Other - Karen Kincy - Blog Tour Review

Gwen Williams has been hiding a strange and fantastic secret: she's a shapeshifter. Although society may tolerate vampires, centaurs, and "Others" like Gwen, there are plenty of folks in her small Washington town who don't care for her kind.

When a new werewolf pack moves into the area, tensions rise—and Others start showing up dead, including someone close to Gwen. Despite the methodical murders, the police are ignoring evidence that suggests a serial killer. In the midst of terrible loss and danger, Gwen—along with a mysterious and sexy guy who happens to be a Japanese fox spirit—risks her life to find the murderer. But Gwen is already the killer's next target . . .

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Other

Author: Karen Kincy

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Flux

Publication Date: September 1, 2010.

Format: Softcover

Source: Bought.

Tour: Teen Book Scene blog tour. You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner located below the review. 

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository

My rating: 4.5/5

Gwen is different from most people. She is half-pooka. Her town isn't one that accepts "Others" well, so many fantastical and supernatural beings keep their identities a secret. However, it looks like the Others are being targeted by a killer. Someone who is bent on erasing them all from the town. With Gwen's secret up in the air, she knows that she could be next on the list of targeted Others. Will she be able to find out the identity of the killer before he continues on his deadly spree, or will she end up as another notch on his growing list of kills? 

Gwen is a snarky, and conflicted character. In a town full of humans, she has a hard time blending in, especially since she is half-pooka. She shouldn't be afraid to let others know her secret, however her town, and society in general are not forgiving of those who are different from them. Knowing that she is in a hard situation, it is easy to see and understand her frustrations and fears. Relationships are also difficult things to interpret, but more so even when your boyfriend doesn't know your secret. I could relate to Gwen as she chafed at the restrictions set upon her. With her boyfriend's distrust in anything Other, and strict Christian upbringing, one can commiserate with her as she worries about telling him her secret. 

Another realistic and charismatic character can be found in Tavian. He is absolutely awesome and I loved his involvement in Other. He is probably one of my favourite characters, next to Gwen of course. With his Japanese flair, and intriguing ideology, as well as his artistic abilities, he draws the reader in deeper as they learn more about the different types of "Others" out there. 

The whole concept of "Others" coming to light and having been out for centuries is intriguing in and of itself. I love how different beings were integrated into the story to the point that you could walk down to the corner store and see a centaur shopping for groceries. 

The mystery involved added more suspense to the read as we follow Gwen's thoughts on who could be responsible for the murders. I was completely absorbed in reading Other to the point that I could not put it down. Within a few short hours I had greedily devoured it and am left wanting to read more about the world Kincy has created. 

All in all, a fantastic, fast-paced, and absorbing read, Other will leave the reader pining for more. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next for Gwen and the "Others" we learned about in Other. I think a lot of readers will enjoy this one as it is a refreshing read that includes other supernatural beings, and not solely vampires or werewolves. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series, Bloodborn. It's definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!

Blog Tour: Half-Blood - Jennifer L. Armentrout - Author Interview

Jennifer L. Armentrout is here today with an interview courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her soon to be released book, Half-Blood. Thank you for being here today, Jennifer! You can follow along with the tour here. Enjoy! 

If you made the front page headline of a newspaper, what would it say about you? What would you not want to see make the headline?

I'd like for it to say something like "Local Author Slays Competition and Hits NY Times Best Sellers List" and not "Local Author Slays Someone."

If you had to choose between Narnia and Hogwarts, which would you choose and why?

Hogwarts most def! Not just because I don't know much about Narnia, but who wouldn't want to go to Hogwarts and get sorted? I'd probably end up in Slytherin, though.

If your characters could meet the characters from any other book, which would it be and why?

Hmm. Let's see. If Alex met Bella, she'd probably want to teach her how to, like, really fight. If she met Jace from TMI, she'd probably be like "Hot damn!" She'd probably kick Edward's butt if he was watching her sleep. Don't think Alex would be down for that. If she met Kaylee from Soul Screamers, she'd be fascinated with her screaming thing and would probably hope someone died nearby to hear it. She'd be BFF's foreva with Riley from Demon Trapper's Daughter.

Can you give us a description of HALF-BLOOD in haiku?

Oh Lord. I am terrible at these things. This will be painful. You probably would want to look away.

After three years gone

A girl returns to seize her destiny

Lies, deceits and betrayal

All laid out by Fate

Love and death

are just games to the gods

*cough* *cough* That was bad.

What one song would define the world as you see it?

If I picked Disturbed's "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor", that would make me sound weird, huh? On a good, normal day I'd go with Florence and the Machines "Dog Days are Over."

Thank you for being here today, Jennifer!!

Thanks for having me!

Jennifer L. Armentrout can be found on her website, her blog, and on twitter.

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The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Elemental Reality - Cesya MaRae Cuono

When Callie Pierce was ten, her mother disappeared without a trace. On the eve of her disappearance twelve years later, the earth seemingly comes alive. The elements speak to Callie, and that's only the beginning. Everything she has ever known was a twisted fabrication to protect her. Now the truth is set free. Callie and her sister are more powerful than any Faerie ever born. Now they have to use their powers to save their mother and family from the evil hands of fate that threaten to tear them apart. Welcome to her elemental reality.

Synopsis taken from goodreads. 

Title: Elemental Reality

Author: Cesya MaRae Cuono

Genre: Adult Fiction, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Revolution Publishing

Publication Date: August 21, 2011

Format: E-book

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Jennifer from Revolution Publishing for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Blog tour: Revolution Publishing Blog Tour. 

Look for it: Amazon Kindle

My rating: 3/5 

Callie has mourned the loss of her mother for twelve years. On the cusp of her birthday, and the date of her mother's disappearance, Callie begins to feel things. She can identify with the loam under her feet, the air whistling through the trees, the electricity humming through the power lines. What she doesn't realize is that her true identity has been kept from her, and is now intent on revealing itself. When she finds out just what she is, and the control she has over the elements, she will stop at nothing to right the wrongs of her past. When all of the secrets have been revealed, it will be up to Callie to bring her family back together. 

Elemental Reality brings all of the elements together and thrusts them on Callie, and her sister, Lola. With their powers coming to light and their identities revealed, they need to come to terms with who they are. As their confidence grows, so does their control over the elements. I enjoyed how the elements were woven together and tied to both Callie and Lola and I loved their foolhardy approach to figuring things out. They were true sisters and their bond was strong. When we see the darkness trying to intercept them and pull them apart, we get to see them struggle for control against said darkness. 

There were quite a few characters in Elemental Reality, and I really enjoyed reading about Ady, Emery, and Oli. They were loyal to Callie, and their interactions were at times hilarious. However, I found that everything came too easily to the girls. For someone who has just learned that they are a Fairy and as such, have control over the elements; I would have thought that they would have had trouble at first with actually controlling said elements. The reasoning behind the story was sound and it does have good bones, however I felt that it needed a little more back-story, and a little more depth to make it really come to life. I had a hard time believing that things were as they were because we didn't get enough information about certain elements as they unfolded. 

All in all, a unique and fast-paced read. Though there is a cliffhanger ending, one will be left wondering just what will happen in the next book, especially with how things are left. I'm intrigued to see just where Cuono is going with Callie's story and will most likely pick up the second book to see what happens next. Callie's friends make this story, as do the elements themselves. 

Blog Tour: Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure - B.K. Bostick - Author Interview - Giveaway

Author B.K. Bostick is here today with an interview and giveaway. Thank you for being here today, B.K.! 

If you made the front page headline of a newspaper, what would you not want it to say?

Local author requires medical evacuation after binging on doughnuts at Krispy Kreme.

If you could describe yourself with one song, which song would it be and why?

The Eye of the Tiger- I listen to it whenever I go into writing mode (I imagine myself in lots of montages)

Before you are two doors. One opens up to Hogwarts, and the other to Narnia. Which one would you go through?

Definitely Hogwarts. I've always wanted to try a butterbeer.

Can you give us a description of Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure in haiku?

Hidden long ago

Deep within the mountain side

The dead guard the gold

If you were a character in Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure who would you be and why?

While not the main protagonist, Scott is probably my favorite character. If Huber is Frodo, Scott is Samwise. Plus, he says it like it is and doesn't hold back.

