Review: Split Second by Kasie West

Title: Split Second

Author: Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: 2.11.2014

Pages: 320

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Series: Pivot Point #2

Source: ARC from author

Rating: A+

Summary (from Goodreads):

Life can change in a split second.

Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.

When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.

As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.

Review:

It is so hard for me to find the words to describe how insanely happy SPLIT SECOND made me. Truly. Kasie West won her way into my heart with the first book in this series, Pivot Point, and every book she has written since simply serves to cement her place as one of my favorite authors of all time.

This book picks up where Pivot Point left off. SPLIT SECOND is a breathless, swoony, heart-pounding ride. Addie is back in all her awesome glory, this time joined with bestie Laila (who co-narrates with her). And, of course, Trevor is back.

Let's all take a second to swoon for Trevor.

OK, get it together girls. Focus.

......Trevor......

FOCUS.

West is one of those authors who keep you engaged from start to finish. She has this brilliant way of making characters so genuine and sincere that you are consumed by the stories they are telling. Admittedly I had my reservations about this book being dual narration, but that was just so silly of me. Laila was just as striking and compelling as Addie.

I am a hardcore Kasie West fangirl. I am. This is one author who exploded onto the YA scene in 2013 and hasn't had a stumble yet. Everything she writes is just getting stronger and stronger. She's here to stay, so everyone needs to jump on board now.

Buy: Amazon

Cover Reveal: Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

So I actually got to see this cover last week at the launched party for SECRET (book 4 in the Elementals series) that Brigid had at a near by B&N. She showed me on her phone and I might've snapped a pic of the pic on her phone with my phone.

You get that?

I can honestly say that THIS is my favorite cover of the series. It's just .... Well, see for yourselves:

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Sacrifice: Book 5 in the Elemental Series

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick is used to pressure.

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17149158-sacrifice

Brigid Kemmerer website: http://www.brigidkemmerer.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrigidKemmererWrites?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrigidKemmerer

Optional links:

Amazon link to Elemental Series: http://www.amazon.com/Brigid-Kemmerer/e/B005IB0MTA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1391773518&sr=8-2-ent

Barnes & Noble link to Elemental Series: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/brigid-kemmerer/3072647

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/search?searchTerm=brigid+kemmerer&search=Find+book

iBooks:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/storm/id495681634?mt=11

IndieBound:

http://www.indiebound.org/search/apachesolr_search?author_filter=Kemmerer%2C+Brigid

Blog Tour: Autumn Rose by Abigail Gibbs

Welcome to today's stop in the Autumn Rose Blog Tour! Today's post features a snippet from Chapter 1, which you can read here. 

Slipping her phone back into her pocket, she moved to sit on the one of the long stone benches beneath the treats that line the square. After a single minute, she perked up again, alert and tense. 

Abruptly, the scene cut and was replaced by another. Darkening, congealing red liquid coated the ground and stained the warted of the fountains like wine. Bodies littered the floor and I looked on, sickened as their life and energy drained from their necks and seeped across the city I knew and loved; the city I saws torn from..... 

I was wrenched back to consciousness. Bolting upright in bed, I reached for the light on my alarm clock, surprised. It had only just turned one o'clock in the morning.

About The Book 

By: Abigail Gibbs

Published by: William Morrow

Released on: 1.30.14

Series: The Dark Heroine #2

Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Add it to Goodreads

Autumn Rose has the chance to save the world she loves. But how much will she have to sacrifice?

Autumn Rose lives in a sleepy seaside town, but buried deep under the surface of her quiet life are dark secrets. Her grandmother is dead, murdered eighteen months ago, and the vibrant London social scene in which she was brought up is a world away. Even worse, at her new school she is shunned and condemned––all because of the swirling marks on her skin that prevent her from blending in with the crowd.

Then the appearance at her school of a handsome young man—who has the same curious markings as Autumn—sends her world into turmoil. Suddenly the marks are deemed cool, and Autumn is thrust into the limelight. But her sudden popularity brings danger as her secrets threaten to come to light. And then there are her recurring dreams about a girl who is about to be seduced by a very dark prince . . . and Autumn must figure out how to save her before it is too late.

