Friday, August 31, 2012

.Back To The Books Giveaway Hop


Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
and
Buried In Books





Back To School is officially upon us, which means my favorite season is right around the corner, Fall!
I just love Fall--Halloween, apple-picking, hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkins, leaves turning colors..oh the list goes on!
 Anyway, this is a giveaway about Back To Books!
 I will be giving away...










 



1 e-giftcard, or book of choice, for $15.00 from, 
Amazon, The Book Depository, or Barnes & Noble.


Barnes & Noble Green eGift Card    The Book Depository

                                                           
 


 
  • Open INT as long as one of the above ships to your address
  • Must use Rafflecopter form
  • 13 years up
  • Thanks, and Good Luck!
  • Giveaway ends 9/8 midnight (est)











a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight + Excerpt: Pledged by Gwynneth White






Pledged (Soul Wars Saga, #1)

Pledged (Soul Wars Saga #1)

by

















Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you?

Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient curse is tearing him away. And the demons who invoked it will stop at nothing – even murder – to claim him as their own.

How can she win against a curse so binding that it has damned countless others to this same fate – an eternity alone?

The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a pledge.

Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya and confront the curse that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.



Gwynneth WhiteI have spent my entire life living in a parallel universe of make-believe characters, only coming back to reality for long enough to check that no one burnt the house down in my absence. A few years ago I decided to commit some of those ‘friends’ and their stories to paper. The ‘Soul Wars Saga’ comprising ‘Pledged’, ‘Sacrificed’ and ‘Saved’ is the result of those efforts. Before that I co-authored two non-fiction travel books – ‘The Complete Guide to 4x4 Trails’ and ‘The Ultimate 4x4 Guide’. Both books became instant best-sellers in South Africa where I live. And before that even, I studied a degree in African History and Politics at the University of Stellenbosch. When I’m not writing, I am a wife to Andrew and a mom to Stephanie, Erin, and Kate, our teenage daughters. My family and I live in a small town outside Cape Town with two dogs, a cat, a horse, and some neglected fish



Website
Goodreads

 



Meet Seth and Erin . . .

Despite the heat, Seth felt icy. Dread could do that to him. Or so he had recently discovered. Deep breathing usually calmed him, so he sucked in a lungful of desert air and told himself to relax. It didn’t help. By the time he’d walked from the aircraft to the immigration hall he’d ripped off a jagged piece of thumbnail, already bitten raw. He handed his US passport to the Botswanan border official, and, after a frown, and a stamp, he joined the crowd at the baggage carousel. Botswana in southern Africa was the last place on earth he’d ever have picked for a holiday destination. But he wasn’t here on holiday. Not even close.
His backpack was slow in coming. Tired from his long-haul flight from New York, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Almost as if to mock him, the hated vision that had brought him to Botswana burst into his mind. In an instant he was back in ancient times, watching a man he knew only as Gideon. As usual, Gideon was huddled on a windswept hill with his band of hopeless soldiers, waiting to be slaughtered by a huge army gathered in the valley below.
Seth snapped his eyes open to stop the battle from waging in his mind. It wasn’t that he was particularly squeamish; he’d watched enough movies to iron clad his stomach against gory visuals. But no movie had ever left him icy with dread the way Gideon’s battle did. And the reason for that was simple. The moment the visions had started, he had known that the war, fought so long ago in a place he’d never heard of, was far from over. And, as reluctant as he was, he too was being enlisted to fight in a cause he didn’t understand or want.
He forced himself to focus on the present: Erin, who waited for him in the arrivals hall; his brother Kyle, whom he’d come to Botswana to visit; Kyle’s expedition to find the Lost City of the Kalahari . . .
He ripped off another piece of fingernail. Thinking about the search for the Lost City was almost as bad as the war-vision. I hope Kyle never finds the damned place. He slapped his hand on his thigh. Enough! Grabbing his backpack off the carousel, he set his face into a smile and strode into the arrivals hall.
The first hurdle was finding Erin. She was due to arrive an hour earlier on a flight from Cape Town in South Africa, one of Botswana’s neighbours. He’d never met her, although they had spoken over the phone once. Then she’d described herself as “a short, seventeen-year-old (a year younger than him) with a mass of ginger hair.” She’d sounded nice. Meeting her was the one ray of brightness in this otherwise dark picture.
He stopped to scan the crowd. A petite girl with shoulder length, reddish-blonde curls, dressed in skinny jeans and a purple blouse, immediately caught his eye. It had to be Erin. Nice legs. What’s it with girls that they always under-sell themselves? He studied her face with his artist’s eye. Vermeer would’ve killed to paint her. Suddenly wishing he didn’t look so grimy after his three plane-changes, he walked over to join her. “Hi, I’m Seth. You’ve got to be Erin. My brother’s just married your sister Izzy.”
“And after only knowing each other for about a week.”
Her dimpled grin was infectious, making him crack his trademark crooked smile. “Madness.”
“Mysterious.” Erin cocked her head to one side, seemingly appraising him. He knew he had been accurate when he’d told her he was tall and dark-haired. But what he had failed to mention was what girls had often said they liked about him: his strong, angular face, softened by expressive brown eyes. He watched her eyes rove over his grey Muse: Resistance t-shirt, taking in his broad shoulders and chest. From there they darted down his black camo-pants to his boots. Amused by her blatant assessment, he cocked his head to one side, watching her. Suddenly Erin giggled – was she embarrassed? – and picked up her bag.
“We’ve yet another plane to catch. My fourth in the last twenty-four hours,” Seth said, hoping to explain away his rumpled appearance. “To a place called Maun.”
“So we do. Let the adventure begin.”





