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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Dark Light Dance: Refuge by Carole Rummage

Refuge

Laney Lowell moved across the country to escape her past, not to fall in love. But when she becomes friends with Gabe, a handsome artist plagued by a mysterious disease, she'll have to decide between facing his dark truth or walking away from him forever. This thrilling romance is full of twists that will keep you guessing to the last page.


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FIRST WEEK
June 10
The Witchy Contessa
Jess's Book Blog

June 11
Icy Cold Reads

June 12
Cherie Reads 
Reader Girls

June 13
The Cover Contessa
Little Library Muse

June 14
Zach's YA Reviews
WTF Are You Reading?
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SECOND WEEK!!!
June 17
My Devotional Thoughts
Nightstand Novels 

June 18
A Book Lover's Library 

June 19
World to Dreams 
Bookish Randomness 
June 20
YA Book Addict
June 21
Hey Wanna See My Indies
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Monday, June 10, 2013

Review: Hidden by M. Lathan

Title: Hidden
Author: M. Lathan
Series: Hidden, #1
Publication: November, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal

Source: Author/Publisher


Synopsis:Sixteen-year-old Leah Grant has given up on being normal. She’d settle for stopping the voices in her head, intrusive visions of the future, and better odds of making it to her seventeenth birthday.

That’s the thing about pretending to be human in a world where magic used to exist – at any moment, her cover could be blown and she’ll be burned to death like the rest of the witches.

Everything changes when she loses control of her powers and flees the orphanage she grew up in. She desperately wants to be invisible but finds her face plastered on every news channel as humans panic over the possible resurgence of her kind. And now the hunters won’t give up until they find her.

Making friends for the first time in her life and falling in love with one of them drives her to discover why she is unlike any being she’s ever met – human or otherwise. The dangerous powers inside of her that would repel Nathan, her new, handsome reason for living, are priceless to some. The locked up forever kind of priceless. And to others, they are too dangerous to allow her to live.

Let’s hope she can stay hidden.

My Thoughts: All her life she has gone by Leah even once she found out her true name, Christina. Leah has been hiding a deadly secret. She is the last living witch, or so she believes. This all changes one day as she lets her anger and power consume her. Now Leah is faced with others that she thought were extinguished and whether she should let her guard down and begin to trust.


This is a story I wasn’t expecting. Leah is such a deep character. He upbringing has caused her to be have misguided ideas about her kind sending her into a depressive state of self loathing. Leah is so strong. She is able to control her emotions even under the idea that she is evil. I couldn’t help but like her from the beginning. Lathan has created a story of self identity and change that is moving. 
Author Bio: 
M. Lathan lives in San Antonio with her husband and mini-schnauzer. She enjoys writing and has a B.S. in Psych and a Masters in Counseling. Her passion is a blend of her two interests – creating new worlds and stocking them with crazy people. She enjoys reading anything with interesting characters and writing in front of a window while asking rhetorical questions … like her idol Carrie Bradshaw.


Giveaway: 


M. Lathan is graciously giving away an ebook copy of book 2 Lost. Hidden is currently free on  B&N, iTunes, Smashwords and Kobo use links above to get your copy.  Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter. 

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Friday, June 7, 2013

Review: Edge of Truth by Natasha Hanova

Title: Edge of Truth
Author: Natasha Hanova
Publication: June 6th 2013
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Source: Author/Publisher
Genre: YA Dystopia

Audience: 14 and up


Synopsis: Citizens who report to work on time, obey the Overlord’s laws, and stay off the Synbot’s radar, live long lives. Long, dull, monotonous lives.

It’s not a bad plan for someone with a hidden, emotion-based ability to trigger earthquakes. In a world pitted against her, sixteen-year-old Rena Moon strives for a life beyond working herself to death at the factory. Seeing an alternative, she risks selling relics from the forbidden lands at Market. It becomes the worst decision she ever made. Someone kidnaps her best friend in exchange for the one thing that would end her oppression.

Driven by loyalty, Rena and seventeen-year-old Nevan Jelani, soulful composer, green thumb extraordinaire, and the secret love of her life, plot to rescue her friend and reclaim her salvage. Still, the thought lingers whether Nevan is a true hero or another thief waiting for his chance at her loot. Events spin wildly, deepening Rena’s suspicions and pushing her limit of control. With more than her chance for freedom at stake, she must decide if she’s willing to kill to protect what’s precious to her. For once, the Overlord isn’t holding all the power, but can Rena live with being reduced to what she’s trying so hard to escape?

My Thoughts: Rena has a secret. If anyone finds out the Syns will take her away never to be seen again. Rena must learn to put her trust in others in order to save her best friend. The real question is who can she trust? I really enjoy this story. Natasha Hanova's take on the ya dystopian genre is refreshing. Rena is such a strong character and her amazing power is interesting.  The potential romance and the suspense keep me turning the pages. This YA read will be loved by all who touch it.  

Author Bio:
Natasha Hanova is an award-winning author of young adult and adult dark fantasy/paranormal fiction. Her short stories are published in Undead Tales 2, October Nightmares and Dreams, and Once Upon a Christmas. She is a member of Novel Clique, YALitChat, and an Affiliate member of the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation, Inc. She lives in Kansas with her wonderful husband, twin boys, and daughter.



Giveaway: This giveaway is open internationally. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter. 
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Cover Reveal: The Divided Worlds Trilogy by Imran Siddiq

Title:Disassemble (The Divided Worlds #2)
Publication: July 29, 2013

Synopsis: Zachary is a scavenger, and he’ll do anything to survive. With Rosa by his side, nothing will break him.

After the Galilei Research Base is plunged into darkness, an unexpected threat emerges.

Where Zachary was the hero before, he will become the enemy.

It’s not just about surviving anymore. It’s about saving everyone before they destroy one another, especially Rosa.

Title:Disrupt (The Divided Worlds #3)
Publication: July 29, 2013

Synopsis: Everything that Zachary lived for has changed. There are no rewards to come from scavenging. Just memories. But even they are not enough to remove thoughts of a worthless life. 

In the midst of death, a purpose to live appears.

It wills Zachary to break the divide that has destroyed many.

This fight will be on his terms.

Author Bio:
Imran Siddiq is a Law Graduate employed as a Senior Manager in the NHS. After an operation to remove a brain tumour, he decided to make his dreams real. Now, he sacrifices time to write and serve his two cats.

He’s a veteran of writing festivals, a constant on Twitter, and gobbles up all forms of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Living in Leicester, he is passionate about creating images in digital art.

Young Adult Science Fiction is his preferred genre, and he will throw a droid into every novel – literally throw.


Start at the beginning with Disconnect
Title:Disconnect (The Divided Worlds #1)
Publication: January 27, 2013

Synopsis: Dirtying fingernails in sewers is fast approaching worthlessness for Zachary, a 16-year old Underworld scavenger. When footage of an Overworld girl, Rosa, is discovered, his intrigue heightens at why she expresses sadness with a lavish lifestyle.

In meeting Rosa, Zachary is scorned by her opinion of the deprived. She pities him and provides a means for them to communicate. With time, friendship and something he’s never felt grows; love for another human. Knowing Rosa calls him when it suits her isn’t enough; he wants to meet her, but how? Relationships in Underworld are few, let alone the impossibility with those above the ceiling.

Underworld will suffer when plans to conquer Jupiter’s moon, Europa move ahead. Worse is Rosa’s father, a disgraced Overworld ambassador, approving the plan.

Zachary must defeat the prejudice of the worlds, sneak within opposing forces, lose friends and challenge Rosa’s sadness. In doing so, a twisted secret is uncovered that may devour the reason he lives; Rosa.

In space, love has boundaries.

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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Batwoman Volume 2: To Drown the World

Author:J.H. Williams III, W. Haden Blackman

Illustrators: Amy Reeder and Trevor McCarthy
Title:Batwoman Volume 2: To Drown the World
Publication: January 22, 2013
Publisher: DC Comics
Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book
Pages: 144
Audience: 16 and up
Rating: 2 out of 5
Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): Murder. Madness. Monsters... Medusa. Taking its name from the horrifying creature of myth, this global conspiracy of crime has taken its war against goodness to Gotham City

There, its sinister agents prey upon Gotham's children, using the guises of urban legends. Ghosts in the mirror searching for bloody retribution. Monsters in the sewer hungering for innocent lives. Crazed specters spreading their pain in a  tide of blood. Brutal killers wielding death with a hook bladed hand. 

At Medusa's dark heart stands the Mother of Monsters. Her goal is to drown the world in darkness.  

But the Mother isn't Gotham's only dark spirit.

Batwoman's mind, body, and soul have been battered as never before. But she's emerged from her trials stronger than ever. Now on a collision course with Medusa, no one- not the GCPD, not the shadowy Department of Extranormal Operations, and not the men and women who care about her the most will stop her from seeking justice for the lost....


My thoughts:
What an utter and total disappointment.  I love the character Batwoman/ Kate Kane. She is a wonderful character and I believe there are so many (good) things the writers could do for her. However, this story was complete garbage in my opinion. The graphic novel was split up by people and their individual time lines that occurred over what appeared to be about a few weeks or so. It would jump from various character who were not Kate or Batwoman and the time line would jump around also. It was a complete jumbled mess. Also, the story is full of mythology and along with the timeline it was just incomprehensible. I was able to understand some of the basics of what was going on. It was like the graphic novel was a filler meant to tease the reader. It actually makes me angry that the storyline and the flow was such a mess. I'm actually trying to decide if I want to purchase the next graphic novel or not. Most fans do not question their loyalty, but I will unless a writer steps up to the task of sorting the chaos that the Batwoman plot is at the moment and sculpt it in a beautiful, well thought out story.

As for the art, it seems to have diminished a bit. She isn't as shiny or as detailed as I remember, which I can forgive. I do appreciate the artists attempts to bring Kate Kane's complexion to that of the living and less like a dead corpse. She is still pale, but she looked healthier and better than before. The art is still great even if the story is completely lacking.

I will read the next one, but I may wait for it to arrive at the library first.
 

Monday, June 3, 2013

Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir)

Author: Jenny Lawson aka The Bloggess

Title:Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir)
Publication: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Memoir, Humor
Pages: 370
Audience: 18 and up
Rating: 3 out of 5
Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): When Jenny Lawson was little, all she ever wanted was to fit in. That dream was cut short by her fantastically unbalanced father and morbidly eccentric childhood. It did, however, open up an opportunity for Lawson to find the humor in the strange shame-spiral that is her life, and we are all better for it.  

In the irreverent Let's Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson's long-suffering husband and sweet daughter help her uncover the surprising discovery that the most terribly human moments- the ones we want to pretend never happened- are the very same moments that make us the people we are today.  

For every intellectual misfit who thought they were the only ones to think the things that Lawson dares to say out loud, this is a poignant and hysterical look at the dark, disturbing, yet wonderful moments of our lives.

My thoughts:
 I came across The Bloggess's blog some time around March. It was around the time the paperback copy of her novel, Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) was first released and she had added an extra chapter to it. Before purchasing the novel I read most of her posts and caught up with her blog once a week during one of my classes. I loved her blog that I purchased her book with intentions of reading it for Spring Break. As funny as she is, she can be offensive. So, if you are easily offended, I do not recommend this book. If you do not like cursing, I also do not recommend this book. It is full of curse words and offensive stories. She even mentions that in the first chapter that she may offend you. I wasn't offended, but I felt like I expected more humor out of her stories, I guess. The stories on her blog are hilarious, but this was a more "this is how I became me" type of story, which is what a memoir actually is. It is not a bad story and I can relate to her. She has anxiety disorder plus other medical issues that I find very brave of her to come out and say she has. Also, I love her stories about her hometown. Being from a small, rural area myself, there are so many weird things that happen that just seem normal because you are not from a more developed, urban area. I guess I could see the same things happening in my home town and what not that I was a little bit let down. However, her blog keeps me entertained and this book hinted at another novel in the future. I will definitely pick it up.
 

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Guest Post & Giveaway: The Underground Witch by Debbie Dee




Title: The Underground Witch 
Series: Incenaga Trilogy, #2
Author: Debbie Dee
Publication: May 2, 2013
Publisher: Dolce Books

Source: Author/Publisher
Genre: Young Adult
Audience: 12 and up 




Synopsis:
 As the last of the Incenaga Witches, Emmeline has been tortured and forced to use her power to kill. But unlike the Incenagas before her, she has survived. With her freedom restored, she should feel safe, invincible even. After all, she has the protection of Prince Erick’s army and a power strong enough to obliterate any enemy. Yet Emmeline lives in fear for the next person who will try to control her, and no one can seem to find the tyrant threatening to claim her. 
                 
Until it’s too late. 

With everything on the line, and the enemy at her throat, will Emmeline be able to use her power like never before? Even if it kills her? 

In The Underground Witch, the second novel of the Incenaga Trilogy, Debbie Dee delivers enough adventure, heartbreak, and suspense to captivate readers at every turn.

My Thoughts: Read my Review of The Underground Witch here.


Guest Post: 

I’m not like all those other cool authors who say they have wanted to write since the day they were born. I didn’t realize how fun writing could be until about four years ago. I had just watched the movie, The Bucket List, with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, and was so fascinated with the idea of making a list of goals. I put some pretty goofy things on my list– “ride a camel” and “kiss a frog,” but I also included goals that I knew would take more effort. When I scribbled “write a book,” I chuckled a little because I didn’t think it was something I could accomplish while chasing three small children. A few weeks later, an idea came to me that wouldn’t leave me alone, and in the spirit of checking off an item on my bucket list, I jotted it down. Before long, I found myself sneaking away to write more and soon realized I had a new passion in my life.


When I was younger I used to spend a lot of time taking quizzes that would tell me what kind of person I was - What kind of friend are you? Are you a Hero or a Zero? Or my all time favorite - Would you be a good spy? I had no idea who I was or who I wanted to be and I figured the results of the quizzes should tell me. And then I ran across a quote that changed my entire way of thinking:

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”  - George Bernard Shaw


I realized that it didn’t matter what any quiz said about me – I could be whoever or whatever I wanted. My bucket list has helped me “create” myself. I’ve done some pretty crazy things that I never thought I would and it has shaped my life in more ways that I could ever imagine. Becoming a writer tops that list, but I’ve also learned how to play several instruments, enjoy a sunrise, and use a miter saw without screaming.


And yes, I would be an awesome spy.


What goals do you have on your bucket list?

Author Bio: 
Debbie Dee recently moved to southern Idaho with her husband and three children where she is learning how to be a country girl in her favorite pair of blue heels. She adores fairy tales and happy endings, but secretly crushes on the bad guy now and then. 

As a dedicated musician who practices way too much, she never expected writing would sweep her off her feet until she jotted down a scene from a daydream, which turned into two scenes, which turned into a messy house and her first novel. Since then she hasn’t been able to let a day go by without writing. 

In addition to writing, she plays the piano, harp, violin, and gets in frequent fights with her cello. She loves to read and play board games - when she is winning. 


Giveaway: Enter to win an e-book copy of the first book in the series The Last Witch. Use the rafflecopter form below to enter.
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