About The Author

Abigail Gibbs was born and raised in deepest, darkest Devon. She is currently studying for a BA in English at the University of Oxford and considers herself a professional student, as the real world is yet to catch up with her. Her greatest fear is blood and she is a great advocate of vegetarianism, which logically led to the writing of her first novel, Dinner With A Vampire. At age fifteen, she began posting serially online under the pseudonym Canse12, and after three years in the internet limelight, set her sights towards total world domination. She splits her time between her studies, stories and family, and uses coffee to survive all three.


Follow Abigai: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Launch Post: Alienated by Melissa Landers

ALIENATED Launch & NOOK Giveaway!

 Hey, fiction lovers. I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce that my debut YA sci-fi romance, ALIENATED, is finally available from Disney-Hyperion! Cue the dancers and toss the confetti, because it’s been a long wait!

 

In a nutshell, ALIENATED is the story of valedictorian Cara Sweeney, who gets more than she bargained for when she agrees to host the nation’s first intergalactic exchange student, the gorgeous but emotionally-stilted Aelyx (pronounced A-licks) from planet L’eihr. The tone is light and humorous, but I explore some deeper themes as well.

What do reviewers have to say?

“The storyline is out of this world and character development paired with authentic voice is superb. Filled with intrigue and suspense, this book will appeal to both sci-fi and contemporary YA fiction fans.” –VOYA 

“Interstellar relations heat up in this start to a new romantic science fiction series. Landers [explores] larger social, ecological, and ethical issues in this tense, fast-paced read.” –Booklist

“The perfect blend of sizzling romance, action, and suspense.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout 

“Smart, funny, and epic. I am now awaiting contact from planet L’eihr.” Julie Cross, bestselling author of Tempest.  

“Intergalactic exchange students? Yes, please! I fell in love with this story and couldn’t put it down.” Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

If you like hot, swoony science fiction as much as I do, I hope you’ll give ALIENATED a try. It’s now available in stores and online.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1eHsLaf

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1dZqtBI

Book Depo (free international shipping): http://bit.ly/1hzxOfs

Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1dfZHDW

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a Nook Simple Touch. I’ll even throw in a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble so you can fill your new e-reader with whatever you want!

Now for the fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only. (Sorry, international friends, but you need a US billing address to buy digital content on the Nook.) Due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

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Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information, or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.

Blog Tour: Snakeroot by Andrea Cremer

Welcome to the SNAKEROOT blog tour! Bosque Mar haunts the dreams of both Adne and Logan, trying to escape for the Nether, where Calla, Shay and the other Guardians trapped him in the final battle in the War of All Against All... Will he turn Adne to the dark side? Will Logan reclaim his birthright? And will darkness take over our world? Follow the SNAKEROOT blog tour, featuring nine posts from author Andrea Cremer, over the next three weeks to get the inside scoop!

Andrea’s on Adne:

I’m still surprised by how much I enjoy writing villains – I don't know whether to be intrigued or troubled by this fondness for the wicked ones.  In Snakeroot I had a lot of fun writing Logan Bane. So terribly self-serving and conniving, Logan serves up a lot of snark, which is very entertaining to create. Logan is also at a crossroads in his life. Having always been surrounded by servants, Logan now finds himself forced to act on his own and he demonstrates a potential for decisiveness and violence that is both mesmerizing and frightening. Watching him go through the process of establishing his independence, despite complaining about it along the way, has been fascinating. 

The most challenging character to write in Snakeroot is Ariadne. Adne has lost so much due to recent events, and she’s deeply troubled. Her stubborn streak prevents her from asking for help; thus, Adne becomes more and more isolated and drawn closer to what most endangers her. Traveling with Adne through this dark time is particularly hard because she’s such a strong young woman with lots of moxie, but at the moment she’s mired in grief, confusion, and fear. I’m just glad I know she has the will and wherewithal to fight her way back to hope and love.

SNAKEROOT Synopsis:

Picking up right where BLOODROSE left off, SNAKEROOT follows two characters readers know well from the original Nightshade trilogy.  Adne, one of the Searchers and Ren's half-sister, is plagued by nightmares featuring the evil Bosque Mar, now trapped in the Nether and looking for a way out.  Adne's power draws him to her, and he wants, more than anything, for her to come to the side of dark magic and free him. Logan Bane, the Keeper who was once set to rule Calla and Ren's Haldis pack, is one of the few of his kind left, after he helped Shay close the rift between our world and the Nether.  But he wants to re-open that rift so he can re-create Guardians and reclaim the Keepers' magic. He raids the Rowan Estate to find what he needs to perform dark, ancient rituals, but Bosque Mar has turned his back on Logan for his treachery, and without his help, Logan is lost.  The two teens are both battling Bosque Mar--one who wants to be left alone, and the other who wants help.

About Andrea Cremer:

Andrea Cremer is the internationally bestselling author of the Nightshade series, which includes the critically acclaimed Nightshade, Wolfsbane, Bloodrose, Rift and Rise. She went to school until there wasn't any more school to go to, ending with a Ph.D. in early modern history--a reflection of her fascination with witchcraft and warfare--and taught for years at Macalester College.  She grew up roaming the forests and lakeshores of northern Wisconsin, but now lives in New York City, where she roams the sidewalks and riverbanks of the concrete jungle she calls home. www.andreacremer.com  @andreacremer

Blog Tour: Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

SYNOPSIS:
In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Review:

I'll admit it was the cover of Landry Park that grabbed me first. I mean, look at it. It's stunning! Then I read the synopsis and it sounded like my kind of book, so why not?

But I knew from the first page that Landry Park wasn't just another dystopian swimming in the sea. This was the book that Bethany Hagen wrote for me.

Yeah. I have a book written for me. Well, OK, not just for me, but it felt that way!

It's hard to believe Hagen is a debut author. She writes like a seasoned vet with beautiful descriptions and lush settings, decorating by enigmatic characters that entranced me from the start. Madeline is one of the best, most true heroines I've ever read because this girl admits her faults.

Bother Madeline and David are from the upper layer of upper crust society. They have the money, the titles, the family name ... But they feel compelled to help Rootless society (basically the bottom of the barrel group that lost the war and has been enslaved because of it). While this seems like a normal YA storyline, what grabbed me was their honesty about their situations. Madeline genuinely wanted to help the Rootless ... but she struggled with sacrificing her cushy lifestyle. Some of you may call that weak, but I call it honest. Let's face it: We all want to help those less fortunate. But are you ready to hand over all your money for that to happen? Are you willing you never buy a book again if it means you could feed a homeless person with that same money? I feel like that side is never addressed and I applaud Hagen for taking her characters to that level.

There are several twists that I didn't see coming, that floored me and nicely set up book 2. The romance between Madeline and David is a little frustrating, but just bear with it and trust me there is a reason for everything. Overall, I adored this book and think everyone should read it ASAP!

Rating: A

AUTHOR BIO:

Librarian by day, Bethany Hagen is the author of the forthcoming LANDRY PARK, set to be released from Dial on Feb. 4, 2014 She lives in Kansas City with her husband and two children.

WEBSITE: http://bethanyhagen.com

BLOG: http://bethanyhagen.com/blog/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Bethany_Hagen

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5749310.Bethany_Hagen

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Blog Tour: A Little Too Hot by Lisa Desrochers

Writing paranormal YA versus contemporary NA

By: Lisa Desrochers

Honestly, there’s really very little difference in the process. For me, all writing is just getting into character. Whether that character is a millennia old demon (Hi Luc!) as in my YA books, or a woman in her twenties, as in my New Adult novels, it’s all a matter of connecting with them and understanding what makes them unique. The things that make a demon (or vampire or angel) tick are going to be different, so you need to understand what they are and how they’ll effect that character’s decisions, actions, and reactions. But honestly, once you’re literally inside your character’s heads, the writing process doesn’t change. What changes is what you’ll find in there. (Writing from inside a demon’s head for my YAs was an interesting experience.) As long as you’re true to your character and their voice, and you understand their motivations, you’ll be able to keep them “real.” Because, let’s face it, no matter who we’re writing, they’re all really fictional, as alive as they seem in our heads as we’re reading/writing them. If you can get them to leap off the page into the reader’s heart, any fantastical creature, such as a demon, can be just as “real” as a normal twenty-year-old woman. The beauty of fantasy, however, is that anything’s possible as long as you make it believable, so you can make stuff up that doesn’t exist in the real world. For my contemporaries, I do a lot more research. I’m always very concerned that things happen in the way they would in real life.

As far as New Adult versus Young Adult, both are dealing with the same firsts. The difference is that, with New Adult, the characters are dealing with them in an environment with none of the safety nets that most young adults have (family, teachers etc.) to support them. They’re usually handled in a slightly more mature manner, and because I’m writing for an adult audience, there are no holds barred. There is no fade to black or softening of language. You can be one hundred percent true to the character without worrying about the audience.

About A LITTLE TOO HOT

Author: Lisa Desrochers
Series: A Little Too Far #3
Publication Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse

From USA Today bestselling author Lisa Desrochers, comes the third book in her sizzling New Adult series.

If you play with fire…

Tossed out of college and cut off by her parents, Samantha West is in pretty dire straits. So when her rocker best friend hooks her up with a job dancing at a gentlemen’s club, who is she to turn it down? Plus, there are rules to dancing at Benny’s: No touching, keep your clothes on at all times, and never get closer than three feet. Unfortunately for Sam, her first private client makes her want to break every single one of them.

Harrison Yates is scorching hot, but he’s got a past that involves being left at the altar not too long ago. Sam is determined to make him forget about his ex, but when she makes her move, it flings her life into a spiral of chaos she never saw coming.

Because Harrison Yates isn’t who he seems to be. And his secret will probably get her killed.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | iTUNES | GOOGLE PLAY

Rating: A
Review:

I am becoming a huge Lisa Desrochers fan. New adult, young adult - she is a versatile author who ca do both with equal grace and brilliance. Her newest installment in the A Little Too Far series is quite possibly her steamiest book to date. Seriously. It made my stomach do those weird flips and clenches that only a great book can.

I love Sam. I just do. I've loved her since I met her in book #1, and that carried over here. Harrison is a fabulous companion and balance to her. And their chemistry is simply off the charts. 

The great part about this book is that it can be read out of order despite being #3 in the series. Yes, you meet Sam in book #1 and get a little more insight into her, but this book also stands wonderfully on it's own merit. Old fans will love revisiting Sam and new fan can jump in without missing a beat. So what are you waiting for?

About Lisa Desrochers

Lisa Desrochers is the USA Today bestselling author of A LITTLE TOO FAR , courtesy of HarperCollins, and companions, A LITTLE TOO MUCH (Nov 12, 2013), and A LITTLE TOO HOT (Jan 21, 2014). Also in stores is her YA PERSONAL DEMONS trilogy (Macmillan).

She lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise.

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Giveaway:

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Tour Schedule:

Week One: Day One

Jan. 20th - Page Turners Blog - Review + Excerpt

Jan. 20th - Lost in Literature - Review

Jan. 20th - The Reading Cafe - Review + Guest Post

Jan. 20th - City of Books - Review

Jan. 20th - Sun Mountain Reviews - Review

Week One: Day Two 

Jan. 21st - Fiktshun - ALT Scene from Harrison's POV

Jan. 21st - Step Into Fiction - Review + Deleted Scene

Jan. 21st - Lovin' Los Libros - Review

Jan. 21st - The Autumn Review - Review

Jan. 21st - A Love Affair With Books - Review

Jan. 21st - Alii's Book Jungle - Review

Jan. 21st - Book Labyrinth - Review + Character Interview

Week One: Day Three 

Jan. 22nd - Books Complete Me - Review + Excerpt

Jan. 22nd - In the Best Worlds - Review

Jan. 22nd - Globug and Hootie Need A Book - Review

Jan. 22nd - My Favorite Things - Playlist Post

Jan. 22nd - Ginger-read Reviews - Review

Jan. 22nd - Book Angel Booktopia - Review

Week One: Day Four 

Jan. 23rd - Ramblings From This Chick - Review

Jan. 23rd - The Demon Librarian - Review

Jan. 23rd - Books Over Boys - Excerpt or Deleted Scene

Jan. 23rd - Keepin' It Real Book Blog - Review

Jan. 23rd - No Bent Spines - Author Interview

Week One: Day Five 

Jan. 24th - Seeing Night Reviews - Guest Post

Jan. 24th - Bookhounds YA - Guest Post

Jan. 24th - The Book Swarm - Review

Jan. 24th - The Book Review - Review

Jan. 24th - bookaholics anonymousonline - Guest Post

Jan. 24th - Little Bookworm Reviews - Review

Week Two: Day Six

Jan. 27th - Owl Always Be Reading - Review + Guest Post

Jan. 27th - BookChic - Review

Jan. 27th - The Book Whore-der's Delights - Review

Jan. 27th - Paranormal Book Club - Guest Post

Jan. 27th - Ticket to Anywhere - Deleted Scene

Jan. 27th - Nocturne Romance Reads - Review + Author Interview

Week Two: Day Seven 

Jan. 28th - The Busy Bibliophile - Review

Jan. 28th - The Cover Contessa - Guest Post

Jan. 28th - Book Crushin - Review

Jan. 28th - Rumpled Sheets Blog - Review

Jan. 28th - Good Books & Good Coffee - Guest Post

Week Two: Day Eight 

Jan. 29th - Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks - Review + Character Interview

Jan. 29th - Waiting For Wentworth - Review

Jan. 29th - Nestled in a Book - Review

Jan. 29th - The Scarlet Siren - Review

Jan. 29th - Nerd Alert Book Love - Review

Jan. 29th - Allodoxophobia: The Fear of Opinions - Review

Week Two: Day Nine 

Jan. 30th - The Irish Banana Review - Review + Guest Post

Jan. 30th - Stuck In YA Books - Review + Excerpt

Jan. 30th - adventures-in-word - Review

Jan. 30th - The Bookmark Blog - Review

Jan. 30th - All in a Book - Review

Jan. 30th - Booklovers LaceyCat - Deleted Scene or Excerpt

Week Two: Day Ten 

Jan. 31st - Fade Into Fantasy - Guest Post

Jan. 31st - Hot Stuff Book Reviews - Review

Jan. 31st - Kimberlyfaye Reads - Review

Jan. 31st - Sugar and Spice Book Reviews - Excerpt

Jan. 31st - Polished Readers - Review

Jan. 31st - A Bookish Escape - Review

Review: Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Title: Red Rising

Author: Pierce Brown

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: 1.28.2014

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult, Dystopian

Series: Red Rising #1

Source: ARC from BEA

Rating: A+

Summary (from Goodreads):

The war begins...

Darrow is a Helldiver, one of a thousand men and women who live in the vast caves beneath the surface of Mars. Generations of Helldivers have spent their lives toiling to mine the precious elements that will allow the planet to be terraformed. Just knowing that one day people will be able to walk the surface of the planet is enough to justify their sacrifice. The Earth is dying, and Darrow and his people are the only hope humanity has left.

Until the day Darrow learns that it is all a lie. Mars is habitable - and indeed has been inhabited for generations by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. The Golds regard Darrow and his fellows as slave labour, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought.

With the help of a mysterious group of rebels, Darrow disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside.

But the command school is a battlefield. And Darrow isn't the only student with an agenda...

Review:

Did you read The Hunger Games? Forget about it. This is not even a comparison. Red Rising deserves to be in a category all by its self. Nothing can touch this. Nothing can even come close.

While there are extremely mild comparisons to The Hunger Games, Pierce Brown created a dystopian that equals no other.

Set on Mars, with complete solar system colonization, Darrow, lowest caste member of society, a Red, learns of the lies and deceit of his superiors, the Golds, through pain no person should go through. You watch as he grows from a 16 year old boy and becomes a 16 year old man. He discovers the truth and lives to be Eo's dream, in the flesh. You have not read about this level pain, mental and physical, ever before. Forget about anything else.

Darrow, Eo, Mustang, all of them were real people. So much thought, background, and emotion were put into these characters that they were just a page away from being real. You felt and understood right along with them. You squinted when they did, clenched your fists in unison, and held back anger as if it were your own. You triumph along side them, felt the pain, betrayal and the love.  It was hard to remember they were just kids, younger then myself. And that's what makes a great book.

One of my favorite things was the input of Greek mythology. It is crucial to this story as air is to breathing. It gives it an edge, almost an understanding to their behavior and actions.

It is almost hard to boast about this book without spoiling everything. It is a whole new level of dystopian with epic war fantasy, and a touch of sci-fi. The levels of pain, trust, friendship, betrayal have no comparison. The twists leaving you gasping. The pain makes you want to cry.

If you have it, read it. If you can get it, do it. If you don't, find a way! You will not be disappointed in the least.

Buy: Amazon

Blog Tour: Cress by Marissa Meyer

I am so, so excited to be turning over the blog to Marissa Meyer today. She's the author of the best-selling Lunar Chronicles series. She's here to talk a little bit about the newest installment, CRESS.

The Power of Imagination: Or, How I Relate to Cress

By Marissa Meyer

One question we authors get asked a lot is, “Which of your characters is most like you?”

In truth, I can see bits and pieces of myself in every character I write (from Cinder’s sarcasm to Scarlet’s single-minded determination to Iko’s love of playing dress-up). But it was apparent to me early on in the writing of this series that Cress is my girl.

Largely because I’m secretly a computer hacker who spent seven years of my childhood stuck on a satellite in space. But that’s beside the point.

Even more than that, Cress and I share a personality trait that in many ways defines us both: our overactive imaginations.

I loved writing Cress’s character, because when she’s nervous or afraid or overwhelmed, she has a tendency to cloak herself in fantasies, as a sort of psychological protection. This is exactly how I think I would react in the face of danger. As opposed to Cinder, who becomes daring and analytical, or Scarlet, who gets angry and defiant, I would just want to hide.

Cress is aware of her flaws. She knows that she is not courageous or strong. Quite the opposite—she is often painfully aware of just how weak and terrified she is. But instead of giving way to those emotions, she makes the decision to become someone else in those moments. She becomes an explorer, an actress, a spy. She becomes the person she needs to be in order to do what needs to be done.

I relate to that not only because I’ve always created elaborate daydreams in my head, ever since I was a child, but also because those daydreams have now lent themselves to this awesome job of writing books full of adventure and romance. I think most writers experience this tendency to escape into a fantasy world, to live a hundred different lives by putting ourselves into the shoes of a hundred different characters in a hundred different stories. Not unlike Cress and her imaginings.

In the end, while Cress may never get over her fears in certain life-threatening situations (I mean… who would?), she does discover an internal strength and courage that she didn’t realize she had. I like to think that my own daydreaming, over time, has also helped to shape me into a braver, kinder, more compassionate person.

Or, if nothing else, I’ve certainly experienced more adventures because of it.

About Cress:

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. 

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

Giveaway:

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Links:

-Become a fan of the Lunar Chronicles on Tumblr!

-Pre-Order a copy of Cress to get a free comb! Details here. (US Only)

-See Marissa Meyer on tour!

-Join the Scarlet Readathon! (please be sure to use the link provided. Thank you!)

-Get more fun Lunar Chronicles links and info on the MacTeenBooks blog!

Blog Tour: Avalon by Mindee Arnett

It is a well-known fact that I adore AVALON by Mindee Arnett. I am also a huge music fan, so I asked Mindee what songs inspired this brilliant book and she compiled a soundtrack, complete with YouTube links, for me.

Avalon: The Soundtrack of Space

     Babel by Mumford & Sons. (http://www.amazon.com/Babel/dp/B0099G7LWG/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389622803&sr=1-1&keywords=Babel+by+mumford+and+sons ). This song represents Jeth. It has from the very first time I heard it. It captures his defiant, tear-down-the-powers-that-oppress-me attitude.

     Beast by Nico Vega.  (http://www.amazon.com/Beast/dp/B00B6N204E/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389622860&sr=1-1&keywords=Beast+by+Nico+Vega) Similar to Babel, this song captures the crew’s rebellious attitude, especially toward their crime lord employer.

     The Gambler by Kenny Rogers. (http://www.amazon.com/The-Gambler/dp/B000TE38VA/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389622907&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Gambler+by+Kenny+Rogers )Yes, I realize this is old school. Waaay old school. But it’s a necessary shout out. So much of Avalon is about gambling, not in a gaming sense, but in a life-and-death sense. The song’s appropriate. Plus, it’s timeless.

     Blaze of Glory by Jon Bon Jovi. (http://www.amazon.com/Blaze-Of-Glory-Album-Version/dp/B000V62V9G/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389623001&sr=1-1&keywords=Blaze+of+Glory+by+Jon+Bon+Jovi) Again, old school. But still classic. And the song captures the outlaw feel of Avalon.

     Free by Zac Brown Band. (http://www.amazon.com/Free/dp/B001KW1O0W/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389623089&sr=1-1&keywords=Free+by+Zac+Brown+Band) This is Jeth’s dream song. It captures all that he wants out of life—to be free to do what he wants, go where he wants, and to have no one to answer to. Just replace “van” with “Avalon” and you’ve got it.

     Broken Crown by Mumford & Sons. (http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Crown/dp/B0099G8562/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389623197&sr=1-1&keywords=Broken+Crown+by+Mumford+%26+Sons) This song captures Jeth’s complicated relationship to his parents’ legacy. I don’t want to say too much because of spoilers, but the sense of wanting to deny a heritage is pretty clear here, I think.

     Mr. Golden Deal by Tonic. (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Golden-Deal/dp/B001NZGV18/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389623357&sr=1-1&keywords=Mr.+Golden+Deal+by+Tonic) This song contains a lot of metaphors about the sea and sailing, which can easily be representative of space. Its mournful sound just fits certain parts of the book. Plus, it’s one of my favorite songs of all-time.

     The Downeaster “Alexa” by Billy Joel. (http://www.amazon.com/The-Downeaster-Alexa/dp/B00136LIGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389623712&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Downeaster+%22Alexa%22) This one just really continues that theme of the sea. Also, it reminds me of the way Jeth loves Avalon and how much he wants the ship to be fully his in every sense of the word.

     Little Talks by Of Monster and Men. (http://www.amazon.com/Little-Talks/dp/B007QVLMR6/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389624527&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Little+talks+by+Of+Monters+and+Men) This one too has that “sea” feel to it, which puts me in mind of Avalon.

     Into the Mystic by Van Morrison. (http://www.amazon.com/Into-The-Mystic/dp/B00FR0MPWO/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389624997&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=Into+the+mystc+by+Van+morrison) I’m not going to say anything at all about this song except that it’s a little bit of a teaser for the Avalon sequel. Make of it what you will.

Thanks for the chance to share the music of Avalon!

Title: AVALON

Author: Mindee Arnett

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Pages: 432

Pub. Date: January 21, 2014

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.

Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.

Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long.

Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.

About Mindee:

Mindee Arnett lives on a horse farm in Ohio with her husband, two kids, a couple of dogs, and an inappropriate number of cats. She’s addicted to jumping horses and telling tales of magic, the macabre, and outer space. She has far more dreams than nightmares.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

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Week One:

1/13/2014- IceyBooks- Interview

1/14/2014- Word Spelunking- Guest Post

1/15/2014- Fantasy Book Addict- Interview

1/16/2014- Falling For YA- Review

1/17/2014- Whimsically Yours- Review

Week Two:

1/20/2014- Such a Novel Idea- Review

1/21/2014- The Eater of Books!- Interview

1/22/2014- Bewitched Bookworms- Guest Post

1/23/2014- Nerdophiles-Review

1/24/2014- The Irish Banana Review- Guest Post