"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


Saturday, May 31, 2014

A Pre-order Giveaway Alert from the Author of THE VICIOUS DEEP Trilogy (YA)


A pre-order giveaway from the author herself!!!

MERMAIDS!!!




About THE VICIOUS DEEP Trilogy... 

The Vicious Deep
by Zoraida Cordova
Release date: May 1st, 2012
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Young Adult - Mermaids

SUMMARY
For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave. 
He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth. 
His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods. 
Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.



THE SAVAGE BLUE (The Vicious Deep #2)
by Zoraida Cordova
Release date: 

SUMMARY

A storm is coming...
The ocean is a vicious place. Deeper and darker than Tristan could have imagined. Beneath its calm blue surface, an ancient battle is churning —and no one is safe.
In the quest for the Sea Throne, Tristan has already watched one good friend die. Now he must lead the rest on a dangerous voyage in search of the trident that will make him king. But while Tristan chases his destiny, the dark forces racing against him are getting stronger, and the sea witch of his nightmares is getting closer.
Battling sea dragons and savage creatures of the deep, Tristan needs his friends' support. But they each have their secrets, and a betrayal will force Tristan to choose between his crown and his best friend Layla — the only girl he's ever loved.


THE VAST AND BRUTAL SEA (The Vicious Deep #3)
by Zoraida Cordova
Expected release date: July 1st, 2014

SUMMARY

This epic clash of sand and sea will pit brother against brother-and there can only be one winner.

In two days, the race for the Sea Court throne will be over-but all the rules have changed. The sea witch, Nieve, has kidnapped Layla and is raising an army of mutant sea creatures to overthrow the crown. Kurt, the one person Tristan could depend on in the battle for the Sea King's throne, has betrayed him. Now Kurt wants the throne for himself. Tristan has the Scepter of the Earth, but it's not enough. He'll have to travel to the mysterious, lost Isle of Tears and unleash the magic that first created the king's powerful scepter. It's a brutal race to the finish, and there can only be one winner.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Zoraida Cordova

Zoraida Córdova was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she learned to speak English by watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker on repeat. Her favorite things are sparkly like merdudes, Christmas, and New York City at night.

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

Friday, May 30, 2014

Blog Tour (Review/Giveaway): HUNGRY by H. A. Swain (YA)


by H. A. Swain
Expected release date: June 3rd, 2014
Published by: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Genre: Young Adult - Dystopian/Sci-Fi
Format: Hardback, eBook
Format read: ARC received by publisher for an honest review.

SUMMARY

In the future, food is no longer necessary — 
until Thalia begins to feel something unfamiliar and uncomfortable. She’s hungry.

In Thalia’s world, there is no need for food — everyone takes medication (or “inocs”) to ward off hunger. It should mean there is no more famine, no more obesity, no more food-related illnesses, and no more war. At least that's what her parents, who work for the company that developed the inocs, say. 
But when Thalia meets a boy who is part of an underground movement to bring food back, she realizes that most people live a life much different from hers. Worse, Thalia is starting to feel hunger, and so is he — the inocs aren’t working. 
Together they set out to find the only thing that will quell their hunger: real food.

H. A. Swain delivers an adventure that is both epic and fast-paced. 
Get ready to be Hungry.



MY REVIEW

A dystopian like no other! HUNGRY is fast-paced, original and mind-blowing!
The writing is smooth, unpredictable and surprising... thought provoking at its best!

First, I'd like to point out that you should definitely not judge a book by its cover, blurb or summary. Everything about this story has a deeper meaning. The author touches upon topics that have been discussed in the news but are taboo to discuss at the dinner table - controlling governments, corporate greed, and hidden poverty. I applaud her efforts for combining these topics into a young adult novel.

Thalia Apple lives in a futuristic world where everything is completely computerized and food doesn't exist. Everyone drinks a 'formula' that fits their own needs, some water and every 6 months gets their shots to suppresses any hunger pains and physical emotions. Physical contact of any sort is almost unheard of, and speaking of things about the past, especially food, is against the law. Why reminisce about the past, a past that cannot be changed or revisited, it's too depressing to even think of pre-war days especially when "One World" has progressed so much and haves everything that you can ever want and more for your future needs. That is until Thalia starts to hear this growling noise coming from her midsection, and starts to feel this pressure in her abdomen. Could she possibly be hungry?
Let's backtrack a bit... Thalia is a teen surrounded by amazing technology that most tech-geeks dream about inventing. And yet, she is completely unamused and rather go sit with her grandmother, learn how to knit by hand and talk about how her grandparents where apple farmers prior to the war. It was a bit hard to believe how a teen was not interested in such a prominent technology filled world - she prefers actual fabrics and books than synthetic fibers and tablets. But later on we learn that she's a computer whiz, a hacker and that the technology seems boring to her. She's curious about how things were, how humans survived without such technological advances... how humans did things by hand, and even used the bathroom. And when she realizes that what she's feeling is legitimately what humans are suppose to feel - it's human nature to want to eat, be with other peers, share feelings, experience emotions, etc. She is convinced that something isn't right with the world and is determined to figure out a way out of the system, the truth that is being hidden and live a normal pre-war life.

I must emphasize, the story is fast-paced and with all the sci-fi to it, the story can get a bit confusing at times. I had to concentrate and follow these characters like my life depended on it. Quite thrilling...

 A part of the story that I find that may be troubling for some people will be the 'love story' between Thalia and Basil. At first, I couldn't understand the quick ups and downs between the two, the insta-love. One minute that are so in love and then the next, they are angry at each other; so angry, that they walk away from each other a few times, and it seemed, always at the wrong time, to later come back and be madly into each other again. However, after much thought, I remembered that Thalia's emotions and hormones are emerging from the lack of the inoculation shots that she was suppose to receive prior to her running away. A teen goes through so much by just being a teen, and has many feelings and mood swings. A lot of those feeling have been felt since birth, etc. But Thalia's emotions have been suppressed since early childhood. Every little thing is new to her; especially when there's a teen boy involved. I now understand why the insta-love/hate-connection between Thalia and Basil. And why they need each other so much. After finishing the book, and re-reading the epilogue, their relationship completely makes sense. It just take a thoughtful minute or two to comprehend it.

If you're looking for something out of your comfort zone, this is your gem. Dystopian-lovers, you will definitely find this book very interesting. The book ends in a really good place, with a slight cliff-hanger. Enough to leave you wanting more... I hope to see more of Thalia and Basil - in a new world, more mature, and hopefully, not hungry.

And just as a side-note, the thought of having the extra time to not have to worry about eating, cooking meals and using the bathroom sounds amazing! Remember, we spend a 1/4 of our lives in the bathroom! I rather use that time to read more! lol

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a copy of HUNGRY by H. A. Swain from Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan).
- Must be 13yo or older to enter.
- U.S. only! (Sorry)


ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday #85: The BEA 2014 Edition


"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... 

Warning: LOTS of exclamation points ahead... you've been warned!!!


Books that I wish I could *grabby hands* at BEA this week!!! 

- TALON by Julie Kagawa (YA)
DRAGONS!!! And... DRAGONS!!!

- SINNER (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #4) 
by Maggie Stiefvater (YA) 
BOOK FOUR!!! with COLE!!!
... and maybe Sam will make a cameo of some sort! Puh-leeeease!!!

- THE JEWEL by Amy Ewing (YA) 
A retelling of the Handmaid's Tale? A surrogate slave? The synopsis is so interesting...

- TRIAL BY FIRE 
by Josephine Angelini (YA) 
Witches!!! Magic!!! Parallel universes!!! and a "smokin' hot love story!!!"
*faints*

- LANDLINE by Rainbow Rowell (A) 
A TIME TRAVEL-ing telephone??? Yes, please!!!

- THE IRON TRIALS (The Magisterium #1) 
by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black (MG) 
MAGIC school!!! (Is it a HP retelling???) Sounds epic!!!

- FAMOUS IN LOVE by Rebecca Serle (YA) 
I love contemporary! I adore her writing! And the cover is awesome!

- MADE FOR YOU 
by Melissa Marr (YA) 
Is that a BEE on the bookcover?!?!?! and, it's her first contemporary!!!... 
"A twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance and murder!" YES to all!!!

- BLACK ICE by Becca Fitzpatrick (YA) 
First of all, I've been dying for this author to publish something new! And here it is, with BLIZZARDS, attacking bears and lots of mystery!


SO... what are you waiting for?!?!?!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Cover Reveal: MADLY, DEEPLY by Erica Crouch (YA)


by Erica Crouch
Expected release date: June 2014
Published by: Patchwork Press
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance


SUMMARY


It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea...

Annaleigh Wells and William Calloway had a love even the angels envied. It was as if the universe spun them toward one another, like the stars crafted their souls to fit perfectly together.

With a wedding on the horizon, fate had a change of heart. Whispered warnings from phantoms and morbid nightmares darkened every night—but even visions of the future couldn't save Annaleigh.

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem Annabel Lee, Crouch’s period romance Madly, Deeply tells the tale of love so great, it cannot be contained in just one life.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Erica Crouch

Erica Crouch is a young adult author from the colorful city of Baltimore, Maryland. Currently, she is studying English and Creative Writing with a specialization in Fiction at Southern New Hampshire University. She is the cofounder and head of editorial services and design at Patchwork Press.
Erica’s debut novel, Ignite, was published June 2013. The e-novella sequel, Entice, was released Nov. 2013. The final book in the series, Incite, is expected spring 2014.
Along with the series Ignite, she is working on a new adult series — titled the Undying series, with the first installment, Cut, due 2014 – and a Robin Hood gender-swap retelling — titled the Feathered series, a duology (Robin, Hood) due 2015. When Erica isn’t writing, she’s reading an overwhelming stack of books, watching an obscene amount of Netflix, and procrastinating.


Sunday, May 25, 2014

Cover Reveal: LITTLE MISS EVIL by Bryce Leung and Kristy Shen (MG)


by Bryce Leung and Kristy Shen
Expected release date: 
Published by: Spencer Hill Press Midgrade
Genre: Middle Grade
Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

When you live in a volcano, ride to school in a helicopter, and regularly see your dad on the news with the caption “EVIL GENIUS” underneath his picture, it takes a lot to rattle you.

Until you get a message that says: We have your father. Deliver the NOVA in 24 hours or we will kill him.

What’s a NOVA you ask? It’s a nuclear bomb capable of turning the city into a radioactive mushroom cloud, and ever since Fiona’s dad built it, it’s caused nothing but grief. But telling him to stop building weapons is like telling Michelangelo to stop painting.
And that’s why thirteen-year-old Fiona has a flamethrower strapped to her arm. After all, who’d mess with a girl who can throw fireballs?

Apparently, these guys.

Big mistake.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Bryce Leung and Kristy Shen

Bryce and Kristy are a tag-team writing duo with way too many voices in their heads. 
As engineers living in Toronto, they can’t be safely contained by mere cubicle walls, and therefore must spend every other waking moment writing to keep the crazy from leaking out at the office. 
When not writing or working, they spend their time parachuting into volcanoes and riding polar bears while tossing dynamite at rabid kangaroos. Yup, that’s right. Sometimes they can’t even believe how awesome their lives are.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Blog Tour (Review): HEXED (The Witch Hunter #1) by Michelle Krys (YA)


The Witch Hunter Series, #1
by Michelle Krys
Expected release date: June 10th, 2014
Published by: Delacorte Press (Random House)
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Format: Hardback, eBook
Format read: eARC received via Netgalley/publisher for an honest review.


SUMMARY

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.


 MY REVIEW

Michelle Krys' remarkable writing has me wrapped around her little finger - she brilliantly has created a one-of-a-kind 'witch' story with witty humor, loss and an intriguing plot.

Indigo is at the top of her game - most popular girl, dating the most popular hot guy, cheerleader, top grades, living the high school dream. She's quite into herself, and the funny thing about her is that she knows it too. She is so wrapped up in what her peers will think, it has completely taken over her life. She knows its wrong, but what's a girl to do when you've worked so hard to get to the top.

... and then Bishop comes crashing into her life!

Yes, he really does crash into her life, unknowingly at first. And this is when the fun, the magic, the moment that Indie starts to question everything in her life, slowly begins.
And then, tragedy happens. And Indie must reach out to an old friend for help. Paige has always been there for her even though she's too 'nerdy' to be Indie's friend now. But Paige won't turn her back on Indie, no matter what Indie's done to her in the past - she gives her a bit of grief and subtly reminds her that she doesn't have to help Indie. Indie slowly comes to realize that things need to change, have changed and she is going to learn to accept these things.

There are witches and sorcerers. Lots of magic flying about.
Who are the good guys? The bad guys? Are the good guys really good?
The mystery!!! The plot thickens and gets better and better deeper into the book...

The characters are so unique -
Indigo is shallow, but not typical. Like I mentioned above, she has a reputation she wants to uphold within her peers, but she doesn't care how she looks or what car she drives.  But her attitude really got under my skin, and because of this, in the beginning, it was kind of hard for me to like her and continue on... what can I say, she grew on me.
Paige is an amazing and supportive friend. She's known Indigo since they were little and has always tried to be her friend. What I love most about her is that she's not a pushover and knows how to hold her own and give it right back. So when Paige needs her, she doesn't give in so easy.
Bishop is outstanding, quite the ball-breaker and comedian. He really knows how to emotionally handle each situation. And is quite the mystery-man. We need more Bishop in our lives!
Everyone clicks well together - which is so important. I really do love how the author was able to create such unique relationships. I am really looking forward to seeing all of these characters, and some of the secondary characters as well, grow and move forward in their lives and situations. Hoping to learn Bishop's past and getting more details to the war between the witches and sorcerers.

Cliffhanger ending! BUT, it was done SO well! Things wrap up quite nicely until the author reminds us, hey we're not done! And then you're left wondering when the next book is going to be released; because there will be a next book... right???

I truly enjoyed the new spin to witches and sorcerers. I have always thought that they were the same - I have definitely been proven wrong. I look forward to reading more books from Michelle Krys soon!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Michelle Krys


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Novella Review: BITTER SWEET LOVE (The Dark Elements #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (YA)


BITTER SWEET LOVE
The Dark Elements #0.5
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date: December 1st, 2013
Published by: Harlequin TEEN
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Format: eBook Novella
Format read: Kindle eBook I purchased.

SUMMARY

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series THE DARK ELEMENTS, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.
Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.
And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart or shatter it all over again.




MY REVIEW

Jennifer L. Armentrout can do no wrong - give her a speck of dust and she will be able to weave not one story, but billions of stories out of nothing! She has a gift, and definitely knows how to create with it, and share it with us...
This brilliant writer has now given us a world with gargoyles and demons - adorable, smart, witty and sexy - there is no resisting Jasmine and Dez's story...

Jasmine's heart was broken three years ago when Dez took off without saying goodbye, without leaving a note, an explanation - how she ever get over losing the only friend, her best friend? The one that she was just 'mated' to?
Jas goes through the motions and tries to be as independent as she can be. With a heavy heart, she does her best to move on, do what she has to do, and every now and then, sneaks off to spread her wings and look for a way to calm her lonely heart.

Dez comes back.

He comes back just like he left, without any warning. As if he never left. And expects to fit right in as though nothing ever happen.
As hard as it is to say no, Jas has yet to forgive him. And she is determined to at least find out why he left before deciding whether or not he deserves a second chance to be her friend again... let alone, her 'mate'.

The chemistry between Jasmine and Dez is the hottest perfection out in YA right now. There banter and cuteness balances out and creates a wonderful page-turner.

What I love about this prequel - great intro to the series, its characters, surroundings and plot.
Jennifer L. Armentrout is a master at storytelling!




Release date: February 25th, 2014

Expected release date: October 28th, 2014




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.



Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Waiting On Wednesday #84: RUN TO YOU Series Parts 4, 5 and 6 by Clara Kensie (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 Clara Kensie
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Young Adult Suspense/Thriller
Format: (Serial) eBook

SUMMARY

A riveting romantic thriller about a family on the run from a deadly past, and a first love that will transcend secrets, lies and danger.
The first serialized series from Harlequin TEEN.



by Clara Kensie
Expected release date: July 7th, 2014

With no more secrets keeping them apart, Tessa and Tristan explore Tessa's developing psychic powers and embark upon a desperate search to find her missing brother and sister. But not even Tristan can keep Tessa safe from the hostile classmates at her new school, or from the nightmare that haunts her even while she's awake.



by Clara Kensie
Expected release date: July 14th, 2014

Tessa’s nightmares feel all too real, and the hope of getting her family back together has never seemed so slim. Although a psychic warns her that leaving town may mean her death, Tessa cannot stay when she uncovers a new lead to her brother and sister. Not even if she must go alone and risk losing Tristan forever.




by Clara Kensie
Expected release date: July 21st, 2014

To save Tessa's brother and sister, she and Tristan must deceive the entire town. But if their plan succeeds, Tessa will have to make an unbearable choice between her siblings and her true love. And when her nightmares become real, she may lose it all—her family, her boyfriend and even her life.




Why I'm waiting on the second half of RUN TO YOU...

This is seriously the most underrated book right now!!!

SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER!

Holy cow! The first half of the book, which was broken up into 3 parts too, was AMAZING!!!

Each part leaves off in the most crucial, yet satisfying, key points to the story...
it's like watching a tv show when you have to wait until next week to see what happens, and so on!
And the first half was beyond wonderful! 
I have been anxiously awaiting for these next three installments since I finished part 3! 
The writing - perfect!
The suspense - perfect!
The characters and their chemistry - perfect! 

SO worth the wait!!! 
I highly suggest this to anyone who loves a quick satisfying read on a weekly (or daily... or hourly...) basis! This book will not disappoint your expectations!!!!!!


SO, what are you waiting for???

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Book Blast (Giveaway): THE ART OF LAINEY by Paula Stokes (YA)



by Paula Stokes
Release date: May 20th, 2014
Published by: HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Format: Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.

And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they're sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few "dates", it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.

What's a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you're meant to be with if you're still figuring out the person you're meant to be?



BUY LINKS


GIVEAWAY


- 2 Winners will receive a Copy of The Art of Lainey+Swag by Paula Stokes.
- Must be 13+ to Enter
- International Giveaway
*Book Nerd Tours AND Bumbles and Fairy-Tales is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Mail Box*



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Paula Stokes

Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where she graduated from Washington University and the Goldfarb School of Nursing. When she’s not writing, she’s kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands.


Monday, May 19, 2014

Blog Tour (Review): THE A-WORD (A Sweet Dead Life #2) by Joy Preble (YA)


http://sohopress.com/the-a-word-blog-tour/

A Sweet Dead Life Novel, #2
by Joy Preble
Release date: May 13th, 2014
Published by: Soho Teen
Genre: Young Adult - Supernatural/Angels
Format: Hardcover, (Pre-order Paperback), eBook
Format read: ARC received by publisher for an honest review.


SUMMARY

Jenna Samuels is about to turn fifteen. It's been almost a year since her stoner brother, Casey, bit the dust. Almost a year since he returned as her guardian angel, along with his "angel boss," Amber Velasco, the hot twenty-something former EMT. Almost a year since Casey and Amber used up their one-time-only angel power of flight to save Jenna from the evil Dr. Renfroe, swooping down to catch her as she tumbled off the balcony at the Houston Galleria. In short, a lot of A-word shenanigans and a mostly happy ending.

Except now Casey's begun to wonder why he's still hanging around—not that he minds protecting Jenna. She's a handful, but there's got to be a bigger picture, right? Something to distract him from his on again/off again, doomed relationship with cheerleader Lanie Phelps, who has no idea her boyfriend is, well, dead. After all, he can't use his angel wings anymore. Neither can Amber. 

Enter Bo Shivers, Amber's "angel boss"—a mysterious A-word guy Jenna and Casey didn't even know existed. Whiskey-guzzling. Handsome in a grizzled way. Unpredictable. Okay, make that crazy. Bo lost his angel wings in an earthly flight a long, long, long time back—and he's been a thorn in Angel Management's side ever since. But Bo knows something is coming. Something big. Something that was worth forfeiting wings for Jenna... something that might just change everything for everyone.


MY REVIEW

Joy Preble has done it again! The A-Word is amazingly touching, funny, heartbreaking and realistic follow up to A Sweet Dead Life! Great writing, plot, mystery and intriguing characters! I need more books from this author asap!

It's been a year now, Jenna is turning fifteen, wants to get her permit and has her eye on a cute boy. Things have been better, she's got her health, her mother is better and working, her dad is kind of in the picture, but at least that mystery was solved. And her brother, Casey, well... he's still an A-Word for sure. And as much as Jenna tries to live a normal life, having the A-Word hanging around all the time is really hard. Having no one to talk about it, having to lie and hide everything that has happened to everyone, her mother, father, best friend Maggie and boyfriend Ryan, is not easy. She's been through so much already, having a couple of guardian angels around should make life a bit easier.
Now Casey is wondering why he's still hanging around. He's done his job, is there something more for him? The mystery continues when we learn more about Amber, the EMT that help pull Jenna and Casey out of their car wreck who, in the first book, we learn she's an A-Word too.. and now Amber's "angel boss", Bo Shivers, is in the picture. Bo is unpredictable, loud and acts like he knows it all. But he's so vague with everything that he says. Is it possible that he doesn't know as much as he says he does?
Something big is about to happen! And all we can do is wait and see...

I am really enjoying watching Jenna grow into a mature and responsible teen. She thinks things through, she is overly thoughtful and caring and is now more confident being her own person and dealing with what life has given her. It's impossible not to want to grab her up, feed her and hug her to death!
Again, I cannot emphasize enough that the relationship between Jenna and her brother, Casey is spot on! The love/hate between them is endearing and realistic. Their one-liner banters had me laughing out loud. I adore them! It is the best written sibling relationship I have ever seen in YA.

Fast-paced, well-written and out-of-this-world!
I cannot wait until book 3 is announced!!!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Joy Preble

Joy Preble is the author of the DREAMING ANASTASIA series (Sourcebooks) and the SWEET DEAD LIFE series (Soho Press), a YA Texas makeover of the angel book. 
Joy grew up in Chicago, where she dreamed of being a back up singer but settles for becoming a writer so she could get paid for making up stuff.
She now lives with her family in Texas, where when she's not writing, you can find her eating guacamole, watching trash TV, and embracing her inner nerd. 



Blog Tour (Excerpt/Giveaway): MRS. POE by Lynn Cullen (A)


Literati Author Services, Inc.

by Lynn Cullen
Release date: April 1st, 2013
Published by: Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster)
Genre: Adult Women's Historical Fiction
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

SUMMARY

1845: New York City is a sprawling warren of gaslit streets and crowded avenues, bustling with new immigrants and old money, optimism and opportunity, poverty and crime. Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” is all the rage—the success of which a struggling poet like Frances Osgood can only dream.As a mother trying to support two young children after her husband’s cruel betrayal, Frances jumps at the chance to meet the illustrious Mr. Poe at a small literary gathering, if only to help her fledging career.
Although not a great fan of Poe’s writing, she is nonetheless overwhelmed by his magnetic presence—and the surprising revelation that he admires her work. What follows is a flirtation, then a seduction, then an illicit affair...and with each clandestine encounter, Frances finds herself falling slowly and inexorably under the spell of her mysterious, complicated lover.

But when Edgar’s frail wife Virginia insists on befriending Frances as well, the relationship becomes as dark and twisted as one of Poe’s tales.And like those gothic heroines whose fates are forever sealed, Frances begins to fear that deceiving Mrs. Poe may be as impossible as cheating death its elf.

Much like The Paris Wife, MRS. POE combines literary fiction with reimagined historical drama; much like Poe himself, Lynn Cullen captures his mysterious and macabre tone. While providing a voyeuristic peek into the heart and mind one of the history’s most fascinating literary figures, Cullen explores the themes of artistic expression, social standing in the 1800s, and the self-ownership of women.


EXCERPT

Two weeks later, I was tucked beneath a thick buffalo robe, riding downtown in Miss Fuller’s carriage. I had been too nervous to enjoy the trip or to appreciate Miss Fuller’s carriage, pulled by a clopping bay. That Miss Fuller was the only woman in New York to support herself by writing, let alone to have enough leftover to buy her own buggy, mattered little to me at that moment. Why had I agreed to meet Poe? And why would he want to meet me? He had already made and broken an appointment the previous week. I had been relieved by the cancellation, only to become agitated once more when he set up a different date. As suddenly and inexplicably as he had championed my poetry at the New York Society Library, he could withdraw his support if I said something wrong. Who knew what triggered the man’s tomahawk?
Miss Fuller jerked on the reins. “Here we are.” She looked at me expectantly, as if I should climb out of her trim little gig without her.
“Shouldn’t we wait for the doormen to take your reins?” I asked.
“Take my reins? Oh—did you think I was coming with you? No, no, dear, I’m off to investigate a slum on Hester Street. You really thought I was coming with you? I only meant that I would take you
here. I thought your husband would appreciate my escorting you since he is, as you say, out of town.”
“Would you rather I came with you to the slum?” I asked.
“And have you jilt Mr. Poe? I wouldn’t dare.” Miss Fuller steadied her horse, then waved me toward the hotel. “Go on. It will be good for your books.”
Reluctantly, I climbed out from under the heavy robe. I held my breath as the carriage rattled away.
I found myself on the sidewalk before the hotel, contemplating an immediate about-face up Broadway when I felt someone’s presence behind me. Before I could move, a man said, “Lord help the poor bears and beavers.”
I turned to find Mr. Poe, his black-lashed eyes trained upon the building before us. Without a hello he said, “Davy Crockett’s words, upon first seeing this pile.”
I hesitated. “Because of Mr. Astor’s fur trade?”
He continued as if I had not spoken. “But Crockett was mistaken. It wasn’t the bears and the beavers that made Astor’s fortune. It was the opium he bought from the Chinese.”
I looked at him in surprise. “Mr. Astor deals in opium?”
He kept his gaze upon the hotel. “Whenever you see this much wealth, assume that someone dirtied his hands. Fortunes don’t come to saints.”
“I’ve never thought of that.”
He gave me a sharp glance. “Really?”
I drew back, chastened.
“Mr. Astor prefers to be known for the slaughter of animals rather than for his association with opiates. I wonder why that is.” He lowered his sights to me. “Shall we enter, Mrs. Osgood?”
So he did recognize me. I preceded him inside, into the hot maw of the lobby. As we walked past impressive people dressed in beautiful clothes, I felt low and insignificant, a ne’er-do-well’s abandoned wife, although my gown was as fine as anyone’s. What a sham I was.
I stopped to face him. “Congratulations on the success of ‘The Raven.’ ”
He frowned as if insulted.
“People love it. I hear talk of it everywhere I go.”
“‘People’ have no taste. Don’t tell me that you think it’s a work of genius.”
Was this a trick? I scanned his dark-rimmed eyes for clues.
When I did not answer he said, “Thank you, Mrs. Osgood. You’re the first honest woman I have met in New York.” He shook his head.
“It is my luck that I will become famous for that piece.”
Still not sure that I shouldn’t be gushing, I switched to safer ground. “May I ask what you are working on now?”


“A book on the material and spiritual universe.”
I laughed.
He watched me coolly.
“I’m sorry. I thought you were joking.”
“I never joke.”
“Of course not. Excuse me.”
“Although I wish I were. It will never sell.”
“Your work always sells,” I said lightly.
“Not any of my works with a true idea in them. People want to be titillated or frightened. They don’t want to think.”
I smiled hesitantly. What did he want with me?
“This is why I singled out your poems in my lecture,” he said. “They have real feeling in them, if one reads between the lines.”
I could not help but be disarmed. “Thank you. I find that the thoughts spoken between the lines are the most important parts of a poem or story.”
“As in life.”
I reluctantly met his intense gaze. “Yes.”
“I am particularly taken with your poem, ‘Lenore’:

So when Love poured through thy pure heart his lightning,
On thy pale cheek the soft rose-hues awoke—
So when wild Passion, that timid heart frightening,
Poisoned the treasure, it trembled and broke!

I swallowed my surprise. “You memorized it.”
An elegant couple drifted by, he in succulent wool and she in layers of costly lace. Mr. Poe frowned. “It spoke to me somehow, and not just because I had written a poem with the same title and had used the name in ‘The Raven.’ ”
“A coincidence.”
He stared at me.
I looked away. Why had Mr. Poe called this meeting? Surely he had better things to do than to raise the hopes of an unknown writer.
“You are probably wondering why I wished to meet you.”
I drew in a breath.
“Actually, it is on behalf of my wife.”
“Mrs. Poe?”
He frowned slightly at my unnecessary question. “She is a great reader. I have taught her all of the classics. I like to encourage her when she shows interest in good work, and your poems, Mrs. Osgood,
delight her.”
I pictured the pretty woman-child I had seen at Miss Lynch’s conversazione. I wondered if it was my poems for adults or for children that she admired.
“Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Poe. I wish she were here so that I could thank her, too.”
His expression hardened. “She has had bronchitis. Her recovery has been long and difficult. There was no question of her going out today.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“The few times she has ventured beyond our home have only served to set her back.”
“I am truly very sorry.”
He glanced away, then glared as if I’d offended him. “You will not hear her complain. She’s a brave, good girl. If I could only take her to Jamaica or Bermuda or some such hot clime, I’m certain she would become well.”
Why did they not go, then? With his success, surely he had the money.
“I hope she gets well soon.”
His expression settled back into cool civility. “It is bold of me to ask—we are perfect strangers, and you have obligations to your husband and family—but might you come visit her someday? I know
from looking into your eyes that you are a good person, and kind, and that your gentle association might help her.”
That was why he wished to meet with me? Ashamed of my disappointment, I exclaimed, “I should like very much to meet her! Might I have the pleasure of visiting her at your home?”
“Mrs. Osgood, you are too kind. Yes. Yes, we’d like that very much.”
“When would you like me to come?”
“At your convenience.”
“Would next week suit you?”
“Name your day. Any day. I will arrange my schedule around you.”
“Monday? In the afternoon?” I saved my morning hours for writing . . . writing, that is, what I hoped would be my imitation of his work.
He bowed, as stiffly formal as if in a royal court. “We would be so grateful.”
He gave me directions to his home on 154 Greenwich Street, then bowing again, left me in Astor’s parlor with all the frippery that bears and beavers and opium could buy.

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5 paperbacks of MRS. POE (U.S. Only), directly from publisher.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Lynn Cullen

Lynn Cullen is the author of The Creation of Eve, named one of the best fiction books of the year by The Atlanta Journal- Constitution; and Reign of Madness, nominated for the Townsend Prize for fiction. 
She is also the author of numerous award-winning children’s books, including I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter. 
An avid traveler and historian, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia.


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