Rainy Day Ramblings

Full of Grace by Misty Provencher: Tour Stop: Interview, Review & Giveaway (Sponsored).

Once again, I am lucky enough to be a part of another Misty Provencher Tour! If you are new to the blog, I met Misty last spring when I read and reviewed her brilliant YA novel Cornerstone.  Since then, I have pretty much read everything MIsty has written.  She is one talented lady.  Misty is definitely one of those indie authors you need to be reading. She writes amazing, unique books with well written and engaging characters.  I know that when I pick up a book by Misty, I am going to have a good read.  Full of Grace was another book I would highly recommend especially for all your New Adult addicts. It is the companion book to Hale Maree.   Before I get to the interview and review, let me once again introduce you all to Misty:

Once a high school drop out and runaway, Misty Provencher became a college grad, and is now a full-time novelist with a close knit family. She doesn't do labels well. While she can ride a motorcycle, knows how to Karate chop, and has learned enough French, Spanish, and Sign Language to get herself slapped, Misty's life is the ruse she uses to connect with people. She is totally enchanted with them and spends her days trying to translate the soul bouquet of her muses into words. Misty Provencher lives in Michigan. Knock on her internet blog door at: Misty Provencher's Books, FB, Twitter, Goodreads and Pinterest.

 

For the tour today, I had the pleasure of interviewing Misty. I appreciate her being patient with me as I totally forgot to get the questions to her in a timely matter, but she came through and I am very grateful! Here is my interview with Misty:

1.   I have met four spectacular boys thanks to your books: Sean and Garret (Cornerstone Series) and Oscar (Hale Maree) and now Landon from Full of Grace, how do you write such swoon worthy boys?  Do you have a real life inspiration?

 I’m so glad to hear that you find them swoon-worthy, Heidi!  Let’s see…yes, Garrett was modeled after a childhood crush I had.  Ohhhh, he was an uber-hottie too, just like Garrett.   Sean, Oscar, and Landon all came to me as characters- they weren’t really modeled after anyone I knew.  They were just in my head and they are each lovely and I’m so happy that I got the chance to write them, because they’re a bunch of hotties and wicked fun to put into print! 

2.  If you were going to go on a date with one of your boys who would it be and why? 

Garrett.  Because he was my first.  blush

3.  How long does it usually take you to write a book, you seem to be turning them out at a rapid pace? 

It depends, but usually it takes me a couple months to write.  Keystone took me the longest so far- writing it was stretched over a couple years.  Hale was fastest- taking me about 2 weeks to get down the first draft.

4.  Where do you think Oscar, Hale, Sher and Landon will be ten years from now? 

Hmmm, I like to think that they would be closer than ever and that their children would be like family to one another.  I can’t say much because I’ve been musing with a novella epilogue, but it’s not in the works for a while. 

5.  Do you have favorite characters from your work, if so who? 

That’s hard.  I think of every single one of them as my favorite as I write them.  I eat character’s crazy little quirks for breakfast.  But the Addo might be one of my lasting faves, because he’s funny and wise at once.  And he gets away with wearing sweatpants, knee socks and sandals, coated with cookie crumbs.  Who can do that??

6.  What keeps you awake at night? 

Besides my man’s snoring?  Re-runs of The Big Bang Theory can do it, a good book turns me into an instant insomniac, and I keep my Alphasmart and a notebook beside my bed for the ideas that always seem to come just after I turn out the light.  Otherwise, I sleep like a brick.

7. Who are some of your favorite authors? 

Marissa Meyer is one of my new faves, and I’ve also added Adam Kunz, Tiffany King, Fisher Amelie, and Ella James to my list.  I don’t have a small, select group of absolute favorites- I have wide spread piles of favorites.  I’m a junkie.

8.  Tell me a fun tidbit about yourself! 

A fun tidbit…hmm.  I like to sing Roxanne, by The Police, at the top of my lungs wherever and whenever I can.

9.  Have you enjoyed being an indie author?  

Definitely.  It has taught me a great deal about several fascinating aspects of the business, like formatting and cover art, that I wouldn’t have a clue about otherwise.  Being an Indie has also landed me in a warm community of authors, bloggers, and fans that are all about helping one another and celebrating one another’s successes.  I love that.  

10.  What advice do you have for other aspiring indie writers?  

Hmmm…this is a job that requires joy.  Don’t get caught up on titles or ranks or reviews.  None of that crap matters.  What does matter is the work and if the work brings you joy.  Cinchy.

11.  What is next for Misty Provencher? 

Summer will be a slower pace, since my kids are out of school and my first joy and biggest job is being a mom.  After that, CAPSTONE (the final book in The Cornerstone Series) and world domination and all that jazz should be in the works.

 

Thanks so much Misty! I love your answers! I cannot wait to see what you have in store. You know I am very anxious for the next book in the Cornerstone Series!   I am certain Misty will be back here very soon! In the meantime, Misty has a couple of giveaways that you all need to enter.  Fill out the Rafflecopter to enter.  See all the details of the giveaways on Misty's site.  Please note: These giveaways are not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings.  The first if for U.S. residents only and the second is open Internationally! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is my review:

Running about 7 bananas strong on shots from Hale and Oscar Maree's wedding bar, what happened between Landon Grace and Sher Traifere was supposed to be a one time thing. A quickie on a romantic night. Sher wanted a fast evening of fireworks to remember on the dull horizon of her life; Landon wanted to get his mind off his psycho ex by feeling Sher's curves. By the end of the evening, a secret of Sher's complicates Landon's attempt to escape the girl's chainsaw giggle. Some one-night-stands just can't be finished in one night. Even more complicating, this one rises back up with a hard shot of morning sickness and an entire repertoire of questions. The most important being: how much pull does a guy really have in a woman's choice to pursue or terminate a pregnancy? And in this case, how clever can he be about stealing her pants? 
Published (first published April 18th 2013)
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review 

 

 

 

Four and a half stars: A sexy read with terrific characters that will leave you smiling!

Landon is trying to adhere to his seven banana drinking rule at is best pal Oscar’s wedding.  If he has anything beyond seven drinks, things get risky.  Like many good intentions when drinking is involved, they often fly out the window.  In a moment of drunken abandon, Landon makes a mistake.  He ends up having a steamy sexual encounter with the bride’s best friend Sher.  After the fact, he discovers that Sher was a virgin.  He doesn’t want to be “that guy” so he endeavors to make it right.  After a month of unanswered phone calls, Landon figures he is off the hook with Sher, even though he really did try.  Oscar and Hale return from their honeymoon and Landon once again comes face to face with Sher. She has a bit of shocking news: she is pregnant with his baby.  Even though a baby is not what he had planned, Landon desperately wants to see this pregnancy through,but the young Sher has other ideas.  Can Landon somehow convince Sher to have his baby?

What I Liked:

• I am never disappointed with the creativity of Ms. Provencher’s story lines.  This time she brings a plot that is very realistic as it involves a one night stand that ends up in a pregnancy.  What makes this different is that you have the man fighting to keep the baby and willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the baby is born. If that means taking Sher into his home and life and even at times holding her pants hostage then so be it.  What follows is a bit of fun, smexy and difficulty as these two new acquaintances become roommates and struggle to get to know each other.  Will they make it through the nine months?
• Landon.... once again Ms. Provencher has brought me another absolutely swoon worthy male lead.  Landon is probably my favorite to date.  He is not only handsome and kind, but he is big hearted, compassionate and so sexy.  Landon was reared by a single mother and he is the youngest behind four older sisters.  Needless to say, he has learned a thing or two about women, virginity and even pregnancy along the way.  His background makes him very sympathetic to Sher’s predicament and he does everything he can to make it right for her.  How can you not love a guy like that?  What I liked most, though, is that the book is told from his view point.  Misty must know how to channel a twenty something guy because at no point did I not believe that I was reading a male point of view.  Landon behaves like a typical guy and believe me, he has plenty of deliciously dirty thoughts.  If you are looking for a new book boyfriend, I urge you to give Landon a go.  
• Sher is an interesting character as well.  At first, I found her to be a bit obnoxious, as does Landon, with her incessant giggling.  However, as the book wears on, you get a peek at her deeper layers and you see that she is a terrified eighteen year old who comes from a less than desirable background.  Sher is one of five children all being raised by a single mother and all of them have different dads.  Sher being the oldest takes on many of the responsibilities of an adult.  Sure she is a bit immature and she makes some stupid mistakes, but it is easy to understand why she acts the way she does once you learn her background.  Even though Sher is a struggle sometimes, by the end of the book I had a whole new appreciation for her.
• The secondary characters are just as interesting as the main characters.  Oscar and Hale are back and they have numerous appearances in this book.  It is nice to see how everything worked out for them.  Aside from them, there is also Sher’s mother Lisa.  Lisa has a hard life trying to raise all those kids on her own. They live in a run down apartment in a bad neighborhood.  Even though she has made her bed and has a difficult life, she still tries to do what she can for her kids, and she is fiercely protective of her kids.  I giggled at the scene where one of the neighborhood hoodlums is bothering Sher so she grabs her pellet gun and lets loose.  She just so happens to be an excellent shot.  Gina, Landon’s lesbian sister, was another character who almost stole the show.  She is so supportive of Landon and always there to offer him some great advice, not to mention hit on chicks.  I would love to see a book from her point of view just because she is so darn fun. (Hint hint, Misty).
• Let’s talk about sex......okay I have made this statement in other reviews.  I am not always the biggest fan of love scenes, especially if they are over the top and go on and on and on.  If it gets to be too much I start blushing.... Let me tell you, there are plenty of smexy time moments in this one, but not once did I feel uncomfortable while reading them.  Ms. Provencher does an excellent job in writing her scenes so they are just right.... you won’t feel like some dirty peeping Tom after reading them.  They are sinful and wonderful!  Heads up, the sex scenes are for mature readers only.  
• Finally, this book has plenty of bumps in the road, but in the end you get a nice sweet satisfying ending that will leave you smiling.  This is one of those New Adult novels that refrains from an overly dramatic storyline.  Yes, there is some drama but not the rip your heart out, punch you in the gut kind.  Everything wraps up neatly and there are no love triangles!

And The Not So Much:

• Even though I was completely satisfied with the way things ended, I would like to know how Sher worked everything out.  Did she enroll in college?  Is she going to plan on a career?  Did she and her mother work out their differences?
• I was excited to see Oscar and Hale return, but I wished they had just a little bigger part.  I would have loved to hear Hale’s side of a few of those phone calls to Sher to see how she was settling in.  
• I was curious as to why there were not more details on Landon as far as his job and all of that went. He obviously has a good job, but it isn’t clear what he does for a living.  This is not a big deal, just me wanting to know all there is to know about the sexy Landon.

Full of Grace is another excellent indie book that you need to try, especially if you are a New Adult addict and you are tired of all the angst and drama.  This book has wonderful characters and a solid story line.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story and it left me smiling.  If you have yet to try a book by Misty Provencher, what are you waiting for?

Favorite Quotations:

“ I just came off a quickie relationship with Amy-the-Psychopath, and now I’ve landed the Giggler, who might actually end up going Jack the Ripper on me.”

“I’m just saying, Sher.....it’s harder for me not to be into you.  The more you’re around, the more I want you to be. You’re a potato chip.  The more I have, the more I want.”

“She reaches across me, brushing over my crotch, and the alarm in my jean-submarine instantly flashes: Semen! All hands on deck! All the other thoughts drain from my brain.”

“I’m not getting needles stuck through my stomach or up my hobbit hole.”

“And I’ve been de-pigging your pig hole all day.  I haven’t even gotten to your closet yet.  That’s going to take a week to sort out.”

 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated and all opinions are my own.

Photo Courtesy of Misty Provencher

What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr Blog Tour: Interview, Review & Giveaway(Sponsored)

Today, I am happy to be a part of the blog tour (This tour is sponsored by the publisher Sourcebooks) for What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr.  This is an engaging story about a woman who comes back from the brink of death, only to find her whole life has fallen apart, and the worst thing is that her eighteen year daughter ran away.  It is a terrifying thought to think of your child out alone somewhere in the world, and it presents the question: What would you do to recover your child?  I have Leslie here to answer a few short interview questions.  Be sure to check out the rest of the tour and enter the giveaway!

Here is Leslie's bio:

Award-winning author of 66 Laps and Wife Goes On, Leslie Lehr’s essays have appeared in the anthology Mommy Wars, The Honeymoon’s Over,and Arianna Huffington’s On Becoming Fearless.  She was the screenwriter for a romantic thriller Heartless, which is screening in Europe, and sold the script “Club Divorce” to Lifetime. She has a BA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and an MFA from Antioch. She lives in Santa Monica with her husband and two daughters. You can find out more about Leslie on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Here is my interview with Leslie:

How did you come up with the idea for What A Mother Knows?

When my daughter was in middle school, she started crying at night, every night - and I felt so helpless. I imagined the worst. I wrote an essay called “Parenting Paranoia” that Arianna Huffington excerpted in her book, On Becoming Fearless. But I was still afraid.

Then I had jury duty on a manslaughter case in which two women were suing the driver of a car that crashed into a sports bar and killed their sons. We had to decide on the value of their loss. And so, in the worst of what-ifs, I started worrying about what my daughter’s value was to me, who I was without her…and how far would I go to protect her.

What kind of research did you do on brain injury and memory loss?  What was the most interesting thing you uncovered?

I consulted with a specialist in Traumatic Brain Injury who runs the Semel Institute at UCLA. I also did a lot of research on the web and read studies from facilities across the country. Then, when Gaby Gifford was injured, there was even more information available. 

The most interesting thing I learned is how many variables there are in terms of recovery. It can be unpredictable. It made me worry about my daughter who has had a concussion. The different kinds of memory were also interesting. For instance, Michelle had to remember older experiences before she could remember more recent ones. The goal for a writer is to include enough detail to make sure the reader doesn’t get distracted by something that doesn’t sound true, yet to avoid telling more than the characters in the story would know.

 

My opinion of Michelle wavered throughout, at first I was very sympathetic toward her, but by the end not so much.  What were your feelings toward Michelle by the end of the book?

 

I knew that she had been betrayed by a lot of people, so I was pretty sympathetic. At first she was a typical working mom, trying to please everyone, but as her situation go more complicated, she had to get stronger. She couldn’t just be nice all the time. And when so much was revealed about her own childhood, I understood her even more. Michelle is a good woman.

 

I was a bit frustrated with Drew.  Why did he never want to sit down and discuss everything with his wife? Did his behavior stem from things that occurred before the accident or after?

 

I wish he would have too, but most men aren’t great at talking. And he was usually out of town working or home, exhausted and angling for the next job. The freelance life in Hollywood is rough on families and makes it hard to stay close to a spouse. He was led to believe that Michelle would not survive, so when she did, he wanted to protect her as much as possible.

Where do you think Michelle will go from here? Do you think she will put back the pieces and become a much better person than she was before?

That’s a good question. I hope she will relax a bit and learn to enjoy the moment. She has a lot of options to explore. It could be another book.

What are some of your recommendations for summer reads?

 

Oh, that is tough. There are already great new books out from, Caroline Leavitt, Jane Porter, and soon Meg Waite Clayton, Brenda Janowitz… I’m a huge fan of women authors and find lots to read between the Girlfriends Group Book Club Reviews, Goodreads and the Barnes & Noble Discover program. And books don’t have to be new to be good!

 

What do you enjoy most about being an author? 

 I enjoy answering thoughtful questions like these, when someone has really read your book. There are so many layers and details that go into the writing – it’s a real gift to explore them with someone who cares. So thank you!

Thanks so much, Leslie, for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions, especially while you are undergoing chemotherapy! My best wishes are prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.  Best of luck with your release! For one lucky U.S. resident there is a chance to win a copy of What A Mother Knows thanks to the good folks at Sourcebooks who are sponsoring this giveaway.  To enter fill out the Rafflecopter See Contest Policies for details..  Good Luck!

Be sure to check the rest of the stops on the tour.  Here is the full schedule:

April 29 - Crochet Nirvana  

May 1 - Chick Lit is Not Dead 

May 2 - Bookfoolery

May 3 - The Bookworm

May 4 - Lori's Reading Corner

May 5 - The Self Taught Cook

May 6 - Mrs Condit Reads Books

May 7 - From the TBR Pile

May 8 - Cocktails and Books

May 9 - Burton Book Review

May 10 - Chick Lit Plus

May 12 - The Book Diva’s Reads

May 13 - Peeking Between the Pages

May 14 - Long and Short Reviews

May 15 - Rainy Day Ramblings

May 16 - Help4NewMoms

May 17 - Winey Mommy

May 18 - Cozy Up with a Good Read

May 20 - A Bookish Way of Life

May 21 – Confessions of a Book Junkie

May 22 - 5 Minutes for Mom

May 23 - Angela Klocke

May 24 - WeeShare

May 26 - Brianna Lee

May 28 - Reading Shelf

May 29 - Socrates Book Reviews

May 31 - Passionate about Books

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Here is my review:

What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr

An unsettling, emotional and suspenseful novel of the unshakable bonds of motherhood, in which Michelle Mason not only loses her memory after a deadly car crash, but can't find her 16-year-old daughter, the one person who may know what happened that day. But the deeper Michelle digs, the more she questions the innocence of everyone, even herself. A dramatic portrayal of the fragile skin of memory, What a Mother Knows is about finding the truth that can set love free. 
Paperback, 384 pages
Published: May 1st 2013 by Sourcebooks

Source: Publisher/Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review

 

 

  1/2

Three and a half Stars: An unsettling tale about memory loss.

Michelle wobbles as she takes the last steps to her house.  At last, after eighteen months in the hospital, she is returning home to her family and friends.  A horrific car crash put her in a coma.  She wasn't expected to survive, but she did! The only drawback is her memory of the events of that day and those leading up to it are swept clean.  As Michelle attempts to settle into her former life, some unsettling and frightening truths come forth, the biggest one being that her now eighteen year daughter is not in Australia studying abroad as her husband told her. Nikki is instead missing, and no one is sure of her whereabouts.  Michelle's fragile world shatters.  She is determined that she will find her daughter at whatever cost.  How far will Michelle go to find her daughter?

What I Liked;

• The first half of this book is riveting. I was completely caught up in Michelle's desperate story.  She, in the beginning, comes across as very sympathetic. I felt so sorry for her as I watched her stumble and falter trying to regain her footing. Not only did she almost die, but she sustained devastating injuries such as the loss of movement in her arm and memory loss.  Just when she was looking forward to a bit of peace and happiness, she is barraged with some harsh and disturbing truths.  The worst being the disappearance of her daughter.  My heart went out to her at this point, since I am a mother. I can't imagine the horror of not knowing where your child is. The beginning of the story totally sucked me in!
• I liked watching everything unravel as Michelle again and again discovers some big secrets.  It was certainly shocking from one revelation to the next, and honestly I never knew what was coming.  There were certainly some startling twists in this one! The suspense kept me totally on edge, and I was thinking about the story between reads. 
• At the heart of the story is Michelle's unwavering, unconditional love for her lost daughter.  Even though some of her decisions frustrated me at times, I had to admire her fierce resolve and drive to find her daughter at any cost. I know as a mother, I would go to the ends of the earth to find one of my children if they were missing. I liked that the love for her child was such an important aspect of the story. 
• I was relieved to see that the ending drew to a satisfactory close.  Michelle in a way redeems herself, and I was glad to see that she finds closure and got a somewhat happy ending after all the drama.  It is always nice to read a book that has a solid ending without a jarring cliffhanger or an open/ determine your own ending.  

And The Not So Much:

• During the first half of the story, I felt very sympathetic toward Michelle, but as the plot wore on, I grew increasingly frustrated with her and her decisions.  I thought at times she was a bit selfish, and I didn't like the way she treated her son and her husband.  Some of her antics were very questionable, such as considering a big movie deal and her relationship with her doctor.  At the end during her trial, I was also a bit shocked at her choice.  After all that,though, she does redeem herself with her donation and her reconciliation with her mother.  I liked that this led to a warm, feel good ending. 
• Drew, Michelle's husband, frustrated me to no end. I could not believe his behavior and understand his motives for constantly lying to his wife. I hated that they not once sat down after her return from the hospital and had a frank discussion about everything that had happened during her recovery. Instead he continually ignores her and tells her to rest.  I would liked to have understood his motives better, and I never got that.  Furthermore, I hated the way everything played out between them.  I didn't understand if his behavior stemmed from events that transpired between them before the accident or if they came while Michelle was in the hospital. 
• There were a few times when I felt that the uncovering of a clue was a bit of a stretch.  This isn't a big deal, just an observation. 
• The second half didn't grasp my attention as much as the first, and I blame that on my lack of sympathy toward Michelle.  While I was totally vested in her well being and such the first portion, when she starts to make some questionable decisions, I started disliking her, and this led to me not staying as engaged in the book. 

What a Mother Knows is an interesting book that explores the devastating aftermath of a women who survives a near life ending car crash and suffers memory loss.  Just when it seems her life will steer back on course, everything falls apart as she learns everything that transpired during her convalescence.  Now she is faced with the fact that her daughter is missing, and Michelle will stop at nothing to find her.  This brings up the terrifying question: Just how far would you go to recover your child? 

Favorite Quotations:

"She used to think that the worst thing that could happen, to have Nikki working at McDonald's."

"She thought of Nikki again, still, always.  Was she watching the same sunset?  Or was she on a different patch of the planet, where the day was done and the stars were winking down at her?"

"Did she really love this man, or did she love the idea of him? Was this painful longing one loss, or just plain loneliness?"

 

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross Tour Stop: Character Interview and Giveaway

Looking for Friday Forecast??? It follows this fun tour post! 

I am so excited to be a part of The Girl with the Iron Touch Tour hosted by Kismet Book Touring.  I have been a big fan of this series as I love the characters and the fun steam punk.  If you have yet to read a good steampunk series, especially if you are new to the genre, I think this is the perfect set of books to try.  The third book: The Girl with the Iron Touch releases on May 28th. Here are the details:

 

In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken. When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives. With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin. Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine. To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has....
Hardcover, 384 pages
Expected publication: May 28th 2013 by Harlequin TEEN
Add to Goodreads or Preorder your copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Indiebound.

 

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Sam.  Sam is a bit unique in that he was born with incredible strength, and then a run in with a huge automat nearly killed him, but thanks to his resourceful friends, Emily and Griffin, he was saved.  The drawbacks are that he is now part machine, and he has a horrible fear of large automats.  At first, Sam was resentful of his condition, but he is slowly learning to accept it as he realizes he is still human.  Sam is a man of few words, so my interview with him is short and to the point, as is all dialogue with Sam.  Without further delay, here is my interview with Sam:

You have a rather strained relationship with Finely Jane. Why is that? Do you think the two of you will be able to completely put aside your differences and truly become friends? 

Because she’s absolutely mad. No, and doubtful.

Does it bother you that she and Griffin are getting rather cozy?

No. Well, yes. As long as she doesn’t hurt him she and I will be fine.

Emily is certainly a special gal! Can you share with us how you feel about her?

No. There aren’t enough words, and if there were, I’m not much of a conversationalist.

I know you have struggled coming to terms with being remade and being part machine. Have you gotten beyond that and accepted it is now part of who you are?

Some. I like being stronger. My heart might be metal, but it can still love. That’s all I really care about.

Being so strong is it difficult for you at times to restrain yourself?

Yes. I was strong before Emily augmented me, and now I’m even stronger. Sometimes I worry I might hurt her… I mean, people.

What do you think it will take to get over your paralyzing fear of large automats?

Destroying one with my bare hands.

It seems that The Machinist is still going to be a problem for you and the rest of your gang. How do you think you are going to ultimately defeat him?

If it was up to me, I bash his skull in. That will solve that problem.

What is next for you and Emily and the rest of the gang?

Hopefully quiet time. Emily wants to go on a picnic. 

What is your biggest fear?

Losing my humanity.

I personally enjoy a man who is to the point and bighearted, and Sam is indeed both! You need to read the books and meet him:

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles Book #1) by Kady Cross

 

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one...except the "thing" inside her.When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no "normal" Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch....Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of "them." The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret. Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help--and finally be a part of something, finally fit in. But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on--even if it seems no one believes her. 
Hardcover, 473 pages 
Published May 24th 2011 by Harlequin Teen.
Add to Goodreads or purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Indiebound. 

 

 

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous. Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves. 

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens. Hardcover, 416 pages 
Published May 22nd 2012 by Harlequin Teen
Add to Goodreads or purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Indiebound. 

About Kady Cross:

In her other life, Kady Cross is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than twenty books. She is lucky enough to have a husband who shares her love for the slightly twisted and all things geek, and a houseful of cats with whom she shares her darkest secrets. When she’s not listening to the characters in her head, she’s either trying to formulate the perfect lip gloss or teaching herself to solder. She has a weakness for all things girlie, sugar skulls and boots. Her love of books and makeup borders on addiction—of which she never, ever wants to be cured. Find Kady on her website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | HarlequinTEEN.

Finally, the best part..... the goods! 

Contest Info: There are two giveaways for those following her tour!

The first giveaway is a daily one for the chance to win your choice of either The Girl in the Steel Corset, The Girl in the Clockwork Collar or The Girl with the Iron Touch.

The second giveaway is for a grand prize of a beautiful Clockwork Necklace, the matching Ring and a set of The Steampunk Chronicles books!

To enter fill out the Rafflecopters! 

Please note that both the daily and grand prize give-aways are for US/Canada participants only.  See full contest rules here. These giveaways are not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings.

Good Luck! 

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Watch for my review of The Girl with the Iron Touch coming May 27th! 

A big thanks to the ladies at Kismet Book Touring and to Kady Cross for allowing me to be apart of this tour and for doing such a great job with the organization. Be sure to visit their site for more tours!

Here is the full tour schedule for The Girl with the Iron Touch Tour:

 

 

Monday, May 6th – Harlequin Paranormal Blog
also on Monday, May 6th – Reading Teen – Character Interview: Griffin
Wednesday, May 8th - Candace Book Blog
Friday, May 10th –  Rainy Day Ramblings

Monday, May 13th - Two Chicks on Books
Wednesday, May 15th - YA Bibliophile
Friday, May 17th - Fiktsun

Earth Day Tour Stop: Reviews and Giveaway!

I am excited to finally be able to share with you all my Earth Day Tour Post.  When I saw this fabulous tour I just knew I had to take part.  Candace has put together a phenomenal tour and I applaud all of her efforts.  Stephanie Lisa Tara has written some wonderful books to help inspire a new generation to conserve, recycle, and help keep our Earth green.  As part of the tour, I was asked to share some thoughts on what I do to help the environment.

I am lucky to live in Portland, Oregon.  A lush, green city with lots of trees and a wonderful green community.  I moved here almost six years ago after living in Phoenix, Arizona for ten years. I will be honest, when I first got here I didn't love it.  I missed the busy bustling metropolis of Phoenix and the warm sunny weather during the winter.  However, as time has gone on, I have grown to truly love my new home.  Portland is a very environmentally conscienscious city.  There are many many efforts here to help keep the city green.  From conservation to recycling.  It is a great place to be if you are environmentally friendly and want to go green.  

A view of Downtown Portland (click on photo for credits).

There is so much to do and see in this great state.  If you love the great outdoors this is the place to visit!  I am lucky that I live up on a hill with a fantastic view to the city. We are surrounded by a small forest and I have huge towering trees in my backyard! There are plenty of squirrels and chipmunks scampering about as well as an occasional deer or bunny.  

The trees surrounding our house. 

View from our back deck

View from our front door 

We have plenty of farms and flowers.

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm

Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm w. Mt. Hood (we took these photos on a visit there)

In the summer, the city comes alive with Farmer's Markets throughout selling all kinds of organic produce, baked goods, plants, food and just about anything else your heart desires. I love shopping at the Farmer's Markets because I am not only supporting the local farmers and business men and women but I am getting homemade food and organic grown produce as well as local products and handmade items! There is a market somehwere in the city every day from Spring through Fall. If you ever get the chance to visit Portland I suggest you go to a couple of Farmer's Markets. 

photos from our local Farmer's Market

Portland is a magical place! (photo of my kids in the yard manipulated with Percolator)

Portland also has a fabulous book community and it is well known for its bookstores and bookish community.  I could seriously live in the downtown Powell's Bookstore for days an days! It is a book lovers dreams! 

Now that I have told you some of the benefits of living in Oregon, I am going to share with you just  a few things that I do to help the environment.

Portland has a wonderful recycling program.  We recycle almost everything.  We even compost and save our food scraps and they are picked up weekly.  In fact, we recycle and compost so much that our garbage is only picked up biweekly.  Composting takes a bit of getting used to, but once it is a habit it is easy!

I use totebags when grocery shopping as often as possible.  Portland is among some of the first cities in the country that is trying to ban plastic bags as they are harmful to the environment.  In lieu of plastic bags, shoppers are encouraged to use a totebags or paper bags, but there is a five cent charge for a paper bag.  

I save my coffee grounds and use them to feed my plants.

I use organic cleaning products.

We try and eat organic as much as possible from the milk we drink to the produce we buy.  Again, it is easy to eat organic when you live in a city like Portland.

I try to shop at local markets to help support and sustain the local economy.  My favorite grocery store is New Seasons Market.  A local company that specializes in organic foods. It is a fantastic place to shop!

I am trying to teach my kids the importance of taking care of this Earth we live on!

So what do you all do to help the environment?

As part of the tour, I was able to review five books by Stephanie Lisa Tara.  Each of these books is meant to share an important message with young readers.  From the environment to an appreciation for reading to believing in yourself.  If you are looking for some Earthy friendly books for your youngest readers, I urge you to check out some of these titles.  Here are my reviews:

 Eliza's Forever Trees by Stephanie Lisa Tara, illustrated by Alex Walton

Suddenly Mother jumped to her feet and ran to one of the trees, a three-hundred-foot-tall redwood. "Forever tree! Forever tree!" she cried, smiling. She swept the skinny girl up into her arms. The child's pale skin shimmered in the golden forest light. "Forever trees, forever trees," they sang, spinning in circles. The memory melted into the fog, and Eliza felt very tired. The question came again to her. It appeared out of the gray, out of the damp, out of the cold corners of this new house. The question whispered it always did the kind of whisper that sounded very loud indeed: Where had Mother gone? Shadows appeared and disappeared in Eliza's mind. Still, she couldn't remember. She simply could not remember anything after that last story in the forest. For some reason, she wasn't terribly worried. She was a little worried, for sure, but not terribly worried, because a strange calm held the shadows and the question. It held Eliza, too. Because love is forever. 
Paperback, 290 pages 
Published November 20th 2012 by Brown Books

 

 

Fours stars: An imaginative and lovely book for young readers.

Eliza spends her days tucked away in a small cabin with her grandfather.  Grandfather is a bit irritable and not quite right.  He uses books to prop open windows and doors and even burns them in the fireplace.  Eliza's mind is fuzzy, she can't remember where her mother has gone.  Mother always read her wonderful books and they traveled on many adventures while reading. Now Mother is gone, and Eliza doesn't know where she has gone.  One day, a small butterfly pops into visit Eliza, and soon he is her daily friend as he loves to listen to her read.  Together, the pair decides to venture out through the forest and find the Great Mother Redwood Tree.  Eliza just knows the tree will tell her where mother has gone.  What follows is a magical and lyrical adventure.

What I Liked:

• This book was beautifully written and so creative and imaginative.  Young readers will certainly enjoy Eliza's adventure as she journeys through the forest.  Along the way, she encounters many many creatures and learns all about them such as: ladybugs, frogs, rattlesnakes, owl, deer, fox, squirrel, bats, slugs and more.  Every creature speaks to Eliza and she learns something about them.  This is a great learning book!
• I loved all the positive environmental messages.  Eliza on her quest to find her mother experiences life in the forest.  Not only does she learn about her surroundings but she comes to have a great appreciation for the forest and all the creatures that inhabit it.  This is a lovely way to introduce your young one to the wonders of nature. I especially enjoyed learning about the role that each creature played in the ecosystem, like the banana slugs.  Everyone has a part and they all work together in harmony.  
• All the animals respect each other and know that they must all come together to achieve the balance of the forest. I loved that this book teaches the value of teamwork and that everyone is important. I liked the way that the bats changed and eventually became active participants in the forest ecology. 
• This book features at its heart the importance of books and how we can get lost in a story.  Throughout the book, there are many passages and snippets from famous literary works such as: Alice in Wonderland, Anne of Green Gables, The Wind in the Willows and Aesop's Fables.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing many of my childhood favorites interwoven into the story.  I appreciate that this story encourages a love for reading.
• This book reminds us the enduring nature of love. Even though Eliza's mother is gone, her love is still with Eliza.  She can feel it around her and she can remember it, especially when she recalls the many stories they read together. A wonderful reminder that love no matter what is enduring and forever. 
• Finally, I liked watching Eliza grow and change.  At the beginning of the story, she is confused, sickly and pale and her heart has "wrong beats".  During her journey, she begins to transform and her heart begins to heal.  Her final change at the end is quite stunning.

And The Not So Much:

• The ending is one of those that is open to interpretation.  I thought it was clever and interesting, but I can see a young reader being a bit confused because nothing is spelled out.  This would certainly be a great book for discussion to see how younger readers view the events.
• I was never clear on how Eliza ended up in the cabin with the grandfather and why he was burning the book. This is not a big issue, but it left me wondering. 

Eliza's Forever Trees is a magical, lyrical book that will introduce your child to the wonders of nature and the importance of reading while reminding them about the endurance of love.  This book a delightful adventure that you enjoy sharing with your young reader.

I'll Follow the Moon by Stephanie Lisa Tara, illustrated by Lee Edward Fodi

On a quiet, moonlit beach, a baby green sea turtle stirs from a dream of home. Slowly, slowly, with a tap, crick, crack, the baby turtle embarks upon a mysterious nighttime journey. Gentle, tender verse and enchanting illustrations carry this tranquil tale from sand to sea. 
Hardcover, 2nd, 48 pages 
Published September 7th 2005 by Brown Books

 

 

 

Five Stars: A charming little book with rhyming verse. 

This is a sweet little story that follows a newly hatched sea turtle as he endeavors to reach the sea and find his mama.  It starts with the cracking of a small egg and the emergence of a baby turtle.  Each step of his journey is covered as he bursts out of the egg and learns to make his way through the sticky sand to the water's edge.  Each page has a short verse in rhyme and at the end of each and every page is the touching little rhyme:

"I'm coming, Mama, I'll see you soon.  I know just how....I'll follow the moon."

Accompanying the lyrical prose are stunning, colorful illustrations that feature the baby turtle.  Truly, the pictures are remarkable.

Both of my children, ages four and two, enjoyed this book.  I think they found the verse soothing and they liked the repetition of the turtle following the moon.  If you have younger children, this is a wonderful book to get for them. I highly recommend this one!

 

Snowy White World to Save by Stephanie Lisa Tara, illustrated by Alex Walton

It s a headline we all have seen: Global warming is melting the Arctic. Once the Arctic sea ice has vanished, the majestic polar bear, a magnificent creature who needs the sea ice to survive will vanish, too. The ice is home to the bears, as well as to their primary food source, the ringed seal. Polar bears feed, mate, travel, den, and give birth on the ice. Some scientists say polar bears will be extinct within fifty years if something isn t done, and soon. 
Hardcover, 32 pages 
Published October 1st 2007 by Brown Books

 

 

Four stars: A book that introduces children to the plight of the polar bear.

A mother polar bear cuddles with her two newborn cubs in the Arctic cold.  Slowly, the cubs grow and begin to explore the world around them. They learn to walk miles over the ice in search of something to eat.  A meal is secured and all is well.  Then the polar bears encounter warming temperatures and in search of food they run into man.  The ice is disappearing along with the habitat of the polar bear.  The books ends with the jarring question of what can be done to help the bears?  After the conclusion, the author provides several pages of discussion questions and resources to help the polar bear.  I loved that there are also lesson plans included for teachers.  This book encourages discussion and environmental awareness.  It is never too early to educate your children on the importance of being environmentally aware.  This book is an excellent way to open the lines of communication.  It is written in verse so it will appeal to children and it has lovely illustrations.  Get this book and help educate your child on the importance of our environment!

 

Little Library Mouse by Stephanie Lisa Tara, illustrated by Alex Walton

Even when you are little, you can imagine big. At closing time a key locks the library, and unlocks the dreams of a little mouse who waits in the shadows. Skipping, sliding, down the pages of books? he steps inside magical stories, inviting readers to come along for the ride. Witty verse and fantastical illustrations celebrate the joys of reading in this tale with innovative charm. 
Library Binding, 32 pages

 

 

 

Four stars: A wonderful adventure that shows where books can take a young reader.

The library closes for the night.  In the shadows awaits a curious mouse.  He nudges open a book and experiences the wonders that await in the pages.  Where can he travel while reading a book?  Who can he be?  What can he do?  What is waiting inside a book?  As the night unfolds, the little mouse shows a young reader all the magical and wondrous things that they can encounter while using their imagination and reading a book.  This little tale is told in rhyming verse and is accompanied by bright illustrations.  

This is a great story that will hopefully stir the imagination and encourage a love for reading.  

I liked that at the end of the book the author includes a lesson plan with directions to make a library card and discussion ideas for the library.

 

Gwynne Fair & Shining by Stephanie Lisa Tara, illustrated by Lee Edward Fodi

 

Gwynne, Fair & Shining is a twenty-four page children's book, written in verse, about a young girl who learns she is special and can be anything she wants to be. 
Hardcover, 24 pages 
Published November 15th 2006 by Brown Books

 

 

 

 

Three stars: A Welsh Fairy Tale come to life that shares the magic of music and believing in yourself.

Gwynne starts out the tale as a maid scrubbing in a castle cold and dark.  Her world is dismal and dreary until she creeps to the fireplace and discovers the magic.  Magic stirs her soul and she creeps out of the castle and discovers the magic of music and the world outside. A small flute enables Gwynne to bring magical music to the animals and the angry people and thus she transforms the world around her and herself until at the end she is no longer the maid covered in dirt, but a beautiful princess thanks to a fairy queen.  All because she believed in herself and the magic around her.

This is a sweet little story with colorful illustrations and rhyming verse.  My hesitations with this book are that sometimes the rhymes are a little strange and the story isn't exactly clear and I wasn't a fan of the mean people.  However, in the end, I did like that it has a wonderful message that you can believe in yourself and change the world around you with music and happiness. 

 

Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book: fotos, facts, and fun! by Stephanie Lisa Tara (Goodreads Author), Lee Edward Fodi (Illustrator), Josey Gist (Editor)

Dear Turtle Activists,

I want to thank each and every one of you for your tireless dedication and love to our cause! I have written this book FOR YOU! I dedicate this book TO YOU! 120 pages of fotos, facts and fun! Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book has a primary goal: SAVING SEA TURTLES FROM EXTINCTION. A portion of proceeds from this book go to charitable organizations like the Turtle Foundation (www.turtle-foundation.org) of whom my first turtle book, I'LL FOLLOW THE MOON—is a proud sponsor. If you are new to us—please join with us, for together, holding hands, we can effect change. Yes—really! xoxo. SAVE GREEN SEA TURTLES on Facebook (www.facebook.com/.../Save-Green-Sea-T...) is our hugely popular hang-out—tens of thousands of Activists-strong. Please join us! NOW—prepare for something totally new and amazing! Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book is not your typical scientific turtle book: my special book is all about having FUN! Enjoy the mini FLIP-BOOK in the corners and create a movie of your own! Click the ebook pages—or thumb through manually in the paperback—YOUR CHOICE! I've written these chapters in a fun, chatty voice—you know, the one YOU use when talking up your favorite topics! Don't be surprised if you find yourself giggling as you turn pages! Enjoy breathtaking photography, incredible facts, and way-out wow'ing surprises that these millennium-old creatures have to share. AND: TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE! Yep! Stephanie Lisa Tara's Turtle Book is my second turtle book—it's a perfect TWIN to my first international bestseller, I'LL FOLLOW THE MOON: buy BOTH TOGETHER for your shelf. Two little twins; one a fable, one fotos, facts & fun. So, in closing...please accept this deeply personal gift from me, your faithful sea turtle leader, the turtle-lady, or Stephanie Lisa Turtle - as I was renamed recently by a fan—from my heart to yours.GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THE CAUSE TO SAVE SEA TURTLES FROM EXTINCTION! Paperback, 120 pages Published April 11th 2013 by CreateSpace

 

 

Five Stars: A delightful and informative book on all things turtle.

This is an excellent companion book to I'll Follow the Moon.  While I'll Follow the Moon is geared for the youngest readers, the sequel is for a bit older reader.  Be prepared to be immersed in the turtle world as you learn about the eight different species of turtle, their habits, environment, diet, senses, mating, and all the fun facts and such that will leave you well versed on turtles.  I applaud Ms. Tara for taking the time to write both of these books as they not only enlighten us on turtles, but they are geared to help save this endangered species. Toward the end of the book, there are discussions on all of the hazards that each turtle species faces and the details on why they are in danger along with tips on what we can all do to help this fantastic species.  I absolutely enjoyed learning all about the  sea turtles and I am looking forward to sharing with my two toddlers when they are just a bit older.  This book is packed full of bright colorful photos of sea turtles that will be sure to capture the attention of younger readers.  Definitely get this book and do something to help save the turtle!

 

Whew! I know that was a lot to take in so thanks for sticking with me! Here is a bit about Stephanie, the kind and generous author behind this fantatistic tour:

I've always believed that magic hides in special places. As a child, people would often stare at my bright red hair, which was very, very bright indeed.
Unfortunately, I developed a bad habit of making up rhymes about all of them, and they soon became funny characters. I didn't have much time to think about being different; fanciful lyricisms danced in my head, and no one was safe!
Since then, I've come to believe that storytelling has the power to inspire a deep love of language and learning. Words tripping off the tongue in somersaults that stick to your thoughts like taffy-- those are the things that stay forever in the mind.
I've lived in many special places: on a farm, in a city skyscraper, on a tropical beach, and in the beautiful country of France. Now I live in northern California, between the redwood forests and the sea. Even though I'm an adult, I'm still as silly as ever.
Many nice words have been used to describe my books, such as fun, engaging, delightful, and whimsical. Some folks say that I deliver timeless messages of love for kids and parents to share again and again; this makes me very happy. I hope that you'll enjoy my stories, too. Captivating children with language is something that I believe in, and I strive to live my life with this always.
--Stephanie Lisa Tara
www.StephanieLisaTara.com
stephanielisatarabooks@gmail.com

Find Stephanie: website, blog, Facebook, Amazon, Facebook page for Save the Polar Bears | Facebook Page for Save the Green Turtles | Facebook Page for Save the Redwood Forests and Goodreads.

Now for the giveaway! Candace and Stephanie have put together a fantastic giveaway for all of you.  There is even a chance to win a Kindle FIre! 

Fill out the Rafflecopters below.  Please note these giveaways are not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings. 

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Thanks everyone for sticking with me through this long post! Please let me know what you do to help the environment in the comments! Be sure to check out some of the other stops on the tour. 

Thanks again to Candace for hosting such a wonderful tour. Be sure to visit Candace's Blog for more tours! 

Immortal Eclipse Tour Post with Sherry Soule: Guest Post And Review

“Which Immortal Character Would YOU Most Likely Be?”

Okay, today’s post is provided by author Sherry Soule, who is celebrating the release of her first new adult novel, IMMORTAL ECLIPSE—due to be published April 30, 2013. If you like supernatural suspense mingled with a dash of chick-lit and a healthy dose of paranormal romance, then this is the book for you! This giveaway is open internationally! So let’s tell the blogging world! Now take this super fun quiz to see which character you’d most likely be similar to, and score an eBook version of IMMORTAL ECLIPSE! Answer this quiz, post your results in the comments, and be sure to check the bottom of the post for the details regarding this random giveaway.

 

1. What’s your favorite season?
    a. Winter - Cloudy, Chilly,Rainy, Stormy
    b. Fall - Windy, Misty, Foggy, Mild 
    c. Summer - Hot, Dry, No Wind, Sunny 
    d. Spring – Warm, Breezy, Greenery, Brisk

2.  I detest using labels, but what would others call you at school?
    a.  Normal or Jock/ Cheerleader
    b.  Preppy/ Student Counsel
    c.  Amateur Fashionista
    d.  Girlish tomboy

3.  Which of the following best describes your personality?
    a.  Snobbish, Eccentric, Perky
    b.   Haughty, Moody, Smart
    c.  Tough, Snarky, Weird
    d.  Playful, Vivacious, Straightforward

4.  Which genre do you read most often?
    a.  Urban Fantasy
    b.  Horror / Dark YA Paranormal
    c.  Romance
    d.  Dystopia

5.  You are at school and witness a student bullying someone. What do you do?
    a.  Run in the opposite direction before they pick on you
    b.  Laugh and join in on the fun
    c.  Stop and tell the bully to knock it off or else!
    d.  Go tell a teacher what’s going on

6.  What’s your hairstyle?
    a.   Short and sassy
    b.   Long and straight
    c.  Medium with highlights
    d.   Curly or wavy

7.  What’s your typical breakfast?
    a.  Eggs and bacon
    b.  Oatmeal and orange juice
    c.  Coffee and a Pop tart
    d.  Heaping bowl of my fav cereal

8.  What type of pet would you like to have or do you own?
    a.  Hamster
    b.  Small Dog
    c.  Shade
    d.  Cat

9.  How often do you shop or hit the mall?
    a.  Only on sale days  
    b.  Once or twice a month
    c.  Every week—duh
    d.  Hardly ever

If you answered...

Mostly a's: You are adventurous, clever, and outgoing. Let’s party!
Mostly b's: You are smart and humorous. Anyone would be lucky to be friends with a fashionata like you.
Mostly c's: You are not only stylish—you have great taste in movies and literature.
Mostly d's: You are a true romantic, and devoted to your family and friends.

 

Sherry Soule is the bestselling author of the acclaimed YA Spellbound series. She writes urban fantasy, an odd hybrid of the horror genre that includes elements of mystery, romance, fantasy, and suspense for teens and adults. Right now, she’s working on a few different young adult series: Spellbound and Tales of a Teenage Succubus. Plus, an adult novel due spring 2013, Immortal Eclipse. Places you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule: Official Blog, Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads. 

 

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Thanks so much to Sherry for stopping by today and for making my job so much easier by putting together this post! You rock, lady! Best of luck with your release at the end of the month! Be sure to visit her blog for more tour stops and more chances to win a copy of her Immortal Eclipse! Please note this giveaway is not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings. 

Here is my review:

Immortal Eclipse by Sherry Soule

A devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house. Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again. The problem is . . . whoever it is may not be human. Armed with only wit and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar. Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.
Paperback 362 pages 
Expected publication: April 30th 2013 by Moonlight Publishing, Inc.

 

 

 

Skylar Blackwell at twenty five is still struggling to hit it big.  Just when Sky thinks she is going to land that big promotion, she is slapped in the face and fired.  Frustrated, she returns to her empty apartment.  Sitting on her table is an invitation from her uncle to visit him in California.  Unfortunately, Sky's uncle died a few days ago.  He apparently had a heart attack and fell of the cliff, but there were some unsettling marks carved into his chest that were supposedly self inflicted.  Something doesn't sit well with Sky.  A visit with her uncle's lawyer reveals that she is the sole recipient of all her uncle's assets.  There is one catch, Sky must stay for one month at his residence, Summerwind.  Sky packs her suitcase, she has nothing else to lose at this point.  Upon arriving at Summerwind, Sky learns that the property is supposedly haunted, and Sky is tempted to leave, but she refuses until she learns the truth behind her uncle's death.  Who or what killed Uncle Gerald?

What I Liked:

• I enjoyed the creepy atmosphere presented in this book.  Sky arrives at Summerwind and is immediately plunged into a paranormal mystery.  Her new home appears to be haunted and Sky is constantly hearing strange chanting and whispering.  The servants all appear to be hiding something and Sky doesn't know who to trust.  The house itself is downright scary. If you like books that are filled with suspense and plenty of creep factor you should try this.
• This book has plenty of thick tension and danger! People start committing suicide under mysterious cirumstances, ghostly visions, creepy chanting and so forth.  The tension continues to mount until you are left on edge wanting to know the secrets of Summerwind.    
• I liked that Skylar is a bit shallow.  She is a twenty five year old who is struggling to make her mark in the fashion world.  Her funny and sometimes snarky remarks definitely help lighten up the mood.  Skylar has impeccable fashion taste and she is always talking about her designer shoes and clothes and at times it is just the right amount of comic relief.  
• This book presents some original ideas and it turned out to be completely unexpected.  I am always pleased to encounter something different in the paranormal genre and this one definitely had some refreshing ideas.  I liked that I was continually guessing at to what was really going on, and in the end I was completely wrong.  This book has an evil ghost, doppelgängers, black magic, necromancers, haunting dreams and visions, unexplained suicides and immortal beings.  If you are looking for a New Adult book that has a paranormal infusion read this one. 
• The ending is fast, furious and scary.  There were plenty of twists and turns and it was unpredictable.  I appreciated that everything wrapped up neatly, no cliffhangers!

And The Not So Much:

• The romance for me was a bit frustrating.  It starts out as insta-lust, as Skylar immediately begins drooling over the hot guy, Dorian who works at the estate.  Then the romance moves into that I am really attracted but we can't be together for reasons I can't tell you phase, which continues for the majority of the book.  It is a constant I am attracted to you but we can't act on our feelings, pushing each other away, and it got a bit old after awhile, but at least there wasn't a love triangle.
• Even though I enjoyed Skylar's witty asides, I grew irritated with her character because she was continually denying that she was encountering something supernatural.  She repeatedly wants to pack her suitcase and run away, but then she endeavors to stay because she wants to know what is going on.  There was so much repetition with her wanting to run away and then deciding to stay.  She also comes across as a bit dense since she is confronted over and over with evidence that should tell her something paranormal is going on, and she fails to process it and accept it. 
• There were a couple of inconsistencies in the story, such as one scene Skylar passes out and wakes up the next morning in her bed and notices her special protective amulet is missing from around her neck.  She thinks to herself it will be a pain to hunt it down, then a few pages later she is in the basement and she clutches the amulet around her neck like it was never missing.  A chapter or two later, she is in a bedroom and finds the amulet on the floor. Then I was never clear on how old Victor and Dorian appeared to be.  After Skylar starts having the flashbacks, it is immediately apparent that something isn't right about their appearance and ages, but Skylar fails to put it together.
• I felt the concept of the Immortals was not detailed out enough for my taste. I had so many questions as far as this idea goes.  While it was intriguing, it failed a bit on execution. 

Immortal Eclipse is a New Adult book that presents something beyond the common dramatic story full of angst and tension.  Instead you are treated to a creepy ghost story set in a haunted house with plenty of paranormal twists.  If you are a fan of the New Adult genre and you are tired of the same old same old and you long for a read with a bit of supernatural infusion, take a chance and pick this one up.

Favorite Quotations:

"They say housework won't kill you, but why take the risk?"

"Sometimes love is a reticent flower that takes time to blossom."

"Since the first romance book I read in high school, my literary heroes have consequently made my ideals and expectations too high.  And I totally blame romance novelists.  Their books are the reasons why I'm still single."

 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.    

Unplug and Read Tour: Dualed by Elsie Chapman Review and Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago, I read and reviewed Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt.  This little book got me thinking about how much our world has changed and how reliant we have become on our technology.  So much so, that I think we all at times forget to just take time and enjoy the simple things in life like reading a book with your children.  I was offered a chance to participate in The Unplug and Read Tour hosted by Random House Children's Books.  It is a month long event designed to encourage everyone to take some time to unplug and read.  It will culminate with the week long event from April 29th-May 5th: Screen Free Week.  Can you accept the challenge and turn off all your electronic gadgets and gizmos for a week?  This is an excellent challenge to do with your kids as it is a chance to remind them not to become too dependent on social media, tv and all the other electronic distractions.  If you are interested in learning more you can visit Random House Children's Website or their Facebook page.  Even if you can't go screen free for a week, perhaps you could pledge to sit down and read with your children every night.  It is worth thinking about! 

As part of the tour, I was able to review Dualed by Elsie Chapman.  This is a frightening dystopian with a Hunger Games type theme.  It is scary, entertaining and thought provoking.  Stick around for the giveaway at the end.

Here is my review:

Dualed (Dualed #1) by Elsie Chapman

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.
 Hardcover, 304 pages 
Published February 26th 2013 by Random House Books for Young Readers

 

1/2

Three and a half stars: A thrilling and frightening world where one must kill or be killed!

West is dreading the day when she receives her assignment.  It is the day where the clock starts ticking and she must kill her alternate identity or die.  West lives in a terrifying and brutal futuristic society where humanity was nearly destroyed by a vaccine for the common cold.  She resides in a city where everyone must train to be a soldier to survive.  The Board in an attempt to ensure only the survival of the strongest and fittest conceived a brutal plan.  Every child has an alternate.  Twins born to two sets of parents.  Once the child reaches eleven, they can be activated at any time and forced to kill their alternate or be killed.  Failing to act results in death for both children.  West receives her assignment just days after a tragic loss.  Reeling from trauma, she does the one thing she thought she would never do.... run and hide from her Alt.  Will West step up and kill her Alt or be killed?

What I Liked:

• Ms. Chapman does a terrific job in presenting a terrifying Hunger Games type story where children are forced to kill in order to survive.  However, in this story their opponent is much more terrifying since everyone must fight their genetic twin.  Imagine coming face to face with someone who shares your same DNA and being forced to murder them or be killed?! It is a chilling concept for sure, and it certainly set my imagination on fire and got my heart pounding.  If you are a fan of dystopians with thrilling and terrifying concepts and lots of action, you should give this one a try.
• Ms. Chapman does a good job presenting her futuristic dystopian world.  She provides just enough details to provide solid framework, but refrains from info dumping.  Her world is horrific and scary in that ordinary citizens go about their daily business not thinking twice about the murders that go on all around the city as children battle and kill their alternate identities.  Accidental kills are common, but just another harsh reality of life in Kersh.  I wasn't lost with the world building and thought the detail was adequate, which is always a bonus for me when reading a dystopian.
• This book certainly got the gears of my mind churning as I pondered over all the shocking aspects of life in Kersh.  For instance, imagine being a parent having survived your own murderous encounter with your Alt.  Now you have earned the right to enjoy your life, marry, have children, etc.  Then as a parent you give birth to a child knowing that somewhere out in the city there is an exact duplicate of your child, growing up and someday the two will meet and only one will survive.  Your child has a fifty-fifty survival chance. I cannot even imagine the terror of knowing that once my child turns eleven that they could at anytime be forced to kill their Alt.  Not only is the thought of losing your child scary, but you must face the daily threats of Alts murdering each other in the streets, and there is always a chance your child could be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become an errant victim.  The story presents some interesting and frightening ideas.  I definitely enjoyed mulling them all over.
• The romance in this one is simple and straightforward.  It involves two long time friends thrust together in dire circumstances, finally after a great deal of conflict, they open up and express their feelings.  There is not a love triangle, which is always nice.
• This book culminates with an adrenaline fueled, heart pounding scene that had me racing through the pages.  Thankfully, everything draws to a complete and satisfying resolution with no cliffhanger.  This book works well as a stand alone, but I understand a sequel is in the works. I don't know if it will be a continuation of West's story or a companion novel.  I will be interested to follow up as I did enjoy the action and ideas of this book.

And The Not So Much:

• For me, and I think many other readers, the biggest problem with this book is that it is extremely difficult to connect with West.  She is an impossible character to like sometimes.  In the beginning, she comes across as a tough as nails, forceful, determined and brave, but after a traumatic incident in the first chapters, West changes.  From that point on, West appears to be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Granted, I can understand why she pushed Chord, her best friend away. She was scared of losing him, too, but she is so mean and ungrateful toward him that it made me dislike her. Also her behavior is erratic and at times irritating.  Gone is the forceful girl who is determined to take on and kill her Alt.  Now West is damaged and hiding.  Furthermore, she takes on the role of a Striker. An assassin for hire if you will.  I couldn't believe that she was hunting and killing others Alts while hiding from her own.  In all honesty, there were times that I thought she deserved to be killed.  In the end, I settled with a love hate relationship with West. Part of me admired her, while another part of me was frustrated with her stupid behavior.
• There were a couple of questions I had regarding the whole Alt issue. I was still a bit confused over how and when someone received their assignments. Everything was determined by the mysterious and powerful Board.  Once a child turns eleven they could be activated to kill their Alt. How did they determine who would be activated? Was it a lottery type thing or what? People were often errantly killed while in the path of an Alt conflict. So if your Alt was killed by a stray bullet did you automatically get a free pass and become Complete without having to go through any type of trial? It doesn't seem fair that someone could become Complete and enjoy all the benefits of life without having to endure the Alt showdown.  These were a couple of minor concerns I had with the plot.
• The Board and the government control lacked a bit of detail.  I wanted to know how the Board formed? Who sat on the Board? How were the leaders determined? Why didn't the government maintain stricter control over the Alt conflicts? Why didn't they hunt down and punish those who used Strikers? 

Dualed is a fast paced, exciting and terrifying story will entertain you despite a few flaws.  If you enjoy gritty reads that keep you flipping the pages until the bitter end, you should check out Dualed. I enjoyed the overall story and I think Ms. Chapman does a solid job with her dystopian vision. I would certainly be interested to check out her follow up: Divided.

Favorite Quotations:

"Besides, paper books smell like the past, an alien world."

"I need to believe it's possible to keep going the way I am and not change too much, not leave too much of myself behind."

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

 

As part of The Unplug and Read Tour, courtesy of Random House Children's Books.  I am able to offer a chance to win Dualed by Elsie Chapman to one lucky U.S. entrant.  Fill out the Rafflecopter to enter.  Good Luck! I hope you will consider taking some time in the next month to unplug, go screen free and spend some time reading! To follow the tour become of fan of the Facebook Page, and follow on Twitter, also find out more information here.  Thank you to Random House for allowing me to be a part of this event. 

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JAMB(Cornerstone #3) by Misty Provencher Tour Stop

I am thrilled to be able to part of The JAMB Tour.  Last year, I was introduced to indie
author Misty Provencher when I read Cornerstone. I was blown away by this little indie gem and since then I have had the pleasure of reading three other books by Ms. Provencher.  She is definitely an indie author whom you need to read.  I love her work because it is different and unexpected and always fantastic.  As part of the JAMB Tour I am reviewing the third book in The Cornerstone Series. This such a great series, and it is saying a lot that I am on book three because these days I am having a hard time keeping up with series.  Before I get to the review, let me introduce you to Misty:

Misty Provencher writes everything that her brain can get its matter on. In late 2011, she released her debut, Young Adult novel, Cornerstone, and, in 2012, followed it with the sequel, Keystone. Also in 2012, Provencher released her Adult novel, Hale Maree, and a New Adult novel, Mercy, A Gargoyle Story. Writing across categories and genres, Provencher intends to provide readers with as much excitement, intrigue, and escape as they can handle. You can find Misty on her blog, FB, Twitter and Goodreads.

 

Be sure to enter the giveaways at the end of the post. There is something for everyone!

Here is my review:

JAMB(Cornerstone #3) by Misty Provencher

A second ago, Nalena opened her eyes. And she was safe in Garrett’s arms. Then it all comes rushing back—the riots, The Fury, the Cusp. The Ianua community is in a major jam. Forced into survival mode, the Ianua are holed up in the fortress of the Hotel Celare. Each Cura’s top-ranking members have gathered to guard the last remaining Addo, as the entire community also scrambles to trust one another and organize a new game plan to overthrow The Fury. The trick is to keep the human race alive. But The Fury’s game has changed. They have a Mastermind at the helm and he is out to destroy the Ianua. Terrifying and brilliant, this mysterious Mastermind has organized and focused The Fury like never before. He has recruited the Simple and unleashed the Cusp’s wide-spread chaos all around the world. And behind the scenes of this big picture, Nalena and everyone around her are busy trying to keep up, while also absorbing the rapid-fire aftershocks of their changing lives. There are traitors everywhere. While The Cusp is expected to bring twists and turns, Nalena and Garrett never expected it to throw a silverware-drawer full of forks into the road. Each path tests their loyalty and their faith and makes them question who is who. Including themselves. And each other. And in the end, some things, you can never see coming. 
Published March 11, 2013 
Paperback: 242 pages Publisher:
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 

 

 

Four solid stars: An amazing series mind blowing series that you must experience for yourself!

Nali opens her eyes to find Garret's arms tightly wrapped around her.  She is safe.  Then the horrific truth comes crashing back and she remembers that she murdered someone to protect the Addo.  The tunnels collapsed with Garrett's two younger brothers in them, and now they are missing, feared dead.  The Fury are organizing and they are coming at the Ianua like never before.  The world is in chaos as it has entered the Cusp.  Either the Ianua will restore order and defeat The Fury, or chaos and destruction will rein and decimate the world. Nali and the rest of the Contego are in a fight for their lives as they prepare to face the oncoming threat.  Can Nali and Garrett help find a way to defeat The Fury and save humanity?

What I Liked:

• Once again, I was completely blown away by Ms. Provencher's mad story telling skills.   Her books are never dull and they are always full of big twists and surprises that never cease to amaze me.  Just when I think I have it figured out, she throws in a whole bunch of wrenches and stuns me once again.  If you like books that are full of huge unexpected developments this is a series you need to read!
• I am absolutely in awe of Ms. Provencher's creativity.  These books may be labeled as YA, but trust me, the story telling is superb and the plot is incredibly complex and detailed and there are some interesting thought provoking ideas and concepts that are far beyond anything I have read before.  I wish I could better convey this to you, but I am unable to find the right words.  You just need to experience for yourself.
• I am a big fan of the romance in this one as it is so realistic.  I like that at every step, Nali is analyzing her feelings.  Sure, she is absolutely head over heels in love with Garrett, but how can she be sure that their relationship is the real deal?  I love that she has her insecurities and doubts as it makes it feel so genuine.  I especially enjoyed the scene where Garrett and Nali spar with each other to determine their compatibility.  Before they can be married they will have to fight in front of the Addo.  If one of them is able to get three hits on the other, they are not meant to be together.  Though terrified, the two fight each other and that scene is incredible.  I won't share the details, it is something you must read for yourself.  It is an amazing scene to say the least.  The other idea that I really found fascinating in this one is the whole idea of binding.  Binding is marriage between Ianua, but before the ceremony can take place, the couple must spend a period of time where they wear a zipline bracelet set.  Basically, they are not allowed to be more than a few feet apart during this period.  They must do everything together, and if they can't hack this constant togetherness, they aren't supposed to be together.  Can you imagine?  If more people had to undergo this the divorce rate would be significantly lower.  
• Addo Larry is absolutely the shining star of this series for me.  He is a wise guru man who spends a great deal of time munching cookies.  I love that he is so unassuming.  He has horrible taste in fashion: sweats and sandals with socks.  He comes across as a carefree guy, but in reality, he is brilliant.  His advice is always interesting and spot on.  Addo Larry just makes me smile, and I would love to eat cookies with him anytime.  Despite the fact that the end of the world is upon them, he takes it all in stride and refuses to let it ruffle his feathers.  Just bring on the cookies and all will be well!  If only we could all adopt his attitude.
• I was absolutely riveted to the final third of this book, once Nali and Garrett end up visiting The Fury.  It was frightening and exciting to finally get a peek into the world of The Fury.  The action ratchets up and you get this heart pounding climax and then a jaw dropping twist at the end that left me absolutely hungry for the next book! I cannot wait to see how it all plays out.  I know it will be another exciting, twisty adventure!

And The Not So Much:

• I struggled just a tiny bit with the pacing of this one.  The middle section drags a bit after an interesting opening, and of course a couple of twists.  Then the book falters as there is a great deal of time spent in the hotel compound where there is a lot of sitting around and talking and not much happening.  I was a bit frustrated at this point, because there are so many characters coming and going, and I honestly had a hard time keeping track of everyone.  Aside from the sparring scene between Nali and Garrett, there just isn't much going on.  Thankfully, there is an attack and then the story really moves.  It is jam packed and thrilling to the end so just be patient.
• This series has a entire unique society and they have all kinds of foreign concepts.  I admit that I had a hard time keeping track of everything.  There is so much information and so many unfamiliar words and ideas that at times I was confused. I seriously felt like I needed a glossary to everything straight.  This isn't a big deal, but just be informed that this is a complex read and there is a lot of information to sort through and process. I am still a bit confused over the Moxes and Protegos and all that.
• This book ends abruptly, not really a cliffhanger, but there is so many unanswered questions that I was just left itching to know more! I can hardly stand the wait.

JAMB was another exciting and intriguing read.  This series is absolutely addictive and I cannot wait for more.  It is unlike anything I have read before and if you are seriously needing something that is different, I think you should check out these books. I am absolutely amazed at Ms. Provencher's talent.  For all of you indie book lovers out there, this is an indie series that you must get your hands on! Don't miss it!

Favorite Quotations:

"I  understand that everybody wants to follow a leader who will always know better than they do and who will never make a mistake with everyone's future."

"And right now, it feels like could be in the driver's seat of a truck loaded with rabbit's feet and crickets and wishbones,m and still plow into a wall."

"I just want a clear idea---the dang cliff notes for my life.  I want all the highlights and the detailed ending, so I know how it all turns out.  I can make it through all of this, if I just know it'll end up okay."

 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for my review.

 

Misty has put together some fabulous giveaways for her tour.  You can enter them here. Head to Misty's blog for full details on the giveaways.  Please note the giveaways are not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings.  Good Luck! For all of you eager to try this series, What are you waiting for? You can download book one, Cornerstone, for free.  

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Death, Doom and Detention (Darklight #2) by Darynda Jones: Release Day Guest Post, Review and Giveaway!

 

 

Happy Tuesday!  I am beyond thrilled today to have the wonderful and talented Darynda Jones here today to celebrate the release of her newest book: Death, Doom, and Detention! It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Darynda Jones, and I absolutely adore her Charley Davidson series.  I have had the pleasure of hosting Darynda here on the blog three other times! I am pleased to welcome her back today to share with you all a bit of an overview on her new book.  First, if you have not met Darynda (you must read her books!) let me tell you a bit a bout her:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a RITA®, and a Daphne du Maurier. As a born storyteller, she grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. You can find we on her website, blog, twitter, and Facebook, Goodreads and check out her Grimlet Street Team.

 

Now here is the amazing Darynda Jones!

Hello Heidi, thanks for having me!

With the release of the second in the Darklight Trilogy, Death, Doom and Detention, I was excited to get the opportunity to explore Lorelei’s powers a bit more and delve deeper into how they are affecting her. While her BFF Brooklyn is completely gung-ho on the whole ‘vision’ thing, Lorelei is struggling under the weight of her new power. She is seeing things she doesn’t want to see and experiencing things on a completely visceral level. The visions are not just pictures in her mind but a conscious reliving of the actions and events of those around her, Whoever she touches. And naturally she doesn’t see the warm and fuzzy stuff. She sees her classmates deaths. She sees them being victims of crimes and of nature. She sees accidents and misfortune, but she also feels every part of what happens. She feels the excruciating pain of a leg being crushed in a car accident, the intense agony of a classmate slowly dying of thirst after getting lost in the desert, the shame and humiliation of a forced assault by a trusted friend. The experiences are trying and Lorelei is doing her best just to make it through the day.

These are the kinds of things I like to explore. What would happen if an everyday high school girl were to suddenly start going through something like that? What would it do to her? The human condition is fragile and one incident can send it crumbling to the ground. I hope you enjoy reading about my thoughts on this as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Thank you so much Darynda! Be sure to check out the rest of Darynda's Death, Doom and Detention Tour.  

The book is available today to purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Audible. As part of the tour, I am able to offer you all a chance to win this book.  Please note the tour is not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings.  Fill out the Rafflecopter to enter. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is my review:

The normal part of Lorelei MacAlister’s life didn’t just slip away quietly the day Jared Kovach came to town. Nope. The normal part of her life shattered. It exploded. It burst into a gazillion shards of fleeting light.It went out with a bang.Goodbye normal.Hello dark and eerie.While her best friend, Brooklyn, is focusing all of her energy on helping Lorelei hone her abilities, Lorelei is dealing with the reality that Satan’s second in command has taken up residence inside her body. Oh, and the fact that she has a crush on the Angel of Death. But what a beautiful death it is. If those weren’t bad enough, something sinister has come to town and it wants nothing more than to hear Lorelei’s dying breath as it strangles it out of her. Thank goodness the gang has a supernatural champion. But what happens when the only being who can save them switches sides midstream? How can a group of misfits capture one of the most powerful beings ever created? And will they find out how to bring Jared back to them before it’s too late.
 Paperback, 320 pages 
Published: March 5th 2013 by St. Martin's Press

 

 

Four Stars: A solid sequel that is packed full of danger and snark. 

Lorelei is struggling to cope with her not so normal life.  She went from a happy teenager, who enjoyed sipping lattes in the coffee shop with her two best friends, Glitch and Brooklynn, to a girl who has a demon inside of her, and she just happens to be a prophet, the last descendant from a long line of female prophets.  On top of all that, she is desperately attracted to Jared, who is the angel of death.  Lorelei also has a bodyguard, Cameron who is a nephilim.  In spite of all that craziness, she still has to go to school and do homework.  Lorelei is also having visions regularly, and they are enough to drive a girl insane.  At school, everyone starts acting a bit weird, and Brooklyn keeps warning the world looks fuzzy.  Danger is coming, and it is up to Lorelei and the others to stop it.  Can Lorelei prevent a war that will destroy humanity?

What I Liked:

• I admit that I had a bit of trouble with the first book: Death and the Girl Next Door. The story was good, the characters great, but it felt like it was just getting started when it came to an abrupt end.  This time around, the book has a strong foundation and the story really comes together.  I wasn't confused as I had a clear understanding of the characters and their powers and the impending danger.  This book definitely does not suffer from the middle book syndrome.  It is packed full of action and it advances the story, and the ending does a tremendous job of setting up the final book.   
• I enjoyed that this book is full of Darynda's trademark humor and snark.  It is a bit toned down from her Charley Davidson Series, which makes it more appropriate for the younger audience.  I found myself smiling and snickering at many of the hilarious lines throughout.  If you enjoy books with snark and wit definitely pick up a Darynda Jones book.  I am a huge fan of her work!
• I love all the characters in series.  Lorelei is an unassuming heroine.  She is a bit awkward, and not exactly comfortable with her identity, especially since she discovered that she is harboring a demon and she is a prophet.  Lorelei is funny and I am enjoying watching her hone in her powers and grow.  Her two best friends Brooklyn and Glitch are always there in a pinch.  Brooklyn is fiercely protective and fun.  My favorite character, though is Cameron.  He is a nephilim, born to protect Lorelei, which was unbeknownst to her until just recently.  He is kick butt and all kinds of awesome.  Finally, add in the angel of Death, Jared.  Jared is still a bit of a mystery.  He is dark and dangerous, and kind and caring, and he just happens to be in love with Lorelei.  All of these characters are easy to like and very entertaining. 
• This book is action packed and full of danger.  From the onset, you know that something bad is on the horizon.  Over and over, the two supernatural boys are forced to act in order to protect the gang, and let me tell you, these boys can kick some ass.  I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes where they let loose and went after the bad guys.  Seriously, can I have a Cameron to follow me around?
• I really appreciate that this book does not utilize a love triangle.  There are a few instances where it appears that a couple of the characters might be entering into the love triangle territory, but thankfully that never happens.  By the end, everyone seems to have hooked up with someone and the love triangles are avoided!

And The Not So Much:

• I am very anxious to find out why the demon is inside Lorelei and how he will get out. Unfortunately, there is little movement with this story line.  I guess it is building up for something big and exciting in the final book.
• There is thick tension between Cameron and Glitch.  In the first book, there was a revelation that something happened to the two of them while they were on a camping trip together when they were younger.  In this book, this incident is referred to numerous times and it appears to be the basis for the conflict between the two, but it is still not clear what exactly happened on that camping trip, and it is driving me crazy!
• This book ends with a cliffhanger, like book one did as well.  I am not used to Darynda's books ending with cliffhangers as she always ties up her Charley Davidson books with a neat resolution.  This time around, there is some resolution, and the ending was not nearly as jarring as it was in Death and the Girl Next Door.  Believe it or not, it was a cliffhanger that I could live with, as it wasn't too terrible.  It definitely sets up book three to be a fast and furious finale.

Death, Doom and Detention is a strong second book that progresses the storyline.  It has fun, witty and unforgettable characters.  The story is jammed packed with Darynda's trademark snarky humor that will keep you smiling throughout.  This book has plenty of action from beginning to end, and it does a nice job of setting up the final book in the series.  If you have yet to try a Darynda Jones book, I would highly recommend you grab one of her books right away, she is one of my favorite paranormal writers. I know I can count on Darynda's books to make me laugh.  I cannot wait to see how everything plays out in the final book of this series: Death and the Girl He  Loves which releases in October 2013.

Favorite Quotations:

"Life isn't always about what is fair and what's not, pix,"Grandad said.  "It's about doing the right thing no matter the risks.  No matter the consequences,"

"I've been on time lots of Mondays."  When her mouth thinned in doubt, I added, "Well, I have thought about being on time on lots of Mondays."

"I was trying desperately to get back to normal.  It was my new goal in life, right after grown five inches and get boobies."

"I wasn't sure what I did to deserve my two best friends.  Even when they found out I'd been possessed---was still possessed---they didn't bail on me.  That was true friendship.  Or insanity.  Either way."

"That near death experience taught me a valuable experience: Never get hit by a green delivery truck if I can help it."

 

All quotations are taken from an ARC copy that was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.   

Be sure to check out Darynda's other books:

 

And watch for her upcoming releases:

July 2013

October 2013

Be sure to grab your copy today! Thanks to Darynda and Dana for allowing me to be part of this fabulous tour! 

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett: Tour Stop

Happy Saturday! Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.  I am pleased and excited to be a part of The Nightmare Affair Tour hosted by Shane@Itching for Books. A big thanks to Shane for organizing this tour.   I have a review and giveaway for you today!

 

The Nightmare Affair (Arkwell Academy#1) by Mindee Arnett

Sixteen-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare.
Literally.
Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy, is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder.
Then Eli’s dream comes true.
Now Dusty has to follow the clues—both within Eli’s dreams and out of them—to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.
Hardcover, 367 pages
Expected publication: March 5th 2013 by Tor Teen

 

 

 

1/2

Three and a half stars: A fun introduction to a magical series featuring a unique protagonist!

Dusty sneaks through the window, anxious to get her dream feeding over so she can return to her dorm.  She tries to ignore the boy's sexy, half naked body as she straddles his chest and prepares to walk into his dreams.  You see, Dusty is not exactly an ordinary girl, she recently came into her magical abilities and learned that she was a Nightmare.  As a Nightmare, she feeds off others' dreams.  As Dusty enters Eli's head, she realizes something is different this time.  She witnesses a murder of a classmate at her school, and then to her horror, Eli can see her in the dream.  He awakens and shoves her off his chest.  When Dusty attempts to do the forgetting spell, it backfires so she makes a beeline for the window and escapes.  Her troubles are far from over as she learns that what she saw in Eli's dream is reality.  It gets even more complicated when Dusty discovers that she and Eli have a special connection.  They are dream seers.  Eli, a non-magical, is brought to her school, and Dusty is supposed to walk his dreams three times a week.  Can the unlikely pair learn to work together and catch a killer?

What I Liked:

• I have said this countless times, but it bears repeating, I am a huge fan of all things paranormal, and it isn't often that I have the pleasure of encountering something that is new and different, but I had that experience with The Nightmare Affair.  This book features a protagonist who is a Nightmare: a magical entity who feeds off dreams.  Dusty during her feedings enters and walks through other people's dreams.  It was fun to watch her uncover her powers and learn to change the dreamworld. I especially enjoyed the ideas of how the imagination and fictus work and all the parts that pertained the dreamworld, they were exciting and fascinating! If you are a big paranormal junkie, and you want something unique definitely give this book a read.
• I really enjoyed Dusty's character.  She is an unlikely heroine as she is a bit of an outcast amongst her peers.  She is unsure of her abilities and uncomfortable with her identity.  As the book progresses, Dusty begins to unlock her powers and take charge.  She is brave and refuses to back down as she tries to solve the murder, even it that means being a bit daring and reckless.  She certainly has gumption.  By the end, she has grown and become a bit more comfortable with her identity and powers.  
• I liked the romance in this one, surprisingly. It is a bit of a love square as Dusty and Eli enter into relationships with other people, but you just get the feeling that they are destined to be together as corny as that sounds.  Dusty and Eli have a complicated and antagonistic relationship.  They are drawn together through unique circumstances, but they aren't exactly friends, but there are those looks here and  hints of a brewing attraction, that they don't want to admit.  Needless to say, this is a slow burner and it is fun to see how it all plays out.  The love triangle or square, doesn't really become an issue because it is rather obvious from the get go how the romance will really turn out. 
• I enjoyed the murder mystery in this one.  Dusty and Eli attempt to unravel the clues and catch a killer before it is too late.  Of course, there are plenty of leads and lots of suspects, including Dusty's own mother.  The finale reveal was thrilling and action packed, even if there was a bit of predictability.  
• I liked the difficult relationship between Dusty and her mother, Moira.  The pair have never gotten along or seen eye to eye as Moira abandoned Dusty as a baby.  Dusty doesn't trust her own mother and there is lots of tension between them throughout.  I was happy to see movement by the end toward a better relationship in the future, even though, I suspect it will still have its moments.
• Selene, Dusty's best friend, who was a siren was a fascinating character.  You would think as a siren she would be sexy and shallow, but surprisingly she is level headed, intuitive, and very adamant about sirens being seen as more than empty headed, sex symbols.  She is an admirable best friend and very supportive of Dusty, definitely someone you would want to have your back.   
• This book features a magical boarding school, which I found to be fun, even though not exactly original.  There were plenty of paranormal entities from fairies, witches, werewolves, sirens, demons and more.  One of the more interesting characters was an old hag who worked as a janitor.  She was creepy and all kinds of interesting.  I really wanted to know what was the deal with all the chocolate?
• I especially appreciated that one of the characters, who Dusty was extremely suspicious of as he did engage in a bit of elicit activity, while not exactly the most likeable guy, and in fact he and Dusty had a few tangles, ended up coming through at the end.  This was an unexpected surprise and it is always nice to see a character who you thought was evil redeem himself.  I hope to see more of this character in the next book as well as his trusty dog.
• Finally, I was thrilled to find that this book wrapped everything up and concluded nicely.  It is so refreshing to enter into a new series and reach a satisfying ending! No dramatic cliffhanger in this one, but there are threads laid out for future story lines.

And The Not So Much:

• While I was completely enthralled with the whole Nightmare concept, I can't say that I felt like I got the whole picture.  I wanted to know what happens if Dusty doesn't feed regularly? Does she lose her magic or something worse?  How are the victims chosen?  Does the nightmare feed off only bad nightmares?  This was such a fascinating idea and I can't wait to see how it unfolds in future books.
• One aspect that I didn't like was the quick way that Eli was forced to give up his life and go to the magic school.  I was expecting more on this angle, he is just dropped into the school and there is really not much discussion on how he feels about it all as he struggles to adapt.  I really wanted Eli and Dusty to have a heart to heart about the whole situation, granted they have a brief chat, but I was hoping for a lot more depth. I really wanted to know what made Eli tick.  I am also curious on the whole seer thing, and I am wondering if Eli will develop some magical abilities over time.  It is hard for me to believe that he is a dream seer and that he will always be ordinary.
• My only other complaint is that this book with its unique heroine falls into a bit of an unoriginal story line as it follows a young girl who just recently came into her magical powers, and then is taken from her regular life and enrolled into a magical school, only to find that there is a killer out there and it is up to her to help stop it....does this sound a bit familiar?  Though, it isn't exactly original it was still a fun read.  Just don't be surprised if you find yourself drawing comparisons to other books you have read that have similar plots. 
• I must admit, even though the ending was dramatic and thrilling with several surprises, I was a bit annoyed when Dusty distracts the killer before he deals her the death blow with the trite but wait....tell me how you did it first, and then the villain gives his crazed revelation speech.  I was also confused about how the villain awakened, did someone do it, or did he rise on his own. 

The Nightmare Affair, all in all, was a quick and pleasant read.  This is a book that features a unique protagonist: a Nightmare.  It has a magical boarding school, a murder mystery and a bit of romance.  I enjoyed the magical world and the many different paranormal entities I encountered.  If you are a fan of books set in a magical school with a protagonist growing and coming into their powers you should like this book.

Favorite Quotations:

"Looks shouldn't matter when it comes to judging a person."

"But I found out later that you couldn't pretend something didn't exist when it was staring you in the face."

"Magickind started rumors about themselves in the ordinary world all the time, the latest example being the ordinary pop culture obsession with vampires as misunderstood victims who'd rather kiss a human than kill one.  So not true."

"Imagination cannot be controlled or predicted by a spell.  It is one of the few powers in the world that is truly wild."

"Power has to be kept in check.  You've got to have rules and guidelines for things to work proper.  Otherwise people get hurt that don't need to."

"With friends, you could survive just about anything."

 

I received a copy of this book as part of the tour in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.  

 

As part of the tour, I am able to offer you a chance to win a copy of this book.  Just fill out the Rafflecopter to enter.  Please note, this giveaway is not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings.  

About the author:

MINDEE ARNETT lives on a horse farm in Ohio with her husband, two kids, a couple of dogs, and an inappropriate number of cats. She’s addicted to jumping horses and telling tales of magic and the macabre. Her short stories have appeared in various magazines.  Arnett has a Master of Arts in English literature with an emphasis in Creative Writing. She blogs and tweets, and is hard at work on the next novel in the Arkwell Academy series. Find Mindee: Website, twitter, Facebook and Goodreads. 

 

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The Essence (The Pledge #2) by Kimberly Derting Tour Stop

Today, I finally have my stop for Kimberly Derting's The Essence.  The Pledge was one of the first books I reviewed on my blog. You can see my review here. I was excited to continue you this series. I have a review and giveaway for you as part of the tour.  Here is the info on Kimberly Derting:

 

Kimberly is the author of the BODY FINDER series (HarperCollins) and THE PLEDGE trilogy (Simon & Schuster). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the ideal place to write anything dark or creepy…a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children who provide an endless source of inspiration. To learn more about Kimberly and her books you can find her:
Website, Blog, Facebook , Goodreads , Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest

 

My review:

The Essence (The Pledge #2) by Kimberly Derting

“Danger, dread, mystery, and romance” (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlie’s reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within. Hardcover, 352 pages Published January 1st 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry

 

 

Charlie is struggling to come to terms with her new duties as Queen of Ludania.  She tires of everyone, even her best friends, referring to her as "Your Majesty".  She longs sometimes for the return to the simplicity of her old life.  Yet, she has risen to the occasion and taken a firm hold on the throne.  With her rein, she intends to bring peace, prosperity and equality to her kingdom.  No longer are the citizens divided by class and language.  Charlie abolishes the servile language and establishes equal rights for all citizens.  But there are always those who oppose change, and an underground movement led by Brook's father aims to remove Charlaina from the throne even if it means murder.  These obstacles aren't Charlaina's biggest concerns, though, she hides the fact that deep inside her resides the essence of the former tyrant ruler, Sabara.  Sabara's life force has taken root in Charlie, and Sabara wrestles with Charlie for control of her body.  A summit is called for all the Queens and Charlie must attend.  Terrified, she heads out to the nearby Queendom, only to learn that there is an unknown traitor in her trusted circle trying to betray and kill her.  Can Charlie escape with her life and remain in control of her own body?

What I Liked:

• The Essence picks up right where The Pledge left off, and I liked being able to plunge right back into the story.  I was pleased to see how Charlie has grown, and how she fights to bring prosperity and equality to her kingdom despite the protests of those who want things to remain the same.  Charlie is proving to be a capable ruler, but what I liked most was the fact that she wasn't letting power go to her head.  She remains the sweet young girl we got to know in The Pledge.  I really liked that she wanted to just be a normal girl and for people, especially those who have know her throughout her life, to treat her the same.  She doesn't put on a bunch of airs, and she refrains from power trips.  I admired that she really wanted to make things better for all the citizens of her kingdom, even those criminals outcast to the furthest regions.  She has a good heart.  I also appreciated how terrified she was to face the other queens.  I can only imagine the fear and trepidation one would feel when suddenly thrust into a room full of heady, powerful women!  Charlaina is certainly an admirable character. 
•  The inclusion of Sabara's essence inside Charlie is definitely something different.  I liked getting to know the evil Queen Sabara  a bit better, and seeing a little in her past.  It is an interesting situation to say the least.  At times, Sabara appears to be conniving and bent on evil, but there are other times where she seems to be helping Charlie.  Whether she is out to completely destroy Charlie or help her is still a mystery. I am most curious to see how this story line plays out.  
•  I love the fact that this dystopian series features a society that is ruled and controlled completely by women.  It is nice to see women in power and control for once. I especially enjoyed getting to know Brooklyn better.  She is a fierce warrior, incredibly sexy and never backs down from a challenge.  
•  I liked that this book shows how even when someone is fighting for change and is trying to bring about equality and make everything better for the people, there are always those in opposition who hate and fear change.  People who will vehemently fight it and do what they can to destroy prosperity and equal rights.  This story line mirrors many of the great struggles we have seen in our own society.  I am excited to see how Charlie fares as she fights to do the right thing for her kingdom.

And The Not So Much:

•  As much as I hate to say this, The Essence feels like a book that suffers a bit from the middle book syndrome.  While it isn't exactly boring, there isn't a lot that happens.  The story moves at a rather slow pace.  The majority of the book focuses on Charlie attending the summit and avoiding assassination attempts.  The story line regarding her battling Sabara's essence is intriguing, but overall not a lot happens in this one. The ending leaves Ludania on the brink of war after learning traitors from an opposing kingdoms are in their midst.  The third book is poised to be full of action and excitement.  Again, this isn't a bad book by any means, but it isn't thrilling either.  Just a good read.
•  I didn't like the fact that Max for the most part is absent from this story.  He is left behind to take care of the kingdom.  Thus, there is little romance in this installment.  I missed the dynamic and interaction between the two.  When they are together it is wonderful, but their time together is limited. 
•  I liked that we get some additional view points, but I did not like that the majority of the book is told from Charlie's view and it is in first person narration, and when the voice shifts to another character, like Brooklyn, the narration moves to third person.  I found the shifts back and forth from first to third jarring and distracting. I personally would have preferred the narration to all be in first person. 
•  The ending of this one isn't a cliffhanger, but nothing is resolved.  All the questions and issues, aside from ferreting out who the traitor was, remain open.  Again, this felt like a middle book that moves the story line slightly forward but there are no major developments.

The Essence is a book I find hard to rate.  It was a good read for me, but it didn't blow me away.  I like many aspects of this series, and I especially enjoyed marking Charlie's growth in this installment.  While the story kept me entertained, it wasn't full of jaw dropping twists or surprises.  If you enjoyed The Pledge, you will be interested to see how Charlie has changed and how she is dealing with the essence of Sabara.  This book sets up an exciting story line for the third and final book.  I would certainly recommend this series, but keep in mind that this one leaves many unanswered questions, so you may want to read it closer to the release of the final book.

Favorite Quotations:

"It still astounded me that anyone would want to go back to the old ways. To curfews and segregation and being told where, when, and what they could speak. To live in fear of being sent to the gallows for miscalculating a simple glance.”

“I leaned against him, so I could listen to his heart—my own lullaby, one I didn’t need to decipher.”

 

A big thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy I received in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review. 

You can enter to win a copy of The Essence by Kimberly Derting. Fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good Luck! (Note this giveaway is not hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings.) Thank you to Shane@Itching for Books for hosting the tour!

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