                                                                                                                                                                                               

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Review: HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick




Hush, Hush
By: Becca
Series: Hush, Hush #1
Published: October 13th 2009 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Paperback copy:  416 pages
ISBN: 1442465131 (ISBN13: 9781442465138)
Personal Purchase: own- $4.99 special price to promote Finale, book #4 10/31/12







                                                                         




A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL

A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life















Fast-paced, hard to put down, paranormal mystery that will keep you guessing...


I'm not sure why it took me sooo long to start reading this book. I actually bought it awhile ago and it's been sitting on the shelf staring at me, so after picking up the second book last week I decided to take the plunge, boy, I'm glad I did!

So, I've heard Angel books don't usually fare well with readers, and maybe in the back of my mind I had those same thoughts. I mean you think Angels and the first thing that comes to mind is.. religion! So, not being a huge fan of "religion" in my books, I hesitate to read them, but this one really has very little religious elements.
Over the weekend, I was absorbed into this book the writing style is great, the book flows well, and the story is a definite page turner, filled with mystery.

We have two main characters, Nora and Patch.
Nora is a young teen, coping with the loss of her father while attending high school, coming home to an almost empty house at times, with a part time housekeeper. Her mother struggles to make ends meet, with a job that has her traveling and working long hours.
So, Nora is a responsible girl, with a great but somewhat ditsy best friend. In one of her classes, she is seated with a boy she barely knows, as she tries to get to know him, he sort of pushes her away with short answers, and snarkiness. Having a hard time, keeping him out her thoughts....


Patch is snarky, sexy, and gets under Nora's skin(to say the least). He seems to show up everywhere that Nora is, but manages to underplay the reason why with snarky one liners or excuses.
 He finds her amusing as she is so easily upset over his comments. It's really hard to tell how Patch feels about Nora, I mean Nora thinks he's cute, but she too, has no idea where she stands with him. I enjoyed these two bantering back and forth.


I loved the mystery that was slowly built up throughout the whole book, Becca's writing style is that of one whom throws crumbs on the pages and you must follow and scoop up, picking up bits and pieces of info along the way. At points of this story it was hard to decipher whom the good from the bad really were, and I actually was questioning everyone, in my mind. Is he the one, is she the one, maybe it's the teacher? Thoughts like that had me gripped within the pages. When we do find out the mystery, its a total surprise at first as maybe who we thought was good, really isn't so good, after all. 


A great book filled with many characters, that you will have no problem following, and enjoying. This book can easily be read as a stand alone, as the ending is wrapped up like a neat little package, but, I soo want to see what happens in the next book, Crescendo,  as Patch and Nora's adventure continues, and we are left wondering if all will be safe with these two, after all the secrets that are revealed at the end of the book.
5/5 Stars





Quotes

“Patch wasn't the kind of guy mothers smiled on. He was the kind of guy they changed the house locks for.”



"He hung up on me.
I stared at the phone in disbelief, then ripped a clean sheet of paper from my notebook. I scribbled Jerk on the first line. One the line beneath it, I added,
Smokes cigars. Will die of lung cancer. Hopefully soon. Excellent physical shape.
I immediately scribbled over the last observation until it was illegible.”





“You smell good, too,” said Patch
It’s called a shower.” I was staring straight ahead. When he didn’t answer, I turned sideways. “Soap. Shampoo. Hot water.”"Naked. I know the drill.”


“Before I could stop myself, I punched his arm.
“Careful,” he said in a low voice. “They might think
we’re flirting.”






Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday #9




Hosted By
Jill @ Breaking The Spine





This weeks WOW post is.......











The Watcher

The Watcher

by




Millennia ago, he fell from heaven for her. Can he face her without falling again?

Fascinated with ancient civilizations, seventeen-year-old Mia Crawford dreams of becoming an archaeologist. She also dreams of wings—soft and silent like snow—and somebody trying to steal them.

When a horrible creature appears out of thin air and attacks her, she knows Michael Fontaine is involved, though he claims to know nothing about it. Secretive and aloof, Michael evokes feelings in Mia that she doesn’t understand. Images of another time and place haunt her. She recognizes them—but not from any textbook.

In search of the truth, Mia discovers a past life of forbidden love, jealousy and revenge that tore an angel from Heaven and sent her to an early grave. Now that her soul has returned, does she have a chance at loving that angel again? Or will an age-old nemesis destroy them both?

Ancient history is only the beginning.





Sounds pretty good. Angels are not usually a big draw for me, because of the religous tone that is set throughout a book, not being a fan of religon in my books, but after reading a few great "angel" books, recently, I've become a fan.
 The cover is pretty decent, hopefully this one will be a winner!

                                                                                                                           

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

(2)Reviews/Giveaway:Madly + Madly & Wolfhardt by M.Leighton Book Tour



  MADLY



Madly is your average nearly-eighteen year old girl—for a princess, that is.Madly James is thoroughly enjoying her internship in the small town of Slumber when the unthinkable happens—there’s a prison break in Atlas, the magically-protected home of Madly’s race. A traitor has set free eight Lore, the spirits of what humans know as fairy tales, and they are making their way to Slumber to awaken their descendants. 
In order to save her home, the lives of her family, and all of humanity, Madly must learn to wield her exceptional powers and recapture the Lore before it’s too late and all is lost. But Madly’s only help are her two best friends and the Sentinel, Jackson Hamilton, that threatens both her heart and her destiny. Madly has loved Jackson as long as she can remember, but he is the one thing even a princess can’t have. Can she resist love to become the queen she was fated to be? Or can she find a way to have both?This novelette introduces you to Madly and prepares you for the quest of a lifetime.








MADLY & WOLFHARDT
Madly James is thoroughly enjoying her internship in the small town of Slumber when the unthinkable happens—there’s a prison break in Atlas, the magically-protected home of Madly’s race. A traitor has set free eight Lore, the spirits of what humans know as fairy tales, and they are making their way to Slumber to awaken their descendants. 
The first spirit to arrive is that of Ulrich Wolfhardt, a man that was once obsessed with wolves and a young maiden he would follow through the woods. After a bite from a wolf, Wolfhardt’s obsession with the girl became an unnatural hunger and the young maiden’s grandmother cursed him with a fate worse than death. And now he’s back…with a vengeance and a bite that can infect others as well.
Madly must learn the identity of Wolfhardt’s descendant and stop him before he kills again and spreads his curse across the earth. But the only person strong enough to help Madly is Jackson, the Sentinel who vowed to protect her and the one person capable of breaking her heart. Can Madly resist forbidden love long enough to save the world from Wolfhardt? Or will she have to sacrifice her heart and her destiny to save the ones she loves?

Social Media links:
Twitter: @MLeightonBooks

Links to find/buy book:
Goodreads






Madly

Amazing!! I fell in love with this book within the first few chapters. I fell for M.Leighton's characters and storytelling abilities and consider myself a new fan!


Madly, a short novella, is a great start to this series! We get a great introduction to the characters and learn they are mermaids.
Madly, the lead female, is a princess, she attends school away from her underwater world, in our human world, alongside her best friends, Jersey, and Aidan (her intended husband).
We learn that her underwater home is in jeopardy, under lock down, and it's going to take the strength and determination of the princess, and those that are on dry land to help her, take down, and recapture, the evil Lore.
Jersey's elder brother Jackson, is Madly's childhood crush. He comes back into the princess's life, sent to protect her and assist her, as he is a Sentinel, a guard to the mer people. and the royals. 
Jackson is sexy! The way he is written in this book has you drooling over him. I instantly fell for his character, and wish he would protect me. Dripping with appeal, Jackson is the kind of character I enjoy, when reading romance books. Take a look at his character picture, I found on M. Leightons site, and tell me he's not to die for! Now, that you have the picture in your mind, go read this novella, it's free right now. check at the bottom of post for link up.


5/5 Stars





Madly and Wolfhardt
A perfect continuation, from the novella, Madly. I once again was lost in M. Leighton's story, and fell even harder for her characters, especially Jackson, who is just as swoon worthy in this book as he was in the last...




In Madly and Wolfhardt, the story continues, from the novella, Madly. With the Lore having escaped imprisonment, and unleashing themselves on dry land. Wolfhardt, is the lore species that Madly has to capture, imprison, and take back to her underwater world, as she is the only person left to save her world. Madly, being a royal, has visions about whom Wolfhardt is.
Taken from the fairytale Little Red Riding hood, we learn Wolfhardt is a wolf who needs to go after "Red" but who "Red" is we can only guess?  That's where Madly's abilities takes full center stage, and her visions are clues that are needed to this puzzle. With the help of her friends, and of course Jackson, Madly rises to her full potential, and is soon on the path to capturing the Wolf.

I'm not going to spoil anymore of the whole "wolf" story for you, but what I will say is I loved the whole fairytale aspect that was part of this story. Being a fan of the TV show "Once Upon A Time" this book was a great filler for not having the show around.

Madly and Jackson's relationship is deep on so many levels. We as readers can clearly see the fireworks exploding over these two. Jackson, is smokin' hot and once again, he had me lost in thoughts over his sexiness. He's not a show off or arrogant, he protects her, and will do whatever it takes to protect the whole Mer-community.
 You can clearly see he's in love with Madly, but hides his feelings for her, as well as she loves him, and does the same. Already, their love is forbidden in their world, Royals and Sentinels, protectors of their kind, don't mix. So, when feelings for one another become stronger, I wonder how they will be accepted if they wind up together?

Words, really cannot describe my feelings about this book. You know sometimes when you read a book and it captures you away, and you instantly fall for the story, but have a hard time expressing your feelings for it? Well, that is how I felt about this.
I loved it, and I think alot of it was because of the character Jackson...*swoons* I'm am so happy I decided to join this tour. I actually already ran out and bought the next book in the series, Madly and the Jackal, as the story continues, and I can't get Jackson out of my head. Hopefully, Miss Leighton will continue on with this series and will envelope me with even more adventure and Jackson.
5/5 stars





Review 8/28



See full tour schedule HERE


Don't forget to pick up Madly for FREE, below and check out the other two books in the series at only $2.99












  • Enter to win- a signed set of this series, swag pack, and Madly T-shirt 
  • Open to US/Canada
  • Ends 9/5/12








a Rafflecopter giveaway



Cover Reveal: VENGEANCE BOUND, by Justina Ireland

So, today I have this really neat cover reveal, neat you say? Well, did you really get a good look at this cover? Check out the animals on it, Serpents and Hawks! This books synopsis sounds really good, I don't think I've ever read a book like this before, and I  cannot wait to check it out!






Vengeance Bound
by: Justina Ireland
Expected publication: April 2, 2013 Simon and Schuster








The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge…no matter how far it takes her.

Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.

Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? 

As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.



Links:

Goodreads 
Amazon  


                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Stacking The Shelves #13



Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process! Tynga from Tynga's Reviews is is the host and you can Link up with her and join this meme here: Tynga's Reviews




Hi guys!!!!!
Its been awhile since I did a STS post, not because I didn't receive any books, no, it's because the months of July/Aug have been super busy for me, my weekends were swamped with family fun time and I didn't think it was fair for me to post any STS post when I didn't have the time to visit all of you guys! Summer is coming to an end, and my favorite time of the year will soon be upon us, YAY, I just love fall! O.K., so, instead of me overwhelming you with every book that I bought, won, etc. I'm just going to share w/you the books I have gotton for review, there is a bunch! Sorry, but I really wanted to acknowledge, and share with you all these great goodies, next week I will put in the books I won!



From Edelweiss:


Thanks, Pocket Books,  Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster Imprint)

The Mysterious Madam Morpho (Blud, #1.5)  Demon's Curse (Imnada Brotherhood, #1)  The Emperor's Conspiracy




From NetGalley:

Thanks Scholastic!

The Dark UnwindingThe Raven Boys (Raven Cycle, #1)   Magisterium                          





Thanks Random House!

Mystic City (Mystic City, #1) Dearly, Beloved (Gone With the Respiration, #2) 

Thanks Tor/Forge!


Ironskin (Ironskin, #1)  In a Fix (In a Fix, #1) 

Entangled Teen, Thanks!


Inbetween (Kissed by Death, #1)


Doubleday, Canada Thanks!

Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)


From Pubs, and Book Tours:


Thank You ST. Martin's Press

Death and the Girl Next Door (Darklight, #1) 



 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Book Tour Review/Giveaway: Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan









Fractured Light by Rachel McClellanFractured Light (Fractured Light #1)
by

Published February 8th 2012 by Sweetwater Books
ISBN
1599559420 (ISBN13: 9781599559421)
Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them---until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she's been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.





Rachel McClellan

Social Media links:
Twitter: @RachelMcClellan

Links to find/buy book:



 


See full Tour Schedule HERE





Fractured Light was a surprisingly fast paced, well written, mysterious read, with a Paranormal twist that will have your heart racing.


Llona Reese, an Aura has the ability to control light, and use it as a weapon, good thing too, because she will need these powers to defeat the evil Vykens, whom have basically destroyed her life by killing her parents, and are out to get her next!
Vyken's hunt down Aura's to drink from them, so they may have the ability to walk in the day.
 With a likable heroine, who learns to kick-butt, throw in a first love relationship that had its setbacks, the story all in all works.


 McClellan had me walking on eggshells at points of this book, as I am basically a wimp when it comes to the dark, the whole someone is out there looking thru my windows or pacing around outside my home always has my heart race a little harder and sweat a little more, looking behind me, wondering who is following me, *shudders*! I also felt the mystery was well built up within the pages of this book and had me guessing at times of who the "bad guy" was, although I did figure the plot out of who it was, it did have me going back/forth at times as McCleelan has a way of keeping you on your toes!

4/5 stars






As part of this book tour, Rachel McClellan has lowered the price of Fractured Light to .99! Pick up your copy now, before the sale is over ...







Enter to win
  • 3 Necklaces,
  • 5 SIGNED Copies,
  •  10 eBooks
  • Open INT




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Army Of Ten WANTS YOU!!!!



Are you up for the challenge????

Gretchen McNeil, author of upcoming release, Ten, is promoting a street team promotional network. Now, all you have to do is go check out her site and choose which promotion/rank you want to do, and you can then be entered to win great prizes, like arcs, bookmarks, giftpacks, and so much more!! So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to her site HERE, and join in on the fun!


          



Ten

Balzer + Bray, September 18, 2012






  And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine.