for New Orleans and finishing up some tour books (not that I'm complaining) but it's kept me from the bookstore. Luckily the ARCs and books I've been given are keeping my shelves stocked for the moment and my wallet is of course very appreciative.

Bought/Received

Entangled by Cat Clarke (thanks to Quercus publishing)

The same questions whirl round and round in my head:
What does he want from me?
How could I have let this happen?
AM I GOING TO DIE?

17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room, with table, pens and paper - and no clue how she got here.

As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she is forced to remember everything she's tried to forget. There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nat, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing. As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?

Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here?

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin (thanks to Shanyn @ Chick Loves Lit)

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new kid in school, and the two girls become as close as sisters . . . until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe, but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon she'll discover the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that these two are visitors from the faerie realm who have come to collect on an age-old debt. Generations ago, the faerie queen promised Pheobe's ancestor five extraordinary sons in exchange for the sacrifice of one ordinary female heir. But in hundreds of years there hasn't been a single ordinary girl in the family, and now the faeries are dying. Could Phoebe be the first ordinary one? Could she save the faeries, or is she special enough to save herself?

Sapphique (Incarceron #2) by Catherine Fisher (thanks to Shanyn @ Chick Loves Lit)

Finn has escaped from the terrible living Prison of Incarceron, but its memory torments him, because his brother Keiro is still inside. Outside, Claudia insists he must be king, but Finn doubts even his own identity. Is he the lost prince Giles? Or are his memories no more than another construct of his imprisonment? And can you be free if your friends are still captive? Can you be free if your world is frozen in time? Can you be free if you don't even know who you are? Inside Incarceron, has the crazy sorcerer Rix really found the Glove of Sapphique, the only man the Prison ever loved. Sapphique, whose image fires Incarceron with the desire to escape its own nature. If Keiro steals the glove, will he bring destruction to the world? Inside. Outside. All seeking freedom. Like Sapphique.

Cloaked by Alex Flinn (thanks to HarperCollins)

Johnny works after school in a shoe repair shop in a swanky hotel in Miami. He loves shoes and is talented; he even aspires to be the next Manolo Blahnik. But the real reason that he is working so hard is because his dad left when he was a baby and he needs to help his mom pay the bills. At least he has his friend, Meg, who works at the hotel coffee shop, to keep him company.
When beautiful Princess Victoriana comes to stay at the hotel, Johnny is thrilled when Victoriana invites him to her suite. There she tells him that her brother has been turned into a frog, and that she needs his help finding him in the Florida Keys. Johnny thinks she is crazy and does not believe her,
until she gives him a magical cloak that immediately transports him to another location. Armed with the cloak and a magical earpiece that can help him talk to other transformed humans Johnny sets out to save the Prince ...

Personal Demons (Personal Demons #1) by Lisa Desrochers

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them.

Awakened (The Guardian Legacy, #1) by Ednah Walters (thanks to Ednah)

Most teens turn sixteen and get the license to drive, Lil Falcon gets the license to kill demons, but no one told her she is not supposed to fall in love with one. At approximately 87,000 words, THE AWAKENING written by my client Ednah Walters is a compelling young adult paranormal romance novel.

Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware she's a Guardian—a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. But when she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers.

But Bran has a secret that can destroy their growing relationship. He's part demon. But in her heart, Lil knows Bran is not evil. So when her grandfather is kidnapped by a powerful nature-bender and Bran is the only one who knows where he's being kept, Lil convinces the other Guardians to trust him, not knowing her grandfather is just the bait. And the truth that she discovers in the demonic enclave may just destroy everything she believes in, unless she makes the right choice—love and sacrifice.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Author Interview: Jordan Deen

I grew up in a small town 45 minutes outside of East St. Louis, Illinois. I discovered my talent for wordsmithing at the age of seven when my family home burnt down. Of course losing my family home wasn't exciting enough! So, aliens did it. The dogs wanted revenge against the cats becuase they could be inside... you get the idea.  At twelve, my family relocated to California and I've continued to concentrate on my love of all things reading, writing and story-telling.

