Looking back...
List of September reads
Ally Carter - United We Spy (Gallagher Girls #6)
Cassandra Clare - Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) audiobook
Katie Cotugno - How to Love
Lauren DeStefano - Perfect Ruin (Internment Chronicles #1)
Jennifer Echols - Biggest Flirts (Superlatives #1)
Gayle Forman - Just One Year (Just One Day #2)
Abbi Glines - Simple Perfection (Rosemary Beach #5/Perfection #2)
Mari Mancusi - Scorched (Scorched #1)
Myra McEntire - Hourglass (Hourglass #1)
Aprilynne Pike - Earthbound (Earthbound #1)
Brandon Sanderson - Steelheart (Reckoners #1)
Looking ahead...
October releases I'm excited about:
Just One Year - Gayle Forman
The Iron Traitor - Julie Kagawa
In the Age of Love and Chocolate - Gabrielle Zevin
Across a Star-Swept Sea - Diana Peterfreund
Seven Day Fiancé - Rachel Harris (not a ya, but I love her!)
Playing Dirty - Jennifer Echols (ditto!)
Perfect Ruin - Lauren DeStefano
Rags & Bones - Melissa Marr & Tim Pratt
October TBR:
I missed about half of my September TBR so I'm going to put them here.
The Chaos of Stars - Kiersten White
This Song Will Save Your Life - Leila Sales
Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
Steel Lily - Megan Curd
The Boy on the Bridge - Natalie Standiford
30 September 2013
Event Recap: Maggie Stiefvater
This past Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending a signing with Maggie Stiefvater. Here are my two disclaimers. 1. My camera is being a royal pain in my technology and isn't working at the moment. Eventually, I will add pictures to this post. 2. Personally, I don't think this is up to my regular standards of recap-ness so I apologize if things read in an odd manner. I was having a bit of an off night so I found it a little hard to transcribe the event perfectly.
First, Maggie started off describing her novels, saying, "My books don't pass the elevater test. You know, if you had a book in an eleveator and you're telling people what they're about. Witch boys. Uh, psychics. Fast cars. Go!" Then she explained a bit about The Dream Thieves: "Dream Thieves looks at Roman. He's not nice person in the first book. Sure, he has some nice attributes like..... ..... ..... he's brave. ....and loyal........ and that's about it. I always use a model with my characters. When I was a teen, I was a horrible, horrible person, and Ronan is horrible, but he has reasons. I don't think I had reasons." And then: "I like to write characters with secret heart of gold. Frosty girl with a heart of gold. A hit man with heart of gold!" After that, she did a reading from The Dream Thieves with volunteers from the audience. Laughter was bountiful! And then came a Q&A with the audience.
How many words try to write in a day?
MS: I don't write by word count; I write by scene count. I need to know what's happening or I know what'll happen: I'll go on Tumblr or Twitter or I'll write a blog post or I'll go grab cookie dough! [I couldn't catch the full thing, but she then explained sometimes it only take a short while to write a designated scene, others are a long struggle]
MS: I don't write by word count; I write by scene count. I need to know what's happening or I know what'll happen: I'll go on Tumblr or Twitter or I'll write a blog post or I'll go grab cookie dough! [I couldn't catch the full thing, but she then explained sometimes it only take a short while to write a designated scene, others are a long struggle]
Cassandra Jean draws Raven Boys scenes. Do you contact her about those drawings or does she contact you?
MS: No. We'll talk later, after she draws them, but no.
MS: No. We'll talk later, after she draws them, but no.
What is your first memory of writing or first story you wrote?
MS: I always knew wanted to be a writer. I was typing on my dad's word processor. He asked, "what do you want to be?" I said, "I want to be a writer." He replied, "Oh, you want to be poor!" My first story was about two dogs test-driving a car. I wanted to impress my dad as a teen. He read lots of thrillers so I thought if I want his respect, I need to write thrillers. I wrote one, and I narrated a scene from a flag's point of view.
MS: I always knew wanted to be a writer. I was typing on my dad's word processor. He asked, "what do you want to be?" I said, "I want to be a writer." He replied, "Oh, you want to be poor!" My first story was about two dogs test-driving a car. I wanted to impress my dad as a teen. He read lots of thrillers so I thought if I want his respect, I need to write thrillers. I wrote one, and I narrated a scene from a flag's point of view.
When doing new story, does plot or characters come first?
MS: This makes me sound terrible person! I don't start with plot or characters. I read The Time Traveler's Wife for the second time, so I knew how it ended, when I started crying. And not pretty tears. I had snot bubbles. My kids and dogs were hiding under the table and my husband asked, "why do you do this to yourself?" I thought, "I'm going to write a book where the situation is so dire, I ruin someone's evening. Asking, 'why Maggie Stiff...Steef...WHY?!'"
MS: This makes me sound terrible person! I don't start with plot or characters. I read The Time Traveler's Wife for the second time, so I knew how it ended, when I started crying. And not pretty tears. I had snot bubbles. My kids and dogs were hiding under the table and my husband asked, "why do you do this to yourself?" I thought, "I'm going to write a book where the situation is so dire, I ruin someone's evening. Asking, 'why Maggie Stiff...Steef...WHY?!'"
What was your publishing journey.
MS: When I was in my 20's, I lived off ramen noodles. I sent a manuscript to a publisher, who rejected it. He told me to send him my next one. One year later, I sent my second book.The publisher asked for my first novel. I revised it and sent him three chapters. He said, "you really can write!" I old husband that I would be published, and he said, "we're buying a mattress!"
MS: When I was in my 20's, I lived off ramen noodles. I sent a manuscript to a publisher, who rejected it. He told me to send him my next one. One year later, I sent my second book.The publisher asked for my first novel. I revised it and sent him three chapters. He said, "you really can write!" I old husband that I would be published, and he said, "we're buying a mattress!"
****RAVEN BOYS SPOILER****
What was your favorite scene to write in The Raven Boys?
MS: I always know about three or four scenes I will write for each novel. I really looked forward to Adam getting the crap kicked out of him.
MS: I always know about three or four scenes I will write for each novel. I really looked forward to Adam getting the crap kicked out of him.
Each book says something about the author. Is there a character you enjoy writing?
MS: The Dream Thieves is my favorite novel. For the longest time, it was The Scorpio Races. I thought I never would top it. Then I wrote Dream Thieves and said, "no, I change my mind." I started writing The Raven Cycle at 19. Ronan was the main character. So there's a character who can take things out of dreams. If it's pleasant, it'll come out pleasant. If it's bad, it'll come out bad. It's a metaphor!
MS: The Dream Thieves is my favorite novel. For the longest time, it was The Scorpio Races. I thought I never would top it. Then I wrote Dream Thieves and said, "no, I change my mind." I started writing The Raven Cycle at 19. Ronan was the main character. So there's a character who can take things out of dreams. If it's pleasant, it'll come out pleasant. If it's bad, it'll come out bad. It's a metaphor!
Part 1. How old do you have to be to start writing? You said you should have five books published to make a living.
MS: If your parents are nice, you can be dependent until 40! I started writing when I was young. They say it takes 10,000 hours to master something. I logged those 10,000 hours when I was young because I had not a drop of a social life until 16. Start writing now. Don't wait until have life experience. I once heard you should write the book you can't find on the shelves. I did that. I loved Diana Wynne Jones, who wrote Howl's Moving Castle, although I promise you the others are even better. I got to the end of that series and wrote horrible sequel. I write to entertain myself.
Part 2: Is it possible to be a writer and someone else?
MS: Definitely be a writer AND something else! Go out, live life, read books!
MS: If your parents are nice, you can be dependent until 40! I started writing when I was young. They say it takes 10,000 hours to master something. I logged those 10,000 hours when I was young because I had not a drop of a social life until 16. Start writing now. Don't wait until have life experience. I once heard you should write the book you can't find on the shelves. I did that. I loved Diana Wynne Jones, who wrote Howl's Moving Castle, although I promise you the others are even better. I got to the end of that series and wrote horrible sequel. I write to entertain myself.
Part 2: Is it possible to be a writer and someone else?
MS: Definitely be a writer AND something else! Go out, live life, read books!
Maybe in the future, will you add to The Scorpio Races?
MS: I started writing Scorpio Races very young. It took many times to get it right. My parents allowed us to have pets as long as we learned how to care for it and bought it ourselves. My sister and I bought a racehorse. She was a retired racehorse. It was less about riding skill, and more about your relationship with God because you would go through every prayer you knew getting on Bella. Never say never. It's about the characters, but there's no story right now. [To clarify, Maggie said maybe one day, but she will only do it if the right story presents itself. Otherwise, there would be no meaning to it.]
