Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Settings I'd Like To See More Of

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish.  This feature was created because they're particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish (and who isn't?). They're all about creating new lists including a little bit of everything and I've been meaning to participate for so long but always seemed to get behind.  So here we are and hopefully you'll head over to their page and check out what everyone else put up for this week's Top Ten.

For me this week's top ten basically boils down to what kinds of books do you like to read.  So I've listed ten and paired them up with some examples of previous books that fit the same mold.

Top Ten Settings Pick #1:  Dystopian - Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth 

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

This title will forever be one of my favorites.  It has all of my favorite elements.  Forbidden romance, a big brother-type government like body that may not be looking out for everyone's best interest.  Add in a ton of action and a strong leading character and I'm excited for release day.

Top Ten Settings Pick #2:  Contemporary Romance - Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1) by Jamie McGuire 

INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

While I've always loved the imaginative and creative worlds that can be found in the fantasy genre, there will always be something equally special about a possible real life couple's story as well.  And if there are more out there like this favorite of mine by McGuire than you can sign me up!

Top Ten Settings Pick #3:  Fantasy - Glimmgerglass (Faeriewalker, #1) by Jenna Black

It's all she's ever wanted to be, but it couldn't be further from her grasp...

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but she's in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides shes had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl, she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her new found friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she'll never have a chance with...until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn't sure where she'll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again.

Books are often my break from reality and the stress of every day life.  So I often enjoy reading titles that are fantastical enough that I'm not reminded that before long I'll be right back to the normal bump and grind.  I like their typical light hearted nature along with their occasional dark side.  It's a great recipe for a literature vacation.

Top Ten Settings Pick #4:  Angel and Above - Angel Star (Angel Star, #1) by Jennifer Murgia

Seventeen-year-old Teagan McNeel falls for captivating Garreth Adams and soon discovers that her crush has an eight-point star etched into the palm of his right hand; the mark of an angel. But where there is light, dark follows, and she and Garreth suddenly find themselves vulnerable to a dark angel's malicious plan that could threaten not only her life, but the lives of everyone she knows.

Divinely woven together, Angel Star takes readers on a reflective journey when one angel's sacrifice collides with another angel's vicious ambition in a way that is sure to have readers searching for their own willpower.

I have not gotten enough of these lately, but Murgia's work reminds me of everything great about this type of book.  Divine intervention, angelic beings, true and unconditional love, and usually a fight that comes down to good vs. evil.  I would really like some more of these in 2013.

Top Ten Settings Pick #5:  Reality Checks - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

While the setting could be just about anywhere, I would like to see more books like Asher's previous and memorable release.  I call them reality checks because by the time you're finished reading, it's impossible not to reflect.  Asher's book had me doing some major thinking and proved to be incredibly eye opening for anyone who came across it.

Top Ten Settings Pick #6:  Paranormal Romance - My Blood Approves (My Blood Approves, #1) by Amanda Hocking

Teenager Alice Bonham's life feels crazy after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave, he's unlike anyone she knows. Then she meets his brother, Peter. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him. Falling for two guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood.

With so many books falling into this category I don't think any of us will ever be out of options for our next read, but some of course are better than others.  Hocking's My Blood Approves series had an awesome combination of romance, family ties, intense action and suspense, and of course the right amount of paranormal activity.

Top Ten Settings Pick #7:  Romantic Comedy - The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Love is all you need... or is it? Penny's about to find out in this wonderful debut.

Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . . .

I often find myself drawn to romances, but when I want to keep things light and upbeat I look to Eulberg and the like.  Give me light and flirty, fun and laugh out loud entertainment.  That's a winning combination.  Romance doesn't always have to be unrequited and full of angst, right?

Top Ten Settings Pick #8:  Time Travel - Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction/non-fiction reads.  Terrible I know, but its just not my go-to.  However, time travel tales give me the chance to see an author's view of the past, present and future of any given place.  It's always an adventure and like with McEntire's series, there's a good bit of intrigue and action as well.

Top Ten Settings Pick #9:  University Life - The Ivy (The Ivy, #1) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur

Congratulations! You have been admitted to the most prestigious university in the world. Now what are you going to do?

Callie Andrews may not have money or connections or the right clothes, and she may have way too many complications in her love life, what with

Gregory
the guy she loves to hate ...

Evan
the guy she'd love to forget ...

Clint
the guy she'd love to love ...

and Matt
the guy she really should love ...

all vying for her attention.

But she has three fantastic roommates (best friends or her worst nightmare?) and a wholesome California-girl reputation (oops) and brains and beauty and big, big dreams.

Will it be enough to help her survive freshman year at Harvard?

Give me a background of a college university or a boarding school of some type and it's half the battle.  There's just something about it...no idea what exactly but the "it" factor is there.  It could be a lot of things but for whatever reason I'm a fan and would always enjoy seeing more books use the setting.

Top Ten Settings Pick #10:  Super Powers - Minder (Ganzfield, #1) by Kate Kaynak

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. 

Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. 

A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. 

And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey. Especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

A long time X-Men and superhero fan what's not to love about books where powers are used for both good and evil, where the good must use these special gifts to defeat the bad, etc...  I think I just love a good hero and characters with super powers often fit that mold.

I'd Like A Movie Version Please (2)

Day two of I'd like A Movie Version Please is here. It really has been fun scouring my bookshelves and Goodreads list of all the books I've read and loved so much that they've become favorites for good. And sorting through all of those titles for which I'd really like to see be made into movies has just been a blast, without a doubt! Today, in addition to picking another five YA titles that I'd like to see adapted into film, I'm also including an actor/actress that I'd like to see play in that movie. They might not be exactly who I originally pictured in my head while reading these titles for the roles, but after looking around, I really think these actors/actresses could hit these characters out of the park with their skills and talent.

Which titles are you shelves would you like to see hit the big screen? Any actors or actresses in mind that you could see featured in those films? Shoot me an email or leave me a comment and let me know what you've got up your sleeve. It's always fun to speculate and cross your fingers that one day maybe these favorites of ours will be premiering at the movies just like we'd always wanted!

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #1: Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker, #1) by Jenna Black

It's all she's ever wanted to be, but it couldn't be further from her grasp...

Dana Hathaway doesn't know it yet, but shes in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, again, Dana decides shes had enough and runs away to find her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the captivating, magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl, she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and the only person who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Dana finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone seems to want something from her, from her new found friends and family to Ethan, the hot Fae guy Dana figures she'll never have a chance with...until she does. Caught between two worlds, Dana isn't sure where she'll ever fit in and who can be trusted, not to mention if her world will ever be normal again.

How much did you guys just love Black's Faeriewalker series? I can't even honestly choose which of the three titles in the series was my favorite, they were just all so good, it's too close of a race. Each of the characters were chalk full of heavy backgrounds and lots of personality. After reading this series opener, readers really got the feeling that they knew a good bit about each of the characters. And what Black left out of one novel, she made sure to circle back around and fill in later on down the road. The world she created in modern day times was fantastical and so much fun to picture in my own head that I can only imagine what film makers could do with it if they transformed it onto the big screen. And honestly, Black's main character Dana was just wonderful. A heroine that you couldn't help but get behind and root for from the beginning to end. Being pulled in a million different directions by so many different people and with the stakes so high for each decision and move she made, she handled everything a lot better than I think most would have. So when I think about an actress to take on her roll, while I'm sure a good number of individuals would do an amazing job, I can picture...Alexis Bledel, best known for her long stint in Gilmore Girls. She played such extremes on that show and in later movies, that we've gotten to see her as the poised, and beautiful older actress, as well as the somewhat awkward and unsure of herself teenager. A perfect combination for a character like Dana.

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #2: Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Why can't you choose what you forget . . . and what you remember?

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them?

Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her.

Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

This was the first book of Echols' that I had the opportunity to read and right then and there I became an instant fan of her work. Her writing brought out all kinds of emotions and after reading other blogger and reader reviews, I know that I was not alone. Her characters are so easy to connect with on so many levels that I'm not sure it's even possible to come away without being invested in her books. And this was not a one time deal either. I've read other titles by Echols since and each and every one of them has me running through the gauntlet of emotions, no matter what I do. I love it! So while both main characters in this book would be fun to cast, this time around I decided to focus in on Doug. He's so tough to figure out through this novel, mainly because Echols wants it to be that way, that it's not until the very end that readers get to see what he's really all about. But throughout the novel, it's still easy to see that Doug would be a guy that any girl would have a hard time not falling in love with him. So for that reason I had to find an actor that was able to be attractive while maintaining that brooding quality along with keeping a quiet disposition at the same time, so for those reasons I thought...Matt Lanter might be just right. He's been in a few different things here or there, but most recently I think 90210 was his most popular. What do you think? Do you think he could pull off the roll?

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #3: Oh.My.Gods (Oh.My.Gods, #1) by Tera Lynn Childs

A modern girl's comedic odyssey in a school filled with the descendants of Greek gods.

When Phoebe's mom returns from Greece with a new husband and moves them to an island in the Aegean, Phoebe's plans for her senior year and track season are ancient history. Now she must attend the uberexclusive academy, where admission depends on pedigree, namely, ancestry from Zeus, Hera, and other Greek gods. That's right, they're real, not myth, and their teen descendants are like the classical heroes: ubersupersmart and superbeautiful with a few superpowers. And now they're on her track team! Armed only with her Nikes and the will to win, Phoebe races to find her place among the gods.

Childs' series is just plain old fashioned fun, no other way to put it. Little kids could get hooked on this, as well as the older crowd too. No matter what age, or gender, it seems like even if you're not a history buff or bibliophile, there's just something about Greek and Roman mythology that interests just about everybody in one way or another. Now Childs' books are obviously not going to fall in the non-fiction end of things, but she sticks close to the root of things when it comes to the gods and goddesses, as well as their reputations and abilities. So while you're not going to read or go see this in the theater for brush up on your history lessons and knowledge, it would still be a nice and fun family movie for all to enjoy. And when you look closely at this series, there are just so many characters to choose from when I was thinking of who I would want to cast in this film version. I ended up deciding that Griffin Blake would be a hard character to pass up on. So if I had my way, his character would be portrayed by Robert Hoffman. Who didn't love him in Step Up 2 the streets? I mean come on!

I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #4: Song of the Moon (Artemis Lupine, #1) by Catherine Banks

What if you found out that there was another world inside your own? What if all of the things you thought made you weird, actually made you powerful?

Artemis's life is changed forever when the mysterious man from her dreams, Ares, comes to claim her as his mate. The seventeen year old girl must find a way to adapt to her true life and accept her fate or run from it. She must overcome her fears and human ideals to give her self to the dangerous world, and man, that is her destiny.

Everyone knows by now how much I love love love this series, and that's not going to change any time soon if ever! Banks hooked me on this one despite this somewhat shaky cover art...nothing wrong with it per se but it's not the best I've seen either. But despite that critique, this book and series made me an instant fan from page one. I'm counting down the days until Banks releases her fourth installment in the series, and it's can't get here soon enough in my opinion. But while there are some aspects of this book, namely the paranormal creatures and how they could make all this magic happen on the big screen possible, but honestly....if they can find a way to work out the wolves in the Twilight movies, there won't be a problem here either. And while they all deal with some of the same creatures, that's where the similarities end. As far as casting the characters in this one...I can't help but it but I'm not sure who to pick. So I decided to go with the main character, Artemis. The male leads are simply to hard to choose between. So for Artemis, I think I'd have to go with someone like Camilla Belle. She hasn't been in anything recently, seems to stick more towards the fashion circuit nowadays, but I think she could handle the job. She always looks terrific but she seems like one of those girls who no matter if you dress her up or down, she's comfortable in the way she looks and it shows!
I'd Like A Movie Version Pick #5: The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

Love is all you need... or is it? Penny's about to find out in this wonderful debut.Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It's a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her non dating ways . . . which is too bad, because there's this certain boy she can't help but like. . .

No words can describe how much I adored this book. I will admit to being slightly biased after meeting Eulberg at a book festival and signing. After hearing her speak and chatting with her while she signed my book, there's just something about her personality that has you feeling like you've been friends with her for forever. So it's hard not to root for her. But despite her stellar personality and public speaking skills, her work speaks for itself. Not to mention that I'm a huge Beatles fan, so seeing her cover just about won me over before I'd even cracked open the actual book. But the cute way that she's integrated their music into her plot and character's personalities is just so endearing and adorable. I'm thinking the potential this movie would have would be off the charts, not to mention how great the soundtrack to accompany it could be right? So of course I had to pick Penny Lane as the character I wanted to cast, and I thought Ella Fanning would be a fun choice. She's never seen with over the top makeup and I think she could totally pull off the low key Juno like style and wardrobe...not to mention lead a revolution against boys and dating, don't you agree?

Stay tuned tomorrow for part three of I'd Like A Movie Version Please! Happy Reading!

Countdown: 2012 Releases (7)

I hope you guys all enjoyed your Thanksgiving feasts...I know I did and my slightly tight fitting jeans are proof positive that my family's cooking was just as wonderful this year as it's always been. I'm not sure if I'll be able to even think about eating left overs today, I'm still full from yesterday's multiple courses. So I'm hoping you guys haven't gotten completely sick to death of my countdown posts lately, because I just can't seem to stop. There are just way too many good books coming out in the New Year and I don't want to leave even one of them that are on my TBR list off of my posts. Crazy yes, and if you're getting tired of them I'm sorry, but hopefully these lists will end soon, because if not I've got no chance of ever finishing this many books and I don't know where I'd even begin to pick and choose which to read and which to hold off on. So here are a few more new reads that will be hitting the shelves next year that I think you need to be adding to your wish lists if you haven't already.

Countdown Pick #1: Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1) by R.L. LaFevers (03/07/2012)

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?
I love the sound of this one. Not only with there be some major girl power but there will also be romance and intrigue. Court life is always a fun backdrop in any book, just like boarding school scenes or campfires, ya know? So for this one to see the training of an assassin and what it all entails has my curiosity piqued but I can already see myself getting attached to her would-be target. I'm always a sucker for unrequited love stories and theirs will surely be the ultimate test for our main character. Who doesn't want to pick up this read come March? I mean come on, assassinations, romance, sneaking around and deciphering lies and manipulations? Yep, I'm definitely on board and I don't think I'll be the only one with this title under my arm as I make my way to the registers.

Countdown Pick #2: When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen (02/28/2012)

After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend Ilven kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.

So while there is a description for this book and it's not just a one line teaser, I'll admit I'm still a little lost. Obviously we're in a fictional place and one where I'm assuming there are still arranged marriages common enough for our main character to begin to panic. But I wish there was a little bit more of a background snippet for what kind of world these characters live in, does that make sense? Am I alone in this? Well either way and despite the lack of a background on this synopsis, I'm still excited. The cover alone looks pretty ominous and the idea of a love triangle has me intrigued. Which guy will we be rooting for Felicita to choose? What other choices will she have to make, all in good time.

Countdown Pick #3: Glimmer by Phoebe Kitanidis (04/17/2012)

What if you forgot your identity and had to rely on other people to tell you who you were?

And what if to discover your true self, you first had to unravel a mystery so big and terrifying you were not sure you’d survive solving it?

When Marshall and Elyse wake up in each other’s arms with zero memory of how they got there or who they are, it’s the start of a long journey through their separate pasts and shared future.

Terrified by their amnesia, the two make a pact to work together to find the answers that could jog their missing memories. As they piece together clues, they discover they’re in the idyllic mountain resort town of Summer Falls, where everyone seems mysteriously happy, but as Marshall and Elyse quickly learn, darkness lurks beneath the town’s perfect facade. Not only is the town haunted by sinister ghosts, but none of its living inhabitants retain bad memories of anything—not the death of Marshall’s mom, not the hidden shame in Elyse’s family, not even the day-to-day anguish of high school.

Lonely in this world of happy zombies, Marsh and Elyse fall into an intense relationship...but the secrets they uncover could be the death of this growing love—and the death of everyone, and everything, they love in Summer Falls.

Can you imagine what it would be like to wake up with no memory of who you are or anything else for that matter? I'm not sure I'm strong enough to deal with something like that and to be honest I hope I never find out if I'm right or wrong. It sounds just awful and Marsh and Eylse, despite having each other to lean on sound like they're in a very bad spot. Zombie like townspeople? No thank you. I'm all for forgetting all the bad that's happened in our lives but at what cost, right? Too much pressure if you ask me is on their shoulders and I'm hoping that they make it through and with a happy ending for them both please. What could they possibly find out though after digging around that could mean the death of everyone around them? Scary stuff right? I'm not familiar with Kitanidis' work but I'm looking forward to checking it out for myself and seeing if she can live up to this fabulous sneak peek.

Countdown Pick #4: Arcadia Awakens (Arkadien, #1) by Kai Meyer (02/14/2012)

To Rosa Alcantara, the exotic world of Sicily, with its network of Mafia families and its reputation for murder and intrigue, is just that—exotic and wholly unknown. But when her life in Brooklyn begins to fall apart, she must travel there, to her family’s ancestral home, where centuries of family secrets await her. Once there, Rosa falls head over heels for Alessandro Carnevare, the son of a Sicilian Mafia family, whose handsome looks and savage grace both fascinate and unsettle her. But their families are sworn enemies, and her aunt and sister believe Alessandro is only using Rosa to infiltrate the Alcantara clan. And when Rosa encounters a tiger one night—a tiger with very familiar eyes—she can no longer deny that neither the Carnevares nor the Alcantaras are what they seem. Hidden caves, dangerous beasts roaming the hills, and a history of familial bloodlust mean that Rosa can’t trust anyone. Torn between loyalty to her family and love for their mortal enemy, Rosa must make the hardest decision of her life: stay in Sicily with her new love…or run as far and as fast as she can.

Hello modern day twisted Romeo and Juliet! It sounds like we might have a shape shifting, mafia, star crossed lovers scenario in the works readers. How exciting! These two characters come from complicated families with even more complicated mysteries and pasts. It seems like Rosa is going to have to adapt and think fast because otherwise I'm sure she won't last very long under these circumstances. And the cover has me even more confused and yet excited as well. If her guy could possibly be the tiger (or at least that's the way I was thinking) does the cover indicate she might a snake charmer or the snake itself? Questions, questions and no answers until February. What do you guys think about this one? I know I'm excited but did you guys pick up anything from the snippet that you think gave away some more clues? I might have missed them so feel free to share! There's a contest to win yourself a free copy of this one over at Goodreads, so be sure to enter for your chance if you haven't already!


Countdown Pick #5: Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg (04/01/2012)
From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom and Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Anything by Eulberg is pure gold in my book. The Lonely Hearts Club won my heart and Prom and Prejudice is still my favorite retelling of my all time favorite classic. So when I came across her next release I just about jumped up and down in my seat. I could barely contain my enthusiasm and only wish I didn't have to wait until April to add this baby to my own personal bookshelf. Her writing is realistic and refreshing and always fast paced but un-rushed. Her humor hits my funny bone every time and I always find myself laughing, sometimes crying and always always always invested in the characters she has created. I love the idea of this one and anyone who's been a fan of Fame or Raise Your Voice I think would agree that there's something about these types of stories that pump you up and refuse to let you go until the very end. Eulberg's been a favorite of mine since I found her writing and after meeting her at a book fair my opinion of her only went higher. I'm so happy for her and her accomplishments and thankful that she's produced another read for everyone to enjoy!

Review: Shadowspell (Faeriewalker, #2) by Jenna Black

On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead.

The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

Only a fellow reading fanatic would understand how excited I was when I got an advanced copy of Shadowspell in the mail for review the other night. It was like Christmas had come early, I was beyond elated. I immediately put aside the other book I was reading and dove right in! Jenna's writing was just as perfect and addicting as it was the first go around in Glimmerglass, but it felt more mature this time around. She was in the zone from beginning to end and I was hooked from page one.

Dana's problems in Glimmerglass pale in comparison to what she's faced with in this installment and I was rooting for her even more. Her drama with Ethan rears it's ugly head but things really get dramatic when the Erlking comes to Avalon with his huntsman following close behind. I finished the book unsure of my feelings for the Erlking. I think I actually like him, but I know I shouldn't? I guess I'm still kind of undecided on the subject. But Black did an amazing job of mounting the intensity and suspense of the story thanks to his entrance in the storyline.