My reading taste hovers towards the YA audience as there is just something authentic and magical about first loves and building friendships that will last a lifetime (or not).

Even though 'The Crescent' is a YA Urban Fantasy, I tend to write a bit of everything. I have a few edgy YA novels in process, a book about witches, a Sci-Fi novel and several others that I'm not sure where they are going yet. Again, I write what I feel, when I'm feeling it.

Writing is like the air I breathe, I'd die without it.

I was so excited that Jordan had time for an interview that I couldn't wait to post it for you guys, so here goes...

Katelyn: The paranormal genre has always been pretty popular and lately any book with vampires and werewolves seems to be flying off the shelves. How did you make yours different from the other werewolf books out there? What drew you to write about them?

Jordan: I've always been a huge fan of paranormal novels, in fact, most novels I read now have some sort of paranormal element in it. 'The Crescent' is different in it's not your normal clear cut 'love triangle'. It's a deeply involved novel that is meant to make the reader doubt themselves, their decisions, their morals, and their life in general. I want the reader to become as emotionally attached to the characters as I am. I hope I've conveyed that for everyone. When writing this novel, I wanted it not to be labeled as 'just another werewolf' novel. I want it to stand out as an emotionally involved story.

Katelyn: What a love triangle you created! I can't decide who I like more...Alex or Brandon, do you have a favorite? If you do, can you tell us why?

Jordan: Most smart mothers will say you can't choose between your kids. Well, I have. It's not secret to anyone that has read my interviews that I'm beyond Team Alex. I had such a fun time writing him and he is still one of my favorite characters to read. There is so much lurking beneath his surface that you just want to chip him apart and find out what he is up to.

Katelyn: Favorite author/book?

Jordan: My favorite author is Simone Elkeles. I love all of her books, but there is a special place in my heart for Perfect Chemistry. If I ever start doubting myself, my writing, or my decisions, that is the book I pick up. It's like an old friend there to pick me up when I need it. Simone, I seriously love Alex Fuentes.

Katelyn: With your second book in the series, Half Moon coming out in January, can you tell us a little bit about it? Any juicy details you want to give us? :)

Jordan: Yes, 'Half Moon' continues the story of Lacey and her decision to run away from everything she's ever known or loved. She is faced with the doubt, longing, and perils that she never imagined. Everyone is going to get more of the characters they love, the introduction of *a lot* of new characters and a whole new depth to this story (that I guarentee) no one will see coming. I seriously can not wait to share it with everyone.

Katelyn: Are you working on any other books at the moment? Can we expect a few more installments in the Crescent series? (I hope so!)

Jordan: Yes! I'm always working on something. Right now, 'Full Moon' (the sequel to The Crescent) is in outline phase. That will be the final installment of the series. I'm working on edits of 'Benches' my edgy contemporary young adult novel and working on 'Mystified' a contemporary Native American novel. Yes, I'm all over the board as to my interests and what I like to write, but that's okay- you need a little variety every now and then!

Katelyn: Anything else you'd like to add?

Jordan: I just want to say thank you so much for the opportunity to stop by your blog! I'm so excited when I get to visit bloggers and interact with their followers. If anyone would like to talk books, reviews, or find out the latest information, please find me on twitter, facebook or my website: www.jordandeen.com You can always email me too at: info@jordandeen.com

Thanks so much Jordan, and for those of you who haven't read The Crescent, I totally recommend picking it up.  You can read my review here and it'll be perfect timing since her next book Half Moon is out in January and you won't have to wait to continue on with Lacey's adventure.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Contest Winner!!!

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute worst person in the world has it: her ex-boyfriend, Cooper.

Like it’s not enough Cooper was lying to Eliza for their entire relationship, now he and his friends are blackmailing her. They’re giving her just one night to complete the most humiliating tasks on her list or they’ll post her secrets online—including the ones that aren’t just about her.