Thanks!!

Thank you for being here today, B.K. and answering my questions! 


Check out the fundraiser that B.K. is doing for his neighbour Alyssa, at www.treasureforalyssa.com

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B.K. Bostick, author of Dead Man's Treasure, resides among the magnificent Rocky Mountains. In addition to writing, he has spent his career in education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Utah and his Masters in Psychology from Utah State University. He has worked as a teacher, after school program coordinator, junior high school counselor, and most recently as a teacher mentor for a University. He loves spending time with his lovely wife and two dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys eating cheetos and watching old episodes of the Twilight Zone.

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When his grandfather dies, Huber Hill is devastated---until he opens Grandpa Nick's mysterious box. An old gold coin and directions to a hidden Spanish treasure send him and his friends off on an mind-blowing adventure, but he's not the only one on the hunt. Filled with dangerous animals and cryptic puzzles, this book will have you on the edge of your seat until the last page.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

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Giveaway

B.K. Bostick has graciously provided a bookmark and coin giveaway for those who like his page on facebook: www.facebook.com/bkbostickauthorpage.

Witch Song - Amber Argyle - Blog Tour Review

The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons--but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Witch Song

Author: Amber Argyle 

Genre: Young Adult, Witches, Fantasy

Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing

Publication Date: September 1, 2011

Format: E-book

Source: Received from publicist courtesy of Teen Book Scene. Many thanks goes to Rhemelda Publishing and Teen Book Scene for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 

Blog tour: Teen Book Scene. You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner located below the review. 
Look for it: Amazon, Kindle
My rating: 5/5


Brusenna has always been leery of going into town, namely because she has been branded a witch. However, just because she is one, does not mean that she is evil or heartless. She is quite the opposite. Living with her mother on a well-hidden farm, deep in the woods, she is reticent to bring anyone home, until one day a stranger comes bearing news. Startling news that shakes the foundation of the world as Brusenna sees it. With a Dark Witch rising in power and taking captive any witches that she finds, Brusenna is one of the last left to fight her power. When everyone around her is taken captive by the Dark Witch, only Brusenna is left to fight the battle for the earth's survival. Without witches to control the seasons, the seas, the winds and the land, everything will fall into darkness. Brusenna must take up the quest before her and defeat the Dark Witch when everyone before her has failed. 
Witch Song is an incredibly unique reading experience. Witches captivate and control through song, raising crops, controlling the weather, the currents, and even the shifting of the seasons. Brusenna is a credible and likeable girl. She doesn't know the extent of her powers as a Witch as she and her mother have been in hiding, but is eager to learn when the weight of the world rests on her shoulders. Though at times heartbreaking, she is committed to finding and releasing the captive witches. Her trials are real, and her resolutions are bold. I was drawn to her story and was completely enthralled by it. 
Joshen is another loveable character. He is Brusenna's guardian, and on more than one occasion, conflict arises between the two. He is a strong and captivating lead opposite Brusenna, and I enjoyed reading their story as he balked more than once at one of Brusenna's plans. 
With a captivating world, and an original take on 'witch song' this is an incredibly rich reading experience, and I absolutely inhaled this read. With memorable characters like Pogg, and Parknell thrown in the mix, you'll be as captivated as I was when you pick up the read. Though Brusenna ages a year during the novel, it is done in such a way that the reader isn't bogged down with extraneous detail. Her learning witch song on her own is also believable as her abilities grow and flourish over the year that she has spent studying the archives for a song needed to defeat the Dark Witch. 
All in all, a gratifying and engrossing read. A spin on the world of witchcraft and witches, song and plant life literally come to life in Witch Song. I would highly recommend this read as it is chock full of unique and bizarre characters who live in the world Brusenna is trying to save. Will she succeed where no other witch has? One must read the story to find out. All I can say is, I wish there was a sequel because I did not want to leave this world once I finished Witch Song. It was an incredibly captivating read, one I think many will enjoy. 

Blog Tour: Brooklyn, Burning - Steve Brezenoff - Felix Character Interview

Steve Brezenoff is here today with a character interview courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for his soon to be released novel, Brooklyn, Burning. Thank you for being here today, Steve and Felix! You can follow along with the tour here. Enjoy! 

Welcome Felix! =)

What is one thing you want to change about yourself? 

Sometimes at night, especially when I fall asleep—or let’s be honest for a minute, pass out—on the floor, with my head against the front of the couch, and Kid’s hand is hanging off the side, I wish I knew how to stick around.

What one song describes the world as you see it?

All my songs are supposed to describe the world as I see it, but I guess you wouldn’t know any of those. How about “Hang on to Your Ego,” by the Beach Boys? Or maybe that just describes me in the world. . . .

What is your favorite memory associated with Fish's bar?

Fish’s place is like one big, blurry memory for me. Sitting on the stool at the back, with my guitar on my lap; lying on my back on the couch as I come down, watching Kid fiddle behind the drum kit, my drum kit; even Jonny and his self-satisfied smiles. All of it was magic, in its way.

If you could do one thing without repercussions, what would it be and why?

Pipe dreams. I can’t do a thing without repercussions. That’s how I got where I am today.

How would you describe your life in Brooklyn?

It bounced between festering in basements and floating on a liquid stream of delicious tunes.

Thank you for being here today, Felix and Steve! 

Steve Brezenoff can be found on his website, his blog, and on twitter. 

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When you're sixteen and no one understands who you are, sometimes the only choice left is to run. If you're lucky, you'll find a place that accepts you, no questions asked. And if you're really lucky, that place has a drum set, a place to practice, and a place to sleep. For Kid, the streets of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, are that place. Over the course of two scorching summers, Kid falls hopelessly in love and then loses nearly everything and everyone worth caring about. But as summer draws to a close, Kid finally finds someone who can last beyond the sunset.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Misfit - Jon Skovron - Multi-Character Interview

Jon Skovron is here today with several of his characters doing a multi-character interview courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for his new release, Misfit. Thank you for being here today, Jon! You can follow along with the tour here. Enjoy!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Jael: Oh god, I suck at this kind of stuff... Um, college, I guess? Unless my dad decides to lock me up in a tower in Alaska doing telemarketing.

Rob: I'm going to be somewhere I never could have imagined. It will be awesome. Probably insane, too.

Britt: Going to the same college that Jack goes to. I think we'll do a lot of traveling to cool places like Italy and Greece.

How do you balance school and your new reality?

Jael: Uh, I don't really. I think that's part of the problem.

Rob: I think a lot of people when they're trying to balance, think they need to be perfectly still. Like that's the way to keep from fall too far to one side or the other. But you know what? I think that might work if you're totally isolated with no external factors. But that isn't life. Life is constantly throwing things at you and if you get that stiff, that rigid? It just means you'll get pushed over with the first breeze. I think instead, you have to breathe, stay loose, flexible. It's like riding a skateboard, really. You have to constantly adjust to the terrain beneath your feet and you can't do that if your knees are locked.

Does that make any sense? Maybe it doesn't. Works for me, though.

Britt: Oh, you mean dating Jack? LOL, yeah, it totally feels like a new reality. Can you even believe I was interested in those other losers?

You are caught in an embarrassing or nightmarish situation. What is the situation and how do you talk your way out of it?

Jael: Being a student in my dad's Church History class. Still working on a way out of it. I have ten months to figure it out... Maybe I could fake a sudden aversion to the phrase "papal edict" or something? "Ah! It burns!" No? Hmmm...maybe get back to me on that one...

Rob: Are you kidding? I talk my way in to embarrassing situations. If you aren't putting yourself in weird places, you're totally missing out on amazing experiences.

Britt: I always say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I think Ben Franklin said that. Or Thomas Jefferson. One of those guys. ANYWAY, the key is to anticipate so you never get yourself into those situations in the first place. Or at least so you have an escape plan already in place before you get into it.

You are walking down the street when you end up in the middle of a street brawl. Who would you call for back-up?

Jael: My uncle. Because he's a big scary fish monster.

Rob: I'm not really big on fighting, you know? But if I didn't have a choice to avoid it, I would totally call Jael. She kicks ass.

Britt: Back-up? Please. Just give me some room and let me take my earrings out.

If you could be any superhero for a day, who would you be and why?

Jael: The Invisible Woman. Because honestly, there's lots of times I wish I was.

Rob: That is tough! I'd kind of like to be Professor X, just because he pretty much understands everyone and everything in the world. Or maybe Dr. Strange because he's totally plugged into all the magic. Or how about the Silver Surfer because he's totally connected to the cosmos and I'd get to zoom around on a flying board.

Oh, wait, I know! I'd want to be Rogue. Because then I could just walk around touching all the other super heroes and I could get all their powers all at once. That would be awesome.

Britt: Mystique from the X-men movies. Because then I could look like anybody, even famous actresses or whatever. Could you imagine?

I mean, not that I don't like looking like me. I'm totally fine with the way I look. Really.

Thank you for answering my questions everyone! So glad you could all be here today with Jon! 

Jon Skovron can be found on his website, and on twitter.

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Jael has always felt like a freak. She’s never kissed a boy, she never knew her mom, and her dad’s always been superstrict—but that’s probably because her mom was a demon, which makes Jael half demon and most definitely not a normal sophomore girl. On her sixteenth birthday, a mysterious present unlocks her family’s dangerous history and Jael’s untapped potential. What was merely an embarrassing secret before becomes a terrifying reality. Jael must learn to master her demon side in order to take on a vindictive Duke of Hell while also dealing with a twisted priest, best-friend drama, and a spacey blond skater boy who may have hidden depths.

Author Jon Skovron takes on the dark side of human nature with his signature funny, heartfelt prose.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Auslander - Paul Dowswell - Author Book Picks

Paul Dowswell is here today with an Author Book Picks post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for his book, Auslander. Thank you for being here today, Paul! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Here are some of the books I’ve read recently:

Adult books

We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver. An extraordinary book about parents and children build around the relationship between a school massacre perpetrator and his mother. So beautifully told, you’d never guess that Shriver isn’t even a parent.

The Archivist’s Tale by Travis Holland. A short, chilling story about Stalin’s Russia. Prose as rich as fruit cake.

Triksta by Nik Cohn. Cohn writes brilliantly, and immensely readably, about a musical form I don’t even like, in this report on the New Orleans Rap scene.

Young adult books

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve. I’m not a S-F/Fantasy reader, but Reeve’s story about mobile, futuristic cities, prowling around a post-apocalyptic landscape, had me hooked to the end.

Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks. A brilliantly evocative contemporary tale that captures the painful awkwardness of teenage life.

Rowan the Strange by Julie Hearn. Childhood schizophrenia during the Second World War. A fascinating and harrowing read.

Oh, and can I also recommend these great British young adult authors with a book apiece:

Cathy MacPhail Another Me

Jenny Valentine Finding Violet Park

Helen Grant The Glass Demon

Tim Bowler Bloodchild

Gillian Cross The Dark Behind the Curtain

Thank you for this brilliant book list, Paul, and thank you so much for being here today! 

Paul Dowswell can be found on his website. 

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A chilling and thought-provoking thriller about a Polish orphan's subversion of Nazi ideals.

When Peter's parents are killed, he is sent to an orphanage in Warsaw, Poland. But Peter is Volksdeutscher-of German blood. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he looks just like the boy on the Hitler Youth poster. The Nazis decide he is racially valuable. Indeed, a prominent German family is pleased to adopt such a fine Aryan specimen into their household. But despite his new "family," Peter feels like a foreigner-an ausländer-and he is forming his own ideas about what he sees and what he's told. He doesn't want to be a Nazi. So he takes a risk-the most dangerous one he could possibly choose in 1942 Berlin. . . .

Paul Dowswell weaves meticulous research into a thrilling narrative, exposing a different angle of the horrors of Nazi Germany.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Ordained - Devon Ashley - Author Book Picks

Devon Ashley is here today with a Book Picks post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her book, Ordained. Thank you for being here today, Devon! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Well, I’d love to say that I’m eclectic and well-rounded as a reader, but I pretty much stick within certain genres: urban/contemporary fantasy, dystopian, paranormal romance, historical romance, anything depicting women in the 1800’s, and I enjoy some fantasy, so long as it’s not high fantasy. Some of my favorites are listed below, so take a peek and tell me what you think. And feel free to leave suggestions

for any books you think I may like!

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: My all time favorite book. I only wish I hadn’t waited so long to read it. It’s the book I’ve read the most times and I just can’t get enough of it. It still makes my heart ache watching Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy stubborn *youknowwhat’s* fall in love. Sigh… Pride and Prejudice is the ultimate love story, so if you haven’t ever read it, pick it up already – you won’t be disappointed. (and the best part of all: you don’t even have to pay for it anymore if you get the eBook)

2. Out in Blue by Sarah Gilman: This is a story about archangels, poachers and rogue demon protectors. I read the ARC recently and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up liking it. Sure, the romance was rushed and the romantic dialog made me roll eyes, but everything else in the story was spectacular. And it was filled with twists I didn’t see coming. I highly recommend this.

3. Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins: Even after finishing the first one, I was still rooting for Sophie and Archer to get together. I got my wish in Demonglass, and I want more! Sure, Cal completes the love triangle by being her betrothed, but seriously, I <3 Archer.

4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver: Love is a disease? Could be right…it breaks your heart, makes you sick to your stomach and can drive you absolutely nuts! But would I want that feeling permanently lobotomized from my brain? Hell no!

5. Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon: I found this supernatural version refreshing. If you’re looking for some adaptation of the original Cinderella, you’re not gonna find it here. Hell, just read my review, the author was kind enough to share a snippet of it on her homepage.

6. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins: Do I really need to explain why this series is so awesome? I bow to the master.

7. Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick: I’m not sure why, but I fell sucker to this like I fell for the Twilight saga. Nora’s dumb and naïve and Patch is practically abusive, but in all fairness, he would benefit from her death, so it’s not surprising he screwed with her the entire book. I’m not one to tear a novel apart and nit-pick every single detail, so I was able to sit back and just enjoy the ride.

And a few for the kiddos!

8. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin: The cows go on strike and use a typewriter to give their list of crazy demands to Farmer Joe. Love it.

9. Chester by Melanie Watt: My absolute favorite book in the kids department. Chester the cat doesn’t like the author’s story about a cute little mouse, so he takes a red permanent and goes head-to-head with Melanie in an attempt to make the story about himself. Sound like any cats you know? The illustrations are so adorable!

Thanks for letting me share some of my favorites! Hope you get a chance to enjoy them too.

Don’t forget to stop by my Crazy Dream Blog for a chance to win a copy of Ordained signed with a personalized doodle-graph. Giveaway ends August 20th.

Thanks to Corrine for letting me guest blog.

Toodles!

Devon

Thank you Devon for sharing this list of books with us, and thank you for being here today! 

Devon Ashley can be found on her blog. 

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Normally, the school creates the hunters - not the monsters.

Abby Sorrensten likes to play rough. Ripping the horns off the foreheads of demons, manipulating lightning and setting things on fire with the flick of your wrist can give you a serious rush. So she probably wasn’t the best choice for the Order’s experimental training program. Thirteen years of isolation, lack of affection and a bruised and broken body from horrendous training sessions creates more than just an exceptional fighter. It creates an evil within - an evil responsible for several deaths the night she left.

Two hundred years later Abby resurfaces as the very thing the Order trained her to kill: a vampire. A mythical demon has set his sights on the school and only the ordained hunter has the powers to face it. Unbeknownst to the Order, Abby’s their precious ordained one and their only chance for survival. As much as she would love to leave them hanging, she’s not willing to risk the life of Emily, a fellow friend and hunter also fed up with the organization.

But for Abby, locking herself away in a fortress with angry descendents of those she killed causes suspicions and tensions to run high. Abby must learn the demon’s weaknesses for battle before the Order learns hers.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Boy vs. Girl - Na'ima B. Robert - Teenage Garage Sale

Na'ima B. Roberts is here today with a Teenage Garage Sale post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her book, Boy vs. Girl. Thank you for being here today Na'ima! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

My father’s vintage 70s green pinstriped suit with the flared trousers and wide lapels - I wore the hey out of that baby!

My baggy green jeans and Doc Marten copies - unique in all Harare!

Head Girl badge - I went to a school that was modelled on a British private school and was appointed Head Girl in my final year, a position I relished and tried to use to truly improve my school and leave a legacy - it didn’t quite end that way though! I attempted a coup d’etat and was struck off the yearbook instead!

My school copy of Macbeth - complete with pencil-written notes dating back to the 1970s.

My trusty Dark’n’Lovely hair relaxer kit - I went through a phase of relaxing my hair to within an inch of its life - so glad those days are over now!

A copy of Nigerian playwrite, Ola Rotimi’s play ‘Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again’ - I was curiously drawn to this play and read it over and over again.

My library copy of Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ - a much-treasured introduction to African literature.

What a great list of item's, Na'ima! Thank you for being here today! 

Na'ima B. Roberts can be found on her website, her blog, and on twitter. 

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Farhana and her brother Faraz may be twins but they are on different paths. Their grandparents came to Bradford 40 years ago but their family remains devoutly Muslim. While Farhana risks being ostracised by her classmates for taking Ramzan seriously and adopting the hijab, Faraz is getting involved in a local gang led by 'Da General' Imran. This powerful second novel by the author of From Somalia With Love explores the idea of honour (Izzat in Arabic and Urdu) and what it means to different generations. A powerful idea that has been used to justify dreadful abuses such as forced marriages and 'honour' killings, new generations of ex-patriate Pakistanis have to re-evaluate its importance as they seek to straddle traditional and modern ways of life.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Henrietta the Dragon Slayer - Beth Barany - Into the Past

Beth Barany is here today with an Into the Past post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her book, Henrietta the Dragon Slayer. Thank you for being here today, Beth! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Into The Past: Favorite Books From Childhood & Youth

By Beth Barany

At age 5, I'd recommend In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak.

I love the illustrations in this book, and the creativity of the story. It's so imaginative. I love the pictures of the sky. My parents read it to us a lot when I was little.

And age 11, I’d recommend A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.

I recently reread this book, one I so enjoyed as kid, and was struck how much it was about love. As a kid I loved the science of it. I love the time and space travel!

And: The Lost Prince by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Adventure! Two friends traveling across Europe to restore the rightful prince. At thirteen, I read this book while recovering from a surgery. It was a great escape. I could have read it at age 11.

At age 16, I'd recommend Dune by Frank Herbert.

I read this book while in college, but wished I'd found it sooner. I think it was finals week and I needed a break. I got a great education in political science -- better than any university course -- and quickly gobbled up the rest of the series.

At that age, I also wish I'd found So You Want To Be A Wizard by Diane Duane.

This is the first in a nine-book series for teens by Diana Duane. It was such a delight to discover a sophisticated wizardry world that's complex and doesn't talk down to kids. Science plays a strong role in this book and all the books in this series.

At age 20, I wish I'd know about Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness series. The last book in this four-book series was released when I was 20.

From Wikipedia, "Alanna of Trebond wants to be a knight. Therefore she, disguised as the boy "Alan", swaps places with her twin brother Thom, to go to the royal palace in the city of Corus to try for knighthood."

I love how real Alanna feels and how complex the story is. Alanna is really someone I can root for. I also like the story was unexpected in many ways.

Though I've read many, many books in my live, the ones in this list are definite keepers.

What is the top keeper book on your list? I'd love to know!

Comment to enter to win a copy of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer. If you comment, you also enter to the Grand Giveaway for the necklace featured on the cover of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer. Winners will be chosen at the end of August. Giveaway rules here: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/beth-barany-novelist/blog-tour/#rules

For more about Beth Barany, and her latest novel, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, go here: http://

www.writersfunzone.com/blog/beth-barany-novelist/

Thank you for this awesome book list, Beth, and thank you for being here today!

Beth Barany can be found on her website, her blog, and on twitter.

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Henrietta, the legendary Dragon Slayer of the Kingdom of Bleuve, can't stomach the thought of one more kill. Yet, in order to save her dying mentor, she must go on one last quest. But will misfit companions, seasickness, and an ego maniacal king derail the quest for the healing stone? And will she be able to cut past her conscience and kill the dragon?

Synopsis taken from goodreads.