Guest Post: Top Ten Books to Read when Stranded on a Desert Island by Zoraida Cordova

Today we're lucky enough to have Zoraida Cordova sharing a little bit about herself on the blog for all her readers and fans to check out!


If you are going to be stranded, may as well find something to pass the time. Just make sure you plan ahead...

#1 would have to be HOW TO SURVIVE ON A DESERT ISLAND. Because, really, if I don't survive, I won't get to read #2-10.

#2 Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, obvi.

#3 A collection of fairy tales from around the world.

#4 The Harry Potter series, because I'll need a little hope to keep me going.

#5 Montana Sky by Nora Roberts. Don't roll your eyes at me. Deserted islands get lonely.

#6 Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins because every word is beauty.

#7 Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown. Partly because I'd like the company of merpeople. Partly because I'd like to read it before I get stranded. But also because I can't say I want to get stranded with my own meremaids :)

#8 Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 8 graphic novels. When facing the forces of darkness (strike that), nature, I'd ask myself, What Would Buffy Do?

#9 The Essential Neruda. Pablo Neruda was exiled to an island where he feel in love and wrote poetry. Maybe I'd get the same inspiration.

#10 A blank notebook, to write my own stories.

Thank you so much Zoraida, for stopping by the blog, and in case you haven't heard (if you're living in a cave or something?) her own book, The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep, #1) is hitting the shelves on May 1, 2012. You can check out my review below, and trust me, that it's a read you definitely don't want to miss out on!

ARC Review: The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep, #1) by Zoraida Cordova

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave. He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth. His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods. Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.

Cordova has brought readers and fans of the young adult literature scene a fresh new voice and a ton of fun new characters to enjoy. As a fan of series reading, this first installment has me convinced that Cordova has a winner on her hands and hopefully more of her wonderfully fast paced writing style and adorable characters still to come. While mermaids might be staging a come back among the paranormal genre in 2012, Cordova brought a unique spin of her own and didn't show any signs of slowing down in the process. Hearing her main character Tristan's voice throughout this novel was a change up for me, when I've been used to typically having female narrators dominating the titles I normally find myself reading. And I liked every minute of it.

While this read might center around mermaids and mermen (and not The Little Mermaid type you might be thinking of) her imagination did not stop there. Readers will get to enjoy vampires, shifters, and so much more. The imagination and creativity that went into these characters and this world was wonderful to be a part of and I enjoyed myself the whole way through. With a little bit of romance, a little more action and suspense, and unfortunately some heartache, I think Cordova packed a punch for her readers with this series opener.

I hate to be corny, but I think it'll be easy for readers to dive right into this one and leave only wanting more...counting down until the next installment hits the shelves.

I gave The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep, #1) by Zoraida Cordova 3 shamrocks!!!

In My Mailbox (45)

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board. I'm always picking up new books, because I never tire of reading, but the other thing I like about this meme is that it gives everyone an opportunity to check out what other book fanatics, bloggers, etc... got for themselves. I've gotten great recommendations from this meme and hope that keeps up in the future.

Here's what I got, what did you guys get this week?

For Review:

The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep, #1) by Zoraida Cordova (5/1/12)

When an unnatural riptide sweeps lifeguard Tristan Hart out to sea for three days and then dumps him back on the shore of Coney Island, it’s the start of the Sea Court claiming its own. Suddenly, Tristan’s girlfriend dramas and swimming championship seem like distant worries as he discovers the truth: he’s a Merman. Now Tristan must fight for his life, the lives of his friends, and his humanity (if he still wants it), while competing in a race for a throne as ancient as the gods.

Seductive, duplicitous, and with an agenda of their own, these are not the mermaids you know.

**Be sure to check back with me on May 3, 2012 for my stop on The Vicious Deep blog tour for a guest post from the author herself! Not to mention a giveaway you might not want to miss out on...

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Covers for 2012

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.

So out of all the beautiful cover work we've already seen this year, I found this list really hard to narrow down, and if I had my choice I wouldn't have to. But that would defeat the purpose of the meme and also bore everyone to tears I'm sure. So while I'm clearly not going to be able to include each and every cover I found to be breathtaking in 2012 so far, here are ten of my favorites...

Cover #1: Everneath (Everneath, #1) by Brodi Ashton (1/24/12)

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

How can you not love this cover? It drew me in right away and I was practically salivating to find out what this book was all about. The dress, the color, the mystery behind what this girl really looks like since her face is obscured from our view...love it all!

Cover #2: The Selection (The Selection, #1) by Kiera Cass (4/24/12)

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I'm not sure but I think the fact that I'm currently surrounded by friends who are getting married and tossing bridesmaids dresses at me from all directions has me drawn to these girly girl covers. This cover is perfection tied up in taffeta! Between the extravagant gown and the fun house/ballet series of mirrors behind these girls and I'm thinking this is a book I've got to get my hands on come April!

Cover #3: Spellcaster (Spellbound, #2) by Cara Lynn Shultz (3/27/12)

Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.

I think I found this one to be a cross between Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and The Little Princess maybe? Sounds crazy, but it has this romantic and dangerous feel for me all at the same time. I wasn't familiar with the Spellbound series before I came across this cover, but once I saw the artwork, I had to check things out further. Now I've gone and added not one but two more books to my TBR list because I can't start a series anywhere but from the beginning.

Cover #4: Stolen Nights (Vampire Queen, #2) by Rebecca Maizel (6/21/12)

Lenah Beaudonte should be dead. But having sacrificed herself to save another, she finds herself awakening with strange powers that are neither vampire nor human - and a new enemy on her trail. In her vampire life, Lenah had thought that being human was all she ever wanted; but the human heart suffers pain, heartbreak and loss. With her new powers growing and the dark force of the Nex after her soul, Lenah faces a choice: between the mortal love of gorgeous Justin, whose passion fed her human soul, and taking a different path to become the mistress of her own destiny, wherever that may lead .

As always, I'm a big fan of paranormal titles and vampires dominate that genre for sure. Maizel's Vampire Queen series is a unique take on this popular area and her covers keep readers drooling. I've been waiting for this second installment for a while but when I got a look at the new cover I couldn't have been more excited!

Cover #5: Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols (7/10/12)

A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.

But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business--until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers--and the consequences could be deadly.

I think I like the wind action on this one. And how perfect when dealing with a book about pilots and a girl caught in between them, right? Echols has been a long time favorite of mine and her covers fit her writing perfectly. They're always beautiful but they also always have this soft and muted feel to them that matches her titles and the words that fall on the pages. Romantic, heartwrenching and exciting, that about sums Echols' writing and covers for me, which is why there was no contest...this cover was making my top ten for sure!

Cover #6: Once (Eve, #2) by Anna Carey (7/3/12)

Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet.

Whoever designs Carey's covers for this series has a beautiful vision of where this series will take her readers. Eve is always looking forward and readers are left trying to interpret and predict where that could possibly lead. With such a wonderful start to a series, Carey needed a cover that captured that excitement with her series opener and I'd say her cover artist mastered yet another take for her second installment in the series.

Cover #7: Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg (4/1/12)

From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & 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.

I dont' know about you guys but I can't resist an opportunity to watch a show like Glee, or The Voice, where fantastic talents are showcased and enjoyed by millions! My sister recently moved to NYC and with each visit comes a trip to Broadway and I just devour every minute of it. Having no musical talent myself, I've always been awed by those individuals who can belt out an almost unattainable note or play a score as if they were born to do nothing else. So when I saw this cover work for Eulberg's new title I fell head over heels in love. It embodies all those feelings I experience when seeing a show or watching a performer and I can only imagine what Eulberg's story itself with have in store for her readers.

Cover #8: The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova (5/1/12)

When an unnatural riptide sweeps lifeguard Tristan Hart out to sea for three days and then dumps him back on the shore of Coney Island, it’s the start of the Sea Court claiming its own. Suddenly, Tristan’s girlfriend dramas and swimming championship seem like distant worries as he discovers the truth: he’s a Merman. Now Tristan must fight for his life, the lives of his friends, and his humanity (if he still wants it), while competing in a race for a throne as ancient as the gods.

Seductive, duplicitous, and with an agenda of their own, these are not the mermaids you know.

The title speaks for itself and yet the cover brings that point home I think. Cordova's future release has my excitement level ratched up way too high for my own good, but this cover really put me over the top. The colors, the trident, the whole shibang really...who wouldn't want to score their own copy and display this baby on their shelves after they've devoured it? I know I want to, and will be racing to get my hands on this as soon as it hits the shelves.

Cover #9: Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson (10/9/12)

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly there’s a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

Yet another cover that drew me into and introduced me to what sounds like a great new read to add to my TBR list for 2012. I love the wilderness, outdoor channel type feel of this cover. And yet again we've got wind action in the picture, which I think stands to prove that I like the model cover shoot type effects when it comes to my favorite covers. What can I say? But it's also the fog element that's added an eerie feel to this title and along with the mysterious guy hanging out in the background...I'd say there's definitely some mystery and suspense to be expected with this future read.

Cover #10: Rivals (The Ivy, #3) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur (3/6/12)

Decisions, decisions . . .

You’ve survived your first semester and captured the interest of not one but two of the hottest guys on campus.

Now who are you going to choose?

Callie Andrews returns for her second semester at Harvard determined to do better than the previous fall, where those Bs on her report card seemed pretty good compared to the state of her extracurriculars (F, as in if at first you don’t succeed, you should probably stop trying), friendships (C-minus, since she and former BFF Vanessa are still on thin ice), and love life (D, as in don’t even go there). But various campus rivalries soon threaten to thwart Callie’s resolve. Will Callie ever be a match for—

Grace Lee
the take-no-prisoners managing editor

Alessandra
the gorgeous transfer student

Clint
the guy who might just be too perfect

and Gregory
the guy who may never be perfect enough.

Callie will face some of the toughest choices imaginable: in friendships, in loyalties, and in love. The pressure to pick a side—and a suitor—has never been higher. But will she and her friends choose well?

It's my favorite cover yet for this awesome series. I'm sure it's the girly pink and purple colors that have me practically squealing on my end, but it's without a doubt gotten me super excited to dive right in. While I've been a fan of this series from the very beginning, there's always that risk that other books will come up and grab my attention or I could find myself simply falling behind in my reading...it happens right? Well all it takes is a cover like this to have me scrambling over everything in my way for the chance to crack this baby open and see what the author's have in store next for these great characters!

Countdown: Reccomendation Edition

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I have found some of my favorite reads through recommendations. Not many of my close friends are huge readers like myself, so I really have to rely on my awesome blog contacts. Either through comments left on my blog, emails I've received, or books mentioned/reviewed on other blogs that I follow. Without those helpful tips and suggestions I would miss out on so many amazing reads. I don't even like to think about the amount of books I'd never add to my shelves. So here are a few recent recommendations I've received, got any more I should check out?

Countdown Pick #1: The Vicious Deep (The Vicious Deep, #1) by Zoraida Cordova (4/1/2012)

Set against the backdrop of a Coney Island summer comes The Vicious Deep, the story of sixteen year old Tristan Hart whose life is turned upside down when the mermaids make an unscheduled return to land in search of their new king.

When a sudden storm pulls Tristan from lifeguard duty into a deadly riptide, he discovers what he really is—a prince of the Sea Court. Turns out, his girlfriend hopping and talents as a swimmer aren’t caused by his teenage prime hormones after all.

In this modern Arthurian tale with a twist, when all a guy wants to do is get The Girl and enjoy the freak show that is a Coney Island summer, Tristan has to fight for his life, the lives of his friends, and his humanity, if he still wants it, as he’s caught in a race for a throne that is as ancient as the gods.

When I first heard about this one, I was sold as soon as the word mermaids was mentioned. But then I come to find out it's more about their search for their king and my excitement grew. It seems our main character Tristan gets a whopping surprise when he discovers he might just fit their requirements, not to mention there are super high stakes involved in his decision and this revelation. Its rare I read a book with a guy's point of view and with their narration, so I always look forward to the change of pace. Here's hoping this read lives up to my excitement.

Countdown Pick #2: Wrecked by Anna Davies (5/1/2012)

Miranda has lived on Whym Island since the death of her parents. She has taken comfort in its seclusion and in the folklore that claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and its surrounding waters. It's just been easier to believe that things are out of her control.

But when a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy that haunts her dreams. As the guilt of the accident consumes her, she finds refuge in her late night swims. Then, she meets Christian, a boy who seems so familiar, but won't tell her where he is from and why they can only meet at the beach. As Miranda falls for Christian and begins to put the accident behind her, she discovers that there are secrets that Christian is keeping to protect her that may only end up bringing her nothing but harm.

I guess I've got another water themed addition to make the list of recommendations because this one got me immediately! Being rescued at sea by a hunk....oh yeah! This girl seems to be a character who's unfortunate circumstances will have readers emotionally involved from page one. Heck I'm emotionally invested after just reading the book's description. But honestly it was the mysterious vibe surrounding this plot that really pushed me over the edge. I can't wait to see what happens and I'm actually hoping I'm left guessing until the very end. I'm unfamiliar with Davies, but am really looking forward to see what she brings to the young adult literature world.

Countdown Pick #3: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (5/22/2012)

Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings.

I could have called this the water edition of countdowns at the rate I'm going because here's yet another aquatic future read. While this one hints at an underwater kingdom and beings with unusual powers and talents in connection with water and the creatures who call it home, that's not the only reason behind the TBR addition. It was more the relationship between the two main characters that really got my attention. Calen and Emma's confusing and mysterious connection drew me in and I'm anxious to see if a great romance is in the works for these two. It all just sounds too juicy for me to pass up.

Countdown Pick #4: Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey (1/5/2012)

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

While this title may not be centered around the water and any underwater creatures like my other choices, fantasy is still in full effect. I'm also thinking this one may be different than others in the genre, which lets face it, is always a welcome revelation. I'm not previously familiar with this author, but her world of dragons, witches, and fairies sounds magical. Don't forget that there is of course a romance in the center of it all and there's no way I could possibly pass this new recommendation up. The cover is beautiful, the plot sounds fantastic and just like that I've added yet another title that I can't wait to check out to my TBR pile.

Countdown Pick #5: Perception (Clarity, #2) by Kim Harrington (3/1/2012)

When you can see things others can't, what happens when someone is watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only, Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared. Clare needs to see her way to the truth — before it's much too late.

I'll admit this one is slightly different from what I normally sway towards on the bookshelves, but I can't help it. I've heard so many wonderful things about Harrington's writing that I thought it was finally time to wise up and give one of her books a try. From the sounds of it, Clare seems like a potentially unique character. Throw in the mysterious disappearance of a local girl and the fact that Clare's powers are out in the open and my curiosity is totally piqued. So here's hoping that I join the ranks of devoted Kim Harrington fans all over.