Eliza’s sure of only one thing: she isn’t going down without a fight. Cooper may have what’s left of her dignity, but she’s not the only one with something to hide …

And the Winner is.....

Brooke

I'll be sending you an email when I get back from vacation to verify your mailing address and I'll ship your book to you a.s.a.p.

Congrats again and for those who didn't win this time around, I'll be having more contests soon enough!

Happy Reading!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Author Interview: Abra Ebner

Abra Ebner was born in Seattle where she still lives. Growing up in the city, as well as the mountains of the North Cascades at her family cabin, has granted her the experience of a life full of creativity and magick. Her craving for adventure has taken her into the many reaches of the forest, instilling in her the beauty of a world not our own, in a place where anything can happen and will. Her studies in Australia, as well as travels to England, Scotland, Germany, and Switzerland, have also played as a colorful backdrop to her characters, experiences and knowledge. 

Sounds awesome right? I was so excited that Abra was able to come by the blog for an interview and can't wait to share, so check it out!

Katelyn: Having multiple narrators is pretty rare, but I think Book of Love is the first I've ever read with four narrators that alternate throughout the story. What made you want to give a voice to Jane, Max, Emily and Wes instead of using one point of view?

Abra: I was watching TV one night and I noticed how television does this. They rotate from characters to characters and back again, and I love how it gets me excited to return to another mini-story, like a soap opera does. I think I was watching Fringe, and I was anxious for them to get back to a certain character set and scenario when they were leaving me hanging with another. It was exciting, and I began to wonder why they don't write books like that.

Katelyn: With your second book in the Knight Angels series, Book of Revenge coming out in October of this year things must be getting crazy. Do you have a favorite or least favorite part of the writing/publishing process?

Abra: I think my favorite part is editing, and not the editing after the editor, but my first read-through after having written the whole book. This is where I get to get tricky with the story and add in more detail - it's like art.

Katelyn: Favorite author/book?

Abra: Right now my favorite books are the Hunger Games. I rave about it to my husband, and he thinks the book is quite frankly morbid, but what's interesting about it is that when you read the book, you don't necessarily view it that way. I guess he just needs to read it ;)

Katelyn: With so many strong characters in your Knight Angels series, did you have a favorite? If you did can you tell us who and why they're your favorite?

Abra: My favorite is Wes and Emily. At first I thought I'd love Max and Jane for sure, but the strengths and personalities of Emily and Max are so much fun to play with on paper. I introduce a new character at the end of the second book, too, and 'it' is quickly becoming my favorite in my mind as well. I'm excited to sit down and begin book three after I finish my current children's book project.

Katelyn: How many books do you have planned in the Knight Angels series? Are you working on anything else at the moment? Can you give us any juicy details on future works that we can look forward to?

Abra: Three, maybe four books in the series. The next book, with its new character, adds a twist I LOVE. I may get carried away with 'it' and find I have to write more, it just depends. And yes, I am working on many other things right now. I'm actually veering back to my field of expertise to illustrate and write a children's book based on my brother to give to him for his birthday, and to publish. It's funny going from a book based on word count to a book based on pictures, but both are just as time consuming. I'm excited to break into a new genre. Aside from that I'm also halfway into a children's chapter book and another, non-series, paranormal romance based on a girl who still gets messages from her dead mother (it's SO interesting so far, it even surprises myself).

Katelyn: Anything else you'd like to add?

Abra: I'd like to say thank you to everyone for reading this interview and visiting the awesome Bookshelf Sophisticate blog, and I hope you remain a fan of us both!

Thanks so much Abra and I know I'm not alone when I say how excited I am for the next books in your series.  If you guys haven't had the chance to check out Book of Love do yourself a favor and get to the bookstores now to pick yourself up a copy.  You can read my review here and don't forget to visit Abra's website to check out her previous books and everything else she's got in the works!


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Author Interview: Kirsten Miller

Kirsten Miller is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Kiki Strike book series. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, and she suspects she may have been either Amelia Earheart or Catherine the Great in a previous existence.

I was lucky enough to ask Kirsten a few questions and couldn't wait to share them...check it out!

Katelyn: The idea of true love that lasts throughout lifetimes is so romantic...are you a believer in soul mates and past lives? What drew you to write about such a unique idea?

Kirsten: I think most of us have fantasized about other lives and other loves. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one with a list of historical periods that I wish I could visit. (Although there are just as many that I’d prefer to avoid.) As for soul mates, I know a few people I think I might have encountered in previous lives. And most aren’t love interests. I think soul mates can be friends, too. (And then there are the eternal enemies—the people you meet and instantly despise. I haven’t come across too many of those, but I suspect they’re out there somewhere.)

So to answer your question, I’m not sure I believe in reincarnation or soul mates, but they sure do make for some fabulous daydreams.

Katelyn: With your book being recently released this has to be a chaotic and very busy time for you. What's your favorite and least favorite part of the process?

Kirsten: The most difficult part of the process is simply finding a way to get everything done! I wake up each morning to a list of a hundred and one things that must be accomplished between the hours of nine and five. It requires military efficiency to check off all the items on the list. (Sometimes I wonder if I might have been a general in a previous life.) But I would rather be busy than bored, so it’s really not much to complain about.

The best part of the process is finally interacting with people who’ve read the book! Writing can be an incredibly lonely endeavor. With each book, I’ll spend a year or more sitting alone in front of my computer. Then one day, it’s out and I get my very first email! That’s when all the hard work starts to feel worthwhile.

Katelyn: Favorite author/book?

Kirsten: Wow. I’m not sure I have ONE favorite. Possibly The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, which is the best ghost story ever written. Or maybe a dark and dangerous “romance” like Jane Eyre or Rebecca. But if we’re sticking to the YA world, I’ll have to go with The Westing Game, which I’ve read about two hundred times.

Katelyn: Did you have a favorite character while writing The Eternal Ones? If so, can you tell us who it was and why?

Kirsten: Everyone seems to love Beau Decker, the protagonist’s best friend. But my favorite character has always been Leah Frizzell, the otherworldly mountain girl who sees the future, chugs strychnine, and isn’t afraid of a serpent or two. (Her uncle is the preacher at a snake handling church hidden deep in the woods.) She’s everything most people would never expect a “hillbilly” girl like her to be. Academically brilliant, open-minded, and wise beyond her years.

In fact, I like Leah so much that I’ve given her a big role in the sequel, which leads me to your next question . . .

Katelyn: Are you working on any other novels or works at the moment? Is there any chance we'll get to see more of the characters we fell in love with in The Eternal Ones in the future?

Kirsten: Yes! There’s a sequel to The Eternal Ones that’s in the works as we speak! Actually, it’s already written, and I’m just making a few tweaks. So it should be out pretty soon. (I don't have a release date yet.) The few people who’ve read it swear it’s even better than the first book. I don’t know about that, but it IS pretty exciting. And anyone who’s interested in the sinister Ouroboros Society should definitely check it out!

Thanks so much Kirsten for stopping by!  If you guys haven't had the chance to check out The Eternal Ones...what are you waiting for?  If you want to read my review you can find it here and don't forget to stop by Kirsten's website to keep up to date on all things Eternal Ones!  I especially loved the section "letters" where you can read Ethan's words to Constance...swoon worthy for sure!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

ARC Tour & Review: God is in the Pancakes by Robin Epstein

Fifteen-year-old Grace Manning is a candy striper in a nursing home, and Mr. Sands is the one patient who makes the job bearable. He keeps up with her sarcasm, teaches her to play poker . . . and one day cheerfully asks her to help him die. At first Grace says no way, but as Mr. Sands’s disease progresses, she’s not so sure. Grace tries to avoid the wrenching decision by praying for a miracle, stuffing herself with pancakes, and running away from all feelings, including the new ones she has for her best friend Eric. But Mr. Sands is getting worse, and she can’t avoid him forever.

A reader can only hope to find a best friend in the pages of a book they're reading.  Most die hard readers aren't understood, my family and friends can't seem to grasp how I can read so fast, let alone why I would have more fun sometimes reading rather than watching a television show.  I'm just weird I guess?  My point (and yes I do have one) is that when you spend so much of your time reading, you feel lucky to find a character or two that you not only like and can relate to but also one that in the end you've grown attached to like you would a best friend.  You come to care about them and what ultimately happens to them.  They are hard to find but after reading Robin Epstein's story I think I owe her a thank you card for introducing me to Grace.

She was not the only good character in the story, but she was by far my favorite.  Watching her journey with Mr. Sands and the difficult situations she had to deal with was intense and very memorable.  On a side note...I think more elderly men should start rocking a faux-hawk and begin a new trend!

Epstein will sober readers up who are not expecting the very real and very heavy issues that Grace is confronted with.  No one wants to lose a loved one but it's unfortunately a part of life and Epstein uses Grace and Mr. Sands to try and walk readers through the reality of it all.  The decisions we're faced with, the pain one goes through, the affect it has on others, and everything else. 

I was surprised it was Epstein's debut YA novel and am impressed with the quality of it overall.  I'm looking forward to reading more of her work in the future, and I know this one is sure to stay with me for a long time to come.

I gave God is in the Pancakes 3 shamrocks!!!


Monday, September 20, 2010

ARC Tour & Review: Salvaged by Stefne Miller

'My body was being torn apart, and my stomach felt as if it exploded. The pain was excruciating, and I was aware that I was dying... 'Mom?' My vision was murky, but I could see her face. It was bloody, and her eyes were large and full of fear. Her voice calmed. 'Get out of the car, Attie.' Her words sounded crisp and clear. I looked into the backseat in search of Melody and found her lying covered in blood in a twisted heap on the floor. I turned my attention back to my mother and out of the corner of my eye saw fire. 'Get out, Attie!' 'Mom?' Everything went dark.' Attie Reed should have died in the wreck that stole the lives of her mother and best friend. But her life was spared. Why? When Attie moves to Oklahoma to stay with the Bennetts for the summer, she hopes she has left her nightmares behind. But her battle is far from over, and Riley Bennett steps forward to help her fight the nighttime monsters. As the battle wears on, Riley begins fighting monsters of his own: his feelings for Attie. And Attie realizes she must begin to face the monsters of the night herself if she wants to conquer them for good. Can Attie's life be Salvaged?

If you take a look at the reviews for this book, Stefne Miller seems to have made quite a lasting impression on just about everyone that's cracked this book's cover open.  I was pulled in with the summary but worried the hype and buildup for this one might end up raising my hopes and then letting me down when it didn't meet my high expectations.  As it turns out I had no reason to worry.  Miller may as well add me to her list of followers.  I was so impressed with this book and can't believe it took me this long to add it to my collection.  I'm heading over to Miller's site pronto to get myself a signed copy to call my own.

Fans can often be heard quoting one liners from their favorite movies, but it's not so common with books.  This book gave me priceless gems!  The conversations the characters share, especially where Attie is concerned are still stuck in my head.  I can't wait to tell my family and friends about this one....I'm thinking stocking stuffers and birthday presents for sure.

This book deals with serious and heavy plot lines so you wouldn't expect to be feeling light and happy after reading it but I was.  I left feeling content and a satisfied.  It lightened my mood and just made me want to smile.  Sounds silly and corny I know, but there you have it.  I'd recommend this one to all my friends and family and can't wait to get my own copy to add to my collection.

I gave Salvaged 4 shamrocks!!!!


Sunday, September 19, 2010

In My Mailbox (23)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board.