Keane and Finn, Dana's mom and dad, and Kimber were all back and involved (even at times when they probably shouldn't have been) and were all awesome as was to be expected. And another great comeback...the hot posset! I was happy to see Kimber bring the cure all back into action, but felt bad that the girls were in need of the stress reliever. I think I'm going to whip one up myself when I got back to re-read the story, yum!

While the second installment was packed with action, anxiety, stress and yes romance, the ending left me at a crossroads. I'm sad, happy, curious and a little worried about Dana and her friends, but I'm hoping they can pull things together in the next and third installment in the Faeriewalker series, Sirensong, which comes out July 2011.

I gave Shadowspell (Faeriewalker, #2) 5 shamrocks!!!!!

Contest Reminder!!!

So July's almost over and you guys know what that means....the 200 follower contest is almost over!  The last day I'll be accepting entries for the contest is on August 1, 2010 and I'm cutting it off at midnight!  So if you haven't entered and don't know what I'm talking about here is what's up for grabs....

The contest is for followers only and is open internationally as long as the Book Depository will ship to you.

Other (Other, #1) by Karen Kincy

Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves. 

When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive.

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER? There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug. 

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do. 

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend’s boyfriend.

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf. 

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker, #1) by Jenna Black

Dana Hathaway doesn’t know it yet, but she’s in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, Dana decides she’s had it with being her mother’s keeper, so she packs her bags and heads to stay with her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl—she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie. 

Soon, she finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone wants something from her, even her newfound friends and family. Suddenly, life with her alcoholic mom doesn't sound half bad, and Dana would do anything to escape Avalon and get back home. Too bad both her friends and her enemies alike are determined not to let her go . . .

So head on over to the original contest post to fill out the form and just as a little side note, one of the questions on the form will ask you to provide a link for spreading the word, if you didn't no big deal, I accidentally made it required and didn't know how to change it (oops!) so just put "n/a" in that space if you don't plan on spreading the word.

Good luck and happy reading!

200 Followers Contest Updates!!!

So as you guys can see I've gone past my 200 followers mark and to show my thanks for following I want to share some updates with you guys regarding the 200 followers contest.

I've decided to add two more books to the mix....and I've decided to let the winners choose which book they'd like out of the prizes available.  So I'm sure everyone knows the drill but just to be clear, 1st winner selected will have first crack and which book he/she would like to receive, and so on and so forth.   Don't forget this contest is international (as long as the book depository ships to you) and I might just not stop at five books, ya never know...I am loving this contest!

So the two new books I've decided to add to the pile are:

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Torn between two destinies? 

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

And....

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black (my interview with her today inspired me)

Dana Hathaway doesn’t know it yet, but she’s in big trouble. When her alcoholic mom shows up at her voice recital drunk, Dana decides she’s had it with being her mother’s keeper, so she packs her bags and heads to stay with her mysterious father in Avalon: the only place on Earth where the regular, everyday world and the magical world of Faerie intersect. But from the moment Dana sets foot in Avalon, everything goes wrong, for it turns out she isn't just an ordinary teenage girl—she's a Faeriewalker, a rare individual who can travel between both worlds, and who can bring magic into the human world and technology into Faerie.

Soon, she finds herself tangled up in a cutthroat game of Fae politics. Someone's trying to kill her, and everyone wants something from her, even her newfound friends and family. Suddenly, life with her alcoholic mom doesn't sound half bad, and Dana would do anything to escape Avalon and get back home. Too bad both her friends and her enemies alike are determined not to let her go . . .

So hurry on over to the contest form and enter before the contest ends on August 1, 2010. 

(The form says it's required for you to post a link for the contest, that was a mistake but I can't change it so just type in "N/A" or something like it if you're not posting a link...sorry about that)

Author Interview: Jenna Black

Jenna Black is your typical writer. Which means she's an "experience junkie." She got her BA in physical anthropology and French from Duke University.

Once upon a time, she dreamed she would be the next Jane Goodall, camping in the bush making fabulous discoveries about primate behavior. Then, during her senior year at Duke, she did some actual research in the field and made this shocking discovery: primates spend something like 80% of their time doing such exciting things as sleeping and eating.

Concluding that this discovery was her life's work in the field of primatology, she then moved on to such varied pastimes as grooming dogs and writing technical documentation. Among her other experiences . . . Ballroom dancing.  Traveling all seven continents.  Yes, even Antarctica.  Becoming a Life Master in Bridge.  Singing in a barbershop chorus.

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

Katelyn:  Fantasy novels have always been popular in Young Adult Literature, and YA novels featuring fairies are long time classics and oh so very popular. Why were you drawn to focus your novel around them? Have they always held a special place in your heart?

Jenna:  I have always enjoyed tales of Faerie, and I’ve been influenced even by the ones that I didn’t particularly enjoy. There’s something about that parallel world, with people who are sort of like us but in many ways not that fascinates me. One of my all-time favorite books is War for the Oaks by Emma Bull. I think I’ve wanted to write a story about the Fae ever since I first read that book, although I didn’t find the story I wanted to write until relatively recently.

Katelyn:  With Glimmerglass being your YA debut novel, this must be a very chaotic and exciting time for you. What's your favorite part about the process so far?

Jenna:  Chaotic and exciting is an excellent description! It’s been a wild roller coaster ride, with my emotions careening all over the place. Some of my favorite moments were seeing the final book for the first time, with its pretty silver dots, and doing my very first reading/signing. A lot of people from my local RWA chapter showed up, but there were also people in the audience whom I didn’t personally know, and that was very exciting. More people seem to come to events for young adult books than do for adult books, so it was a nice ego boost.

Katelyn:  What's your favorite book/author?

Jenna:  That’s an impossible question to answer! I have so many favorites I couldn’t possibly name them all. Obviously, I’d name War for the Oaks as one, but a few more of my favorites are Briar Rose by Jane Yolen, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, and Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. Ask me another time, and you might get an entirely different list of books and authors.

Katelyn:  If you were describing Glimmerglass in three words, what would they be?

Jenna:  Wow, two hard ones in a row! Assuming the three words don’t have to go together, I’d probably say alcoholism, Faerie, and betrayal.

Katelyn:  Did you have a favorite character while writing Glimmerglass? If you did, can you tell us who that was and why?

Jenna:  I’d have to say my favorite character is Ethan, my heroine’s love interest. I always seem to love the morally ambiguous characters best. Ethan has elements of both a hero and a villain, and that makes him tons of fun to write. But if you want to see one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written, you’ll have to wait until Shadowspell comes out and you get to meet the Erlking. He’s morally ambiguous all right, but he leans more toward the villain side.

Katelyn:  I was amazed to hear that you've traveled all 7 continents and was insanely curious to know which you enjoyed the most or if you have any plans to make your way back to certain places that were favorites?

Jenna:  I did most of my traveling with my mother, who passed away in 2004. We were very adventurous travelers (as you can probably guess), and we went to a lot of stunning places. We were always on the lookout for off-the-beaten-path trips and were more interested in natural beauty than in cities. Probably my favorite place to visit was Kenya, because the wildlife is so incredible. But I really loved Antarctica, too, both because traveling there was such an adventure, and for its sheer, unspoiled beauty. It was just breathtaking! (I don’t think I’d want to go again, however. Getting there can be quite an ordeal, especially if you’re crossing the Drake Passage, one of the roughest stretches of water anywhere in the world!)

Katelyn:  Do you have any other novels in the works at the moment, want to share any juicy details about them? I know the sequel to Glimmerglass will be coming out in the future, any hints you can give us as far as what's in store next for our favorite characters?

Jenna:  I do have another adult series in the works, but unfortunately I have not been cleared to share any details about it yet. My publisher doesn’t want me to talk about it until they have determined a release date for it, and that has not yet happened. Sorry! As for hints at what’s in store for Dana and her friends, I can tell you that her life is going to get even more complicated! And the list of people who want something from her is going to grow.

Katelyn:  Anything else you'd like to add or say?

Jenna:  Thanks for inviting me to be your guest!

Isn't she great?  If you guys haven't had the chance to check out Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker, #1), do yourself a favor and get the bookstore now to pick up your own copy, it's great!  And be sure to be on the lookout for the 2nd installment in the Faeriewalker series, Shadowspell.