MS: I started writing Scorpio Races very young. It took many times to get it right. My parents allowed us to have pets as long as we learned how to care for it and bought it ourselves. My sister and I bought a racehorse. She was a retired racehorse. It was less about riding skill, and more about your relationship with God because you would go through every prayer you knew getting on Bella. Never say never. It's about the characters, but there's no story right now. [To clarify, Maggie said maybe one day, but she will only do it if the right story presents itself. Otherwise, there would be no meaning to it.]
Advice to aspiring authors?
MS: You can find craft advice on my blog. I blather about writing all the time. I have my author friends dissect their pages on my blog. That's for craft. On a support level, when I was in college, I wore black all the time. I was waiting for someone to ask why I was wearing black so could say I was mourning the death of modern society. I wanted to do music, art, or writing. I went to the music department and played piano. I was told that I was not good enough to take lessons. I went to the art department with my portfolio. I was told my work was not sophisticated enough. I went to the creative writing department and was told to try being a business major. At that point, I had 20 to 30 novels under my belt. These people don't care if they are crushing dreams. They just want to get stuff off their desks. Don't take it personally. Have confidence. Get a critique partner.
MS: You can find craft advice on my blog. I blather about writing all the time. I have my author friends dissect their pages on my blog. That's for craft. On a support level, when I was in college, I wore black all the time. I was waiting for someone to ask why I was wearing black so could say I was mourning the death of modern society. I wanted to do music, art, or writing. I went to the music department and played piano. I was told that I was not good enough to take lessons. I went to the art department with my portfolio. I was told my work was not sophisticated enough. I went to the creative writing department and was told to try being a business major. At that point, I had 20 to 30 novels under my belt. These people don't care if they are crushing dreams. They just want to get stuff off their desks. Don't take it personally. Have confidence. Get a critique partner.
After that, we all lined up in a very orderly queue (thanks to the staff at Half Price Books) for the signing part of the evening. And you know what that means!
Giveaway:
This is open to the US & Canada through midnight CST on October 14. Please follow all giveaway policies as stated in the Review & Site Policies tab at the top. Any entries not in accordance with these policies WILL be disqualified. Good luck!
29 September 2013
Happy Funday!
Hey, guys! Just wanted to do a quick little update post for this Funday Sunday. Hope your day is going well. I'm certainly in a good mood because this totally happened earlier:
Okay, well that happened during training camp, but the Broncos destroyed the Eagles tonight, and that makes me happy. Guys, it's football season. I didn't have the blog up last year really in time to talk football, but I love it. And I love Peyton Manning. Also Eli, but mostly Peyton. Go Broncos! *coughs* Anyway, I will be making some more changes to the blog over the upcoming weeks. Most of them will be small and relatively unnoticeable, some will simply be updates to my old listmania posts, and hopefully, there will be one big, big change. But we're not there yet. In the meantime, I still have THREE giveaways currently running:
- signed copy of Scorched by Mari Mancusi & ARC of Sherry Thomas's The Burning Sky (2 winners)
- signed copy of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- ebooks of Taste the Heat & Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris
 | ||
| My experience reading Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano |
 | |||
| Raise your hand if this happens all. the. time. |
 |
| TRUTH. |
 |
| Just read, guys. Stop fighting about format! |
 |
| This is the WORST. |
28 September 2013
Weekly Wrap-up: September 22-28
Pretty good week. I felt productive. I wrote up more posts this week than I have in weeks. There may be some radio silence this week as once again, I will be moving, but that could be profitable for you as i seem to have discovered, once again, that my book pile is enormous. I have a delicious conundrum where books are replenishing almost faster than I can get rid of them! I'm sending you a huge hint here. Are you getting it? *holds fingers to temples and thinks harder* How about now? :P Anywho, how has your book week been? Have you read any banned books? What did you like? what didn't you like? What did you get that you're super excited about? Let me know!
Completed:
Scorched (Scorched #1) - Mari Mancusi: 4 1/2 stars: Small review here.
Steelheart (The Reckoners #1) - Brandon Sanderson: 4 stars. Really cool book. It's like...evil X-Men. Review forthcoming.
Simple Perfection (Rosemary Beach #5) - Abbi Glines: 1 star. I am officially done with Abbi's books. I understand killing off a character as long as there is a valid, meaningful reason behind the death. I don't consider needing a loose end so you can then create another convoluted f---ed up romance a valid reason. I just....I can't. That's all I'll say about that.
Currently Reading:
Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2) - Cassandra Clare. Mmmm. It's like Ed Westwick is talking directly to me, and I am totally into it. 15%
The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) - Maggie Stiefvater. 38%
The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) - Maggie Stiefvater. 38%
Perfect Ruin (Internment Chronicles #1) - Lauren DeStefano. just started
The Iron Traitor (Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) - Julie Kagawa. 18%
New to my bookshelf this week:
Library:
Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2) - Cassandra Clare. Audiobook.
After: Nineteen Stories of Apocalypse and Dystopia - Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling: I need to get back to my anthology reading!
Hopeless - Colleen Hoover
The Boy on the Bridge - Natalie Standiford
Hopeless - Colleen Hoover
The Boy on the Bridge - Natalie Standiford
Bought: Yup. I'm getting ready for events. And giveaways. ;)
a handful of Maggie Stiefvater novels (HPB)
a handful of Lauren Kate novels (HPB)
a handful of Anna Godberson novels (HPB)
DRCs:
Seven Day Fiancé - Rachel Harris (NG)
Unaccompanied Minor - Hollis Gillespie (NG)
A Perfect Mess - Zoe Dawson (NG)
Six Months Later - Natalie D. Richards (NG)
Phoenix Island - John Dixon (EW)
The In-Between - Barbara Stewart (NG)
ARCs:
Pawn (Blackcoat Rebellion #1) - Aimée Carter. Many, many thanks to the folks at Harlequin Teen for this beauty!
Events attended:
signing with Maggie Stiefvater
Book Blitz: Deadly to Love by Mia Hoddell
by Mia Hoddell
Release Date: February 2013
Genre: YA/Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy
ASIN: B00BDQ3QGA
ISBN: 978-1-291-41025-9
ISBN: 978-1-291-41025-9
Blurb:
The world is dangerous – but love will kill you.
Little did Serena Jackson know that one simple, flirty remark to an anonymous guy online would lead to her world being changed forever.
She doesn’t know him, but inexplicably, is drawn. She knows it is wrong but she agrees to meet.
She doesn’t know him, but inexplicably, is drawn. She knows it is wrong but she agrees to meet.
His real name is Kai. He is beautiful. And immediately Serena feels herself blindly falling for him even though she senses a lie. She knows he is hiding something and it terrifies her.
What she doesn’t realise is that her entire life has been built on secrets and lies. The people she loved left her in the dark for a reason.
She trusted them. She trusts Kai. But as he pulls her straight into the heart of the danger the lies and deadly secrets are revealed. They overwhelm her, and the person she once was no longer exists as she is thrown into a ruthless world of elemental forces. The price of truth is her life—and now the world wants her dead.
Available from:
Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Lulu
Only 99c / 77p on Kindle for September!
Only 99c / 77p on Kindle for September!
Praise:
"I couldn't put it down. So I finished it last night and all I can say is WOW! This book was amazing and different" - Brianna (book blogger)
"I loved how the author took a different approach to writing a love story in modern times with the paranormal element present. I thought it was absolutely wonderful and refreshing. Marvelous!" Kathy H (Amazon reviewer)
"I will admit I scoffed at the way it started but in the end I had fallen in love with this story...completely untraditional it was a very original idea, not to mention modern. This story had such a good plot and the story structure was sound." Kacii - The Kooky Bookworm (book blogger)
About the Author
Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and loves anything paranormal. Mia always had a love of writing but never reading. She was more interested in sports and hated sitting still - despite getting three poems published before the age of sixteen. Finally though, she found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of reading which is now one of her favourite hobbies.
Mia began with poems before moving on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series 'The Wanderer Trilogy' and from there other ideas have emerged. With a total of nine books planned at this moment, she is busy working on her second series 'Elemental Killers' before moving onto the next idea on her ever growing list.
Author Links
***Excerpt***
As he spoke I checked out the surroundings. It was just starting to get dark outside but I could still see the black outlines of the trees that surrounded us on either side of the narrow road."Why are we in a forest" I asked, a slight hint of fear creeping into my voice as I was unnerved by the fact that we were in a place where Elementals were most likely to inhabit.
"Because the house is located in the forest. Don't worry we'll be safe there, I've hardly had any Elemental sightings when I've stayed here," he said, but something about it didn't sound very encouraging.
"And how often do you stay here?" I said slowly, my tone wary.
"Whenver I'm in the area." His avoidance of a definite answer unnerved me even more as I knew what he was going on to say.
I was dumbfounded by his statement and my eyes were wide in shock as I watched him to see if he was joking. I saw nothing that led me to believe that or to make me doubt his words though.
"You've only been here four times?! How do you know this is a safe place then? It could be crawling with Elementals for all you know."
He laughed at my sudden outburst of panic.
He laughed at my sudden outburst of panic.
***GIVEAWAY***
Mia Hoddell is giving away an Amazon gift card this month only there is a slight twist: the more entries she receives the more money she will put on the gift card to giveaway! For example:
No matter what = $5
100 entries = $10
150 entries = $15
200 entries = $20
and so forth...
So if she gets 1000 entries she will give away $100, there’s no limit!
To enter all you have to do is buy or have bought Deadly to Love. It's only $0.99 or £0.79 on Amazon for the duration of the giveaway! This will also unlock extra entries for you so you can earn more points by sharing the giveaway. Remember the more entries she gets the bigger the prize for you so share!
27 September 2013
Cover Reveal: Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris
Guys, I am so pleased today to share with you the cover for Seven Day Fiancé by Rachel Harris, who I absolutely adore. This is Rachel's second adult novel set in her Love and Games series, the sequel to Taste the Heat. Many, many thanks to YA Bound Book Tours for letting me be part of this reveal.
Seven Day Fiancé
Love & Games #2
by Rachel Harris
by Rachel Harris
Coming: October 14, 2013
from Entangled Bliss
Summary:
Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning Cane at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.
Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.
Pre-Order Buy Links:
Excerpt:
Angelle stopped beside a folding table boasting boxes of fresh, crispy cracklins and selected a thick piece. Cane watched, mesmerized, as she puckered those gorgeous lips and blew on the sliver. With a flirtatious glint in her eyes, she held it up to his mouth, and he opened.
Holy crap.
He’d had cracklins before. Fried pork fat was a standard gas station treat, usually shrink-wrapped and stale as shit. But this, fresh from the pot and piping hot, was unbelievable. Cane widened his eyes, and it was possible he even moaned. It was that good. And as he swallowed, Angel rewarded him with a rich, throaty laugh.
“Ca c’est bon?” she asked, grinning when he grabbed another handful.
He touched her nose and popped a piece in his mouth. “Good would be an understatement.”
He touched her nose and popped a piece in his mouth. “Good would be an understatement.”
Grinning, she took a fried morsel for herself and sent the balding, overweight gentleman tending the table a wink. “Now that’s what we like to hear.” Then she closed her eyes as she savored the treat.
The sounds of Angel moaning, and watching her face soften in the throes of a foodgasm, had to be the sexiest damn thing Cane had ever seen. His pants tightened, embarrassingly so considering he knew the audience was still watching, but what pushed him over the edge was when her eyes opened. The pleasure in them was his undoing.
Feeling the weight of the crowd’s disapproving stares and not giving a damn, figuring now was as good a time as any to give the people the show they clearly wanted, he grasped her hip and tugged her forward, pausing only to inhale her gasp of surprise before brushing her mouth with his.
It was like setting off a damn forest fire.
Angelle, his shocking little hellcat, pounced. Forgetting all about their audience, or maybe not giving a damn either, she wound her arms around his neck, lifted onto her toes, and kissed him back with everything she had. Cane had intended to steal a quick taste, take the edge off his craving for her, and prove their point with the town’s people. But hell if he was gonna be the one to back down now. Tightening his grasp on her slim hips, he brushed his thumbs across the smooth, exposed skin near her waistband. He deepened the kiss, thrilling over her telltale shiver. Whimpering, she yanked on the hair at his nape and sucked his bottom lip into her mouth. Hot damn.
Okay, now he had to start backing down. With all her male relatives watching, not to mention the knives and axes still lying around from the butchering earlier, if Cane valued his life, he needed to wrangle control of the situation. He’d heard patience was a virtue. That was a line of bull—he’d always sucked at waiting for anything he wanted. But for Angel, he was willing to try.
Loosening his grip on her belt loops, Cane slowed the intensity of the kiss. He smoothed the hem of her shirt down, grazed her lips one last time, and, placing his forehead against hers, inhaled through his nose. Sunflowers mixed with cayenne may be his new favorite scent. Angelle released a heavy breath, a flush blooming on her cheeks. She darted a glance at the crowd, then looking into his eyes, grinned lazily. “My goodness. If anyone doubted we were a couple before, I guess that showed them.”
About the AuthorI grew up in New Orleans, where I watched soap operas with my grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading my mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, I still stay up way too late reading my favorite romances, only now, I can do so openly. I firmly believe life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.
When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, I homeschool my two beautiful girls and watch reality television with my amazing husband.
I write YA, NA, and Adult Fun & Flirty Escapes. Taste The Heat is my adult romance debut, and I'm also the author of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century and A Tale Of Two Centuries, as well as a ton of other books to come. I love hearing from readers and dishing books!
I write YA, NA, and Adult Fun & Flirty Escapes. Taste The Heat is my adult romance debut, and I'm also the author of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century and A Tale Of Two Centuries, as well as a ton of other books to come. I love hearing from readers and dishing books!
Author Links:
Cover reveal organized by:
Giveaway:
As an extra-special bonus, because I am a member of Rachel's Flirt Squad, and I just love her, I am hosting a special giveaway for Kindle copies of Seven Day Fiancé AND the first book of the Love & Games series, Taste the Heat. This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and will run through midnight CST October 6. Winner will receive Taste the Heat immediately and Seven Day Fiancé upon release. All giveaway policies ARE in effect, so please read the full policy list in the Site Policies tab above. I reserve the right to disqualify any entries not in accordance with those policies. Good luck!
Cover Reveal: Soul Possessed by Katlyn Duncan
In conjunction with Rockstar Book Tours, I am thrilled to be able to share with you the cover for SOUL POSSESSED, the second book in Katlyn Duncan's The Life After trilogy, which releases next month on October 28th. This cover is absolutely beautiful! What do you think?
Soul Possessed
The Life After #2
Katlyn Duncan
coming October 28, 2013
from Carina UK
Description:
Life after Life
Now Maggie has been given the chance of her after-life to become a Guard, nothing will stand in her way. Not even the undeniable attraction she feels for her trainer and past love—Jackson. But when the battle between Shadowed and Guard begins again which side will she choose?
When her boss, Felix, partners Jackson and Maggie up with Ally and Cooper to investigate terrifying Shadowed activity, she doesn’t think it could get any worse. Jackson and Cooper barely tolerate each other and this time, Maggie isn’t just proving her loyalty to the Guard during one mission...she has a side mission too. One so secret and so dangerous she can’t tell a soul...
About the Author
Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.
Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.
Excerpt:
Jackson nodded and lifted his hand again. I stepped forward, swallowing any doubt as he reached out, one hand cupping my cheek, the other grasping my hand lightly, tracing circles with his thumb and before I could worry about how those circles made me melt inside, the memory slammed into me.
"Margaret!" Gemma shouted with glee. "Come out of there, I know you are trying to scare me!"
I watched the young red-haired girl put her hands on her hips, trying to be brave. She scanned their father's study, narrowing her eyes. The fire roaring in the hearth was the only source of light in the room, casting dark shadows across the furniture.
Maggie hid behind her father's chair, in silent wait for her prey.
"I'm going to tell Mother!"
Maggie's little hands tightened on the chair but she didn't make a sound. I walked over to her, watching her mouth twist up into a sly grin. She was the older of the girls, but she protected her sister fiercely, proclaiming she was the only one who could tease her. Gemma hated when Maggie played games, but it thrilled Maggie no end and I could feel excited anticipation roll off her in waves.
Gemma's bravery faltered as she stepped forward toward the overstuffed armchair, expecting her sister to jump out at her at any moment.
But Maggie waited. She had incredible patience, but I sensed that part of it was stubbornness and a desire to test boundaries. Her head poked out from behind the chair just as Gemma turned toward the love seat. I watched as Maggie slowly came out of her hiding spot and charged at her sister.
Gemma let out a scream but Maggie covered her sister's mouth with her hand.
Both girls collapsed on the floor, Gemma's muffled squeals threatening to break through Maggie's tiny fingers.
"Shh," Maggie cooed.
Gemma managed to wrestle her mouth away from Maggie's hand. "I hate you!" Her indignation faltered into a fit of giggles and Maggie quickly joined her.
As she helped her sister up from the floor Maggie said, "Gemma. You need to always expect the unexpected. You can't go through life being scared all the time." Even though Maggie was a mere nine years old, she spoke as if she'd lived lifetimes before. It was one of the things that drew me to her more than any other Prognatum I'd watched.
Maggie took a handkerchief and wiped her sister's cheeks.
"A lady wouldn't do that to her sister," Gemma said, finally relaxing.
"I don't want to be a lady," Maggie stated firmly. "I want to see the world and not just make babies for the rest of my life."
Gemma shook her head. "That's what we are supposed to do. That's what Mother does."
Maggie's indignation flowed through her and into me. I knew Maggie was born to follow through with her Prognatum duties, she just didn't know it yet. It was rare for a Prognatum to want the Guard position but Maggie would be thrilled when her father revealed it to her at seventeen.
As Maggie reached down to help Gemma up from the floor she whispered, "It's not for me."
Gemma wrapped her sister in a tight hug. "I will love you either way, dear sister."
Maggie rested her head against Gemma's shoulder. "I love you too."
I fell out of the memory just as quickly as I'd fallen in, my legs shaking.
*****
Other Books in the Series
SOUL TAKEN
The Life After #1
Pub Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Carina UK
Genre: young adult paranormal
Description:
After-life just got a lot more complicated
Maggie is a Soul Collector. It’s her job to transport souls from the Living Realm to the After – but during a mission to find a stolen soul, she ends up stuck in a teen mean girl’s body.
Trapped, Maggie’s soul is catapulted into Ally’s life – and the human world she hasn’t experienced for one hundred years. But, as a descendant of the most powerful beings in the After, Maggie must rescue Ally before the girl’s soul dies…
To survive, Maggie must uncover devastating secrets – because with one soul taken by a terrifying enemy, Maggie’s could be next!
26 September 2013
Lustable New Covers
Some big-name books received equally big covers this week. I want to know what you think about them.
Summary:
The final two are NOT finalized covers, but placeholders so don't go freaking out because they don't match.
"Brooke"
Veronica Rossi
November 26, 2013
HarperCollins
Summary:
The only fight
she can't win is the one for Perry's heart. Following the stunning
climax in Through the Ever Night, the Tides have been forced to seek
shelter from the Aether storms in a dismal, secluded cave. But Brooke's
memories of the cave go back much further, to when she and Perry used to
come here together. That was before Perry fell in love with Aria and
before Vale's dealings with the Dwellers altered the course of the Tides
forever.
Now, with her sister back from a haunting year in captivity and Aria lying unconscious in the sick bay, Brooke struggles to put the pieces of her life back together. Without Perry, who is she? And what is her role in this frightening new world? As these questions swirl about her, an old threat to the Tides resurfaces, and Brooke is forced to put the lives of her people before her own. But in taking this step outside of herself, Brooke may finally discover what she truly wants.
Now, with her sister back from a haunting year in captivity and Aria lying unconscious in the sick bay, Brooke struggles to put the pieces of her life back together. Without Perry, who is she? And what is her role in this frightening new world? As these questions swirl about her, an old threat to the Tides resurfaces, and Brooke is forced to put the lives of her people before her own. But in taking this step outside of herself, Brooke may finally discover what she truly wants.
What I Thought Was True
Huntley Fitzpatrick
April 15, 2014
Dial Books for Young Readers
Summary:
Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.
Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.
The Selection Stories: The Prince & The Guard
Kiera Cass
February 4, 2014
HarperTeen
Summary:
The two novellas set in
the world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection
series are now available in print for the first time. The Prince and The
Guard both offer captivating views into the hearts and minds of the two
men fighting to win America Singer's love. This collection also
features exclusive bonus content, including a sneak peek at The One, the
eagerly anticipated final novel in the Selection trilogy.
Before America arrived at the palace to compete in the Selection, there was another girl in Prince Maxon's life. The Prince opens the week before the Selection begins and follows Maxon through the first day of the competition.
Raised as a Six, Aspen Leger never dreamed that he would find himself living in the palace as a member of the royal guard. In The Guard, readers get an inside look at Aspen's life within the palace walls--and the truth about a guard's world that America will never know.
Before America arrived at the palace to compete in the Selection, there was another girl in Prince Maxon's life. The Prince opens the week before the Selection begins and follows Maxon through the first day of the competition.
Raised as a Six, Aspen Leger never dreamed that he would find himself living in the palace as a member of the royal guard. In The Guard, readers get an inside look at Aspen's life within the palace walls--and the truth about a guard's world that America will never know.
The One
Kiera Cass
May 6, 2014
HarperTeen
The final novel in The Selection trilogy, the description for The One is not yet available.
Fragile Destiny
Suzanne Lazear
August 8,2014
Flux
The description for book three of The Aether Chronicles is not yet available.
The final two are NOT finalized covers, but placeholders so don't go freaking out because they don't match.
City of Heavenly Fire
Cassandra Clare
May 27, 2014
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Summary:
ERCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID. I am coming.
Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!
ERCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID. I am coming.
Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!
Silver Shadows
Richelle Mead
Summer 2014
Razorbill
The description for the fifth novel in the Bloodlines series is not yet available.
United We Spy Review or Really, Just a Love Letter to Ally Carter
Rating: 5 stars
Pub Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Genre: young adult contemporary, spies
Format: Hardcover, bought from B&N because, hello, bonus story
Status: Final book in the Gallagher Girls series :(
Summary:
Cammie Morgan has lost
her father and her memory, but in the heart-pounding conclusion to the
best-selling Gallagher Girls series, she finds her greatest mission yet.
Cammie and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization
called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and
Zach must track down the Circle’s elite members to stop them before they
implement a master plan that will change Cammie—and her country—forever.
25 September 2013
Cover Reveal: One & Only by Viv Daniels
Today I'm thrilled to be part of the cover reveal for Viv Daniels' debut new adult romance novel One & Only, the first book in the Canton series. Let me let you in on a little secret: Viv Daniels is actually the awesome and amazing Diana Peterfreund! You can read all about Diana's reasons for the pen name here, but let's get to the good stuff!
One & Only
By Viv Daniels
Coming November 2013
Cover design by Okay Creations
Cover design by Okay Creations
Summary:
One night they can’t forget…
Tess McMann keeps her head down, working hard and avoiding her prominent father’s real family. The summer after she graduates high school, she meets distractingly cute Dylan Kingsley at a prestigious summer program. But though they fall in love that summer, Tess only spends a single night with Dylan before he heads to college in her hometown, while Tess escapes the secrets that have ruled her life.
One love they can’t ignore…
Two years later, a scholarship brings her home to Canton, and she and Dylan realize their story is only beginning. But how can they have a future when Tess has sworn never to be like her mother, and Dylan’s girlfriend, Hannah, is the sister who doesn’t know Tess exists?
…And only one chance to get things right.
Tess McMann keeps her head down, working hard and avoiding her prominent father’s real family. The summer after she graduates high school, she meets distractingly cute Dylan Kingsley at a prestigious summer program. But though they fall in love that summer, Tess only spends a single night with Dylan before he heads to college in her hometown, while Tess escapes the secrets that have ruled her life.
One love they can’t ignore…
Two years later, a scholarship brings her home to Canton, and she and Dylan realize their story is only beginning. But how can they have a future when Tess has sworn never to be like her mother, and Dylan’s girlfriend, Hannah, is the sister who doesn’t know Tess exists?
…And only one chance to get things right.
About the Author:
Viv Daniels writes love stories for the young and young at heart. Like many of her characters, she met her husband in college, and knows all the ins and outs of navigating that kind of relationship — from how to date when you’re both flat broke to how to fit two people in narrow dorm room bed. Her favorite new adult authors include Tammara Weber, J. Lynn, and Cora Carmack. Viv can usually be found on her Facebook Page or Twitter feed, chatting with readers about her favorite New Adult fiction, or sharing pictures of cute boys. She lives outside of Washington D.C. with her family. You can visit her website for more information about her upcoming new adult romances.
Viv Daniels writes love stories for the young and young at heart. Like many of her characters, she met her husband in college, and knows all the ins and outs of navigating that kind of relationship — from how to date when you’re both flat broke to how to fit two people in narrow dorm room bed. Her favorite new adult authors include Tammara Weber, J. Lynn, and Cora Carmack. Viv can usually be found on her Facebook Page or Twitter feed, chatting with readers about her favorite New Adult fiction, or sharing pictures of cute boys. She lives outside of Washington D.C. with her family. You can visit her website for more information about her upcoming new adult romances.
My thoughts & a giveaway:
I am loving this cover! It's just as steamy and that summary promises! Tell me what you think of the cover, enter this awesome giveaway, and please go leave Viv some love!
I am loving this cover! It's just as steamy and that summary promises! Tell me what you think of the cover, enter this awesome giveaway, and please go leave Viv some love!