These past two weeks have been crazy with ARC tours (not that I'm complaining) but it's kept me from the bookstore. Luckily the ARCs and books I've been given are keeping my shelves stocked for the moment.

ARC Tours

Relatively Famous by Jessica Park (Around the World Tours)

Meet Dani McKinley: A typical teen whose world is rocked when she finds out that her father is a famous Hollywood Action star. Now meet Mark Ocean: A self-serving actor with a floundering career who sees that a daughter is just what he needs to reinvent himself as a family man and get back on track. When the two decide to spend the summer together, they must not only wrangle their own love lives, but try to figure out who they really are to themselves and to each other.

Now armed with credit cards, club memberships, and a new wardrobe, Dani learns that what Mark has in wealth, he sorely lacks in parenting skills. Trying to show Mark that parenting is about more than loading her up with Prada bags and taking her to movie premieres is challenging enough, but she's also got her hands full with her new friends. Oh, and the boys... Dani meets Jason, a gorgeous young personal trainer who is easy on the eyes and wildly flirtatious. But is this smug hottie the one for her? Or will she ignore her friends eye-rolling and go for the goofy but sweet surfer?

While juggling her own complicated love life, Dani tries to set her father up with someone less likely to appear on a VH1 reality show, and someone more... well, normal. And age-appropriate. And dressed in anything but a thong bikini. But whether Mark is able to heal old wounds and move forward with anything more than a meaningless fling remains to be seen.

Can Dani fit in with this new, fast-moving California crowd without losing herself? With the world at her fingertips and hot boys now after her, staying grounded gets tough. And can Mark drop his egocentric approach to life and learn to appreciate how truly wonderful his daughter is? As driven as he is to get that A-list acting role, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get there, even if it means using his daughter. Or is he...? Mark and Dani's relationship hits a few highs, but the question becomes whether the lows are too much.


Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry (Holly's ARC Tours)

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .

Where the Truth Lies by Jessica Warman (Holly's ARC Tours)

On the surface, Emily Meckler leads the perfect life. She has three best friends, two loving parents, and the ideal setup at the Connecticut prep school where her father is the headmaster. But Emily also suffers from devastating nightmares about fire and water, and nobody knows why. Then the enigmatic Del Sugar enters her life, and Emily is immediately swept away—but her passionate relationship with Del is just the first of many things that aren't quite what they seem in Emily's life. As the lies she's been told start to unravel, Emily must set out to discover the truth regarding her nightmare; on a journey that will lead her to question everything she thought she knew about love, family, and her own idyllic past.

Bought/Received

The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith (thanks Atheneum)

Law Walker had a crush on Katie before she went crazy. Before her mother died. Before she started talking to herself. She's always been a talented artist, but now her drawings have gone crazy too. They're dark, they're bloody, they're actually terrifying. Law wants to help her deal with it, but what he doesn't understand yet is that these drawings are real. Crazy Katie draws what she sees: dead people. And that's who she talks to too. People who have died - recently and not so recently, in accidents, as suicide. Even George Perkins, trapped in a house that burned down a century ago. And it's ghost George who makes Law want to get to know Katie all over again. So what if his dad doesn't want him dating a white girl? So what if people think Katie is dangerous? The ghost boy is hiding a secret Law needs to know - and it's much bigger, much more shocking than anyone expected.

Blood & Flowers by Penny Blubaugh (thanks HarperCollins)

Three years ago, Persia ran away from her drug-addict parents and found a home with the Outlaws, an underground theater troupe. With time, this motley band of mortals and fey, puppeteers and actors, becomes the loving family Persia never had, and soon Persia not only discovers a passion for theater but also falls in love with one of the other Outlaws. Life could not be more perfect.

Until an enemy makes an unfair accusation against the group and forces them to flee their world and hide in the neighboring realm of Faerie. But in Faerie, all is not flowers and rainbows. With bloodthirsty trolls, a hostile monarchy, and a dangerous code of magic, the fey world is far from the safe haven the Outlaws had hoped for....

Saturday, September 18, 2010

ARC Tour & Review: The Candidates (Delcroix Academy #1) by Inara Scott

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that's not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia's mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just...happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to anyone, belieiving this way she can supress her powers and keep them hidden.

But when recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy show up in her living room to offer her a full scholarship, Dancia's days of living under the radar may be over. Only, Delcroix is a school for diplomats' kids and child geniuses--not B students with uncontrollable telekinetic tendencies. So why are they treating Dancia like she's special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make Dancia feel welcome.

And then there's her mysterious new friend Jack, who can't stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the Academy and wants Dancia to help him figure out what. But Dancia isn't convinced. She hopes that maybe the recruiters know more about her "gift" than they're letting on. Maybe they can help her understand how to use it...But not even Dancia could have imagined what awaits her behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

Once again I've found myself a new series that I'll be following for a long time (hopefully) to come.  Inara Scott gives readers a new and unique world that readers will want to dive right into without hesitation.  Some of my favorite story elements are packed into this one.  Scott weaves magic, cute boys and I do mean plural, a heroine to root for, mysteries to unravel and a boarding school type of backdrop.  What's not to love right?

As Dancia enters Delcroix academy for her freshman year, she's got a lot on her mind.  She's working hard to stay under the radar, something that she's mastered over the years but seems to be having difficulty with behind the school's gates.  She's nervous around Cam, a majorly hot upperclassman that's giving her extra attention, and her problems and worries only continue on from there.  She becomes closer to Jack, another incoming freshman who seems to have a lot in common with Dancia, down to how he chooses to operate around others, crowds, etc...  She's also making friends with Esther and Hennie, girls she immediately clicked with at orientation.  She's never had real friends before, never allowed herself to get that close to others, why all of a sudden is she having trouble distancing herself?  Her strange powers are still worrying her and what's more is that Dancia's starting to think she may not be all that "special" in the Delcroix crowd after all.  Are there others out there like Dancia and she just doesn't know it?  What is Jack (and everybody else for that matter) hiding?  Can she risk getting close to anyone?  Does Cam really like her or are there ulterior motives to his smooth ways and easy charm?

I can't wait until book two, The Watchers comes out and I can only say that I want more, more, more of the Delcroix Academy series!

I gave The Candidates 4 shamrocks!!!!



Friday, September 17, 2010

ARC Tour & Review: Nevermore (Nevermore, #1) by Kelly Creagh

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it.

I'm a little confused...about a lot of things actually.  Normally I catch on quick and have no trouble keeping up.  This one I think got the better of me and still has question marks floating around in my head.  I'm not sure about some details in the beginning, the middle threw me a little and the ending...whoa nelly!  Like I said, I'm a little confused, and to be honest I'm not even sure if I'm supposed to still have questions or if I'm just not up to speed when I should be.

What starts out as a partner project in a high school English class where team members are picked at random (gotta love teachers for that one), Isobel thought her biggest problem was going to be getting through a project with an anti-social boy who is the polar opposite of her popular jock boyfriend without failing the class.  She was so very wrong.  Not only is the project not a walk in the park, far from it, but that was only a small obstacle in the grand scheme of things.  Her possessive boyfriend takes being a bully to new heights, her friends jump on the "I hate Isobel" bandwagon and now she's got to work through the fact that she's possibly developing feelings for her project partner and Edgar Allen Poe aficionado, Varen.  Talk about a full plate, yikes!

Varen's got secrets and a deeply dark and murky past.  His ties and obvious connections to the famous writer Poe are eerie and unbalancing.  I'm not sure to be quite honest what I think after I've read this first installment in the Nevermore series.  I know I'm confused and would love some clarification but I'm also a little irritated with myself (mostly) on this one.  I think I'm making it too complicated maybe.  I'm going to let it all sink in and hopefully after a while my brain will catch up with the plot.

I gave Nevermore (Nevermore, #1) 3 shamrocks!!!


LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails