Lost For Words

Blog Tour: Dragonswood - Janet Lee Carey - Book Party

2012-01-27T08:21:00.000-05:00

Before I begin about the fun ways we’re celebrating the Dragonswood book launch, special thanks to Corrine for hosting this post!

Book Tour

We’ve been celebrating Dragonswood in a number of ways beginning with Kari’s terrific blog tour for the book on The {Teen} Book Scene (http://theteenbookscene.weebly.com/dragonswood-tour-details.html) the day after Christmas. Now here we are at Lost for Words for the last book tour post. It’s flown by so fast.

Book Birthday

On the official book birthday (January 5th) I lunched with Justina Chen (http://justinachen.blogspot.com/) award-winning author of North of Beautiful, Girl Overboard, and Nothing But the Truth: and a Few White Lies. We “dined and signed” stopping by the local bookstore for me to sign fresh copies of Dragonswood. I love the cracking sound when I open a new book for the first time. Later that day I went canoeing on Phantom Lake and spotted a bald eagle soaring overhead = perfect way to spend a book birthday.

Giving Back

We like to celebrate a new book by giving back in some way. Since Dragonswood features the endangered fairies and dragons of Wilde Island, we put Defenders of Wildlife (http://www.defenders.org/index_v2.html) on the website (http://www.janetleecarey.com) supporting the protection of endangered animals in our modern-day world.

The Party

The celebration will continue when we throw our big Dragonswood Medieval Masquerade Party at Parkplace Books on February 25th. We always throw a huge party for readers, writers, and friends with delicious eats and treats. This year along with our traditional salmon, fresh bread, and chocolates, we’ll add seaweed to the table. Why? Because Tess and her friends eat seaweed when they’re on the run from the witch hunter, so guests will be asked to nibble some. Luckily I found the perfect seaweed treat.

Here are some party photos by Heidi Pettit.

It’s traditional for folk to come in costume.

We’ll have our Dancing Dragon

Henna tattoos

Raise funds for Defenders of Wildlife. And along with dining and dancing, I’ll read a scene and sign copies of Dragonswood.

Of course the best celebration of all is a secret one. The moment a reader unknown to me picks up Dragonswood and slips into the story.

Thank you for sharing all about the book launch and party for Dragonswood, Janet!
Thank you so much for being here today!

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

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

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

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Truth - Julia Karr - Sal This or That

2012-01-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Julia Karr is here today with a character this or that list for Sal, courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her brand new release, Truth. Thank you for being here today, Julia! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

cartoons or comics - Comics - he goes for the graphic novels, actually

day or night - Night - so much of what he does is covert, he likes the dark

aftershave or cologne - Aftershave - he considers cologne primping

smurfs or gnomes - Gnomes - they aren’t cute & they aren’t necessarily nice!

cats or ducks - Cats - he’s a total cat person

cd's or tapes - CDs - no time to mess with tapes

pants or shorts - Pants - definitely pants

clean shaven or mustache/goatee - Clean shaven - if he needs a mustache or goatee, he’ll use it as a disguise

reading or writing - Reading - he’s not much for writing, preferring to talk in person if he has to say something

milk or water - Water - unless that milk has cookies nearby!

tattoos or piercings - Tattoos - especially the really cool ones, like Wei’s

bananas or grapefruit - Grapefruit - bananas are too mushy

steak or vegetables - Vegetables - who would eat an animal - that’s disgusting

truth or dare - Truth - although, among friends he might be up for a dare

Thank you for sharing Sal's preferences with us, Julia! Thank you so much for being here today!

Julia Karr can be found on her website, and on twitter.

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Nina Oberon’s life has changed enormously in the last few months. When her mother was killed, Nina discovered the truth about her father, the leader of the Resistance. And now she sports the same Governing Council–ordered tattoo of XVI on her wrist that all sixteen-year-old girls have. The one that announces to the world that she is easy prey to predators. But Nina won’t be anyone’s stereotype. And when she joins an organization of girls working within the Resistance, she knows that they can put an end to one of the most terrifying secret programs the GC has ever conceived. Because the truth always comes out...and the consequences can be deadly.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Forbidden - Megan Curd - This or That

2012-01-23T13:55:00.000-05:00

Megan Curd is here today with an author this or that list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, Forbidden. Thank you for being here today, Megan! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Sunshine or Thunderstorms? I love thunderstorms! Curling up on the couch with my son, a good book, or my xBox on a rainy day is the best. But, if it’s sunny, I’ll be floating the Chippewa River with friends if I’m in Eau Claire and it’s summer.

Hot or Cold? Cold if there’s snow involved. I love to snowboard, so I’m the weirdo who actually enjoys Wisconsin winters.

Camping or Cabin? Cabin by far. I love being outdoors and enjoying the woods, fishing, etc, but I NEED a bed. With cell phone reception and wifi if possible, lol. I’m all about being connected.

Sweet or salty? Generally salty. I love McDonald’s French fries, but if I’m in a sweet mood, give me cheesecake. I’m all about tiramisu cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory!

Magazine or newspaper? Magazine. I like getting a specific type of thing to read.

Contemporary or Fantasy? Definitely fantasy. I love being able to get away and be in a different world for a little while.

Pen or pencil? Pen. I hate the sound a pencil makes against the paper. Call me crazy, it just drives me nuts. I have to use a pen! Lol

Yogurt or Ice cream? Ice cream…I’m so bad, haha. My mom actually had some awesome ice cream I raided – pumpkin pie cheesecake! It was soooo good!

Zombie or Unicorn? Unicorns are too girly for my taste, but I am deathly afraid of zombies or any other scary thing. I used to love scary movies, but now if I watch them, my brain goes nuts afterward. My husband can’t handle me after scary movies. Every light is on in the house for like a week afterward. If a zombie apocalypse happens, I’m the first to go I hope. My heart can’t take anything else lol.

Gothic or Victorian? Can I vote steampunk? It’s a happy medium, and there’s so much cool stuff for it!

Slytherin or Ravenclaw? Ravenclaw! They’re so clever. If the zombies come after me, I want a Ravenclaw on my side. With the elder wand. And an invisibility cloak. And preferably a broom.

Movies at the theater or on dvd? I like DVDs, because they usually have extra material, and I love seeing stuff behind the scenes!

Lip gloss, or lipstick? Lip gloss. I’m a total tomboy, and I always seem to lose my lipstick anyway. Lip glosses tend to have better tastes, too. :-P (ah, the important aspects of makeup!)

Thank you for being here today, and sharing your preferences with us, Megan!

Megan Curd can be found on her website, her blog, and on twitter.

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Levi's job is to protect his human until it's their time to go. That's what a Guard does. He's done it for years on end, and he'll spend his eternity doing the same, mundane thing, following the same, mundane rules.

...Watch from afar.

...Never share your name.

...And above all, never touch a human.

What Levi doesn't know is that his newest human to protect, Hannah, just might be the catalyst to tipping the scales between good and evil, and he will be forced to decide which side he belongs to. Which friends will he side with, and who will he ultimately protect: his human, or the delicate balance that hangs on stopping the heartbeat of the person he has sworn to protect?

And, when you're already condemned, what's there to lose by breaking the rules?

THE GUARDIAN CHRONICLES: FORBIDDEN will take you into a world of Guards and Guardians, Light and Darkness. What side will you take?

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Untraceable - S.R. Johannes - Grace This or That List

2012-01-20T08:06:00.000-05:00

S.R. Johannes is here today with a character this or that list for Grace courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, Untraceable. Thank you for being here today, S.R.! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Lipstick or Lip gloss? I won’t wear much makeup but if I had to choose I would say lip-gloss because it doesn’t get on your teeth.

Spring or Fall? Any season outdoors in the Smokies is beautiful. But if I had to choose, I would say fall. I love when it is crisp and cool. When I get to wear jackets and boots.

Art or Music? Music. I like in a small town so I don’t see much art. Unless you count Tommy’s wooden carvings.

Country or City? If the woods count as “country”, I say country. I am definitely not a city girl. Though I would like to visit one someday.

Guy friends or Girl friends? Do animals count? They aren’t as dramatic and don’t need much.

Music or solitude? Solitude. I don’t mind being alone. Thinking about things. I can’t think with noise. Probably why I like the woods so much.

Roughing it with a tent, or Cabin? Tent definitely. With a tent, I can go anywhere. With a cabin you are limited to places you can get to with a car. That means there are people around and you get less privacy.

Bear or Mountain Lion? If you know about my book, anyone can guess this. Definitely bears. Black bears to be more specific. Though I do know Mountain Lions are also called panthers and pumas. And the black panther is very endangered so I’d like to get close to one someday.

Rely on oneself, or on others? The only person you can always rely on 100% of the time is yourself.

Daredevil or more laidback? I don’t jump off cliffs if that is what you are asking. But I am not afraid to do what I need to do.

Books or magazines? Shelli would kill me if I didn’t say book.:) Though we only have a library in our town so I don’t get that many and magazines are a waste of trees in my opinion.

Mountains or Beaches? Mountains. It’s where I have lived my whole life

Coniferous or Deciduous? Coniferous. I love the smell of pine at the holidays.

Thank you for sharing your preferences with us, Grace! Thank you S.R. and Grace for being here today!

S.R. Johannes can be found on her website, and on twitter.

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16-year-old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Under the Same Sky - Genevieve Graham - When I'm Not Writing

2012-01-19T00:17:00.000-05:00

First of all, a big THANK YOU to Corrine for allowing me to pop up here on your screen and say hello. Blog Tours are wonderful. Especially for someone living in a teeny tiny town in Nova Scotia.

Corrine suggested I write about what I do when I’m not writing, and I really had to think hard on that. Because when I’m not writing, I’m editing, since I have my own editing business (www.WritingWildly.com). But that’s relatively boring. What else?

Let’s see. Well, to begin with—oh, would you mind waiting a second? My daughter needs me to find something for her …

There. When I’m not writing I enjoy—Sorry. One sec. Other daughter calling me …

I’m back! I’d say reading is my favourite past time, and—Really? Right now? Okay. Sorry. I have to go grab a book for my husband.

Sorry sorry sorry. Back to what I was saying. I love to read, but for some reason I have trouble finding enough time for that. I suppose that explains the stack of half-read books on my bedside table, though—Just a sec. Something’s boiling over. Actually, l think I smell smoke …

Anyway, my favourite author, Diana Gabaldon, says the best thing you can do as a writer is to read … everything. That way you know what to aim for, and what to avoid. I aim for her brilliance in description, wordage, humour, well, basically in everything I write. Her books inspired me to write, and the greatest compliment I have received (from a few readers) is that my main male character reminded them of her incredible Jamie Fraser.

Other than writing, editing, and reading? We have a little dog named Murphy, who likes to walk a lot, and occasionally (not often enough) we go to the beach, which is ten minutes away. We also have chickens (with whom Murphy is not allowed to visit). I, a former Torontonian, never imagined I would enjoy chickens nearly as much as I do. We have five (one recently passed away), and each of them has a different personality. I let them out of their coop almost every day (they hate rain, so they’d rather stay indoors on those days) and they make a beeline to our pile of mulch, where they roll in it like puppies. They’re perfectly at home getting a pedicure from our daughters.

Two nights a week I—*sigh* Hang on. Laundry’s beeping …

Where was I? Right. Two nights a week I teach piano to children. My university degree is in music, and while I no longer perform on my oboe, I feel fortunate that I can pass along my love and knowledge of music. With all the electronic devices kids can choose to pound on these days, it’s a miracle to hear them say, “I want to learn piano.” I honestly believe every child should be raised within a cocoon of music. Preferably classical. There is nothing quite so healing for the soul. At any age.

And I love movies. We live a fair distance from town, so we don’t go to theatres much anymore, but the library is a wonderful source for movies, as is Netflix. And once I’m snuggled up in front of a movie, nobody asks me to do anything. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I love them so much.

Above all, I love hanging around with my family. We drive each other crazy, then end up hugging and tickling and laughing. Or we have quiet times where we’re each curled up around our own favourite/most recent books, sometimes with a candle burning in the background. I’m incredibly proud of the family we’ve become.

So what do I do besides write? I guess not much …

Would you please add after my blog on Jan 18 that I will be at http://evie-bookish.blogspot.com/p/my-favorites.html on Jan 19?

Thank you so much for being here today, Genevieve! It sounds like you keep pretty busy! ;)

Genevieve Graham can be found on her website.

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The year is 1746. A young woman from South Carolina and a Scottish Highlander share an intimacy and devotion beyond their understanding. They have had visions of each other their entire lives. And yet they have never met.

Now, with their lives torn asunder, Maggie Johnson and Andrew MacDonnell's quest to find each other is guided only by their dreams—and by the belief in the true love they share.

On the Carolina frontier Maggie Johnson’s family struggles to survive. Maggie’s gift of “the sight” and her visions show her a presence she calls Wolf. She watches him grow from a boy her age to a man even as she goes from child to woman.

Andrew MacDonald has always wondered about the girl he sees in his dreams. He is able to talk to her through their thoughts and vows that even if he must cross an ocean he will find her. They are thrust into different situations: Andrew fights for the doomed Jacobite cause and Maggie is captured by slavers, then rescued and brought into a kind, loving Native American tribe. They each believe in destiny and the power of the love they have shared forever.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: May B - Caroline Starr Rose - Tens List

2012-01-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

Caroline Starr Rose is here today with a tens list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, May B. Thank you for being here today Caroline! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

10 places Caroline has visited/lived.

Saudi Arabia (lived from 1977-1980)

Spain

Germany

Switzerland

France

Hong Kong / mainland China

Jamaica

Australia (lived there as an exchange student in 1989)

Mexico

England

Thanks for hosting me!

Thank you so much for sharing this list with us, Caroline! Thank you for being here today!

Caroline Starr Rose can be found on her website, and on her blog.

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I've known it since last night:

It's been too long to expect them to return.

Something's happened.

May is helping out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it's hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May's memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she's determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose's fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Don't Breathe a Word - Holly Cupala - Asher This or That List & Giveaway Details

2012-01-09T06:00:00.033-05:00

Holly Cupala is here today with a character this or that list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her brand new release, Don't Breathe a Word. Thank you for being here today, Holly! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Thanks to Corrine for inviting me to stop by on the Don’t Breathe a Word blog tour!

When Joy must escape from her safe suburban life, no one knows she is suffocating—from life-threatening asthma, from her smothering parents, and from Asher, whose words crush her from the inside out. She flees to the streets of Seattle, where she finds friends, hope, and even love.

Asher—alluring and abusive—is the power behind Joy’s imprisonment. Corrine has invited him here to see what he has to say for himself…

Rock or Hip Hop?

I’m not that into music.

But Asher had never taken me there. Music—and any feeling it might inspire—was a mystery to him, and Asher didn’t like mysteries. He liked things he could touch. Manipulate.

Coffee or Coke?

What kind of coke are you talking about?

“What do you think she’s doing?” Asher exhaled, giving her a look familiar to me—the one where she’s supposed to come to the conclusion that every word out of her mouth was equivalent to windshield spatter. When Neeta said nothing, he spelled it out patiently. “She’s trying to score with the Ave Rats.”

Tattoos or Piercings?

I don’t think I would do it myself, but I do find it interesting on other people.

Asher came close enough for me to smell his mint and nicotine. He breathed his soft breath on my neck and his words into my ear: “I don’t like what you did last night, Joy. We’re going to have to fix it.”

That’s when I knew there was no way out.

Long or Short hair?

On women? Long.

He came in close and took my jaw in his hands, so close I could taste the sugar and smoke on his breath. I almost wished he would hit me, because then I would have a reason to call for help.

Instead, he pinched a lock of my hair and let it fall through his fingers. Gently. So gently.

Committed relationship, or Dating around?

It depends.

“We met at the zoo party,” I said, slightly incredulous. Did he meet and kiss and buy bags of Nirvana stuff for so many girls that he couldn’t remember who I was? “Joy,” I said. “Joy Delamere.”

“Joy,” he repeated, this time with an intimacy that shocked me. He could do that—go from cold and distant to inside my skin in an instant.

Glass half empty, or half full?

I own the glass.

The idea behind Don’t Breathe a Word is that words have power—Joy must recognize Asher’s abuse and find her own voice. So we are running a contest: the Words Have Power Video Contest! Read more about it and enter to win awesome prizes! Also, if you or someone you know may be involved in an abusive relationship, learn more about the signs and what to do. Your words have power, too.

Thank you, Corrine, for inviting me to your blog (although I’m glad I don’t have to be in Asher’s head all the time!). I hope your readers love Don’t Breathe a Word.

Thank you so much for being here today, Holly, and sharing this glimpse into Asher's character!

Holly Cupala can be found on her website, on facebook, and on twitter.

Don't Breathe a Word is available for purchase on Amazon, Chapters, and Indiebound.

To learn more about Don't Breathe a Word, you can visit the official website here.

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Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From delectably dangerous Asher, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take his words - tender words, cruel words - until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe... if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Set against the gritty backdrop of Seattle’s streets and a cast of characters with secrets of their own, Holly Cupala’s powerful new novel explores the subtleties of abuse, the meaning of love, and how far a girl will go to discover her own strength.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

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Giveaway Details

Harper has been kind enough to give Holly enough copies of Don't Breathe a Word to do a prize per day of the tour!

*There will be one book given per day, drawn weekly. Everything entered by Saturday night will be put into a drawing on Sunday.

*The points DO accumulate, meaning entries put in for week one are still going to count for the drawings in weeks 2 and 3. (This is to reward those of you who follow/enter from the start, and doesn't punish you later because your entries are more spread out.)

ENTRIES:

*There is one automatic entry.

*For every post someone comments on, it is one entry.

*You will have to link to the blog post you commented on.

*There is an extra entry if you tweet, facebook, do a blog post or somehow include it on your blog. It is one for each of these, but only 1 per type (meaning you can't tweet every day and get points for it... its just one tweet)

*You need to fill out the form EACH time you do something to enter. If there is no link, the entry does not count (beyond the first initial entry, that you can just enter to win from.)

There will be ONE international winner a week, assuming an international person gets drawn. If the winner is international, you will be getting a copy from The Book Depository.

US/Canada copies will be mailed from Holly and those copies will be signed.

The final drawing will held Sunday, January 15, and will include all entries through midnight CST Saturday, January 14.

You can enter through this FORM.

Blog Tour: Cracked - K.M. Walton - Word Association

2012-01-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

K.M. Walton is here today with a Word Association post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her book, Cracked. Thank you for being here today, K.M.! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Thank you for having me here today, Corrine. This word association was actually quite fun to fill out!!

Red – Christmas, my favorite holiday. Giving gifts makes me happy.

Glee – talent

Milk – leads to ice cream

Words – matter

Horses – beautiful creatures

Country – side, as in the Irish countryside. My favorite place on Earth.

Chris Hemsworth - Thorlicsous

Tour – Radiohead, and I want them to go on one.

Fearless – Anderson Cooper. I love everything he stands for.

Kitchen – family, that’s where my family always congregates.

Suspense – LOST, I don’t think any television show will ever be able to top the brilliant suspense in that series.

Buffy – I know she’s a vampire slayer and all but, I never watched this series. So “Buffy” makes me think of a 1984 Valley Girl with teased bangs and neon earrings, saying, “Ew, gag me with a spoon.”

Maple – syrup, which should always be real because real is just better.

Apple – pie, I make a mean one from scratch.

Thank you for being here today K.M.!

K.M. Walton can be found on her website, her blog, and on twitter.

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Sometimes there's no easy way out.

Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better….

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Creative Spirit - Scott Nicholson

2011-12-31T17:29:00.000-05:00

"Scott Nicholson explores the dark legends of the southern end of the Appalachian mountain chain, a nightmare country that ends in Stephen King's yard."-- Sharyn McCrumb, author of The Ballad novels

CREATIVE SPIRIT

A paranormal thriller by Scott Nicholson

After parapsychologist Anna Galloway is diagnosed with metastatic cancer, she has a recurring dream in which she sees her own ghost at Korban Manor. She’s compelled to visit the historic estate to face her destiny and the fate of her soul.

Sculptor Mason Jackson has come to the manor to make a final, all-or-nothing attempt at success before giving up his dreams. When he becomes obsessed with carving Ephram Korban's form out of wood, he is swept into a destructive frenzy that even Anna can’t pull him from.

The manor itself has secrets, with fires that blaze constantly in the hearths, portraits of Korban in every room, and deceptive mirrors on the walls. With an October blue moon looming, both the living and the dead learn the true power of their dreams.

View or sample it at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Kobo, Smashwords, BN.com, or Goodreads. Look for Liquid Fear and Chronic Fear from Amazon’s Thomas & Mercer imprint.

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CREATIVE SPIRIT is Scott Nicholson’s revised edition of the 2004 U.S. paperback THE MANOR. Scott is Kindle bestselling author of 12 novels, including THE RED CHURCH, DISINTEGRATION, LIQUID FEAR, and SPEED DATING WITH THE DEAD. Connect with Scott on Facebook, Goodreads, LibraryThing, Twitter, blogspot, website or Amazon page.

Sins of the Angels - Linda Poitevin - Review

2011-12-29T01:30:00.000-05:00

A detective with a secret lineage. An undercover Hunter with a bullet-proof soul. And a world made to pay for the sins of an angel…

Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis answers to no one. Especially not to the new partner assigned to her in the middle of a gruesome serial killer case—a partner who is obstructive, irritatingly magnetic, and arrogant as hell.

Aramael is a Power—a hunter of the Fallen Angels. A millennium ago, he sentenced his own brother to eternal exile for crimes against humanity. Now his brother is back and wreaking murderous havoc in the mortal realm. To find him, Aramael must play second to a human police officer who wants nothing to do with him and whose very bloodline threatens both his mission and his soul.

Now, faced with a fallen angel hell-bent on triggering the apocalypse, Alex and Aramael have no choice but to join forces, because only together can they stop the end of days.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Sins of the Angels (Grigori Legacy #1)

Author: Linda Poitevin

Genre: Adult Fiction, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Ace Books

Publication Date: September 27, 2011

Format: E-ARC

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

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository, Chapters

My rating: 4/5

Sins of the Angels is aptly named as the world is set to pay in blood for the sins of one angel in particular. Aramael is sent to hunt the Fallen Angel wreaking havoc on earth, and goes undercover as a police officer to assist in the hunt for said angel. Alexandra Jarvis is one of the lead detectives on the case, and is highly annoyed when she learns that she has acquired a new partner midway through the investigation. She does not realize that the case has a supernatural angle, and it will take more than the entire police force to stop this killer.

Sins of the Angels ramps up the action, and keeps us guessing as to how different characters are tied into the story. Motives vary, and it is hard to decipher just which side of the playing field some of the characters are on. Alexandra Jarvis is a tough detective used to relying on no one. She is a believable character, and I enjoyed reading her story, even when she balked at various points throughout the novel. The interaction between her and her new partner, Jacob Trent, led to some interesting scenes. She doesn't want a partner and he doesn't want a partner, but they are forced to work together.

The action keeps the plot flowing rapidly, and the reader will inhale the book until they finish it. It is that captivating. There is a romantic sub-plot as well. Watching the two characters fight their feelings was intriguing especially knowing that said feelings should not exist. I'm curious to see what happens in the rest of the series, as the world could be irrevocably changed by said feelings. Trent or Aramael is also an engaging character. Watching him fight his emotions, and fulfill his duty to hunt down the Fallen Angels adds another dimension to the read. Knowing who the killer is and his relationship to Aramael also adds another twist to the story.

Certain descriptions and scenes are particularly gruesome, and realistically portrayed. The killer is methodical, and his lack of caring make the scenes all the more chilling.

Though there is a romantic sub-plot in the novel, it ramps up from barely there to all-consuming in moments without really spending time in between those stages. With the twist thrown in though, I'll be waiting to see what happens next between the characters, especially since there is the potential for a love triangle to develop in the next few books.

All in all, a bold and brilliant new read to add to the roster of great urban fantasy reads. Those new to the genre, and those who voraciously read the genre will enjoy this new author. Sins of the Angels may have left us with more questions than answers, but I'm sure Sins of the Son will answer some of them for us. I know I'll be reading it as soon as it comes out. Poitevin is one to add to the must read list.

Blog Tour: Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi - Author Book Picks

2011-12-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

Veronica Rossi is here today with an author book picks post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her soon to be released book, Under the Never Sky. Thank you for being here today, Veronica! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Thanks for having me on the blog! I'm a huge fan of Kristin Cashore's books, so I'm really looking forward to BITTERBLUE. DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor was one of the best books I read this year. I absolutely adored Karou and Akiva.

Recently I've been reading books by fellow debut authors. I've read BORN WICKED, EVERNEATH, INCARNATE, to name a few. 2012 is going to be an incredible year for books.

There's a strong part of me that has always loved epic stories with richly imagined worlds and a host of diverse characters. Lord of the Rings, The Game of Thrones, Harry Potter.... I can't get enough of those series.

As for my characters, I think both Perry and Aria would enjoy THE HUNGER GAMES for tough characters who know how to survive at all costs. I'd actually love to see how they'd fare in the games, if they'd been chosen as tributes. I think they'd both do pretty well.

Thanks so much for having me!

You are more than welcome! Thank you for being here today, Veronica!

Veronica Rossi can be found on her website, her blog, and on twitter.

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Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers abarbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

The first book in a captivating trilogy, Veronica Rossi’s enthralling debut sweeps you into an unforgettable adventure.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Asha in Time - Mandy Nachampassack-Maloney - Author Interview

2011-12-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Mandy Nachampassack-Maloney is here today with an author interview courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, Asha in Time. Thank you for being here today, Mandy! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

If you could live in any time period in history, which would you prefer and why?

I think I’d choose regency England but only if I could be a Lady at court and near the Virgin Queen. To be around a woman that was pioneering a new independent reign, new religion, and new devotion to the arts would be wonderful. Still, living the life of an average person where sanitation was a low priority and women married in their early teens- no thanks. Pass on that.

What one song defines the world as you see it?

“She’s Crazy But That’s Alright With Me”- Cross Canadian Ragweed

If you were dropped within the pages of Asha in Time, what would you do first?

I’d have to head over to the Temple of Isis to watch everything unfold and probably to scrounge up even the most menial of jobs. I’m not qualified in anything that would make a woman a good priestess.

There are two doors before you. One opens to Narnia, the other to Hogwarts. Which do you go through?

Hogwarts! Oh man, wouldn’t that be wonderful. Would Harry still be there? If so, I’m doubly in.

Can you give us a description of Asha in Time in haiku?

One young girl in Egypt

Must find her way and herself

And find her own throne

Thank you for answering my questions, and for being here today, Mandy!

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She was special. Her parents knew that; though it was not her sable hair, her wide amber eyes, but the fact that she had memories of things she could not possibly know. She remembered the palace of ancient Thebes, the palace pharaohs and queens had walked in. Finally, on her thirteenth birthday, she would find out where her memories were born. She would return to ancient Egypt to get her answers, but she had no idea that he was waiting for her.

She'll have to use all her wits and wiles to find her way in Egypt and into his heart without destroying herself.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Around the World in 80 Kisses - The International Kissing Club - Ivy Adams - Word Association & Giveaway

2011-12-24T15:11:00.001-05:00

Ivy Adams is here today with a Word Association post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for their new book, The International Kissing Club. Thank you for being here today, Ivy! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Around the World in 80 Kisses Smooch Stop #27

Smooch: Hugs and Kisses

Besmirch: A 1980s historical romance novel

Chris Evans: Silver Surfer (my boys love that movie) and Oooh, pretty

Avengers: Chris Hemsworth (Oooh, pretty)

International: Paris (one of my favorite places on earth)

4-H: Piper kissing a 4-H pig

Cookies: Snickerdoodles

Cows: Happy Cows come from California

Siamese: The King and I (One of my favorite musicals when I was a kid)

Running: Ugh

Writing: Bright, Shiny Idea (I write best when I have another shiny idea waiting for me)

Twelve: Days of Christmas

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: Just a Spoonful of Sugar

Music: Pearl Jam

Wind: Four elements

Dragons: The dragonshifter romance series I write under a different name

Boys: Oooh, pretty

Thanks so much for hosting us today. Now it’s my turn to ask a question for the daily giveaway: What comes to mind with the word snowflake?

Tell me in the comments below (and leave your email so we can contact you) to be entered to win the Around the World In 80 Kisses daily and weekly prize and also become eligible to win the Grand Prize, a Kindle Fire. For a list of all our Smooch Posts you can visit and earn more entries to win, visit us here.

Tracy Deebs along with Emily McKay and Shellee Roberts writes under the psuedonym Ivy Adams. They shop, gossip and watch movies in Austin, Texas.

Thank you so much for being here today ladies!

The authors writing as Ivy Adams can be found at their website, The International Kissing Club.

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Piper, Cassidy, Mei, and Izzy have been best friends their whole lives. And they've always agreed on one goal: to get out of tiny Paris, Texas, and see the world. The school's foreign exchange program seems like the perfect escape: Piper will go to the original Paris; Mei will go to China; Cassidy will go to Australia; and Izzy, unable to afford the program, will stay at home. To add spice to their semester away, and to stay connected to their best friends, the girls start The International Kissing Club, a Facebook page where they can anonymously update one another and brag about all the amazing guys they're meeting. After all, these girls are traveling abroad: amazing guys abound at every turn! But sometimes fun, flirty vacation flings turn into more serious romances, and sometimes you don't return from abroad the same person you were. Will the girls' relationships-and their friendships-be able to survive?

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: In My Dreams - Cameo Renae - Lizzy Character This or That

2011-12-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Cameo Renae is here today with a character this or that list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her book, In My Dreams. Thank you for being here today, Cameo! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Tomboy or Girly-girl? I’d say girly-girl, because I’m definitely not a tomboy.

Hair straightener or blow dryer? Hair straightener. I fumble too much with the blow dryer.

Lip gloss or Lipstick? Lip gloss.

Chocolate or Cookies? Chocolate! That one was easy… unless it is a hot, gooey, chocolate-chip cookie right out of the oven.

Hot beverages or cold beverages? Hot. It’s usually too cold in Alaska for cold drinks anyway.

Horses or Rabbits? Rabbits. Cute, fluffy and cuddly. Need I say more?

Pop/Rock or Hip Hop? Pop/Rock

Country or City? Always have and always will be a country girl.

Books or magazines? Books, for sure. And here’s a personal recommendation… In My Dreams by Cameo Renae. My life’s story. It’s pretty awesome… and pretty sad.

Sweet or Salty? I love every sweet thing.

Ethnic food, or down home meals? Down home meals, which I didn’t get a lot of growing up.

Daredevil or responsible? I am totally responsible. Michael was the daredevil.

Guy friends or girl friends? Girl friends. Especially now that Michael is gone. :’(

Thanks Corrine for letting me visit!

Thank you for being here and answering my questions today, Lizzy! Thank you also to Cameo for being here!

Cameo Renae can be found on her website, and on her blog.

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It was happening again. The dreams. The nightmares. It was something seventeen year-old Elizabeth "Lizzy" Hayes thought she'd outgrown; dreams that would come true; detailed premonitions of how people would die. This time she dreams about her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers that he's been found... dead.

Michael hasn't crossed over because he was murdered, and now his murderer is coming for Lizzy. His spirit won't rest until she is safe, and as a newbie spirit, the easiest way for him to make contact is through Lizzy's dreams. When she dreams, it's as if he hasn't died.

Lizzy must learn to pull on her inner strength to survive horrifying events. Meanwhile, in the spirit world, Michael learns everything he can about his supernatural gifts to help. But will it be enough to save her?

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: The Girl is Murder - Kathryn Miller Haines - Character Book Picks & Giveaway

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Kathryn Miller Haines is here today with a Character Book Picks post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new book, The Girl is Murder. Thank you for being here today, Kathryn! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Iris loves two things: detective fiction and comics. In terms of books of her day, she loved Nancy Drew, though she’s getting too old for it now and, frankly, who wants to read about a perfect girl with a perfect life (and a cute little roadster) when your own world is falling apart? She reads Archie comics, but her fondness for them is fading for the same reasons: Archie and his friends are living the perfect high school experience, where bullies are punished, everyone is included, and the biggest trauma anyone faces is whether or not the guy they really like is going to ask them to the big dance.

That’s not Iris’s world anymore.

What she wants to read are dark stories. Eventually she’ll discover Raymond’s Chandler’s Phillip Marlowe and Dashiell Hammett’s Sam Spade, a cat so cool Humphrey Bogart will play him in The Maltese Falcon, and the novels of James M. Cain, whose dangerous femme fatales (Cora in Postman Always Rings Twice, Phyllis in Double Indemnity, Veda in Mildred Pierce) prove what Iris has long suspected: that being a woman doesn’t mean you’re morally superior.

And if she’s trading in Nancy Drew for darker detective fiction, she’s also exchanging Archie comics for Pulp magazines like True Detective, Dime Detective, and Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. These quick tales with the lurid illustrations will help her hone her skills and strengthen her stomach.

Thank you for sharing Iris' book picks with us today, Kathryn! Also, thank you for being here today!

Kathryn Miller Haines can be found on her website, and on her blog.

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Iris Anderson is only 15, but she's quickly mastering the art of deception in this YA novel for fans of Veronica Mars. It's the Fall of 1942 and Iris's world is rapidly changing. Her Pop is back from the war with a missing leg, limiting his ability to do the physically grueling part of his detective work. Iris is dying to help, especially when she discovers that one of Pop's cases involves a boy at her school. Now, instead of sitting at home watching Deanna Durbin movies, Iris is sneaking out of the house, double crossing her friends, and dancing at the Savoy till all hours of the night. There's certainly never a dull moment in the private eye business.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

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Giveaway Details

Kathryn Miller Haines has graciously provided Lost For Words with a copy of The Girl is Murder to give away.

Thank you, Kathryn!

Giveaway is US only.

Giveaway will end December 23, 2011.

Please fill out this FORM to enter. Comments, while appreciated, won't be counted as entries.

Thank you!

Blog Tour: Happy Birthday to Me - Brian Rowe - Teenage Garage Sale

2011-12-15T17:14:00.000-05:00

Brian Rowe is here today with a Teenage Garage Sale post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for his Happy Birthday to Me book trilogy. Thank you for being here today, Brian! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

“Halloween” VHS Tape: DVDs were all the rage in my teenage years, but I was still hoarding a few special VHS tapes from my childhood. The original Halloween is my favorite horror movie of all time, and in the early 2000’s, I still owned the old VHS tape, even though I didn’t even have a VHS player anymore! $20.

Clearasil: Because my acne was out of control from the age of 14 to 17. It finally calmed down after high school. And that was a very, very good thing. $0.25.

Goosebumps Box Set: Up until about age 14, I loved loved loved R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series. But I don’t remember ever cracking one open once high school started for me, back in 1999. I probably owned at least 50 of the books at the time. $50.

Half-Opened Hair Gel: I had a tube of gel from eighth grade that reminded me of a former girlfriend everytime I smelled it. I eventually threw it in the trash, because I couldn’t take the pain anymore. But I probably should’ve tried to make a nickel off it by selling it at a garage sale. $0.50.

My Car: $1,000,000.

Last Action Hero DVD: the first DVD of a movie I ever owned. I still have it all these years later. The DVD menu is so archaic it’s tragic. But it’s a piece of history! $10.

Spice Girls – Spice & Spice World: I’m not afraid to admit I enjoyed Spice Girls music when I was 13 and 14. But come freshman year of high school, I probably would’ve tried to get rid of the CDs in any way possible. $5.

Floss: $0.01.

Box of Pumpkin Puree Cans: ever since I tried pumpkin ice cream at the Nut Tree outside of Sacramento,California, when I was six, I’ve been obsessed with pumpkin foods, and I always buy way more cans of pumpkin puree in October to December than I should. $8.

Michael Myers Mask: Going back to my love for Halloween, I bought the Michael Myers mask when I was 13. By the time I was 15, the mask had been pretty worn out and torn. I probably should have sold it around then. But here we are, fourteen years later, and I still have it in my closet! Long live Halloween, Michael Myers, and Dr. SamLoomis. $15.

Thank you for sharing these items from your 'garage sale' days and for being here today, Brian!

Brian Rowe can be found on his blog, and on twitter.

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Seventeen-year-old Cameron Martin has a huge problem: he’s aging a whole year of his life with each passing day!

High school is hard enough; imagine rapidly aging from seventeen to seventy in a matter of weeks, with no logical explanation, and with prom, graduation, and the state championship basketball game all on the horizon. That’s what happens to Cameron, a popular pretty boy who's never had to face a day looking anything but perfect.

All Cameron wants to do is go back to normal, but no one, not even the best doctors, can diagnose his condition. When he finds love with a mysterious young woman, however, he realizes his only hope for survival might be with the one person who started his condition in the first place...

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Blood on the Pen - David W. Huffstetler - Author Interview

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

David Huffstetler is here today with an author interview courtesy of the Tribute Books blog tour for his book, Blood on the Pen. Thank you for being here today, David! You can follow along with the tour here. Enjoy!

Can you give us a description of Blood on the Pen in haiku?

Autumn of terror

By a killer they don’t know

Can they survive it?

If you found yourself in Jack and Elsie’s world, what would you do first?

Get the heck out of Texas. Well, maybe not, but their world is more than chasing a psychopathic killer. Their relationship gets more complicated, perhaps more special, by the day, so I might spend some time with a therapist. Of course, Jack already has one.

What one song describes the world as you see it?

I assume this means Jack and Elsie’s world, and it isn’t a song so much as it is a verse from a song. When I listen to Ed Ames, yes I said Ed Ames, sing Try to Remember, I am stricken by the line that says, “Without the hurt the heart is hollow.” It captures the pain of life, but also the hope, that eternal breath that says the pain comes from something deeper. If the people we care about weren’t so important to us, then it wouldn’t hurt so much to lose them, and you can’t have one emotion without the other.

If Murphy’s law applied to you, what scenario would you most likely encounter?

I only accept Murphy’s law in part. Bad things can happen, and they can happen at the worst time, but they don’t always happen. If it did apply to me, then the devastating bad thing would be for something to happen to my family. My writing is important to me, but the possibility a bad review or finding someone who can’t wait to trash your work on in a chat room is part of the price you pay when you step into this world.

Do you have any quirks about writing?

Quirks? Why, whatever do you mean? I like to be alone when I write. Some writers like to have a drink or play music, but not me. Perhaps a cup of coffee, but all I really want is to be left with my characters, so we can talk.

You’ve made the newspaper headline. What does it say? What don’t you want it to say?

Extra, Extra, Strange Author Writes About Love and Murder in Texas.

What I don’t want it to say is, Huffstetler’s Work Mediocre, Predictable.

Thank you for being here today, and answering my questions David!

David W. Huffstetler can be found on his website, his blog and on facebook.

Blood on the Pen can be found as an ebook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Wild Child Publishing.

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Jack Harden is a modern-day Texas Ranger haunted by his wife's death a year ago.

But when a murderer strikes, he is called into duty. Now he must battle the urge to kill the drunk driver responsible for her death and the hunger to kill himself as he hunts for a serial killer who wants him dead.

Elsie Rodriguez is assigned to report on the murders for her newspaper and ordered to stay with Jack Harden. He's old school, tough, and doesn't want her there, but, despite his gruff manner, the big Ranger triggers something inside her. Something more than just her Latin temper.

Can she pull him back from the edge of sanity? Or will death win again?

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

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Educated in Dallas, North Carolina, David Huffstetler holds degrees in Engineering and Business Administration. He has worked in the area of human relations and spent fourteen years weaving through the maze of politics, including participating in a Federal Law suit as Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Commission, with a sitting governor over issues of separation of powers. David has served on Boards of Directors for numerous professional organizations including Crime Stoppers, SC Workers’ Compensation Educational Association, SC Safety Council, the SC Fire Academy, and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Workers’ Compensation. He has advised governors and legislators on matters of public policy and legislation. His wealth of experience is broad and brings deep insight to his writing.

David’s work as a senior manager with a major industrial concern took him to international venues and exposures that helped feed his urge to write Disposable People, a dramatic expose of the working conditions and politics that engulf undocumented workers. Disposable People is a top-ten “Suggested Book” at Tufts University in Boston, MA.

He turned the frustrations and rejection that plagues thousands of yet-to-be-published authors into the heralded mystery/thriller Blood on the Pen, with a serial killer disposing of literary agents. David, an avid history buff, led him to write Dead in Utah, the story of Joe Hill, the controversial musician and union organizer accused of a double murder in 1914.

His books receive praise from mystery readers across the globe.

As an editor, David edited a treatise on the South Carolina workers’ compensation laws, as well as, Shannon Faulkner’s novel Fire and Ice. Shannon was the first female cadet at the Citadel. She received national publicity for her federal lawsuit and was a guest on Good Morning America.

As an editor, public speaker, and seasoned professional, David has appeared on television and radio, and has lectured on the East Coast, California, Canada and Mexico.

David currently lives in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife, Trudy.

Blog Tour: Can You Survive: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Ryan Jacobson - Teenage Garage Sale & Giveaway

2011-12-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

Ryan Jacobson is here today with a Teenage Garage Sale post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for his brand new release, Can You Survive: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Thank you for being here today, Ryan! You can follow along with the tour here. Enjoy!

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Welcome to my teenaged garage sale. I’m something of a pack rat, so I could probably really have this sale. (Hmm, maybe next summer.) I’ll try not to embarrass myself too much, but here are some of the must-have items you’ll find:

1. Transformers & G.I. Joe toys. I confess: I played with toys WAY too long. When my friends started going to movies and hanging out at the local pizza place/arcade, I stayed home with my Transformers and G.I. Joes.

2. Comic books. I will always love comic books. Back then, my favorites were Batman, Daredevil and Iron Man. I’m kind of over Daredevil and Iron Man, but my collection of Batman comics is still going strong.

3. Football cards. I was obsessed with football in general and collecting football cards in particular. I mixed in a little baseball and basketball here and there, but I was all about football.

4. Minnesota Vikings paraphernalia. If football was my game, the Vikings were my team. My entire bedroom was decked out in Vikings posters, magazines, autographed cards, calendars, toys and more.

5. Sports Illustrated. I had a subscription for most of my teenaged years and never threw a single issue away.

6. Tasmanian Devil T-shirts. My high school wardrobe consisted almost exclusively of jeans and Tasmanian Devil T-shirts. No kidding, I think I wore a Taz shirt almost every day. In completely unrelated news, I never had much luck with the ladies.

7. Track & Field ribbons. By seventh grade, my body was the size of a full-grown adult. I was the star athlete of my middle school. Too bad everyone else had to go and catch up with me by high school.

8. Bon Jovi cassettes. Come on, what child of the ’80s didn’t have Bon Jovi on tape?

9. Ninja costume. Yes, I was in a ninja club. Yes, it ended with a ride in a police car. No, I won’t say any more about that.

10. Miami Vice coat. I had this obnoxiously yellow coat that looked like something Sonny Crockett would wear. I felt so awesome in it, but it was a hand-me-down from my older brother. So I think I was probably three years too late for that look.

11. Alto saxophone. I was in band, and as much as I pretended to hate it, I actually quite

liked it.

12. Notebooks. I still have most of my old notebooks. They’re pretty fun to look through once in a while, as they’re filled with doodles, cheesy poems and far too many love letters that were never delivered. [Sigh.]

Thank you for sharing items from your teenage years with us today, Ryan! Thank you for being here as well!

Ryan Jacobson can be found on his website, on his blog, and on twitter.

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He's the world's most famous detective, and thanks to this brilliantly adapted book, he's you! The cases, the clues, the suspects, they're yours to sort through in this exciting Choose Your Path book. You are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. You make the choices. But be careful; the wrong decision could lead to your doom.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

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Giveaway Details

Ryan Jacobson has graciously provided Lost For Words with a copy of Can You Survive: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Adventures of Sherlock Holmes for giveaway.

Thank you, Ryan!

Giveaway is open to US only.

Giveaway will end December 14, 2011.

Please fill out this FORM to enter. Comments, while appreciated, won't be counted as entries.

Thank you!

Blog Tour: Shattered Souls - Mary Lindsey - Guest Post: Writing Method

2011-12-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

Mary Lindsey is here today with a post on her writing method courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her soon to be released, Shattered Souls. Thank you for being here today, Mary! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Method Acting Applied to Characterization in Fiction

I’ve been asked if I use a particular method to write. Coming from a theatre background, “method” means something different to me.

I was trained in the Stanislavsky Method of acting, and I’ve discovered that some of the principles of the system apply to developing richer characters in novels.

Method acting derived from the system created by the Russian actor, Constantine Stanislavski in the late 1800’s. “Method” acting was popularized in the U.S. in the 1930’s and advanced by Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio from the 1940’s until his death in 1982.

In Stanislavski’s system, actors deeply analyze motivations and emotions of their character in order to personify them with psychological realism and emotional authenticity.

The character has to come from somewhere or something within the actor—or in this case, the author—in order to be believable.

I won’t bore you with an essay on Method Acting, but I’ll give you an example of how it changed a scene once I got into my own head and memories before going into my main character’s.

In the opening of the book, Lenzi, the protagonist is approached by the spirit of a dead child in the school bathroom. After escaping the locked stall and finding the main bathroom door locked, Lenzi does something entirely different than she did originally: she slides down the door, curls in a ball, and rocks.

When I first wrote it, I had her bang, scream and fight her way through her fear. But after I put the scene through a couple of acting exercises (internal mental and emotional ones—I didn’t scream and bang on my door), I realized her reaction was more intense and believable if she withdrew for a moment. I based this on an experience I had in Kindergarten when I got locked in a school locker for many hours.

So, although each book dictates a different approach and organization, my consistent tool when writing is the emotional and sense memory recall exercises I used on stage. It adds a richness to the characters that makes them more believable to me as well as the readers.

Thank you so much, Corrine, for having me on you blog today!

Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your writing method, Mary! Also, thank you so much for being here today!

Mary Lindsey can be found on her website.

Shattered Souls can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Penguin, and Goodreads.

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A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger.

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Good Graces - Lesley Kagen - Author Interview

2011-12-06T03:00:00.000-05:00

Lesley Kagen is here today with an author interview courtesy of the Tribute Books blog tour for her book, Good Graces. Thank you for being here today, Lesley! You can follow along with the tour here. Enjoy!

Who is your favorite character in Good Graces?

That's like asking me who my favorite child is! I love all my characters, but for different reasons. I have to admit a slight partiality to Troo and Mary Lane, though. I adore wisecracking kids.

You've mentioned that your first book, Whistling in the Book, and the new sequel, Good Graces, are somewhat autobiographical. How so?

It is true that it's best to write about what you know. I grew up in the same type of neighborhood the O'Malley sisters did. The kids on the block are almost exact replications of the ones I played Red Light, Green Light and Kick the Can with back in the Fifties. The family structure,--the mother and the three girls--is also the same as mine. I love Milwaukee and wanted to use a many of the iconic figures and places I could to conjure up a sense of place. While some elements of the plot are also based on my life, most of that I just made up.

Would you say that you write coming-of-age stories?

I think all stories are coming-of-age stories. They're just told at different stages of our lives.

The climax in Good Graces might be considered somewhat controversial.

I don't really think about whether or not everyone is going to like what I write. When you release a book, you leave yourself open to all sorts of opinions. Some will like the story, some will not. The same way some folks like pistachio ice cream and some don't. The enjoyment of a book is purely subjective.

How do you handle reviews?

Not being terribly mashochistic, I like the good ones and try to avoid the bad ones. I try to always keep in mind that readers will react in different ways. What I'm not fond of is people who feel that just because you're in the public eye it gives them a license to be mean. I wouldn't dream of giving a book that wasn't my cup of tea a terrible review. I was taught that if I didn't have something nice to say to not say anything at all. Think we could all use a little more of that, don't you? Kindness is important.

The Catholic Church also plays a big part in Good Graces. Do you think you portrayed it accurately?

I do. It might be hard for some readers to understand how influential the Church was in the good old days. It was all powerful. And in some ways, I think the Church abused that power.

Are kids better off now than they were in the Fifties?

In some ways. Communication between adults and children is so much better now. I don't remember ever having a meaningful conversation with my parents. Kids are valued more now. Back then, children were more like possessions. But in other ways, we were so much better off. The pace was different. You could lie around in your backyard and stare at clouds and nobody would get after you to do something "productive or "educational." Everything is so organized now. Kids have playdates and lessons of all kinds. We didn't. We barely had TV. We were our own entertainment. We'd have to dream up something to do everyday. And there was so much more freedom for kids. Parents weren't scared to let there kids out of the house. In fact, they encouraged it. The longer the better. (My mother always seemed slightly disappointed when my younger sister and I turned up for supper.)

Who is your biggest supporter?

My family. My husband, Pete, is my first reader. I give him pages every morning to go through. He jots down notes, but mostly draws stars on the last page. Both of my kids are in the mix, too. My daughter is a corporate attorney who is great with details, and my son is excellent with the humor and dialogue scenes. They are unrelentingly critical. (This is to get back at me for not buying them a spaceship when they were younger.)

Anything else you'd like to share?

I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday! And to thank them for supporting my books. Hope everyone enjoys Good Graces.

Thank you for answering these questions, Lesley! Thank you for being here!

Lesley Kagen can be found on her website, and on facebook.

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Lesley Kagen returns with the sequel to her national bestselling debut, Whistling in the Dark.

Whistling in the Dark captivated readers with the story of ten-year-old Sally O'Malley and her sister, Troo, during Milwaukee's summer of 1959. The novel became a New York Times bestseller and was named a Midwest Honor Award winner.

In Good Graces, it's one year later, and a heat wave has everyone in the close-knit Milwaukee neighborhood on edge. None more so than Sally O'Malley, who remains deeply traumatized by the sudden death of her daddy and her near escape from a murderer and molester the previous summer. Although outwardly she and her sister, Troo, are more secure, Sally's confidence in her own judgment and much of her faith have been whittled away. When a series of disquieting events unfold in the neighborhood-a string of home burglaries, the escape from reform school of a nemesis, and the mysterious disappearance of an orphan, crimes that may involve the increasingly rebellious Troo-Sally is called upon to rise above her inner demons. She made a deathbed promise to her daddy to keep Troo safe, a promise she can't break, even if her life depends on it. But when events reach a crisis point, will Sally have the courage and discernment to make the right choices? Or will her false assumptions lead her and those she loves into danger once again?

Lesley Kagen's gift for imbuing her child narrators with compelling authenticity shines as never before in Good Graces, a novel told with sensitivity, wit, and warmth.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Artemis the Loyal - Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams - Character This or That & Giveaway

2011-12-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams are here today with their latest installment in their Goddess Girls series, courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for Artemis the Loyal. Thank you for being here today, ladies! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Honey or sugar?

Artemis: Neither. Nectar! And none of that fake diet stuff, either.

Salty or sweet?

Artemis: Salty and sweet at the same time.

Roman or Greek mythology?

Artemis: Greek, of course.

Harp or Flute?

Artemis: Flute, played by my friend Athena.

Centaurs or Satyrs?

Artemis: Centaurs.

Mountain or Beach?

Artemis: Mountain. Especially Mount Olympus!

Hiking or Horseback riding?

Artemis: Hiking through forests to hunt.

Long or short hair?

Artemis: Shortish.

Studious or Athletic boys?

Artemis: Smart, athletic boys who support my interest in sports, too. (They don’t necessarily have to be archers like me.)

Swimming or suntanning?

Artemis: Swimming, I get bored if I’m not doing something active.

Thank you for sharing your preferences with us, Artemis!

Thank you for being here Joan and Suzanne!

Joan & Suzanne can be found on Joan's website, Suzanne's website, and on Suzanne's blog.

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It's time for the annual Olympic Games, and the four goddessgirls are not happy--especially Artemis. Even though she's better at sports than most of the godboys, she can't compete because rules say the Games are boys-only. No fair!

Led by Artemis, Athena, Persphone and Aphrodite, the ladies of Mount Olympus hatch a plan to get Zeus to open up the games to everyone. Will they succeed--or end up watching from the sidelines again?

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

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ARTEMIS THE LOYAL SWAG GIVEAWAY:

* GODDESSGIRLS bead necklaces made by Joan and Suzanne.

Strung on colorful stretchy cord, they can be shortened into bracelets. (Beads & cord packages purchased at Michaels say they're not for under age 14. Actual colors will vary.)

* Artemis the Loyal book signed by Joan and Suzanne

* Bookmark featuring six Goddess Girls books.

Giveaway is US only.

Giveaway will end December 12, 2011.

Please fill out this FORM to enter.

Comments, while appreciated, will not be counted as entries.

Thank you!

Blog Tour: In the Forests of the Night - Kersten Hamilton - Author Book Picks & Giveaway

2011-11-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

Kersten Hamilton is here today with an Author Book Picks post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her newest release, In the Forests of the Night. Thank you for being here today, Kersten! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Hi, Corrine! Thank you for having me on your blog today. It is hard to write about my favorite books because there are so many of them. I would say that there are more old books than new books in my library—and I have lots and lots of books. When I was a teenager, I decided to read all of Western literature starting with Beowulf. I am failing gloriously—there are just too many books and not enough hours in a life to read them all. I have worked my way forward through most of the classics, though.

I have found many, many authors to love, but my all–time favorite would be George MacDonald. He wrote mythopoeia, my favorite obscure genre. His writing, in both his novels and short stories, dealt with metaphysical questions. MacDonald was fearless in questioning his characters’ (and his readers’) assumptions about themselves and reality. I adore books that make me both feel and think. His books inspired my Goblin Wars series.

I like Charles Williams, who wrote unsettling paranormals such as All Hallow’s Eve long, long before Paranormal was a genre. I enjoy the books of Charles De Lint, who was writing in the dawn of the Urban Fantasy and is writing still. I love the mythic elements in his books.

I liked Zenna Henderson’s The People stories. I love Neil Gaiman’s writing especially his short stories and novels such as Neverwhere or The Anansi Boys.

I enjoy an occasional Regency Romance such as Grand Sophie, by Georgette Heyer, mysteries like the Amelia Peabody books by Elizabeth Peters, and the science fiction of Robert Heinlein, and Isaac Asimov, who influenced me greatly. Asimov believed that writing should be like a pane of glass—the reader should not even be aware of the writer, just of the story they are entering. I believe that, too. The less my readers are aware of me, and the more they are aware of my characters, the better! I gobble up the books of modern MG and YA writers such as Rick Riordan and Francisco X. Stork. I adore Harry Potter.

My writing/inspiration shelf has books like Save the Cat!, a book about screen writing by Blake Snyder, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, and The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.

I also read books that are very difficult for me to even touch, such as Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler. I read it because want to understand that he was a human—and how a human could accept such evil, even convincing himself that it was good. It feels strange and sad, touching his mind through a book.

I could go on forever—I have left out centuries worth of great books. If I had three wishes, at least two of them would be for more time to read!

Kersten

Thank you for being here today, Kersten, and thank you for sharing this book list with us!

Kersten Hamilton can be found on her website.

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The battle against goblinkind continues . . . but which side will Teagan be on?

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Giveaway

Kersten Hamilton has graciously provided Lost For Words with a copy of In the Forests of the Night for giveaway.

Thank you, Kersten!

The giveaway is International.

Giveaway will end December 10, 2011.

Please fill out this FORM to enter. Comments, while appreciated, will not be counted as entries.

Thank you!

Blog Tour: Of Light and Darkness - Shayne Leighton - Character This or That & Giveaway

2011-11-24T06:00:00.003-05:00

Shayne Leighton is here today with a character this or that list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, Of Light and Darkness. Thank you for being here today, Shayne! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Thank you for being here today, Valek!

Light or Darkness? Darkness. I do not have a choice. You can say it was something I was…born…into. Plus, the light is more corrupt than you can imagine.

Comedy or Tragedy? I would like to say comedy, because I feel like I could use more of it in my existence. It’s good to find the laughter in all situations, however sometimes, it’s a tad difficult.

Music or Solitude? Everyone’s thoughts are loud enough…bring me the silence so I can be alone with myself for once…please!

Type A or B? Type A. Without a plan, you have nothing.

Love or Lust? You need to have a nice mix of both. You know…to keep things interesting.

Urban or Suburban? Urban. The more life and energy collected in one spot, the better.

Casual or Dressy? I never do anything casually…

Long hair or short? I’m inclined to loving my eternally long hair. Even if I wanted to cut it, it would only instantly replenish itself.

Witches or Elves? Why even ask such a silly question? Everyone knows Elves are the Earth’s most vile creatures. I don’t particularly care for Witches either, but I’ll go with the lesser of the two evils.

Science or Magic? They are both one in the same…

Thank you for sharing your preferences with us, Valek!

Thank you for being here today Shayne!

Shayne Leighton can be found on her website, her blog, and on twitter.

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When one human stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of overcoming them in this coming-of-age modern fairytale may result in war between light and darkness.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...

Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered...

As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Giveaway

Shayne Leighton has graciously provided Lost For Words with a signed copy of Of Light and Darkness for giveaway.

Thank you, Shayne!

Giveaway is open to US/Canada only. (Sorry to those of you who are international!)

Giveaway will end December 1, 2011.

Please fill out this FORM to enter. Comments, while appreciated, will not be counted as entries.

Thank you!! =D

Never Eighteen - Megan Bostic - Blog Tour Review

2011-11-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.

But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Never Eighteen

Author: Megan Bostic

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Publisher: Graphia

Publication Date: January 17, 2012

Format: ARC

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Thomas Allen & Son Ltd 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 blog tour. You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner located below the review.

Look for it: Amazon, Chapters, Book Depository

My rating: 3/5

Austin knows that he is nearing the end of his life. He is resigned to his fate, and wants to mend fences with those around him and he also wants to talk to those who have touched his life in various ways. His best friend, Kaylee, helps him out on his mission, and they also visit some places that have meaning for Austin. What starts out as a mission to mend fences and saying goodbye to those Austin loves, turns into a road trip of bittersweet memories which brings resolution and meaning to the remaining days of Austin's life.
Many readers can relate to Austin as he reminisces over the past and his role in peoples lives. He doesn't have much time left due to being in the end stages of leukemia. He knows he won't live too much longer, so he decides to pay his respects to those around him, specifically everyone who has touched his life. His story has great bones, and would have been all the more bittersweet had I formed more of an emotional attachment to him. I ached for his situation, but didn't feel that his story was as fully developed and realized as it could have been. I commiserated with him as he made the rounds through his friends and acquaintances; however some of the interactions between the characters could have been fleshed out a little more. It would have been all the more poignant.
Kaylee was a great sidekick and friend to Austin. She was there for him throughout and I enjoyed reading about her, and how she handled all of the requests Austin sent her way. She was unflappable and helped him meet everyone on his list, as well as helped him with some of his more unusual requests; such as eating the hottest chicken wings around, and conquering some rides at the fair. She was strong, especially knowing that this may have been one of the last times that Austin could walk around freely without being bedridden. She stood resolutely by Austin and I admired her for being so strong for him. It must not have been easy for her to stand by and watch as the leukemia stole her best friend's life from him.
All in all, this is a bittersweet read. It would have been all the more poignant had it been fleshed out a little more. It does have amazing bones, and many unique individuals grace the pages of Never Eighteen. Austin's story is a sad one, but is also uplifting in the sense that he was able to touch all of those lives and leave behind so many fond memories.

The Space Between - Brenna Yovanoff

2011-11-21T00:47:00.001-05:00

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: The Space Between

Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Genre: Young adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: November 15, 2011

Format: ARC

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

Look for it: Amazon, Chapters, Book Depository

My rating: 4.5/5

Daphne has never left Pandemonium. She has never had a reason to, until her brother Obie disappears. Something sinister is afoot and it is up to Daphne to find Obie. She tracks down the one person she knows may have seen Obie last, and with him at her side she will try to track down her kidnapped brother. Her demonic powers manifest in the earthly realm, and she will need to learn how to defend herself from the deadly archangels who protect earth from her kind.

Daphne is a half-demon, the spawn of Lucifer and Lilith. Pandemonium is a brilliantly realized world, brought to life with a metallic sheen. Yovanoff has this beautifully descriptive writing style that just grabs hold of you and thrusts you in with her creations.

Daphne is completely alone in Pandemonium. She is certainly not like her sisters, and does not want to have anything to do with the lifestyle that they have chosen for themselves. She believes she is above that and does not care if she ever steps foot outside of Pandemonium. Everything changes for her though when she realizes that the one person that means the most to her has gone missing. She will have to step out of her comfort zone and befriend the boy who visited and left Pandemonium with her brother, Obie. I enjoyed her character, especially as she made realizations about herself that had never crossed her mind before.

Her male counterpart and link to Obie is Truman. He is a richly drawn character as well, and he shows so many different sides. He complements Daphne. Daphne is steel, strength, and determination, and she doesn't have any qualms about defending herself. Truman on the other hand is aware of his faults, and the darkness around him. He knows that his thoughts may not be based on reality, but once he meets Daphne, he realizes that there might be more to life than drinking himself to death.

They carry the story so completely, and I loved reading about them. The secondary characters round out the story more, and they add humour when needed, as well as the right amount of tension.

This read is so atmospheric, I felt like I was at the party with Truman as he was drinking himself to oblivion, and I was right there with Daphne as she questioned the people and things around her. I can't decide which novel I liked more. The Replacement, or The Space Between. They are both so atmospheric and so fleshed out. The attention given to detail and to the respective worlds from both books is easy to see. They are both so richly realized and they both completely hooked me.

Yovanoff is an author to watch out for. If The Replacement showed us her talent, then The Space Between solidified it. Her world-building, heartwarming characters, and lyrical writing will have me coming back for more. I cannot wait to read the next book she writes, or any of the subsequent titles she releases thereafter. She's a must-read author for me now and I hope you enjoy her writing style and world-building as much as I do.

Blog Tour: Metamorphosis - Devon Ashley - This or That & Giveaway Details

2011-11-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Devon Ashley is here today with a this or that list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her newest release, Metamorphosis. Thank you for being here, Ashley! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Mongoose or Meerkat – LOL…are they not the same thing? Wait, let me look it up while I put you on hold…elevator music…pretty close, but the meerkats are definitely cuter!

Music or Solitude - Music

Policemen or Firemen – What?! FIREMEN!!!

Board games or puzzles – Wow…they still make those in non-electronic versions? Hmm….gonna go with board games.

Hobgoblins or Leprechauns – both nasty little buggars, but I’ll go with the one with the loot!

Buffy or Faith – BU-FFY! BU-FFY! BU-FFY! (come on, you know you wanna chant along with me)

Musicals on DVD or on Broadway – Broadway

Victorian or Gothic : Victorian

Angel or Spike – AN-GEL! AN-GEL! BOOTH! (whoops!)

Cheese or Peanut Butter – Cheese

Pop Rocks or Nerds – Actually, I’m thinking both at the same time would be totally awesome!

Country or Rock – Rock

City or Country – Country

Heroine or Hero – Bring on the booty-kickin’ women!

Comic Books or Superhero Movies – I’ve honestly never read a comic book in my life.

Thanks to Corrine for picking up my series for another blog tour! Don’t forget to stop by my Crazy Dream Blog for a chance to win a copy of Metamorphosis signed with a personalized doodle-graph. Giveaway ends November 30th.

Thank you so much for being here and giving us your preferences, Devon!

Devon Ashley can be found on her blog,.

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Change is not always a good thing...

Some survived the battle – but not without a price. As one heart starts up again, another dies down. The pure vampires learn their immortality isn't as strong as they'd thought – the status of their hearts determines their vulnerability. And when the truth gets out, a betrayal by one of their own will cost more lives.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: The Sharp Time - Mary O'Connell - Into the Past

2011-11-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

Mary O'Connell is here today with an Into the Past post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, The Sharp Time. Thank you for being here today, Mary! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

I’ve always loved books—like you, I’m guessing!—so it’s a treat to take the time to remember the books that were special to me.

Age 5: Are You My Mother? My own mother read this book to me, a long, long time ago, in a room with red shag carpeting and curtains with interlocking black and white squares and triangles. Yes, it was the seventies.

Age 11: Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret. I still remember sitting in my pink bedroom and closing this book, thinking: My God, there’s a writer who understands what the world is like. The genius of Judy Blume cannot be overstated.

Age 16: Catcher in the Rye—The 16-year-old me can’t believe how brilliant Holden Caulfield is! I read this book on a snow day, and still remember the feeling of looking out at the winter world and feeling so understood.

Age 20: The World According to Garp. I read this novel in my freshman dorm room—probably in lieu of doing my biology homework--and loved it so dearly. But I would come to love John Irving’s later book, A Prayer for Owen Meany, even more.

Thank you! It has been great to remember my favorite books, and the rooms where I read them…

Thank you for supplying us with this fantastic book list from your past, Mary, and thank you for being here today!

Mary O'Connell can be found on her website, and on twitter.

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Sandinista Jones is a high school senior with a punk rock name and a broken heart. The death of her single mother has left Sandinista alone in the world, subject to the random vulnerability of everyday life. When the school system lets her down, her grief and instability intensify, and she ponders a violent act of revenge.

Still, in the midst of her crisis, she gets a job at The Pale Circus, a funky vintage clothing shop, and finds friendship and camaraderie with her coworker, a boy struggling with his own secrets.

Even as Sandinista sees the failures of those with power and authority, she's offered the chance to survive through the redemptive power of friendship. Now she must choose between faith and forgiveness or violence and vengeance.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Saving June - Hannah Harrington - When I'm Not Writing

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hannah Harrington is here today with a When I'm Not Writing guest post courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, Saving June. Thank you for being here today, Hannah! You can follow along with the blog tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

When I’m not writing, I spend a lot of time reading—whether it’s various online blogs or books. I also watch an extremely ridiculous amount of television: everything from Community to Glee to Hoarders to The Daily Show to Law & Order: SVU to Friday Night Lights. My DVR is my best friend. I’m something of a film buff, too, and I will watch pretty much any documentary I can get my hands on.

Last year I bought an acoustic guitar and started taking lessons. I never played any instruments growing up, I am completely tone deaf with no sense of rhythm, and my musical instincts are less than zero, but after a lot of practice, I am now able to fumble through a handful of songs. I have no high aspirations, but I really enjoy messing around and playing for myself. It’s a nice distraction and a way to unwind.

I love music— whether it’s listening to old songs I love or discovering new artists. I’ve been slowly building up my vinyl record collection, and I can spend a lot of time hunting through our local record store if you’ll let me.

I’m also an animal lover who has too many pets! I have three cats (Marley, Ziggy, and Yoko) and a black Labrador (Ozzy), and my sister owns a beautiful horse named Sheriff, who I like to visit from time to time even though I don’t ride myself anymore. I love them the way I imagine parents love their children. Which seems appropriate since the cats, especially, tend to behave like toddlers with the way they demand my attention, and keeping them in line can feel like a job in and of itself. I am sure they would be happier if I spent less time behind the computer and more of it pampering them!

I agree, Hannah. Boy, do our pets demand attention! =)

Thank you for being here today, Hannah!

Hannah Harrington can be found on twitter.

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‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Finding Somewhere - Joseph Monninger - This or That List

2011-11-09T12:20:00.000-05:00

Joseph Monninger is here today with an author this or that list courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for his new release, Finding Somewhere. Thank you for being here today, Joseph! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

The Black Stallion or Fury? Black Stallion.

Male or Female POV (to write or to read)? Can’t pick one, really. Refuse!

Fantasy or Contemporary? Contemporary

Goblins or Witches? Witches. (I was frightened by witches as a kid.)

Victorian or Gothic? Victorian.

Puzzles or Board Games? Board Games. I love Monopoly.

Hiking or Sailing? Hiking. I live in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

Beach or Mountain? Mountain.

Pop or Rock? Rock

TV shows or movies? Movies

Music or solitude? Solitude.

Thank you for being here today and for sharing your preferences with us, Joseph.

Joseph Monninger can be found on his website.

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Two girls: Best friends Hattie and Delores feel that life in their small New Hampshire town is a dead end.

One horse: Old and about to be put down, Speed gets a reprieve when Hattie and Delores decide to save him.

A road trip: Determined to set Speed free, Hattie and Delores drive him west in search of rangeland. But the road takes some unexpected turns as the girls get their own taste of freedom—and as they confront the reasons they left home.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Always A Witch - Carolyn MacCullough - Gabriel Character Interview & Giveaway

2011-11-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

Carolyn MacCullough is here today with a character interview courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, Always a Witch. Thank you for being here today, Carolyn! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Hi Gabriel! Thank you for being here today!

You've known Tamsin for a long time. What did you think of her not having any "talents" like everyone else?

I think Tamsin is Tamsin, Talent or no Talent. She’ll always be the girl who went on a hunger strike with me the day my mom decided we were moving to California.

What is your idea of the perfect date?

A walk through the Village in a snowstorm and then when it gets too cold, we can head into some hole in the wall dive bar where there’s always live music. I’ll stop there…

If you could have any talent other than time travel, what would you hope to have?

Why? My Talent is actually to find things. Anything you’ve lost I can find. Even if it’s lost back in time. That’s how I figured out I can also Travel. I happen to like my Talent a lot. But…if I could choose another one, I think morphing into any animal shape would be amazing.

If Murphy's Law applied to you, which law would you most likely encounter?

I just want to know who Murphy really was? He must have been a miserable guy to curse us all with Murphy’s Law…

What first attracted you to Tamsin?

And you’re asking a guy that question???

If you could do anything over, would you?

Sure. Lots of things. But since I can’t, I try not to even think about them.

Thank you for being here today, Gabriel and Carolyn!

Carolyn MacCullough can be found on her website.

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The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

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Giveaway

Carolyn MacCullough has graciously provided Lost For Words with a copy of Always a Witch to giveaway.

Thank you, Carolyn!

Giveaway is US only.

Giveaway will end November 9, 2011.

Please fill out this FORM to enter. Comments, while appreciated, won't be counted as entries.

Thank you! =)

Teaser Tuesday

2011-11-01T00:25:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading, and anyone can play along!

grab your current read
flip to a random page
select two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page
try not to include spoilers!
please let us know the author and book so we can add them to our TBR pile!

I've been ridiculously lax of late in posting the memes that I used to post each week. I'm hoping to rectify that and get back into posting them routinely. As such, here is today's teaser for you. It comes from an adult urban fantasy novel called Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise. If you are a fan of ghost stories, or the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, you will want to pick this book up. It is an excellent read. You can find out more about the book here. Now here is a teaser for your reading pleasure. =)

"From that first glance you understand that we regularly interact with creatures far stranger and deadlier than you ever previously imagined. It's not that they weren't there before, it's just that humans rarely recognize them for what they are. Ghosts don't have that problem." pg. 50

Doesn't that make you want to dive right in?

Feel free to post the links to your teasers in the comments and I will follow up and check them out!

Thank you for stopping by today! =)

Out of Breath - Blair Richmond

2011-10-31T23:16:00.000-04:00

Nineteen-year-old Kat Jones has been a competitive runner since she was a young girl, but after her mother's death, the path her life was supposed to take begins to crumble around her -- until one day, she finds herself on the run in a literal sense, this time in a race for her very life!

Kat's journey takes her to the Pacific Northwest town of Lithia, the place of her last good memories, of the days when her mother was still alive. But soon after her arrival, strange things begin to happen in Lithia -- and when one of her new friends disappears under mysterious circumstances, Kat begins to realize that Lithia's inhabitants are not all of this world. Worst of all, she is falling in love with one of these otherworldly locals, and the friend who hopes to save her has secrets of his own.

As Kat tries to rebuild her life, she is also training for a race that will turn out to be her biggest challenge yet, as she must outrun not only the demons of her past but the demons of the here and now, who threaten her very existence and that of the entire town.

At once a paranormal love story and an environmental allegory, Out of Breath offers an exciting new voice in young adult fiction.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Out of Breath

Author: Blair Richmond

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Publisher: Ashland Creek Press

Publication Date: October 11, 2011

Format: ARC

Source: Received from publicist. Many thanks goes to Rebecca from Ashland Creek Press for sending me a copy of this book. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository

My rating: 3.5/5

Kat has been on the run, and is now coming full circle. She is back in the town she was born in, and she is hoping that she has run far enough from her past to settle down for a while. She makes friends with the locals, finds a place to live and to work, and has her pick of two of the towns most eligible young men. Kat is not quite sure that this is her life now, and when a murder destroys the sense of peace surrounding the town, she realizes that she might have to run yet again.

Out of Breath is an interesting tale, one that brings together vampires and vegans. It is an eco-friendly read, especially since Kat is a vegan. The outdoor beauty of Lithia, the mountains, and the competitive atmosphere of those hoping to run the upcoming race all factor in to make this an idyllic read. It could have been written on those merits alone without the addition of vampires. Even so, the vampires aren't necessarily of the norm, and Kat will have to decide who she can trust once she makes some realizations of her own. Though this is the first novel in a trilogy, it can be read as a standalone. There is resolution at the end of the book, though it is left open-ended to continue with the next book in the trilogy.

I liked Kat, and I liked Alex. I even liked Roman. However I found that though they were all drawn to each other, there wasn't any definitive reason as to why they liked each other. They seemed to be a little flat, and their relationships with each other and past history is left in question and is not wholly believable. I wanted a more in depth look at the inner workings of the characters, particularly Alex and Roman. I wanted to know why they set their sights on Kat, and what made her so special to them.

I did enjoy the book, and I was intrigued by the vampire mythos used in the book. I liked the incorporation of Kat's vegan diet, and how it in turn brought another outlook or aspect to the read. Out of Breath is a fast-paced read, and readers will gobble it up in a few short hours. I am left to wonder what will happen next to Kat, especially since there are things and beings hinted at that haven't even been formally introduced into the story yet.

All in all, this is a haunting and inspired read. Though there are vampires in Out of Breath, the book is not just another vampire novel. There are other elements at play, and it will be interesting to see what happens next as Kat's past and more of the supernatural world is revealed.

Can You Survive: Jack London's Call of the Wild - Ryan Jacobson - Blog Tour Review and a Spooky Story for you!

2011-10-31T14:51:00.000-04:00

Stolen. Shipped. Enslaved.

Can You Survive?

You find yourself in Alaska, a dangerous world of greedy men and savage dogs. Every moment, your life is at risk. Do you have what it takes to survive as Buck, literature’s most famous sled dog? Or will the freezing temperatures and rugged wilderness lead to your doom? Step into this adventure, and choose your path. But choose wisely, or else…

Title: Can You Survive? Jack London's Call of the Wild

Author: Ryan Jacobson

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, Choose Your Own Adventure, Adventure, Action

Publisher: Lake 7 Creative

Publication Date: October 15, 2011

Format: ARC

Source: Received from author. Many thanks goes to Ryan Jacobson for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Look for it: Amazon, Book Depository

My rating: 4/5

Mini-review:

Can You Survive: Jack London's Call of the Wild is an adaptation of the classic tale Call of the Wild. It has been adapted into a choose your own adventure book, where the reader becomes Buck. Choices abound for the reader as they follow along with Buck on his journey across the wilds of Alaska.

The wilderness is a treacherous place, and death beckons to the unwary. Buck has to learn who to trust, and how to adapt to the harsh conditions he is forced into. He no longer lives in the lap of luxury and you will need to make the choices alongside him. If you make the wrong choice, that will be the end of the line for Buck. There are many different choices to make within the pages of this book, and many of them lead to Buck's demise. Will you, and he, be able to make the right decision in every situation? Only time will tell.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and re-living the classic tale of Call of the Wild in this format. I believe many middle grade readers and even teens will enjoy reading it as well, especially since they get to dictate what Buck does next. All in all, this is an adventurous adaptation that will have the reader living out Buck's story.

Now for a Spooky Treat!

The Haunted Hutch

“Surprise!” exclaimed Lila Palmer.

Her daughter Jenny stifled a gasp. It was indeed a surprise—but not a good one. Jenny’s parents had unexpectedly arrived at her home, and while they were always welcome to visit, the gift they had brought was not a happy sight.

The china hutch was a gorgeous piece of furniture, but its worth was measured only in sentimental value. The antique had been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Apparently, now it was Jenny’s turn to own it.

As a child, Jenny had never given much thought to the hutch. She would have ignored it all together if not for the times she had gotten into trouble on its behalf. The items displayed behind the hutch’s glass doors had a strange habit of rearranging themselves, and the hutch doors often popped open without explanation.

For years, Jenny shouldered the blame, even though she was innocent. Fortunately for her, when she was eight years old, her mother witnessed a door opening on its own; a statuette jumped off its shelf and onto the floor. After that, Jenny wasn’t blamed anymore.

Before the girl’s ninth birthday, the Palmers hit a stretch of bad luck. The family’s house was burglarized, and the thieves took several hunting rifles and a jewelry collection that included Lila’s heirloom wedding rings.

Mere months later, an electrical fire destroyed the Palmer’s home, consuming most of their belongings. The only item to survive the blaze was the old hutch. Lila took special care in cleaning the soot off her prized possession, and while she did so, she made a startling discovery: The two stolen wedding rings had suddenly appeared on one of the hutch’s shelves.

Even after the Palmers moved the hutch into their new home, its contents continued to change positions, and the doors sometimes opened themselves. At first, these happenings were little more than fun conversation topics. However, as the years passed, Jenny detected a ghastly pattern: Every time the hutch doors opened, a loved one died within three months!

Jenny hated herself for discovering the correlation. She spent most of her teen years in fear of finding the hutch open, and when this harbinger came, she waited in dreadful anticipation for death to find someone she cared about. It always did, without exception.

By contrast, in the years after she left the hutch behind, Jenny didn’t attend a single funeral. It would seem that in escaping the antique cabinet, she had saved her family and friends from the Grim Reaper.

Yet here it was. Death—the hutch—had found her again. Jenny silently debated her options. Although it would break her mother’s heart, she eventually chose to refuse the gift.

She didn’t have to.

As the hutch was lifted off the truck, the glass on its doors broke. Jenny tried not to smile; now she had an excuse for keeping it in the garage.

Three years came and went, and the hutch sat in storage. Time softened Jenny’s opinion of the family treasure. Eventually her sentiments got the better of her. (The hutch’s predictions of death couldn’t be real. They were simply matters of coincidence.) She fixed the hutch and moved it into her dining room.

For the better part of a month, Jenny enjoyed the old piece of furniture without incident. Then one day it happened. Jenny came home from grocery shopping to find the hutch’s doors standing open.

Exactly three months later, her 36-year-old cousin died from a heart attack. Jenny wasted no time in getting rid of the hutch, once and for all.

Ryan Jacobson can be found on his website, on facebook, and on twitter.

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Ryan Jacobson has always loved choose your path books, so he is thrilled to get a chance to write them. He used his memories of those fun-filled stories and his past experiences to write LOST IN THE WILD. The book became so popular that he followed it with STORM AT THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT EVEREST and CAN YOU SURVIVE: JACK LONDON’S CALL OF THE WILD.

Ryan is the author of nearly 20 books, including picture books, comic books, graphic novels, chapter books and ghost stories. He lives in Mora, Minnesota, with his wife Lora, sons Jonah and Lucas, and dog Boo. For more details, visit www.RyanJacobsonOnline.com.

Blog Tour: Ashes - Estevan Vega - Character Feature: Arson

2011-10-28T13:05:00.000-04:00

Estevan Vega is here today with his main character, Arson, courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for his newest release, Ashes. Thank you for being here today, Estevan and Arson! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Wake Me Up

by ~~steph~~ arson gable

Hello? I guess this is where I talk and we pretend like you hear what I’m saying. I’m supposed to tell you about myself, the who-I-am bit like you see on the back of those corny young adult books. But who’s to say you can even hear me. Come to think of it, who’s to say you wouldn’t shut off right from the get-go? Sorry. I guess I’m not so good at this honesty thing. The whole, share your emotions stuff freaks me out a bit, to be honest. Grandma’s better at this than me. Although she hasn’t really opened up to anyone since…

Forget it. I don’t want to talk about that. And don’t ask me to. Let’s just say things haven’t ever really been great in my life. Don’t worry, this isn’t a soapbox, and I’m not Emery’s dad, so you’ll get no preaching from me. Crap, that sounded a little harsher than I meant for it to. Anyway, Grandma’s got this love-hate dynamic with me. Not sure what else to call it. It’s sick in a way, but I guess I love her more than I hate her. I only got one, right? And when she’s acting…you know…normal, she’s actually kinda nice. ’Course there are some days when she’s tossing plates at me because I let out a burp “rudely” in her presence or telling me what she really thinks of me, in the dark of her, but when you choose to love somebody you make excuses for why they treat you like garbage.

If you really want to know, she’s particularly fond of a few choice words. She hasn’t ever been much for cussing, so she resorts to harsh names like demon or killer when she’s upset with me. She likes those names. I don’t.

But I s’pose she’s not far-off. Anyone who knows anything about me (which isn’t a whole lot of people) knows that my past sort of earned those ugly nicknames. No, I’m not gonna go into here. I’m not pathetic like that. This is not a diary or a neat little bio; it’s the truth. So…without any wild intro, I guess I’ll rewind a bit and try to start over: I can create fire with my mind. With my thoughts, really. Don’t freak out. After all, if you think about something long enough, chances are it can become reality. My powers work a little but like that, just more literal. The fire can come out at any time if I’m not careful. And it’s happened. I’ve been trying to keep it contained. Trying to create some kind of order from all the chaos.

But for now, things aren’t looking so great. I haven’t seen Grandma in God knows how long. I haven’t seen the cabin or the lake. I haven’t walked the halls of my high school. Well, I have, but it’s different now. Way different. It’s like a dream, but you can’t open your eyes. Not really. Is anything making sense yet?

Right. I almost forgot. You probably can’t even hear me.

Worst part of all this is that I haven’t seen Emery. Not sure she’s even alive or where they’ve taken her. She’s so real, you know? So freaking compassionate…the greatest girl. We met this past summer. She wears a mask, but she’s not some weirdo. Cross my heart. Well, she wore a mask, actually. Tell you the truth, I’m kind of okay with the mask being gone, even though I can still picture the scars on her face. Still, that mask made any possibility of making-out nearly impossible. Not that her parents would be thrilled of us doing that. Well, her mother might not possess too much of an opinion, but her father would never let it go if he caught us. I’ve already had two awkward conversations with that man, not sure I can handle a third.

No. That last part was a lie. I would. If it meant I could see her again. If it meant I could get that summer back. Get my life back. My sad, pathetic, dysfunctional, freak life. I knew how that world worked. Well, more like I was figuring it out. I hadn’t mastered the control thing like I wanted to, but I was trying like crazy.

It’s so weird; no matter how often I blink, I’m still alone. I’m talking to you with no response. I pray, but God’s delivery boy must be out sick. I’ve even called out my grandmother’s name a few times in the darkness. But the emptiness grows. It hurts even. My head’s pounding. There’s this pain, like a knife’s splitting open my chest and my forehead. It won’t quit. I keep swallowing, but I’m just sucking down dead spit. I’m ready for the nightmare to stop. I’m ready to go back. To wake up.

Help me wake up.

-arson

Thank you for introducing yourself, Arson! I hope that the nightmare ends for you soon! =(

Thank you Estevan for being here today as well!

Estevan Vega can be found on his website, and on twitter.

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More than three months have passed since Arson and Emery were taken. Taken and then separated.

And experimented on.

Salvation Asylum is more like a prison than a psychiatric facility. Unknowingly, Arson has become a vital instrument in a campaign set to genetically alter mankind. Enraged, confused, trapped, and unable to fully manifest his abilities, he wonders if he will ever see Emery again. His new existence is one crawling with questions. Is Grandma alive? Where does the fire come from? Can he become more than a monster?

In Ashes, book two of the ARSON series, nightmare and reality collide as Arson must embrace what he is and the haunting realization that there may be others out there, others like him.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Blog Tour: Kane Richards Must Die - Shanice Williams - Suranne This or That List

2011-10-28T07:00:00.003-04:00

Shanice Williams is here today with a character this or that list for her character, Suranne, courtesy of the Teen Book Scene blog tour for her new release, Kane Richards Must Die. Thank you for being here today, Shanice! You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner. Enjoy!

Chapstick or lipstick? Chapstick. It does its job without making too much of a statement.

Strawberries or raspberries? Strawberries! I love them with cream, or chocolate.

A1 or 5ive? Uhm… I don’t know either… I’ll say 5ive!

Marvel or DC? DC. I loved the art more. There was just something about it!

Cosmopolitan or Seventeen? I’m not really into Magazines, but I guess Seventeen cus that’s my age!

Skirt or Pants? I’m definitely more of a skinny jean/jeggings kinda girl. J

Policemen or Firemen? Fireman definitely. They know how to work their hose. J

Giraffe or Lemur? Giraffe’s seem so cute and gentle and just always at ease. I like that.

Watch shows on TV or on DVD? DVD. I hate those annoying adverts! With a DVD it’s at your pace.

Night out on the town, or homebody? Unless I'm with some really great friends, then I prefer to stay at home with my music and just doodle!

Thank you for being here today Suranne and Shanice!

Shanice Williams can be found on her blog, and on twitter.

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After an unexpected transfer to the States for her senior year, Suranne's new friends give her just one instruction: stay away from Kane Richards. According to everyone, he's a heartless playboy concerned only for himself. With one glance, it's easy to see why he gets away with it. But things aren't always what they seem- especially when he sets his sights on her and whispers that she's different.

Despite all the red flags, Suranne considers whether or not his intentions are genuine or if she's simply another name on his list. In the process, she may just uncover the real Kane Richards. But, when it comes down to it, the real Kane Richards may not want to be found.

Filled with raw emotion, Kane Richards Must Die explores relationships, trust, love, and what can happen when life takes an unexpected turn.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

That Boy - Jillian Dodd - Blog Tour Review

2011-10-28T01:04:00.000-04:00

That Boy is a contemporary romance about falling in love with the boys next door.

You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.

There's Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.

Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.

One boy will give me my very first kiss.

One boy will teach me to make out.

One boy will take me to prom.

And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.

They will both be my best friends.

But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.

Only one of them is That Boy.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: That Boy

Author: Jillian Dodd

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Coming of Age

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

Publication Date: May 2011

Format: E-book

Source: Received from author courtesy of Teen Book Scene. Many thanks goes to Jillian Dodd 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 blog tour. You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner located below the review.

Look for it: Amazon

My rating: 4/5

That Boy is Jay's story. She has never been close to girls, certainly not as close friends as she is to both Phillip and Danny. She likes them both for different reasons, but doesn't want their relationship with her to change if they take things past the 'just friends' stage. If she did that, one of the relationships would never be repaired, and the other, would be a match made in heaven. Will she decide to follow her heart, and will she realize what is right in front of her, before she loses out on her forever after?
Jay is a cute main character. I enjoyed reading the book from her point of view, even when it skipped from grade to grade within a few pages. I was never lost during the transitioning between pages as Jay kept us informed of what was going on in her life, especially pertaining to boys. She is quite the boy crazy, football wielding main character, and I found her enthusiasm infectious. She calls things as she sees them, and is a daredevil with both Phillip and Danny. At least Phillip looks after her to make sure she doesn't get into any trouble.
I have to say though, that Phillip won my heart. He and Danny are both excellent characters, and they have their attractions and are both heart-breakers for different reasons. Phillip was there for Jay through everything. She had quite a tumultuous time during high school, but both Phillip and Danny were there for her, and it was nice to see them looking out for her.
There are several laugh out loud scenes in this book, and some scenes are also tearjerkers. I was shocked by the turn of events at one point in the book and did end up tearing up at said point. The one thing I noticed in the book is that Jay or JJ, keeps the same attitude throughout. Her personality and character don't seem to vary much, even as the read progresses through her college years. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but she ends up having to be told by everyone around her just what is in front of her before she realizes her feelings and the feelings of her said paramour.
All in all, a cute coming of age read. Phillip and Danny hooked me as soon as I read about them. I absolutely loved the friendship between all three of the main characters and enjoyed reading about the trouble they got themselves into. I also enjoyed how football oriented the book is as football played a major focal point during the read. This is definitely a fun read, and I know that I will enjoy diving back in to Jay's world to see what is up next for her, Phillip, Danny, and their friends and family.

Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows - Molly E. Johnson - Blog Tour Review

2011-10-26T14:07:00.000-04:00

When Spartacus Ryan “Poop Lip” Zander finds his house destroyed and his wacko, Human Cannonball mother missing, it’s obvious that she’s been kidnapped by Bartholomew’s World-Renowned Circus of the Incredible. But when his dad and brother refuse to believe it—because they’re morons, obviously—it’s up to Spartacus to be the hero.

With the Internet-wizardry of his best friend and clues from his mom’s postcards, Spartacus sets out on a zany, west coast rescue mission. But as the stories about the circus get stranger (and Spart’s enemies get weirder), he realizes the only way to bring his family back together is to bring the big top down, once and for all.

Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Spartacus and the Circus of Shadows

Author: Molly E. Johnson

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Publisher: RainTown Press

Publication Date: October 26, 2011

Format: ARC

Source: Received from publicist courtesy of Teen Book Scene. Many thanks goes to RainTown Press 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.

Tour: Teen Book Scene blog tour. You can follow along with the tour here, or by clicking through the banner located below the review.
My rating: 4/5

Spartacus Ryan Zander has always disliked his name. It's not normal enough for him, and to add insult to injury, his older brother has dubbed him "Poop Lip" due to the freckle or mole on his upper lip. When his mother joins the circus, Spartacus is left bereft. He believes she has been kidnapped, and no one will do anything about it. His father doesn't seem to be worried, which makes Spartacus even more concerned. He devises a plan to find his mother, but he'll have to rely on his best friend to find him the rides he needs to get to the circus. Once there he uncovers more disturbing news, and he will have to bring down the whole circus if he is going to save those he cares for, as well as himself.
Spartacus is a sweet kid. He is completely infatuated with saving his mother, and will do anything to bring her back home. With the help of his best friend, he embarks on a journey across several states to get to the circus. He hitches rides with some questionable characters, and finds himself in some hairy situations, but he doesn't lose his determination to find his mother. He is a plucky character, and will have readers engaged in his wild ride to the circus.
Johnson displays a tongue in cheek quality to her writing, one that will have readers laughing alongside Spartacus as they find him in some increasingly compromising predicaments. The friends he makes as well as the enemies, will have readers hoping that he makes it to the circus in one piece. Then of course, the hard part will be extricating his mother from the grasp of the evil Bartholomew.
Many characters pop up throughout the novel, and they bring about some of the best comic relief I have read in a long time. The elderly women in the car are hilarious, and will have readers laughing as well as hoping that Spartacus can get himself out of yet another dangerous situation.
All in all, a hilarious and enterprising read. Spartacus will draw readers to him as he travels across state lines to find his mother. An engaging hero, a diabolical villain, and many humorous yet complicated situations will have readers deeply invested in Spartacus' story.