Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Years!

Hope everyone has a amazing New Years and that all the wishes you have for 2011 will come true! =D So I was thinking about showing you some of the stuff from my New Years Resolutions, but before I start I was just wondering what your New Years Resolutions is? What are you going to do in 2011 that could change your life and make it more fun?

1. To read more books then I did in 2010.
2. Do more posts.
3. Start contests/giveaways.
4. Talk more to authors and publishing companies.
5. Make more videos then I did in 2010.
6. Make the blog more fun. =)

So that's just some of the things I want to do to improve this blog and my channel. I hope everyone liked this post and have a great day!

Fragment Friday (8)

Fragment Friday is hosted by James at Book Chic. You read an excerpt from your favorite book or a book that you are currently reading and share it to your readers.


Today I read from Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Trailer Thursday (7)

Sapphique
By: Catherine Fisher

Synopsis:

The only one who escaped . . . And the one who could destroy them all.

Incarceron, the living prison, has lost one of its inmates to the outside world: Finn’s escaped, only to find that Outside is not at all what he expected. Used to the technologically advanced, if violently harsh, conditions of the prison, Finn is now forced to obey the rules of Protocol, which require all people to live without technology. To Finn, Outside is just a prison of another kind, especially when Claudia, the daughter of the prison’s warden, declares Finn the lost heir to the throne. When another claimant emerges, both Finn’s and Claudia’s very lives hang on Finn convincing the Court of something that even he doesn’t fully believe.
Meanwhile, Finn’s oathbrother Keiro and his friend Attia are still trapped inside Incarceron. They are searching for a magical glove, which legend says Sapphique used to escape. To find it, they must battle the prison itself, because Incarceron wants the glove too.

Book Trailer:


Check out Catherines website: Here!
Check out the Incarceron series website: Here!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Top 5 favorite Covers of 2010!

I decided to do a post about my top 5 favorite covers that were published in the US in 2010.
I hope you enjoy this post.

1.

This has to be my number #1 favorite cover of 2010. I really like how the girls eyes aren't looking at you, but somewhere else. I do like the swirls and butterflies that go across in different areas around the cover. Also the text of the title is amazing and the colors put together on this cover is beautiful. I think the girl they picked for Meghan is just what I thought she looked like. There isn't one bad thing about this cover to me and it made it that much better to read.





2.
I must like purple a lot because I think this cover is amazing! The flowers make the cover bright and wild. The way the hair flows and goes all the way to the back of the book is great and also the skin of the girl is covered in sparkles (who could not like that?). I also like the brightness of the girls eye and how they don't really need to show the other half of her face. Also the color of her lips is stunning. The text of the title is great and I love that one little slash of blood of the "T" that looks like a cross.





3.
 I enjoy this cover a lot. I really like how the older more colored picture of the girl on the right has cracks in the painting and it truly does look like a work of art.
I do also like the ribbon that goes all the way around the book and on the side has a wonderful key that means a lot in the book. The other picture of the girl on the left does make it seem likes its more of a picture then a painting and closer to our time then the one on the right. I do enjoy history and I just love how this book makes it seem like its two different stories when they separate the two girls, but with the ribbon it seems like in way that they are both connected.




4.
I did enjoy the first books cover called Fallen when the girl looked like she was crying,but on this cover the girl looks like she is about to exploded with anger. That she is completely done with the problems people put her through and she is ready to do what she wants to do even if what she does isn't always the right thing. The dress she is wearing is amazing and I really just like how her hair is all messed up. The background makes it seem very gloomy and it that's a even better thing when it comes to her rage. I do like the text a lot and how the "R" swoops down and under the "M". I also like the nice little sign that separates the title of the book and the authors name.

5.
I like this cover because its simple and a lot easier looking then the other covers, but in the same way it also makes a shows something huge that happens in the book and the only way the designer would know this is if he/she read the book. The color in the background is very bright, but also makes it pop when you look at it on a shelf and just want to pick it up and see whats inside. I also like the lighter, which plays a big part in the story. But my favorite part of the book is the text of the words that look like they are coming out of the lighter. The only problem with this cover is the text of the authors name! It's so small! But overall this book looks amazing.

Waitng on Wednesday: Cryer's Cross

Cryer's Cross
Lisa McMann
Young Adult
February 8, 2010

This author has made other books, which include the Wake Trilogy that I have read, but didn't like at all. But I am willing to give this author a second chance because this sounds amazing and hopefully her writing style as improved. I love books that are creepy and seem like there are twist and turns in the story, but no way out. The cover is amazing and hopefully its good or even better then I think.

From Barnes&Nobles:
The small town of Cryer’s Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

When a second student goes missing—someone close to Kendall’s heart—the community is in an uproar. Caught in a downward spiral of fear and anxiety, Kendall’s not sure she can hold it together. When she starts hearing the voices of the missing, calling out to her and pleading for help, she fears she’s losing her grip on reality. But when she finds messages scratched in a desk at school—messages that could only be from the missing student who used to sit there—Kendall decides that crazy or not, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t act on her suspicions.
Something’s not right in Cryer’s Cross—and Kendall’s about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Book Review: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Hello everyone. I finished reading Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, which is the first book in this series. The second book called Sapphique, which just came out yesterday.

***
Plot: Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible.
And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside- she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.

Review: At the beginning of this book it was a bit slow, but after a few chapters I was hooked to the story. The writing style wasn't that great at first, but after getting used to how the author writes it seemed good. I did enjoy most of characters, like Finn and Claudia. I also liked the mystery that every single character had and that really made the book more fun. I did like the journey Finn and a few other people had to go through to finally be where they always wanted to be. Finn was a very caring and smart person in this story. He really was the light in the dark Incarceron. Claudia was a completely different character then Finn and had a few secrets she didn't know about herself. She was also smart, but mostly clever, hard as a rock, and at times she acted like a ticking time boom ready to blow up. But I have to say my favorite character throughout the whole book was Incaceron the prison itself. To me I think Incarceron is the beast inside every creator. I just love how Incarceron is a living thing and can trap people inside itself, but never could really see from outside itself. Overall this book was amazing and I give it a 4.5/5.

***
Pub. Date: January 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: Hardcover , 442pp
Chapters: 35
Age Range: Young Adult

Book Trailer:

Sunday, December 26, 2010

In My Mailbox (12)

*In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren* In My Mailbox gives bloggers a chance to show each other
what books they got for the week. It's a very exciting and fun thing to do. Here is what I got for the week:

Bought/Review/Won:

Summary: A hidden truth.
Mortal enemies.
Doomed love.
Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form. Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.
Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.


Summary: Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.
But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.
So much for normal.




Summary: Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.
So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?
Edgy and gripping, Please Ignore Vera Dietz is an unforgettable novel: smart, funny, dramatic, and always surprising.

Summary:
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.
As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
His life depends on it.

Summary: BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.
PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.
Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.


Summary: Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, an iconic rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer, and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance. But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is tested by a torturous secret from his past.
Part irresistible romance and part darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers.


Summary: Psychic...or psychotic?
Anna knows her family is crazy. But when she goes to visit her aunt and uncle for the summer and learns that her uncle’s charred body has been found, her life reaches a new level of insanity. Her erratic aunt’s “psychic” abilities are exaggerated by her grief, and have become borderline violent. Alone in an unfamiliar town, Anna struggles to pick up the pieces and establish any sense of normalcy. She desperately wants to trust Zack, the cute boy next door, but even he might know more about the incident than he is letting on.
But when Anna starts feeling an inexplicable pull to the site of her uncle’s murder, she begins to believe that her family’s supernatural gifts are real after all. Torn between loyalty and suspicion, Anna is certain of only one thing: she must discover who killed her uncle or she could be next....


Summary: 1922

The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.
Big Driver
Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.
Fair Extension
Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

Summary: Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.

Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.
Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Fragment Friday (7)

Fragment Friday is hosted by James at Book Chic. You read an excerpt from your favorite book or a book that you are currently reading and share it to your readers.


Today I read from Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Christmas!

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is safe and warm... or happy and cool (where ever you live) this time of the year. And I hope you are having fun with whatever holiday you celebrate! I am so excited for the new books and all the other goodies tomorrow will bring. Soooo Merry Christmas to all and to all a good-night!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Trailer Thursday (6)

Bloody Valentine
By: Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis:

Vampires have powers beyond human comprehension: strength that defies logic, speed that cannot be captured on film, the ability to shapeshift and more. But in matters of the heart, no one, not even the strikingly beautiful and outrageously wealthy Blue Bloods, has total control. In Bloody Valentine, bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz offers readers a new story about the love lives of their favorite vamps - the passion and heartache, the hope and devastation, the lust and longing. Combined with all the glitz, glamour, and mystery fans have come to expect, this is sure to be another huge hit in the Blue Bloods series.


Book Trailer:

 

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday: The Iron Witch

The Iron Witch
Karen Mahoney
Young Adult
February 8, 2010

I have read many books that are about witches, but anything like this. I really like the cover and the text of the title. The idea of the stories is really interesting and seems like a great adventure to read about. I am looking forward to this book. Wednesday

From Goodreads:

Freak. That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend—even if it means betraying everything her parents and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (8)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!Just do the following:


Grab you current read
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page.
BE CAREFULE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOLIERS! (make sure that what your share doesn't give to much
away! You don't want to ruin the book for the others!)
Share the title & author, too, so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like you teasers!

My Teaser:
"Listen. You're alive...."
"No thanks to you." She drew herself up; she was taller than he was. and her anger was venomous. "Whatever you want from me, you can forget it. You murderers can rot in hell."
Behind him, Keiro leaned on the doorframe, grinning. "Some people have absolutely no gratitude," he said.
~Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Monday, December 20, 2010

It's Monday, What are you Reading? (9)

This fantastic meme is hosted by Shelia at One Person's Jounrey Through The World of Books.

Read This Past Week:
Matched by Ally Condie
Random Magic by Sasha Soren
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Currently Reading:
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Upcoming Reads:
I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Crusade by Nancy Holder

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Hello everyone! Today I finished Matched by Ally Condie. Here is my review and I hope you enjoy:

^^^^
Plot: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Review: This book was one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Cassia is one of the most interesting, amazing, strong characters in any book I have ever read and so is Ky. They both make the book really come alive not just the way that they long to be together, but also because of the way they express themselves through words and feelings. This story that you will never forget and it will also changing something about you. It made me great full for having the choices I have in my life that I can make and the freedom that I have. The writing style of this book is wonderful and really makes the book feel like much better to read. There are also other characters like Cassia's brother, Bram and also Xander who were so filled with life, but also filled with hope and safety. This book touched me in way that no other book has. I give this book a 5/5.

^^^^
Pub. Date: November 2010
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Format: Hardcover , 384pp
Chapters: 32
Age Range: Young Adult

Book Trailer:

Book Review: Random Magic by Sasha Soren

Hello everyone! Today I finished reading Random Magic by Sasha Soren for the Winterlong: Blog Tour.
Here is my review and I hope you enjoy it:

****
Plot:When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes. Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is. Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Struths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.

Review: Random Magic was a roller coaster of fun. The beginning was a little slow, but overall the book was amazing. I just love the idea of the story and how the author mixed all the characters together to make something this great. Henry was a great protagonist and a very brave character in this story. But the character that really caught my eyes in this story was Winnie Flapjack. She just was a perfect friend to Henry and everything about her was fun to read. Other characters like the Dark Queen, Priscilla, Baron, and many more were great to read about as well. The writing style of the book was a lot of fun to read and I was a little sad when the book ended, because it just seemed like all the fun went with it when I closed the pages and put it back on my shelf. I give this a 4/5. 
 
****
 
Rating: 4/5
Pub. Date: January 1, 2010
Publisher: Beach Books, LLC
Format: Paperback, 420pp
 
Book Trailer:
 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Trailer Thursday (5)

Random Magic
By: Sasha Soren

Synopsis:

When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes. Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is. Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Struths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.


Book Trailer:

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday: Entangled


Entangled
Cat Clarke
Young Adult
January 6, 2010

This book sounds very serious and interesting. I just can't wait for this book to come out not just because how amazed I am at the cover, but also the idea of the book and the main character seems like the area she is in isn't so good and that's the type of topic that interests me the most.

From Goodreads:

The same questions whirl round and round in my head:
What does he want from me?
How could I have let this happen?
AM I GOING TO DIE?
17-year-old Grace wakes up in a white room with a table, pens and paper - and no clue how she got here.
As Grace pours her tangled life onto the page, she's forced to remember everything he tried to forget . There's falling hopelessly in love with the gorgeous Nate, and the unravelling of her relationship with her best friend Sal. But there's something missing . As hard as she's trying to remember, is there something she just can't see?
Grace must face the most important question of all. Why is she here?
A story of dark secrets, intense friendship and electrifying attraction.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

YAAAYYYY! IT'S FINALLY HERE!

Cassandra Clare (AKA the best author ever!) shared the cover for City of Fallen Angels, which is the fourth book in the FANTASTIC Mortal Instruments series.
This morning the cover went live on Entertainment Weekly's Shelf Life, where you can also read an excerpt from the book. Make sure you go check it out, but before you rush off, leave a comment to telling me what you think of this AMAZING  cover!




My Thoughts: The Mortal Instruments has to be the #1 series to me. I loved every single part of every book. There was never a boring part and how could there be? I mean with characters as amazing and awesome as Clary, Jace, and Simon there just couldn't be a boring part or a part where I wanted to put the book down (not joking... I really never put these books down... it was 3 days non-stop reading these books.)I could have never thought of a world this great and interesting. The history with all the Shadowhunters, Downworlders, and Demons was out of this world. It was great getting back into this world when I was reading Clockwork Angels (Infernal Devices #1) with Tessa, Jem, and Will. I just loved the feeling of the areas she picked for both of these series (New York City and London). I am so excited to start reading more of Jace, Clary, and Simon. It really felt like the series ended with City of Glass, but to know there will be more right around the corner is amazing! Go Cassandra Clare!

Summary: Love, blood, betrayal and revenge — the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels. Simon Lewis is having some trouble adjusting to his new life as a vampire, especially now that he hardly sees his best friend Clary, who is caught up in training to be a Shadowhunter—and spending time with her new boyfriend Jace. Not to mention that Simon doesn’t quite know how to handle the pressure of not-quite-dating two girls at once. What’s a daylight-loving vampire to do? Simon decides he needs a break and heads out of the city—only to discover that sinister events are following him. Realizing that the war they thought they’d won might not yet be over, Simon has to call on his Shadowhunter friends to save the day — if they can put their own splintering relationships on hold long enough to rise to the challenge.
Coming from Margaret K. McElderry on April 5, 2011.

Monday, December 13, 2010

It's Monday, What are you Reading? (8)

This fantastic meme is hosted by Shelia at One Person's Jounrey Through The World of Books.

Read This Past Week:
Night Star by Alyson Noel

Currently Reading:
Matched by Ally Condie
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens


Upcoming Reads:
Random Magic by Sasha Soren
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Friday, December 10, 2010

Epic Contest of Epic

Beth Revis, author of Across the Universe is having a Epic Contest of Epic over at her blog Beth Revis. There is 100 prizes!!!! 67 mini swag packs, 15 button swag packs, 15 ARC books, 2 ARC watch packs, and a big-huge amazing grand prize containing a signed hardcover, first edition of across the universe, a super-rare acorss the universe watcht, set of six pin-buttons (three designs, two sizes), set of bookmarks featuring fellow debut 2011 authors (many signed), Giftbag of swag I'm planning on giving out at my launch party in January, signed across the universe bookmark, signed across the universe bookplate, and finally a postcard.Now do I really need to even have to tell you to go check out the contest now? (yeah, didn't think so). The contest ends on Decemeber 20th. If you need any more information please click on the blogs name and it will bring you right to the page. Hope you all win one of these awesome prizes and good luck! =D

Fragment Friday (6)

Fragment Friday is hosted by James at Book Chic. You read an excerpt from your favorite book or a book that you are currently reading and share it to your readers.


Today I read from Matched by Ally Condie.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Trailer Thursday (4)

Entice
By: Carrie Jones
Synopsis:

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that’s not how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is gone. He’s been taken to some mythic place for warriors called Valhalla, where Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. It’s just not going to be easy.
Meanwhile, Bedford needs its warriors more than ever, since a group of evil pixies is devastating the place, with teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent. But even if Zara and her friends can find the way to Valhalla, there’s that other small problem: Zara’s been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to leave with her? Especially considering she hasn’t turned into just any pixie . . . She’s Astley’s queen.

Book Trailer:

Pages of Forbidden Love- 100+ Followers Contest

Over at Pages of Forbidden Love, my friend Alexa is having a amazing contest because she finally gained a 100 followers (Woot! Go Lexa!). Click on the sites name to go to the page to enter. The rules are simple and there are two contests, which is the Teen Contest (you have to be 13+ to enter) and the Adult Contest (you have to be 18+ to enter). For those two contests you can figure out which name is for which cover. Now this might sound simple, but it's not...so use your awesome brains and find out those covers! You can also gain extra points by spreading the word, which is all told on the page. The winners will receive one book from the choice of covers she has on her page. Now go and good luck!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Book Review: Night Star by Alyson Noel

Hello everyone! Today I finished Night Star by Alyson Noel. This is the 5th book in the Immortal series. If you did not read the first four books in the series then I warn you not to continue reading this posts for it might contain spoilers. Here is the review:

****
Plot: With 2 million copies of her Immortals series in print, Alyson Noël is one of the hottest paranormal teen authors writing today. Night Star continues the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. In this installment, Ever and Damen face down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Night Star is guaranteed to mesmerize fans and leave them breathlessly awaiting the sixth and final book!

Review: I enjoyed this book a lot better then the second, third, and forth book. I still think the first book was the best, but when Blue Moon was released into stores if felt like the characters changed for the worst in a way that it just became to dramatic or that it had to much drama in one book for anyone to fully grasp any ones minds around. In Night Star it felt more like Evermore in a way that it wasn't to much about love and more about figuring things out to survive and live together. Ever and Damen take a turn for the worst in this book and Haven just makes it worse by adding even more trouble to their thin relationship. Jude starts to stay out of every ones way and not get involved in immortal affairs, but ends up helping anyway for his own problems with Ever and Damen. There is also small characters like Miles, Sabine, and Ava who are still in the story trying to either fix things for Ever (Miles and Ava) and just makes horribly worse (Sabine). Over all the book was better then most in this story and because the way the book ended I am finally ready for the last book called Everlasting coming out next year.


****
Pub. Date: November 15, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: Hardcover , 320pp
Chapters: 41 
Age Range: Young Adult

Book Trailer:

Waitng on Wednesday: Unearthly

Uneathly
Cynthia Hand
Young Adult
January 4, 2011

I have read many angels books and never have heard of anything this fascinating before. The cover catches my eyes the very first time on the screen. After reading about it and learning more that it's going to be a Trilogy that's when I knew I needed to get this book when it hits stores. 

From Barnes&Noble:

Hand debuts with an engrossing take on the angel mythos that centers on human/angel hybrids living modern lives. All semihuman descendants of angels have a "purpose," something they were put on Earth to do, and 16-year-old Clara is no exception. Following the clues in her visions, Clara and her family move from California to Wyoming to find the boy she believes she's destined to save from a forest fire. Locating Christian is fairly easy; figuring out why and how she's supposed to get close to him isn't. As Clara negotiates high school cliques and homework, learns to use her wings, and suffers oddly stimulating arguments with her best friend's brother, she finds she will have to make decisions that could break her heart or deny her very purpose. Hand avoids overt discussion of religion while telling an engaging and romantic tale with solid backstory. Her characters deal realistically with the uncertainty of being on the cusp of maturity without wrapping themselves in angst. While the exciting climax satisfactorily concludes many of the story's threads, some questions are left to the next book of the trilogy.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (7)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!Just do the following:


Grab you current read
Open to a random page.
Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page.
BE CAREFULE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOLIERS! (make sure that what your share doesn't give to much
away! You don't want to ruin the book for the others!)
Share the title & author, too, so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like you teasers!

My Teaser:
Miles sputters, spitting the straw from his mouth and brushing hid sleeve across his lips as he gasps at Damen and says, "Scusa?"
Damen laughs, and I'm not sure if its the result of Mile's attempt to speak Italian or Mile's dramatic attempt to draw it all out and pretend as though he didn't actually hear what he so clearly did.
~Night Star by Alyson Noel

Monday, December 6, 2010

It's Monday, What are you Reading? (7)

This fantastic meme is hosted by Shelia at One Person's Jounrey Through The World of Books.

Read This Past Week:
Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

Currently Reading:
Night Star by Alyson Noel

Upcoming Reads:
Matched by Ally Condie
Random Magic by Sasha Soren
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

Random Magic Tour: Winterlong

Random Magic Tour: Winterlong

Dec. 10-23, 2010


About: Random Magic
http://tinyurl.com/yl26xwa

Tour organization: Lyrika Publicis

Tour prize coordinator: @LaFemmeReaders
http://twitter.com/lafemmereaders

Contact the tour: @RandomMagicTour
http://twitter.com/randommagictour

Win something wonderful: Tour prizes
http://tinyurl.com/2bf7rh4

Random Magic (Gift-wrapped, first edition)
Fairy tale mini-dolls (Madame Alexander series, complete set)

Magical Covers art event: Prize pack
http://tinyurl.com/2bf7rh4
Beautiful art journal
This Book Belongs To bookplates set
2011 ARC (pre-pub.) YA winter-themed


Dec. 10


Winterlong: Musical Blog Hop
Come sit by the fire and enjoy


some lovely winter tunes…


#1 of 10: Spellbound by Books
http://www.spellboundbybooks.com/
@Meeka_21
http://twitter.com/Meeka_21
Themes (song and book): Buoyancy - Good Cheer
#2 of 10: Geeky Blogger
http://www.geekybloggersbookblog.com/
@thehistorychic
http://twitter.com/thehistorychic
Themes (song and book): Reflection - Spirituality
#3 of 10: Ecstatic Reviews
http://ecstaticbookreviews.blogspot.com/
@EcstaticReviews
http://twitter.com/EcstaticReviews
Themes (song and book): Fortitude - Quirkiness
#4 of 10: Elbit Blog
http://merigreenleaf.blogspot.com/
@MeriGreenleaf
http://twitter.com/Merigreenleaf
Themes (song and book): Tenderness - Devotion
#5 of 10: The Reading Lassie
http://readinglassie.blogspot.com/
@ReadingLassie
http://twitter.com/ReadingLassie
Themes (song and book): Magic - Mystery
#6 of 10: A Reader’s Adventure
http://mariah-readingadventure.blogspot.com/
@ReaderAdventure
http://twitter.com/readeradventure
Theme (song and book): Celebration - Humor
#7 of 10: vvb32 Reads
http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/
@vvb32reads
http://twitter.com/vvb32reads
Themes (song and book): Love - Geniality
#8 of 10: About Happy Books
http://www.abouthappybooks.com/
@abouthappybooks
http://twitter.com/abouthappybooks
Themes (song and book): Comedy - Creativity
#9 of 10: The True Book Addict
http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/
@truebookaddict
http://twitter.com/truebookaddict
Themes (song and book): Hope - Light
#10 of 10: The Fluidity of Time
http://fluidityoftime.blogspot.com/
Twitter: n/a
Themes (song and book): Art - Beauty - Inspiration
(Blog Hop Summary – via vvb32)
http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/


Notes: Songs on the blog hop are nice songs for winter,
and they also reflect themes found in Random Magic. http://tinyurl.com/2dlc9lm
Bonus: Free winter song for every stop
on the hop, feel free to visit all blogs to find them all.





















Dec. 11
La Femme Readers
http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @lafemmereaders
http://twitter.com/lafemmereaders
Magical Covers: Reimagining the cover of Random Magic
http://tinyurl.com/yl26xwa
Welcome and prizes info
Voting: Dec. 18 - Winner revealed: Dec. 20


Dec. 12
My Love Affair With Books
http://books-love-affair.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @Misha_1989
http://twitter.com/Misha_1989
Review
Feat.: ‘Winter Dancers’
and – just for fun!
Unabridged Chick
http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @unabridgedchick
http://twitter.com/unabridgedchick
Feat.: Elf Yourself (winter widget)


Dec. 13
Oodles of Books
http://oodlesofbooks.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @oodlesofbooks
http://twitter.com/oodlesofbooks
Review


and


Books, Sweets and other Treats
http://bsaot.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @lindsiking
http://twitter.com/lindsiking
Feat.: ‘Winter Drinks’


Dec. 14
Stories and Sweeties
http://www.storiesandsweeties.com/
Twitter: @storiesweeties
http://twitter.com/storiesweeties
Review
Feat.: ‘Sweets for the Sweet’


Dec. 15
vvb32 Reads
http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @vvb32reads
http://twitter.com/vvb32reads
Feat.: ‘Dandy Fellows’
Related event: Dandies and Delectables (Dec. 10-23)
http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/


Dec. 16
Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @blodeuedd83
http://twitter.com/blodeuedd83
Review


and


Chick Loves Lit
http://chickloveslit.com/
Twitter: @shanynlee
http://twitter.com/shanynlee
Review
Feat.: ‘The Secrets of Random Magic’


Dec. 17
This Miss Loves To Read
http://thismisslovestoread.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @MissIrenne
http://twitter.com/MissIrenne
Review
Feat. ‘Fairy Tale Top 10: Random Magic’


Dec. 18
Booklover - Book Chicks
http://booklover-bookchicks.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @LexieVmp666
http://twitter.com/LexieVmp666
Review
Feat.: Video review of Random Magic
http://www.youtube.com/user/LexieVamp666#p/u
More: The Booklover - Book Chicks video channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/LexieVamp666#p/u


and


La Femme Readers
http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @lafemmereaders
http://twitter.com/lafemmereaders
Magical Covers: Reimagining the cover of Random Magic/i>
http://tinyurl.com/yl26xwa
Voting on cover entries
Winning cover revealed on Dec. 20


Dec. 19
The Fluidity of Time
http://fluidityoftime.blogspot.com/
Twitter: n/a
Review
Feat.: ‘Subtle Magic: A discussion of Random Magic themes’


and


Mundie Moms
http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @MundieMoms
http://twitter.com/MundieMoms
Twitter: @katiebmundiemom
http://twitter.com/katiebmundiemom
Review (book chat format)


Dec. 20
Makeshift Bookmark
http://makeshiftbookmark.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @makeshiftjen
http://twitter.com/makeshiftjen
Review
Feat.: ‘Casting Random Magic’ (gallery)


and


La Femme Readers
http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @lafemmereaders
http://twitter.com/lafemmereaders
Magical Covers: Reimagining Random Magic
http://tinyurl.com/yl26xwa
Finale: Cover winner revealed


Dec. 21
The Bushwick Book Club (Seattle chapter)
http://www.thebushwickbookclubseattle.blogspot.com/
Twitter: n/a
Feat.: Songs inspired by Random Magic (audio/video)
Details: Video performances, two different singer-songwriters.
More: The Bushwick Book Club (Seattle) video channel
http://tinyurl.com/32watrc


Dec. 22
Girls in the Stacks
http://girlsinthestacks.com/
Twitter: @girlsinthestack
http://twitter.com/girlsinthestack
Feat.: Bookshelf Theater: Random Magic (video)
Details: Video performance, cute scene from the book.
More: The Girls in the Stacks video channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/girlsinthestacks


Dec. 23
Winter Reading Circle: Tales for a Winter Night
Find some nice and cozy – or dark and spooky –
reads perfect for wintertime, on this fun blog hop.

#1 of 6: What Book Is That?
http://www.whatbookisthat.com/
Twitter: @heynocupcake
http://twitter.com/heynocupcake
#2 of 6: Willowdust Reviews – Tina’s Book Reviews
http://www.tinasbookreviews.com/
Twitter: @BooksatTinas
http://twitter.com/booksattinas
#3 of 6: Diary of a Bookworm
http://www.thediaryofabookworm.com/
Twitter: n/a
#4 of 6: A Reader’s Adventure
http://mariah-readingadventure.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @ReaderAdventure
http://twitter.com/readeradventure
#5 of 6: vvb32 Reads
http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @vvb32reads
http://twitter.com/vvb32reads
 #6 of 6 La Femme Readers
http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @lafemmereaders
http://twitter.com/lafemmereaders

Completing the reading circle -- and the Winterlong tour.
Thank you for coming along with us, and happy reading!

Countdown!

Iron Fey series!

Clockwork Angel Countdown

Morgyn's Wish List!