"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Thursday, February 27, 2014

Book Blast and Giveaway: FLAWED (Perfection #2) by J. L. Spelbring (YA)



Perfection #2
by J. L. Spelbring
Expected release date: August 12th, 2014
Published by: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Young Adult - Science Fiction and Fantasy
Format: Paperback



SUMMARY

In a world where Hitler won the The War, and perfection is constantly sought, Ellyssa has broken free from her austere life and has found another meaning for her existence. 

Family, friendship, and love. 

But her happiness is short lived. Ellyssa finds herself on the run, again. Her father's work didn't die with him, but lives on in her siblings, Aalexis and Xaver, and they are determined to complete his unfinished dream.

BUY LINKS 



by J. L. Spelbring
Release date: July 16th, 2013
Published by: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Young Adult - Science Fiction and Fantasy
Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

The personification of Aryan purity, Ellyssa's spent her whole life under her creator's strict training and guidance; her purpose is to eradicate inferior beings. She was genetically engineered to be the perfect soldier: strong, intelligent, unemotional, and telepathic. 
Only Ellyssa isn't perfect. 
Ellyssa feels emotions--a fact she's spent her life concealing. Until she encounters the epitome of inferiority: a dark-haired boy raised among renegades hiding since the Nazis won the war a century ago. He speaks to her telepathically, pushing thoughts into her mind, despite the impossibility of such a substandard person having psychic abilities. 
But he does. 
His unspoken words and visions of a place she's never visited make Ellyssa question her creator. Confused and afraid her secret will be discovered, Ellyssa runs away, embarking on a journey where she discovers there is more to her than perfection.


BUY LINKS




J.L. Spelbring - lives in Texas, where she wanders out in the middle of the night to look at the big and bright stars. Besides knocking imaginary bad guys in the head with a keyboard, she enjoys being swept away between the pages of a book, running amuck inside in her own head, pretending she is into running, and hanging out with her kids, who are way too cool for her.







Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Blog Tour and Harlequin TEEN Giveaway: Mini-Review of GRIM, A Collection of Dark and Twisted Fairy Tales edited by Christine Johnson (YA)


I am SO super excited to be a part of the GRIM blog tour today!
I am a huge lover of fairy-tale retellings, and I am really excited to share my three mini-reviews with you... 

I will be reviewing 3 of the short stories:
A REAL BOY by Claudia Gray, 
SKIN TRADE by Myra McEntire, and
BEAUTY AND THE CHAD by Sarah Rees-Brennan. 

GRIM blog tour by Kismet Book Tours

A Collection of Dark and Twisted Fairy Tales
Edited by Christine Johnson
Release date: February 25th, 2014
Published by: Harlequin TEEN
Genre: Young Adult Fairy Tale Retellings
Format: Hardback, eBook


SUMMARY

Inspired by classic fairy tales, but with a dark and sinister twist, Grim contains short stories from some of the best voices in young adult literature today: 

1. THE KEY by Rachel Hawkins
2. FIGMENT by Jeri Smith Ready
3. THE TWELFTH GIRL by Malinda Lo 
4. THE RAVEN PRINCESS by Jon Skrovan
5. THINNER THAN WATER by Saundra Mitchell
6. BEFORE THE ROSE BLOOMED: A Retelling of the Snow Queen by Ellen Hopkins
7. BEAST / BEAST by Tessa Gratton
8. THE BROTHERS PIGGETT by Julie Kagawa
9. UNTETHERED by Sonia Gensler
10. BETTER by Shaun David Hutchinson
11. LIGHT IT UP by Kimberly Derting
12. SHARPER THAN A SERPENT'S TONGUE by Christine Johnson
*13. A REAL BOY by Claudia Gray
*14. SKIN TRADE by Myra McEntire
*15. BEAUTY AND THE CHAD by Sarah Rees-Brennan
16. THE PINK: A GRIMM STORY by Amanda Hocking
17. SELL IT OUT by Jackson Pearce 




BOOK TRAILER - Grim by Various YA Authors


 MY REVIEWS
An ARC was received for an honest review.


A REAL BOY is a dystopian retelling of... I really wanted to say Pinocchio, but because it's suppose to be based on a Grimm story, I am going to have to go with Little Red Riding Hood... 

In this future world, the rules have changed - humans can no longer go outside without breathing filters and the risk of being severely burned within 20 minutes of being exposed; they must get a license to pro-create by medical standards and they're babies are raised in a "c" until they are 5 years old, which is when they can go home to be with their families. At 12 years of age, all humans must take an assessment test to decipher their future. Meanwhile, there are robots all around being programmed to do most things that humans can no longer do. As perfect and near human that they look, they are still stiff in movement and lack personality and compassion. And Blue has no problem working with them and lacking in making any connections with anyone, including the humans around her. 

For the last 5 years, Blue has been working as a cybernetics apprentice for Professor Jafet and is determined to work as hard as she can to get ahead in her career; she agrees to work with the Professor on a new "experiment".  
Imagine her surprise when the Professor's experiment is named Rowan. A robot like no other; and no human comes close to what he is either. 

"You don't realize how selfish a feeling love can be until it calls you to do something selfless."
- Blue, GRIM (ARC, page 351)

At first, because of the set up and the characters names, I had a strong feeling that the story was based on Pinocchio - The Professor being Geppetto (she created Rowan), Rowan is Pinocchio (robots aren't suppose to tell lies) and Blue, "the conscious" (struggling with what is right/wrong or following her heart). 
But, I also feel that this story could be a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Blue being Little Red, The Professor being the Grandmother, and Rowan the Wolf. The forbidden love between Blue and Rowan mimicking Little Red and the Wolf because of society not accepting what Rowan/Wolf is and the indecision of Blue/Little Red with doing what is right and following her heart. 

I hope that Claudia Gray decides to expand on this short story sometime in the near future! Rowan is definitely someone (something?) that I would like to see more of!
  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Claudia Gray


 * * *  


SKIN TRADE is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel... Locke and Britt.
Oh my, this one is dark. So very dark, it made knots in my stomach. 
It's a bit gory. There is blood and other stuff; not too graphic, but definitely enough for my over-active imagination... I really don't want to say more, if I do, I will definitely give the story away. 

"Strip the marrow from the bones."
- Doris, SKIN TRADE (ARC, page 394)

And if you like twisted, dark tales - you would buy this book just to read this one!

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Myra McEntire


    * * * 


    BEAUTY AND THE CHAD is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast in the most comical way! The author has flipped their personalities making the Beast easy-going, witty, sincere and quite funny. He was transformed by some "broad" while at his fraternity, and he misses his Xbox most of all. He speaks like a 'surfer dude' and is very eager to do most things himself. He does not care for magic or whimsical beauty.
    Beauty, is straight-forward, a rule follower and does not understand a word that the Beast speaks of, saying things like 'high five' and referring to her as a dude. She is surprised by the Beasts ways, and even more surprised over his willingness to share his exact feelings with her.
    Can this Beauty tame the unruly Beast and help him learn his lesson???

    "This whole 'Beast' deal? Kinda hurtful," said the Beast
    "Call me Chad."
    - The Beast aka Chad, GRIM (ARC page 406)


    ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Sarah Rees-Brennan



    * * * 

    ABOUT THE EDITOR/AUTHOR - Christine Johnson



    GIVEAWAY




    TOUR SCHEDULE

    Monday, February 17th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog 
    Tuesday, February 18th - Stories 1, 2 and 3 - Two Chicks on Books
    Wednesday, February 19th - Stories 4, 5 and 6 - Book and A Latte
    Friday, February 21st - Stories 7, 8 and 9 - Fiction Freak

     Monday, February 24th - Stories 10, 11 and 12 - Mundie Moms
    Wednesday, February 26th - Stories 13, 14 and 15 - Bumbles and Fairytales
    Friday, February 28th - Stories 16 and 17 - Fiktshun

Waiting On Wednesday #72: LOVE LETTERS TO THE DEAD by Ava Dellaira (YA)


"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine. 




This is were we get to 'spotlight' books that we are anxiously waiting to be released! The ones that we are dying to get our hands on and read into the wee hours of the night and, quite possibly, to make our shelves look all pretty too :)

What I'm waiting on... 


by Ava Dellaira
Expected release date: April 1st, 2014
Published by: Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan)
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format: Hardcover, eBook

SUMMARY

It begins as an assignment for English class: 
Write a letter to a dead person. 

Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. 
Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; 
though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. 
She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.


Why I'm waiting for LOVE LETTERS TO THE DEAD...

This had me at LOVE LETTERS TO THE DEAD, and then the mention of Kurt Cobain's name.
Seriously, how morbid this sounds, but yet, sad, lethargic, healing and hopeful.

I have never heard of a book like this before...
So many feels already!!!

I need to read this!!!


SO, what are you waiting for???

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Release Day!!! Excerpt and GIVEAWAY: WHITE HOT KISS (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)



The Dark Elements Series #1
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: February 25th, 2014
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback, eBook 


SUMMARY

One kiss could be the last. 

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.


BUY LINKS



EXCERPT

“I don’t think of Zayne that way!” 
She laughed. “What man-parts-loving female in this world doesn’t think of Zayne that way? I can barely keep myself breathing when I see him. All the guys in school have squishy waists. I can tell Zayne doesn’t. He’s the awesome sauce with extra sauce.”
That he was and he so didn’t have a squishy waist, but I tuned Stacey out at that point. I really did need to cram for this test and I also didn’t want my fantasies involving Zayne to occupy my mind right now. Especially after I’d woken up this morning, carefully tucked under the covers. The bed had smelled like him: sandalwood and crisp linen. 
“Oh, sweet baby Jesus in a manger,” Stacey murmured.
I clenched my jaw, cupping my hands over my ears.
She jabbed me in the side with her elbow. At this rate I’d be covered in bruises before lunchtime. “Our bio class just got a billion times more interesting. And hotter, lots and lots hotter. Holy mother, I want to have his babies. Not now of course, but definitely later. But I’d like to start practicing soon.”
The cell wall is a thick and rigid layer covering the plasma something, something plant cells… 
Stacey stiffened all of a sudden. “Oh my God, he’s coming—”
              Composed of fat and sugar—
Something slender and shiny fell from who knew where, landing in the middle of Sam’s notes. Blinking tightly, it took me a couple of seconds to recognize the faded and half peeled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sticker covering the back of the silver cell phone.
My heart slammed against my ribs. Gripping the edges of the notebook, I slowly lifted my gaze. Unnaturally beautiful golden eyes met mine.  
“You forgot this last night.”



MY THOUGHTS

OH. EM. GEE!!!

I have no words!
I just need to WHITE HOT KISS as soon as possible!!!







GIVEAWAY
(Sponsored by Harlequin Teen and Inkslinger PR)
- Harlequin TEEN branded tote. 
- THE IRON TRAITOR by Julie Kagawa (trade).
- PAWN by Aimee Carter (Hardcover). 
- CRASH INTO YOU by Katie McGarry (Hardcover). 
- THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS by Gena Showalter (Hardcover).
- 2 copies of WHITE HOT KISS by Jennifer L. Armentrout. 
- 1 pair of black Harlequin branded socks (they are so comfy!)



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.



http://www.inkslingerpr.com/

Monday, February 24, 2014

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: REAL MERMAIDS DON'T SELL SEASHELLS (Real Mermaids #4) by Helene Boudreau (MG)


Teenage girls have to deal with a lot of tough firsts. 
First zit. First crush. First... mermaid’s tail?

In the fourth installment of Hélène Boudreau’s breezy, fun and “unputdownable” Real Mermaids series, our favorite mer-girl Jade can’t think of a better way to celebrate peace in the underwater mer-world than with a tropical vacation in the Bahamas with her family and BFF.


Real Mermaids Series #4
by Hélène Boudreau
Release date: February 4th, 2014
Published by: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Genre: Middle Grade 
Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Sun, surf and tropical breezes are no ‘day at the beach’ because being a teenage mermaid never takes a vacation.

With all the mers in Jade’s life now safe, happy and legit (with passports to prove it) and the underwater mer-world off the coast of Port Toulouse on the road to democracy, it’s time to relax and plan for the future. Jade can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a tropical wedding in the Bahamas with Mom and Dad to finally make their family ‘official’.

Soon, Jade is enjoying the tropical sunshine, all-you-can-eat buffet, and island day trips. But when Jade gets lost in the island’s famous waterfront Straw Market, something doesn’t feel quite right. A body splashes into the water as a cruise ship enters the harbor and a teen boy selling conches from his boat behind the market knows more than he’s willing to admit.

With no body, no leads, and no other witnesses, though, the local police don’t seem too concerned. Maybe Jade’s imagination has been acting up on her, just like Cori said, considering everything she’s been through in the past few months.

But with Mom and Dad off on a honeymoon excursion it wouldn’t hurt to check things out, would it? Little do Jade and Cori realize, they are about to uncover more secrets about the splashing body, dangerous cruise ship cargo, and more questions than answers lurking in the nearby Caribbean waters.


MY THOUGHTS

I adore this series to pieces!!! It has been so much fun reading all about Jade and her mermaid experiences - being a teen is not easy. And being a mermaid-teen is even harder!
Lots of humor and adventure!!!
I am really looking forward to reading the conclusion to the Real Mermaid saga!!!


To see my reviews of the first three books to the Real Mermaid series,
please click here!!!


GIVEAWAY



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Hélène Boudreau


Hélène Boudreau never spotted a real mermaid while growing up on an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, but she believes mermaids are just as plausible as giant squids, flying fish, or electric eels. 
She now writes fiction and nonfiction for kids from her land-locked home in Ontario, Canada. 

Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings was a 2011 SCBWI Crystal Kit Member Choice award finalist.



Release Day Book Blast and GIVEAWAYS from Entangled Edge!!!



Edge, a digital-first single-title romance line from Entangled Publishing, takes its lead from their popular Select imprint but gives its novels an edge in the marketplace by bringing great stories to readers at reasonable prices in a quick-and-easy way. Whether sexy or sweet, traditional romance or love and lust with a women’s fiction bent, at the center of every Edge book is heart. From Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance to Science Fiction Romance, Edge has a book for all romance readers—and right at their fingertips! As they say, all’s fair in love and war. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Today I'm happy to be featuring Edge's February releases!!!


by Daire St. Denis
Release date: February 24th, 2014
Published by: Entangled Edge
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Format: eBook

SUMMARY

Jordan Michaels wants his car fixed, now, and he wants Sass’s auto body shop to do it. But the handsome blond has a secret−he’s really Jordan Carlyle of Carlyle’s Classics, Sass Hogan’s biggest competitor, and he’s determined to prove himself to his family. As Sass and Jordan get to know each other, the depth of the attraction has them falling in love. But a relationship based on lies will only leave them primed for the worst wreck of their lives.






A Blood Hunter Novel by Nina Croft
Release date: February 24th, 2014
Published by: Entangled Edge
Genre: Adult Science Fiction
Format: eBook

SUMMARY

After five hundred years, Callum Meridian, founding member of the Collective, is bored out of his mind. Until he realizes he’s physically changing—into what, he isn’t sure. Callum is determined to discover the truth, but his own people will stop at nothing to prevent it from coming out. He turns to Captain Tannis of the starship El Cazador. Sparks fly as they work together to make it out alive, but can Callum really trust the one woman hell bent on using him? Defying death has never been more dangerous…or more sexy.





A Novel of The Order by Nina Croft
Release date: February 24th, 2014
Published by: Entangled Edge
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Format: eBook

SUMMARY

As payment for a debt, Ash Delacourt finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords as the demon representative. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable Detective Connolly—maybe have a little fun. But Faith has a secret, and falling in love with Ash—one of the bad guys, albeit a stunningly gorgeous one, isn't part of her future. How can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?






by Patricia Eimer
Release date: February 24, 2014
Published by: Entangled Edge
Genre: Adult Paranormal Comedy
Format: eBook

SUMMARY

There’s never an end to the crazy when you’re demon spawn. Not that Faith Bettincourt’s complaining. She's patching things up with her angelic on-again off-again boyfriend, Matt, and saving kids from Death in her pediatric unit, one soul at a time. But when she's forced to take over as the Angel of Death, and then Matt’s ex comes back, bringing the Apocalypse with her, Faith’s not about to give up the world...or her man. When the chips are down, what’s a girl to do but take matters in her own hands, consequences be damned?




Saturday, February 22, 2014

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales Updates and Book Haul #57


HELLO my booknerd friends!!!
I hope you have all been doing well - and definitely a lot better than what has been going on around here, lol!... February is too much of a short month to have so many things go wrong! I started it out with a really bad case of the flu :p I ended up having to go to the ER to be rehydrated and stuff. Definitely not fun. It took me about 8 days overall to get through it and start feeling better - it's so hard to read and do anything when you feel so crummy. And then of course, the germs were passed around all the family members for the last 3 weeks. Not fun at all!
I have fallen behind again on blogging and reading. But I have decided that I can no longer put the pressure that I put on myself. This is a hobby. My most favorite thing to do for myself. I need to get back to it being fun again :) Which means that I need to do what I can do and go back to posting 3 or 4 times per week rather than the 6 or more that I was trying to accomplish; and lower my reading expectations back to reading one book per week rather than forcing myself to losing sleep in order to read the 2 to 3 books I did last month.
I feel like a huge weight was just lifted off my brain :) 

Here's what's been happening around here... lots of cover reveals and bookish stuff ;) 

What happened on the blog for the last 2 weeks...
- Cover Reveal: ANOMALY (Schrodinger's Consortium #1) by Tonya Kuper (YA)
- Cover Reveal: THE SHADOW PRINCE (Mortal Enchantment #0.5) by Stacey O'Neal
- Cover Reveal, Excerpt and Giveaway: AFTER THE STORM by Marie Landry (YA)
- Waiting On Wednesday #70: ROOMS by Lauren Oliver (A)
- Book Blitz and Giveaway: DITCHED by Amity Hope (YA)
- GIVEAWAY: February 2014 Release Hop!
- Waiting On Wednesday #71: THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski (YA)
- Review: THE SECRET DIAMOND SISTERS by Michelle Madow (YA)
- Cover Reveal: THE FIRES OF CALDERON (The Balance Keepers #1) by Lindsay Cummings (MG)

My book haul for the last 2 weeks...
I'm also participating in Stacking the Shelves!!!

What I received for review...
- THE POODLE TALES Book 9: THE MODELING POO (HB) by Toni Tuso Faber (Children) from Kelly & Hall
- HEXED, The Witch Hunter #1 (eGalley) by Michelle Krys (YA) from Random House Kids for blog tour
- THE CHAPEL WARS (eGalley) by Lindsey Leavitt (YA) from Bloomsbury


What I won from Book Sparks...
- THE GOOD WIFE (PB) by Jane Porter (A)
- THE WINTERS IN BLOOM (HB) by Lisa Tucker (A)
- J'ADORE NEW YORK (PB) by Isabelle La Fleche (A)

From Netgalley...
- THE BREAK-UP ARTIST by Philip Siegel (YA)
- THE RING AND THE CROWN by Melissa de la Cruz (YA)
- HALF-BAD (Half Life #1) by Sally Green (YA)
- FIRE & FLOOD by Victoria Scott (YA)


Physical books that I purchased...
- TEARDROP (signed HB) by Lauren Kate (YA)
- KISSING SHAKESPEARE (HB) by Pamela Mingle (YA)
- BUNHEADS (PB) by Sophie Flack (YA)
- STORYBOUND (PB) by Marissa Burt (MG)
- THE TITAN'S CURSE (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan (MG)

eBooks that I purchased...
- WAITING FOR THE STORM by Marie Landry (YA)
- SUCH SWEET SORROW by Jenny Trout (YA)
- BRING ME BACK by Karen Booth (A)
- BACK FOREVER by Karen Booth (A)

What I'm currently reading...
- BACK FOREVER by Karen Booth (A)
- SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi (YA)
- GRIM by Various YA Authors

What's currently distracting me so much...


My three loves :) 

It's been a very busy life!!!


I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has been up to lately!
Please leave your comments and links below, thank you!!!
xoxo


 
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