Blue Moon Narthex by N.J. Donner Book Tour Stop + GIVEAWAY

Hey guys!
Today for my stop on the Blue Moon Narthex blog tour, I'm sharing some of author N.J. Donner's thoughts as well as an awesome giveaway!

ABOUT BLUE MOON NARTHEX:
The balance of good and evil has been left in the hands of a thirteen year old...

Since the beginning of time, Karmanic matter worked silently and unassisted keeping good and evil in balance, until growing greed in the world meant Karma couldn’t keep up. As World War I rages, the secret Karmanic Sovereign Legion works behind the scenes to help Karma.

A suspicious train accident and an odd stone-shaped object that belonged to his father thrust Cole McCarthy and two schoolmates into the middle of this battle to keep dark forces in check.

With only the powerful stone, a letter, and grandfatherly Norm to guide them, the trio must unravel clues and tap into unknown strengths to discover who Cole’s father really was and keep themselves and those they love safe.

Includes chapter 1 of book 2 in the Karmanic Sovereign Legion series!

Amazon | B&N


ABOUT N.J. DONNER:

N.J. Donner is the author of the new Karmanic Sovereign Legion books. N.J. loves to explore. The world fascinates him and he wants to figure out why and how things work, including Karma.

College adventures took N.J. far from his small Nebraska hometown to the southern hemisphere and the inner city. This was the beginning of his wanderlust and today he loves to travel with his wife, Amanda, and their three children.

N.J. became the first person to graduate with a minor in international affairs from Nebraska Wesleyan University and spent the years right out of college building a successful steel company.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram


N.J. Donner's thoughts on...

~Books that influenced him~
The book I still remember from when I was young is Hatchet by Gary Paulson. It painted a picture in my head and I still have that vision to this day. The book made me want to write. I started, but never got very far. Who would have thought that twenty years later I would start again and actually finish? Even though my world is drastically different than the Canadian wilderness Paulson described, I still wanted to create a place that people could imprint on their minds.

~Author journey~
I wish I would have reached out for help sooner into the process. I have had the great fortune of meeting and working with my writing coach, Cindy Conger. If you are serious about finishing a novel, help is a must. You need someone to keep you on track, push you when you are down, and give you the criticism you need when you need it. Nobody writes a good book alone. The Blue Moon Narthex may have been released much sooner if I had looked for the assistance I needed earlier.

~The a-ha moment~
I never had a clear view of how The Blue Moon Narthex was going to come together. I had a rough idea. Writing is a time for my mind to wander, so the entire story was a surprise even to me as I was writing. About half way through my rough draft, my wife read it and said, “You need to finish this.” That is when I knew The Blue Moon Narthex was going to get finished.

~Advice he would give to his younger self~
Don’t be so self-conscious and worried of what others think. I’ve always been a space cadet, or perpetual dreamer. I had— and still have— crazy ideas bouncing around inside my head. I would tell my younger self to use those and don’t hold back.

~NH Setting~
I can’t say specifically, (spoiler), but it has to do with where in my mind Coreseum is located. (FYI, it’s not in New Hampshire.) Pictures of Durham station and how close the McCarthy family lived, were major factors as well.


Giveaway: Blue Moon Narthex Swag Box (US Only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins - Book Blitz and GIVEAWAY

Hey guys! I've been very MIA this month cause real life has been kicking my arse but I do have some bookish fun to share with you today!

I personally am in love with books in verse. I'm not very big on poetry so it's a bit confusing to my brain why I love verse so very much but I do - I do I do I do!!
If you're a fan of stories told this way and if you read YA it would be hard to not know about Ellen Hopkins and her fabulous books! I'm a huge fan so it's a treat today to be able to share with you info about her latest plus an awesome giveaway!

So, let's see what this one's all about - shall we?

ABOUT THE YOU I'VE NEVER KNOWN:
How do you live your life if your past is based on a lie? A new novel in both verse and prose from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins.

For as long as she can remember, it’s been just Ariel and Dad. Ariel’s mom disappeared when she was a baby. Dad says home is wherever the two of them are, but Ariel is now seventeen and after years of new apartments, new schools, and new faces, all she wants is to put down some roots. Complicating things are Monica and Gabe, both of whom have stirred a different kind of desire.

Maya’s a teenager who’s run from an abusive mother right into the arms of an older man she thinks she can trust. But now she’s isolated with a baby on the way, and life’s getting more complicated than Maya ever could have imagined.

Ariel and Maya’s lives collide unexpectedly when Ariel’s mother shows up out of the blue with wild accusations: Ariel wasn’t abandoned. Her father kidnapped her fourteen years ago.

What is Ariel supposed to believe? Is it possible Dad’s woven her entire history into a tapestry of lies? How can she choose between the mother she’s been taught to mistrust and the father who has taken care of her all these years?

In bestselling author Ellen Hopkins’s deft hands, Ariel’s emotionally charged journey to find out the truth of who she really is balances beautifully with Maya’s story of loss and redemption. This is a memorable portrait of two young women trying to make sense of their lives and coming face to face with themselves—for both the last and the very first time.

Amazon | B&N

ABOUT ELLEN HOPKINS:

Ellen Hopkins is the New York Times bestselling author of Crank, Burned, Impulse, Glass, Identical, Tricks, Fallout, Perfect, Triangles, Tilt, and Collateral. She lives in Carson City, Nevada, with her husband and son. Hopkin's Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest pages get thousands of hits from teens who claim Hopkins is the "only one who understands me", and she can be visited at ellenhopkins.com.

Like most of you here, books are my life. Reading is a passion, but writing is the biggest part of me. Balance is my greatest challenge, as I love my family, friends, animals and home, but also love traveling to meet my readers. Hope I meet many of you soon!

Website | Twitter | Tumblr

Giveaway:

3 Finished Copies of THE YOU I'VE NEVER KNOWN (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Gauntlet by Eoin Colfer Q&A and GIVEAWAY

Guys! I am so happy about my stop on this tour!

I am a huge fan of Eoin's -- like huge huge fan!

I'm so excited to share his answers to my questions with you. My list of really hope to meet one day authors is kinda short, but Eoin is on it and the fact that he took the time to answer my (lame) questions?  So much fangirling over here!

And the book? Cannot wait to read it!

So! Keep reading for lots of info bits and pieces, and don't forget to enter the contest at the end :)

Thanks guys for visiting and a BIG THANK YOU to Eoin for his contribution!!

ABOUT THE GAUNTLET:
Tony Stark is known throughout the world as many things: billionaire, inventor, Avenger. But mainly for being the Invincible Iron Man.

Just when Tony is about to add his pizzazz to an international eco-summit in Ireland, someone close to him forces him to question his role in making the world a more dangerous place with his high-tech weaponry. But Stark doesn't have much time to reflect before an old enemy presents him with an even greater challenge: the assassination of all the eco-ministers, and Iron Man himself. Just how invincible Iron Man is when he is stripped of everything remains to be seen in this breathless adventure by the bestselling author of Artemis Fowl.

Amazon | B&N
ABOUT EOIN COLFER:

Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father and mother, who were both educators.

He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Q&A

1. Describe Iron Man: The Gauntlet in 10 words or less.
Tony Stark gets no love in Ireland only aggravation.

2. I've always seen Tony Stark as a very complicated character. Was it hard getting inside his head?
Tony’s character has three sides. He is a media extrovert, a super secretive scientist and a damaged soul. That’s a pretty difficult mixture of personality traits so I had to go through his passages several times before they rang true for me.

3. Who is your favorite Marvel character?
I do love War Machine. He is a straight ahead kind of guy. He sees a job to do and he does it, with a few quips along the way.

4. Iron Man has a long and detailed history. What research went into writing The Gauntlet?
I spent my youth researching Iron Man. I have been reading the comics for thirty years. They should give me a Marvel doctorate.

5. I love the chapter titles in The Gauntlet! What comes first when you write, the titles or the chapter?
Sometimes I will think of a funny chapter title and actually rewrite a chapter just to fit it in, but mostly I do the writing first. I will admit I get a kick out of a funny heading for years afterwards.

6. What book(s) do you think Tony Stark has on his night stand?
I think Tony is a secret softy and probably has Gone With the Wind on his night stand. Or maybe Eat, Pray, Love.

GIVEAWAY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Stops:
Week 1:
10/17: Mundie Kids - Review
10/18: Take Me Away to a Great Read - Mood Board
10/19: Reading Is Better With Cupcakes - Review
10/20: Swoony Boys Podcast - Character Interview
10/21: Bookish Escapes - Review

Week 2:
10/24: YA Booknerd - Review
10/25: Red House Books - Q&A
10/26: Big Books and Grande Lattes - Review
10/27: The Irish Banana Review - Top 10
10/28: Seeing Double in Neverland - Review

Entice Me Day Celebration

In celebrations of Jessica Shirvington's Violet Eden series, Sourcebooks is throwing it's biggest online party ever and YOU'RE INVITED!

Follow @EmbraceSeries on Twitter and check back all day long for exclusive content and secrets

At 2pm EDT on Sat September 15th, Jessica will be online live reading from Entice followed by an interactive audience Q and A - RSVP HERE!

You'll really want to join in the chat because not only will Jessica be sharing awesomeness with us, during the chat a GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be picked!

What you can win:
*A Nook Color
*ebook copies of Embrace and Entice
*An exclusive early excerpt of Emblaze
*a "Sizzling  Reads Library" prize pack from Sourcebooks Fire

ENTER HERE!

From September 7th to September 15th Entice Street Team members are also here to bring you exclusive content, book excerpts and behind the book secrets, along with several chances to win some awesome prizes.

Today it it my pleasure to act as AMBASSADOR for NYLA and RUDYARD

We meet Nyla and Rudyard in book 2 Entice and I for one loved them!

You can read their bios HERE

Tough as Nails

Nyla and Rudyard may be new but they’re a force to be reckoned with. Nyla may look like tall, slim goddess with a dazzling smile, but she’s all warrior underneath.  And she teaches combat at the Grigori Academy in New York—something she’s come to teach Violet.  Rudyard is like night to Nyla’s day: affable, polished, refined; he’s the academic of the group.  But don’t let the mild-mannered exterior fool you: he’s also a fighter.

The most intriguing thing about them?  There’s more to their partnership than meets the eye.

Listen to Jessica give her thoughts on these two from her sun-room in Sidney.

All the links :)

Celebration INVITATION

Embrace Series HOMEPAGE

Embrace Series on FACEBOOK

Embrace Series TWITTER

Take the Embrace QUIZ

My review of EMBRACE

My review of ENTICE

Book Tour - Sulan, Episode One: The League by Camille Picott

Today it is my pleasure to host a stop on Camille's Book Tour!

Camille Picott has been writing books since the age of twelve. She specializes in science fiction and fantasy stories with Asian-inspired settings and Asian main characters. She is the author of two middle grade fantasy books, Raggedy Chan and Nine-Tail Fox.

In her spare time, Camille loves to read books and write reviews. Her reviews are written from a writer’s perspective, highlighting various aspects of craft found in the books she reads. (source)

She is also the owner of an indie publishing company called Pixiu (pronounced pee-shoo) that specializes in science fiction and fantasy with Azian influence.

Places you can find Camille

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

Sulan, Episode One: The League is her first YA book, described as a cyberpunk dystopian (or, "dystopunk"). I couldn't help but be intrigued by this one when I first heard of it. I'll be reading it soon and my review should post in October so stay tuned!

From Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Sulan Hom can’t remember life before the Default—the day the United States government declared bankruptcy. As a math prodigy, she leads a protected life, kept safe from the hunger and crime plaguing the streets of America. She attends the corporate-sponsored Virtual High School, an academy in Vex (Virtual Experience) for gifted children. 

Beyond the security of Sulan’s high-tech world, the Anti-American League wages a guerrilla war against the United States. Their leader, Imugi, is dedicated to undermining the nation’s reconstruction attempts. He attacks anything considered a national resource, including corporations, food storage facilities—and schools. When Sulan witnesses the public execution of a teenage student and the bombing of a college dorm, she panics. 

Her mother, a retired mercenary, refuses to teach her how to defend herself. Sulan takes matters into her own hands. With the help of her hacker best friend, Hank, Sulan acquires Touch—an illegal Vex technology that allows her to share the physical experience of her avatar. With Touch, Sulan defies her mother and trains herself to fight. 

When Imugi unleashes a new attack on the United States, Sulan finds herself caught in his net. Will her Vex training be enough to help her survive and escape?

Buy Sulan Now

Amazon / Kindle / Audible / Nook / IndieBound

Camille's tour runs into October so be sure to check out the full list Virtual Author Book Tours for reviews, guest posts and giveaways

DEBUT FEATURE: Zoraida Cordova Interview + A Giveaway

A big welcome to

Zoraida Cordova

whose debut novel

The Vicious Deep

releases May 1, 2012

from Sourcebooks Fire

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. (from Goodreads)

I'm so happy to be a part of Zoraida's Bloggers of the Deep blog tour (love that name :)

Today she's visiting Red House Books sharing some memories.

What makes you think of your childhood?
Mangoes. A neighbor in Ecuador had a tree and one of my great uncles used to steal them for me.

...your happiest memory?
My 23rd birthday. I got the best presents, a Lenox design statue of Ariel and Prince Eric

...your road to publication?
Papercuts. I prefer editing a hard copy manuscript. I remember carrying it all over the place. In the shuffle, many papercuts happened.

...your writing style?
Casual. Friendly. A friend who's telling you a story while you're hanging out.

...your family?
Christmas. It's when everyone is together no matter what! And presents!

...high school?
Pink hair gone wrong. I had an incident with pink highlight that went terribly wrong. I've since stopped dying my hair!

...snow days?
The first time I saw real snow when I was seven, outside JFK airport.

Thank you Zoraida!

Linky Love :)

Bloggers of The Deep

IndieBound / Goodreads

Blog / Twitter

Thanks to Sourcebooks, I have 1 copy of The Vicious Deep to giveaway!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS
*Open to US residents 18 and older
*1 winner - book ships from the publisher
*Ends May 3, 2012
*Fill out the form below to enter

Blog Tour: On A Dark Wing hosted by YA Bound

I am a huge fan of Jordan Dane's so I am supper excited to help get this blog tour started!

In my excitement over On A Dark Wing, I actually posted my review early, so, sorry if this is the second time you're seeing it!

The tour runs from today, December 19th until January 2nd - with over 40 blogs participating!

Ten of these blogs will be hosting giveaways for copies of On a Dark Wing with winners being announced on a live chat with Jordan Dane on January 5 at 7pm EDT.

Also - Jordan is giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky person!!

Visit YA Bound for all the details :)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2011
Pages: 384
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

"The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn’t prepared for.

And Death would be my willing teacher."

Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother’s life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—she would never be normal again.

Now she’s the target of Death’s Ravens and an innocent boy’s life is on the line. When Nate Holden—Abbey’s secret crush—starts to climb Alaska’s Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her.

Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets. (from Goodreads)

I was: Captivated by the exploration of the human capacity for love and it's effect on Death himself.

My thoughts:
On A Dark Wing plays out pretty much the way it's synopsis reads however, I suspect, that like me, you'll be surprised and fascinated with the depth and emotion of this story. I wasn't sure what to think going into it. Stories around Death as a main character are usually really great or really bad for me. I guess I have my own notions on how Death should be portrayed. I was more then happy to realize that Jordan must have gotten into my head at some point because her Death? Pretty much spot on.

Loved Tanner! He is sweet and genuine and he really would do anything for Abby and sure, he might be a tad unrealistic but that's what I love about him. More boys (in books and real life) should act like him!

It took me a little while to warm up to Abby. I couldn't believe some of the things she did, or thought. I guess some of it could be classified as typical teenage behavior but sometimes I really wanted to yell at her. She does figure it all out though - and I don't know if I would have been able to do that.

Final verdict:
On A Dark Wing was a unique read for me. I love paranormal tales but sometimes they can be a bit heavy. The elements of the fantastic in this book were realistic to me. No complicated 'you aren't what you think you are' revelations. Death is a constant in everyone's life and whether you view it has a concept or as conscience being, it isn't too far fetched to believe that depth of human emotion could have an effect on 'him'.

My second Jordan Dane book, and defiantly not my last.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harlequin Teen
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

Reading Age: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 2010

Pages: 280
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: La Femme Readers Book Tour

Summary:

To be normal, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would shed her empathic gift in a second. Life has been difficult since her mother's mysterious disappearance ten years earlier - an event she witnessed, but can't remember. Julia's situation becomes more complicated after a near death experience from a blood thirsty stalker. As high school students go missing it is clear there is a connection to her own experience--past and present. Someone has to stop the madness and a chance encounter with a creepy psychic foretells that only Julia is the key to stopping the madness, but it may require the life of the one she loves. (from Goodreads)

Quick thoughts:
Vampires as blood thirsty villains - the way I've always envisioned them. I wasn't a huge fan of the romance but I did enjoy both Julia and her mystery man Nicholas. Lots of potential for some really cool vampire lore. Looking forward to more from the series.

Likes:
I liked the overall feel of the book. Strange things are happening in Julia's world and she doesn't quite know what to make of it all. There was a layer of mystery throughout that I really found appealing.

Also, Julia's ability to read people's emotions was pretty spiffy! I would be very easy for her to use this gift to manipulate but Julia is always looking for ways to help her friends.

Julia's family is also present and accounted for  - something that is sometimes lacking in YA books. Her father is caring and loving but also a little overprotective. Pretty realistic given the family's circumstances. Her older  brother treats her, well, like an older brother should! I found myself enjoying their interactions very much.

Dislikes:
The romance was a little weird for me. I don't want to give too much away but there is a time / age element that I wasn't too keen on. I really liked both Julia and Nicholas but I wasn't really routing for them as a couple.

Also, I would have liked to have Julia's ability explained. I'm hoping more info will come out in the next book, which I'm very much looking forward to reading.

Reminded me of:
No YA vampire stories come to mind, which I think is a good thing!

Final thoughts:
A very enjoyable read that I think fans of vampires and also anti-fans of vampires would enjoy. A great first book for Brenda and I hope there are lots more to come.

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
The Emerald Talisman
The Sapphire Talisman

Linkage Love:
Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Author's Blog
Series Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

Age: 12+
Publication Date: April 2010

Tags: New Zealand mythology, adventure, romance
Pages: 352
Series: ?
Book Acquisition: ARC from Traveling ARC Tours

My Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

In less than a day I had been harassed, enchanted, shouted at, cried on, and clawed. I’d been cold, scared, dirty, exhausted, hungry, and miserable. And up until now, I’d been mildly impressed with my ability to cope. 

At her boarding school in New Zealand, Ellie Spencer is like any ordinary teen: she hangs out with her best friend, Kevin; obsesses over her crush on a mysterious boy; and her biggest worry is her paper deadline. Then everything changes: In the foggy woods near the school, something ancient and deadly is waiting. 

Karen Healey introduces a savvy and spirited heroine with a strong, fresh voice. Full of deliciously creepy details, this adventure is a deftly crafted story of Māori mythology, romance, betrayal, and war.

My Review:
This book wasn't like anything I've ever read. I love mythology but my knowledge of New Zealand myths is pretty much non existent.Guardian of the Dead is a story of seemingly normal teenagers - set against a rich cultural history - New Zealand folklore, set side by side a modern setting. This was such a wonderful read for me! There was so much going on and I pretty much loved it all.

If I had to pick my favorite aspect of this book it would have to be the main character, Ellie. She is very much a modern, normal girl. She's overweight, awkward, and unsure of herself  but she is also incredible brave and loyal. I found her to be a refreshing, realistic character. You can't help but want the best for her.

Although told from the 1st person, Healey manages to add to layer of mystery where we, as the reader, know more about what is happening to Ellie then she does. This layer really pulled me into the book very early on.

If I had to pick one thing I didn't like it would have to be the ending. As much as I loved the myth and folklore the conclusion was a little too much fantasy for my taste. I would have liked to have seen a more practical resolution.

With that said, I would still highly recommend this book to fans of YA action / romance / fantasy stories who are looking for a great mythology story.

Linkage Love:
Little Brown
Author's Website
Goodreads

Tidbits:
*A sequel to Guardians of the Dead being written will most likely depend on demand (so says Karen on her website). I for one will be buying my own copy -- my little way of saying "Yes! More please!"

Book Review: The Krybosian Stairpath by S.R.R. Colvin

Age: 8-12
Publication Date: October 2009

Tags: mystery, adventure, fantasy, family
Pages: 204
Series: no
Book Acquisition: Traveling ARC Tours

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

In a refreshing change, along comes a children's book that does not rely on magic to explain the unexplainable. The Krybosian Stairpath  puts forth the notion that just because you don't understand something, it doesn't mean there must be magic behind it. Knowledge and perspective can make all the difference.

Enter a world of wonder deep inside the earth as 11-year-old geologist Madison Terrence follows her pet gopher down a stairpath portal she discovers in her family's cavern. When she descends the Krybosian Stairpath, a mystery from her family's past begins to unravel. She soon realizes her arrival in the interior world of Krybos is no accident. Madison discovers that she's been pulled into a sinister plot to destroy the most beautiful place she has ever seen.

My Review:
As a kid, I loved books that were full of adventure. I also was pretty in love with rocks - I filled the back of my dad's car with nothing but rocks one summer :) I really wish this book was written years ago so I could have read it as a kid! (no, I'm not telling you how many years ago that would be!).

Adventure and geology? Awesome!

For me, the Krybosian Stairpath was a really cute middle grade story that I think would really appeal to young kids. The characters are very likable and the situations were pretty exciting.

Even before Madison enters the world of Krybos I was captivated by the setting of this book. Madison and her family live in a house built into the side of a mountain. The stairpath appears in her family's cavern - that is literally what it is - a huge cavern that is essentially her backyard.

A very easy read, but also an enjoyable one. I would recommend this book to young kids - the age range seems just about right to me. Anyone really though who enjoys MG adventure stories, I think will enjoy The Krybosian Stairpath

Linkage Love:
Publisher's website
Author's Website

Book Review: The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen

Title: The Gardener

Author: S.A. Bodeen

Publication Date: May 2010

Genre: Young Adult

Tags: sci-fi, friendship, family secrets

Age: 12+

Pages: 240

Series: no

Book Acquisition: Around the World Tours

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

Mason has never known his father, but longs to. All he has of him is a DVD of a man whose face is never seen, reading a children’s book. One day, on a whim, he plays the DVD for a group of comatose teens at the nursing home where his mother works. One of them, a beautiful girl, responds. Mason learns she is part of a horrible experiment intended to render teenagers into autotrophs—genetically engineered, self-sustaining life-forms who don’t need food or water to survive. And before he knows it, Mason is on the run with the girl, and wanted, dead or alive, by the mysterious mastermind of this gruesome plan, who is simply called the Gardener.

Will Mason be forced to destroy the thing he’s longed for most? 

My Review:

For some reason, I thought this was going to be a futuristic dystopian story. It's not futuristic and it's not dystpoian but I would venture to call it a pre-dystopian tale. It takes place in today's world and there hasn't been any devastating destruction but there are those who see disaster looming and they are preparing for the worst. After a life full of half truths from his mother, Mason finds himself right in the middle of these secret plans.

A quick and easy read for me, I really liked this one. I'm finding that I really respond to male protagonists lately and Mason was so easy to like. The story itself was a little odd - but not in a bad way. I couldn't really warm up to the 'beautiful girl', Laila, that Mason finds and tries to help. Mason's best friend Jack on the other hand, I really loved.

The plot is fast moving - with all the action taking place over a couple of days. The ideas put forth by TroDyn, the company that 'raised' Laila, are interesting to say the least. Humans becoming autotrophs? Not something I have come across before - but it makes for some great sci-fi.

I would recommend this one to fans of light science fiction who also enjoy a good mystery.

Linkage Love:

Publisher's website

Author's Website

Book Review: Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

CHALLENGE BOOK: 2010 Debut Authors

Title: Shadow Hills
Author: Anastasia Hopcus
Publication Date: July 13, 2010
Genre: Young Adult
Tags: paranormal teens, romance, fantasy, ancient power, mystery
Age: 12+
Pages: approx 387
Series: ?
Book Acquisition: ARC from Other Shelf Tours

My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

(from Publisher's website)

After her sister Athena's tragic death, it's obvious that grief-stricken Persephone "Phe" Archer no longer belongs in Los Angeles. Hoping to make sense of her sister's sudden demise and the cryptic dreams following it, Phe abandons her bubbly LA life to attend an uptight East Coast preparatory school in Shadow Hills, MA -- a school which her sister mysteriously mentioned in her last diary entry before she died. 

Once there, Phe quickly realizes that something is deeply amiss in her new town. Not only does Shadow Hills' history boast an unexplained epidemic that decimated hundreds of its citizens in the 1700s, but its modern townies also seem eerily psychic, with the bizarre ability to bend metal. Even Zach -- the gorgeous stranger Phe meets and immediately begins to lust after -- seems as if he is hiding something serious. Phe is determined to get to the bottom of it. The longer she stays there, the more she suspects that her sister's untimely death and her own destiny are intricately linked to those who reside in Shadow Hills.

My Review:
So, I get the book in the mail from Other Shelf Tours, unwrap it and put it on the table. Before leaving the room I pick it up and flip to the first page - intending to read a sentence or two. About 15 minutes later I realize I'm still standing in the middle of my kitchen reading! From literally the first sentence I was hooked!

About half way through I became a little disappointed. A little too much sticky sweet romance for my taste. Zach and Phe have only known each other for about a week maybe and the thoughts running thought Phe's head run along the lines of - what if I can't stay in Shadow Hills and I never see Zach again rather then - what if I can't stay in Shadow Hills and I never figure out why my dead sister wanted to be here so badly.Their romance and relationship felt fake to me. It happened way to quickly and even though Phe is such a strong young woman, there was too much damsel in distress, knight in shinning armor thing going on.With that said, both Phe and Zach really are very sweet people so it was hard to dislike them.

I really liked the mystery aspect to the story - although I would have liked to see more of it (and less romance). The idea of paranormal abilities arising from a genetic source was very intriguing.

The supporting characters were cute, spunky, and fun. I really enjoyed reading about the times Phe spend with them. I just don't know what it is about Zach that I don't quite love. I think part of it was the fact that I felt he was acting way more mature and sensitive then any young teenage boys I ever knew. Maybe I just didn't know the right kinds of guys :)

All in all, I very much enjoyed Shadow Hills. Not sure if there will be a sequel but I would welcome one. I would recommend this book to fans of paranormal teen fiction who also enjoy love stories.

Linkage Love:
Egmont USA
Author's Website

Book Review: The Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones

CHALLENGE BOOK: 2010 Debut Authors

Title: The Owl Keeper
Author: Christine Brodien-Jones
Illustrations: Maggie Kneen
Publication Date: April 13, 2010
Tags: owls, magic, dystopian fantasy
Age: 10+
Pages: approx 304
Series: 1st in a series
Book Acquisition: ARC from Other Shelf Tours

My Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

(from publisher's website)

Maxwell Unger has always loved the night. He used to do brave things like go tramping through the forest with his gran after dark. He loved the stories she told him about the world before the Destruction—about nature, and books, and the silver owls. His favorite story, though, was about the Owl Keeper.
According to Max’s gran, in times of darkness the Owl Keeper would appear to unite owls and sages against the powers of the dark. Gran is gone now, and so are her stories of how the world used to be. Max is no longer brave. The forest is dangerous, the books Gran had saved have been destroyed, and the silver owls are extinct. At least that’s what the High Echelon says. But Max knows better.
Maxwell Unger has a secret. And when a mysterious girl comes to town, he might just have to start being brave again.
The time of the Owl Keeper, Gran would say, is coming soon.

My Review:
As what usually happens when I absolutely love a book, I'm having a hard time reviewing it! The Owl Keeper was pure magic and I wish I had my own copy to read again right now. Although I haven't seen it at my local bookstore yet, I'm sure I'll buy it as soon as I do. So good!

Fantasy stories are my all time favorite and lately dystopian novels have been giving my favorites a run for their money. The Owl Keeper is a perfect combination of the two. A dystopian fantasy with a hint of magic. Loved it!

Max is such a lovable character. His world is a mix of the chaos of society turned upside down and the simplicity of peace he finds when he is alone with his magical silver owl. I think the main reason I loved this one so much was that it was unpredictable. I really couldn't say what would happen next, but I was never disappointed.

For me, stronger then the pull of magic was the force of hope that the Owl Keeper presented. Max has a hard time keeping his but in the end, his strugles are worth it and I for one, felt his hope shining through the darkness.

I'm recommending this one to everyone. Fantasy, dystopian, magic fans and everyone else up down and in between.

Loved it!

Last thing - I'm really not one for book trailers but this one is just beautiful. You can check it out here on Christine's blog.

Linkage Love:
Delacorte Press
Author's Website

Other Reviews:
Wicked Awesome Books
Book Crazy
The Neverending Shelf
*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*

Book Review: Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White

CHALLENGE BOOK: 2010 Debut Authors

Title: Forget-Her-Nots
Author: Amy Brecount White
Publication Date: March 2010
Tags: flowers, magic, love, family
Age: 12+
Pages: approx 384
Series: ?
Book Acquisition: 1 ARC Tours

My Rating: 4 / 5 Stars

When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom.

My Review:

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this book.I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it since it's not the usual type of book I read. Flowers? Not really my thing but flower magic, I learned, is pretty awesome.

The setting didn't do too much for me - boarding school full of the usual suspects. But, Laurel as a character really drew me into the story. When we first meet her, she is unaware of her special talent. She really knows nothing of her family's past. I would have been more then frustrated if I were in her shoes. She takes everything that comes with a bit of grace - which I really liked.

If I had to pick anything about this book I didn't like it would have to be Laurel's age. Or rather, her maturity level. She is very young, but it was easy to forget this fact. I understand why Amy choose to make Laurel as young as she did when we first meet her but at times, I felt like I was reading about a much older teen. It doesn't take away from the story really, it was just a little bit of a sticking point with me when it came to Laurel and the relationships she both helps with and peruses while at Avondale.

Overall, I really liked this book. I wasn't able to find any information on a possible sequel but I would gladly welcome another story on the Language of Flowers. I would recommend this book to fans of good YA fiction and also to those who may like a bit of magic or fantasy in their stories - there is just enough in this one to really do the trick.

Linkage Love:
Harper Teen
Author's Website

Other Reviews:
Katie's Book Blog
GreenBeanTeenQueen
Ellz Readz
*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*

Book Review: Alex Van Helsing Book 1: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

CHALLENGE BOOK: 2010 Debut Authors

Title: Alex Van Helsing Book 1: Vampire Rising
Author: Jason Henderson
Publication Date: May 4, 2010
Tags: vampires, vampire hunters, secret societies
Age: 12+
Pages: approx 224
Series: 1st in a series
Book Acquisition: ARC from Around the World Tours

My Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

A descendant of legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, fourteen-year-old Alex is stuck at boarding school near Lake Geneva, Switzerland, when he finds himself drawn into a web of paranormal intrigue. It turns out that Lake Geneva is also home to a secret school for vampires called the Scholomance—and now to a dangerous vampire clan lord known only as Icemaker, who’s using the Scholomance for his own dangerous endgame. With the help of his friends and of special agent Sangster, it’s up to Alex to fulfill his family destiny and stop Icemaker’s frightening plans once and for all.
Alex Van Helsing is a showstopping hero set to leap off the page—stake, naturally, in hand. Drawing from centuries of actual vampire lore and literature (and with a nod to zombies, too!), Jason Henderson delivers a breathlessly paced thriller that will captivate vampire fans as well as readers who loved Alex Rider.

My Review:
I need you to do something for me. I need to you try to remember a time long ago. A time before vampires sparkled. Back to a time when the word vampire inspired fear instead of  lust. Can you do it? If you can't, you need to read Alex Van Helsing. Ok, even if you can remember you need to read this book. Why? Because this book is freaken awesome!

I love evil vampires! Vampires are suppose to be evil. And what do we need once we have evil vampires? Vampire hunters of course. Woo hoo!

Alex really has no idea what is happening to him but he adapts quickly. Smart and resourceful, he's such a likable character. The world of vampires that Jason has created is both classic and unique. We get vampires who have no desire to act human. Vampires that are taken straight from the pages of myth and legend. But we also get secret societies, family secrets and hunters with a touch of the paranormal. Also, something I wasn't expecting - a literary mystery. What do Mary Shelley and Lord Byron have to do with modern day vampire hunting? You'll have to read Alex Van Helsing to find out!

I highly recommend this book to fans of good vampire stories. Alex, as a male protagonist, I feel would really appeal to younger male readers. Any fans of good paranormal young adult books would enjoy this one, in my humble opinion of course :)

Can't wait for book 2!

Alex Van Helsing Series:
Book 1: Vampire Rising (May 2010)
Book 2: ? (soon I hope!)

Linkage Love:
Harper Teen
Author's Blog

Tidbits:
*When writing this book, Jason used a ton of great sources including books about: Vampires, Dracula, Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Zombies and Lord Byron -- I'm sorry, but that's just awesome!

Other Reviews:
Around the World Tours review page - as each of us gets the book, reviews will be posted to the Mr. Linky on this page.

*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*

Book Review: Freaksville Book One by Kitty Keswick

CHALLENGE BOOK: 2010 Debut Authors

Title: Freaksville Book One

Author: Kitty Keswick
Illustrations by: Val Cox
Publication Date: January 2010
Tags: werewolves, paranormal romance, second sight, ghosts
Pages: approx 290
Series: First in a series
Book Acquisition: ARC from Other Shelf Tours

My Rating: 2 / 5 Stars

(from Author's website)

The story is told through the sixteen-year-old heroine’s blog.

High school is hard enough when you’re normal. There’s peer pressure, book reports, the in crowd and the enormous zit that has a life of its own. Having a family whose skeletons in the closet lean toward the paranormal is not a topper on anyone’s list. Sophomore Kasey Maxwell is busy juggling the typical teen angst. Add visions, ghosts and hairy four-legged monsters into the mix and you get FREAKSVILLE. It’s a wonder Kasey has survived.

Every woman in the Maxwell family has the gift of sight. A talent sixteen-year-old Kasey would gladly give up. All she wants is a normal life. Shopping and talking about boys with her best friend and long-time sidekick Gillie Godshall consume her days. Until Kasey has a vision about Josh Johnstone, the foreign exchange student from England. The vision leads her into new waters, a lead in a play, a haunted theater…and into the arms of the Josh. Yet, both Kasey and Josh have secrets lurking in dark corners. Can Kasey’s new romance survive FREAKSVILLE?

My Review:
I feel bad giving this book such a low star rating but the truth is I just really didn't enjoy it. To sum it up, the main reason I didn't like Freaksville was that it was too full. What do I mean by this? Well, there was just too much going on. We get werewolves, and ghosts, people who can see the future, people who can see the past, ancient family feuds and faeries, immature teens and gushy romance. Even 2 or 3 of these elements might be too much for one plot to hold but all of them? It didn't work for me.

Another big reason I couldn't warm up to this book was the main character Kasey. She's 16 but throughout most of the book, her attitude hoovers somewhere closer to 12 or 13. I found her to be extremely immature.

One other thing I have to mention is the style of the book. I really just didn't get it. Each chapter starts with "Kasey's Blog Chapter *" and then follow with the name of what I assume is suppose to be a blog post. At one point in the book Kasey states that she loves to blog but would never post anything on it about Josh, her crush, then boyfriend. But, each chapter ends with 'Comments' made from what I can only assume are real people in her life. These people are reading about Josh - if each chapter is meant to be a blog post. Also, Kasey will talk about some fact, people will comment on it, but the people in her life don't seem to know this fact until Kasey tells them - sometimes chapters later. It was all very confusing to me.

My favorite character was Gillie, Kasey's best friend. She was so sweet and was there for Kasey when she needed her. I've read a lot of books with less then likable BFFs so Gilly was a breath of fresh air.

I didn't hate this book, but I can't say that I liked it either. There is a second book in the series, that I don't plan on reading, but I might be swayed depending on what reviews pop up. I'll have to wait and see.

Books in the Series:
Freaksville (January 2010)
Furry and Freaked (?)

Linkage Love:
Leap Books
Author's Website
Illustrator's Website

Other Reviews:
The Book Butterfly
Teens Read and Write
Good Books & Wine
*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*

Spoiler Free Review: Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey

 *Spoiler Free reviews are reviews of 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) books in a series with no fear of spoilers!*

Title: Blood Feud
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publication Date: June? 2010
Tags: vampires, family, magic, romance
Age: 12+
Pages: approx 272
Series: 2nd of The Drake Chronicles
Book Acquisition: ARC from Around the World Tours

My Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads

My Review:
I have to say, when I first heard that Blood Feud would be following the story of two different characters I was a little upset. I loved Lucy and Solange and wanted more!  I really shouldn't have worried though because this book, just like Hearts at Stake, was awesome! Instead of Lucy and Solang, we get the alternating perspectives of  Logan, one of Solange's many brothers and Isabeau, a 200 year old vampire with a very interesting past.The Drake family really is unique - even among their own kind and I love them all!

We get a lot more background and history into their vampire world with Blood Feud.I found it really interesting to learn where some of the vampires in the stories came from. There were some pretty interesting tales.It was also a very well told story. The events of the book comprise only a couple of days but the story line never felt rushed.

Another thing I really liked was there even though Lucy and Solange weren't our narrators, they were still there and we still got a few tidbits about their lives and goings on. It wouldn't have made sense otherwise, since Blood Feud pretty much starts off right were Hearts at Stake ends.

I'm excited for book three. With so many characters Alyxandra really could take this series far - and I hope she does!

I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys YA vampire tales. I would also recommend it to those readers who might be turned off by all the human / vampire relationship books out there - Hearts and Stake and Blood Feud stand apart. They give us much more history and a lot less human / vampire swooning.

The Drake Chronicles:
Hearts at Stake (January 2010)
  (UK Title: My Heart Lies Bleeding)
Blood Feud (Summer 2010)
Book Three! (January 2011)

Linkage Love:
Bloomsbury Teens
Author's Website
The Drake Chronicles

Tidbits:
*It looks like both the paperback and hardcover versions will be available at the same time
*ARC lists publication date as August, Publisher's website says July but Amazon, Goodreads and the Author list it as June
*UK edition has the same name but with a different cover:

Other Reviews:
Around the World Tours review page - as each of us gets the book, reviews will be posted to the Mr. Linky on this page.

*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*

Book Review: Island Sting by Bonnie J. Doerr

Title: Island Sting
Author: Bonnie J. Doerr
Publication Date: March 2010
Tags: eco-mystery, green teens, friendship, environmental awareness
Age: 12+ maybe younger (my guesstimate)
Pages: approx 218
Series: 1st in a series?
Book Acquisition: ARC from Around the World Tours AND Other World Tours*

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

(from Goodreads)

Kenzie Ryan's New York know-how and private girls' academy education prove useless in the middle of an island wildlife refuge.
Upon arrival in the exotic Florida Keys, she is thrown into the midst of an ecological mystery involving the endangered Florida Key deer. How can she navigate this upside down world? A world deftly maneuvered by Angelo--island native and nerve-wracking hunk. The two team up to accomplish what perplexes law enforcement, but Angelo exposes Kenzie's insecurities, as well as her inexperience with nature and the opposite sex.
Danger and disagreement follow the pair wherever they go. Enamored with Angelo and his local savvy, Kenzie hopes to secure his loyal friendship. But how can she win Angelo's trust when what she must tell him will crush his ego?
Island Sting includes notes on the endangered Florida Key Deer and the National Key Deer Refuge.

My Review:
It took me a little while to warm up to this one but once I did I very much enjoyed the story. The plot was interesting - a mystery thrown together with a strong environmental message.

I really liked how passionate Kenzie was about saving and protecting the adorable Florida Key Deer. But
at times I felt disconnected to the characters and exactly what they were either talking about or doing. This could be due to the fact that I read the advanced review copy – we all know the importance of a well placed punctuation mark! I’m not sure though. The story itself was well told but it seemed to jump around a lot..

I really liked the environmental issues it brought up and I think Bonnie did a great job bringing them to the forefront. Also, there is a small amount of romance which I found to be very cute.

I haven't been able to find any real info on it but there was a excerpt in the back of Island Sting for what I assume is the next book in the series, called Stakeout. It looks pretty good and I hope I can find a copy to read!

I would recommend this book to fans of the environment who like cute, spunky mystery stories.

*totally my fault that I signed up for this book tour with two different tour blogs - they are both great, run by great people and you should get them both out!

Books in the Series:
Island Sting (January 2010)
Stakeout?

Linkage Love:
Leap Books
Author's Website
To learn more about the Florida Keys refuge
To help the Florida Key deer

Other Reviews:
Reviews by other bloggers from both tours can be found here and here.

*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*

Book Review: The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams by Rhonda Hayter

Title: The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams
Author: Rhonda Hayter
Publication Date: April 2010
Tags: middle-grade fantasy, witches, family
Age: 8-12
Pages: approx 256
Series: no?
Book Acquisition: Traveling ARC Tours

My Rating: 5 / 5 stars

(from Goodreads)

Abbie Adams and her family come from a long line of witches, and she’s having a tough time keeping it a secret from her best friend and the rest of her school, especially the day her little brother morphs into a wolf and tries to eat his teacher. That’s also the day her father brings home a kitten.

But when Abbie looks into the kitten’s eyes, she realizes there’s a boy in there! He’s under a spell and soon the whole family bands together to rescue him.

They are shocked to realize he’s none other than the young Thomas Edison, and if they don’t save him fast, he’ll never change the world with his inventions.

There are a few words I need to say about this book - No Bookmark Needed! (And no! You cannot dog-ear the pages – how dare you even ask!) Seriously guys, I think I put it down maybe twice. I enjoyed the story so much I just couldn't wait to turn another page!

It's an easy read but it's also a very fun read. I think the age range is just perfect but at the same time, it's a book I think that older readers, like myself, would really enjoy as well.

I absolutely love Abbie's family.  Her little brother is a perfect combination of annoying and cute. Her parents are loving but also realistic and the world Rhonda has created is just plain fun. It's a witchy world full of spell casting, secret keeping, evil doers and time travel.

One of my favorite things about this book is the fact that no matter what happens, Abbie's family is always there for her. They really work as a team to solve their witchy problems. Between not being able to tell her best friend that she is a witch, working double time at school keeping her brother from causing all sorts of trouble and worrying about Tom, her kitten (sort of :), Abbie really needs the strength of her family behind her - and she gets it.

As a bonus, I actually learned a lot about Thomas Edison :) It didn't feel like a history lesson though which I think would appeal to young readers.

I highly recommend this book to fans of middle grade fantasy and to anyone who is in the mood for a spunky tale full of lovable characters.

Linkage Love:
Dial Books for Young Readers
Author's Website

Other Reviews:
Book Crazy
*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*

Book Review: The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan

Title: The Last Thing I Remember
Author: Andrew Klavan
Publication Date: April 2009
Tags: Thriller, Suspense, Action & Adventure
Pages: 352
Series: 1st in the Homelanders Series
Book Acquisition: Other Shelf Tours
My Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

Charlie West is a good kid. He studies hard, trains in martial arts, has just gotten the number of the prettiest girl in his class, and wants to join the air force after graduation. At least, that's the last thing he can remember.

But he has woken up in a nightmare. He's strapped to a chair, and someone outside the door just ordered his death. By calling on his deepest reserves of strength and focus, Charlie manages a desperate escape . . . only to find out that this nightmare isn't ending. There's a whole year of his life that he can't remember--a year in which he was convicted of murdering his best friend and working with terrorists.

Now, with the police hunting him and a band of killers on his trail, he's got to find the answers to some of the deepest questions there are: Who am I? What do I stand for? And how am I going to stay alive?

I was really impressed by this book. I hadn't heard much about it so I didn't really know what to think. I picked it up, intending to read one or two chapters. An hour later I was almost halfway through the book - I just couldn't put it down! It's very action packed, fully of mystery and secrets.

One of the things I liked most was the first person narrative. As a reader, we only know what Charlie knows. We discover his past at the same times he does.We are scared and unsure and confused right along side of him. I love this!  I also loved Charlie. He's really the only character we get to know but it works for the story. He's a good kid, and no matter what others say about him, he believes that he is good. It's what keeps him moving forward. 

On a side note, it was refreshing to read a really good YA thriller without any paranormal elements.

There are so many questions left unanswered and I can't wait to get a hold of a copy of the second book, The Long Way Home.

I would recommend this book to fans of YA thrillers and mysteries.

The Homelanders Series
1. The Last Thing I Remember (April 2009)
2. The Long Way Home (February 2010)

Linkage Love:
Thomas Nelson
Author's Website
Goodreads

Other Reviews:
*if you would like your review added please leave me a link in the comments*