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Monday, September 23, 2013

Monday YA Author Interview With Celeste Hollaway

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Celeste Holloway Author Of Sebastian Falls
 
 
Where are you from?
Arkansas

When and why did you begin writing?
 In high school, I wrote a lot of angry poetry, so I guess that's when my passion for writing began, but I didn't  get serious about writing until about five years ago.

What books have most influenced your life most?
I suppose if I had to say, I'd choose Gone with the Wind. Something about that story inspires my mind. Maybe it's my lust for Rhett Butler or the fancy dresses Scarlett gets to wear, whichever, that story never gets old.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
 Hemingway. I totally covet his writing style.

What book are you reading now?
Dark Halo, by Shannon Dittemore.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
 Not yet.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Gotta go with Hemingway again, because I love how he was able to say so much without saying much at all. Too bad he let the booze get to him. I'd love to read a dozen more of his books.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
 
Connecting all the plot dots to make sure no loose ends frazzled the story.

 

Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read)
Yes


 

 

Ok now some fun questions:

What is your favorite sport to watch and or play?
Football! Go Razorbacks! :)

 

Favorite TV Show?
 
Ridiculousness

 

Chocolate or Vanilla?
 
Me and chocolate are having an affair.

 

Puppy's or Kittens?
 Aww, kittens, especially really fuzzy ones.

 

Beach or Mountains?
 
Though I've only been once, and it was freezing cold, the beach. I'm surrounded by mountains, so they don't do much for me.

 

If you could be a color, what color would you be?
Red, baby! Need I say more?

 

Favorite Dessert?
Anything with chocolate on it.

 

If you could be a book character, what character would you be?
 
Hmm, I think I'd have to be Kathy from Wuthering Heights, because If I were her, she'd have some sense about her and live happily ever after with hot stuff, Heath Cliff. :D


Sebastian FallsShe's the reason the devil never sleeps.

A year after her parents’ death, seventeen-year-old, Meadow Parker is close to having a grave of her own.

Beyond her shrink’s false diagnosis of PTSD, there’s no medical reason for her failing health. Only she knows the cause. But if Meadow told the truth—told them what comes for her at night—they’d lock her in a padded cell.

Seeking an end to her torment, Meadow agrees to visit the supernatural landmark her parents were obsessed with—the river that fuels her fears. On arrival, she's charged with an ancient power, and her destiny as the long awaited Keeper is sealed. Now the countdown to save the world and the battle for her soul begins

 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

The Pledge Review

The Pledge (The Pledge, #1)
Title: The Pledge
Author: Kimberly Derting
Link To Goodreads : here
Publication Date: November 15th 2011
Source: Library




In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.






Kimberly Derting has a very active imagination. I loved her Body Finders series because of its originality and for the same reason, The Pledge has just become one of my favorite series.

The plot was so original and interesting that it kept me up till after midnight, I haven't found something quite as interesting in a long time. And have I mentioned how many plot twists they're are in this book? 

The characters had many layers of emotions and characteristics (in other words not the shallow characters that plague young adult books recently).

The main character Charlaina (great name right) was entirely likeable. With a kind of a Katniss love for her younger sister, willing to do anything for her. Her traits were admirable, and I wish I was as brave as she was, Charlaina was put in so many intense situations, that ended with her coming out so strong.
Her love interest Max, was so adorable, brave, strong (can I have one????) (please????).
Their love was so touching, strong, and adorable.
He would quite literally do anything for Charlaina.



The one thing that bugged me, was that the plot was pretty predictable. But that shouldn't stop you from reading it :)

And just as a side note, isn't that cover awesome?????

Go pick up this book right now if you love non-stop action,thrilling romance, a strong main character, and an original plot! 4.5/5

 





Saturday, September 21, 2013

The Iron Traitor Review

The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #2)


This was given to me from the publisher in exchange for an honest review via netgally

Sorry that this review is so short, I don't want to give anything away from any of the series.

I love Julie Kagawa's series The Iron Fey, so after reading The Iron Prince and being a bit disappointed, I have to admit The Iron Traitor was a huge comeback!

The plot was a little bit slow in points, but altogether it was interesting and exciting.
The characters were more interesting, Ethan had more depth. Kenzie is so sweet. And Keirran, oh Keirran.

I love how Julie Kagawa's characters are so relatable even in a fantasy world.


Overall I still love everything I have read of Julies, and am really looking forward to the next Iron Fey: Call Of The Forgotten book!

4/5


If you have never read The Iron Fey series, go pick it up now!

Stacking The Shelves (4)


Stacking the Shelves




Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.
 
Here are the books I bought/received this week.
The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #2)Promise Me SomethingThe Commodore's Daughter
The Truth About ForeverThe Faerie Path (Faerie Path, #1)The Lost Queen (Faerie Path, #2)The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns, #2)Ruby Red (Precious Stone Trilogy, #1)


Netgalley E-books:

The Iron Traitor - Julie Kagawa (review coming soon!)
Endless - Amanda Grey (isn't that cover awesome!)
Promise Me Something - Sara Cocek
The Commodores Daughter - Jamie Brazil

Bought Print:

The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen (I already have an e-book but I wanted a print copy)
The Faerie Path - Frewin Jones
The Lost Queen - Frewin Jones

Library:

The Crown Of Embers - Rae Carson
Ruby Red - Kerstin Gier


And Author Brenda Pandos was nice enough to send me some signed bookmarks and bookplates for her books. And she also sent me an extra set so watch out for a giveaway :)




I would love to see your Stacking The Shelves.....Link Below





+
I found this awesome book cover recently!
Chaos (Kardia Chronicles, #1)

Buy this book Here

And the author is holding a giveaway right now here:
http://www.entangledinromance.com/2013/09/20/cool-contest-from-ya-author-of-chaos-christine-oneil/

Friday, September 20, 2013

Reluctant Guardian Book Blitz + Giveaway



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Reluctant-Guardian-Cover.jpg
Title:  Reluctant Guardian



Word Count: approx. 82,000
Genre:  YA Mature Paranormal Romance
Content Warning:  Topics such as suicide and sexual abuse implied but not described
Recommended Age:  14+
Synopsis: Sixteen year old Lisa Callahan believes suicide is her only option. But not even death will save her from a tortured past.

After numerous tragedies Lisa yearns to be free of her heartache, so she takes her own life, but to her surprise and dismay, instead of resting on pink fluffy clouds for eternity, she is required to pay the debt of taking her life by becoming a guardian.

Guarding Brecken Shaefer—a dark, dangerous, good-looking rebel—is harder than it looks. Not only does he have special gifts that make her life miserable, but he possesses a dangerous secret as well. When feelings develop between them, everything spins out of control. Not only must Lisa face her own demons, but to protect Brecken, she must face an evil so heinous that it threatens to destroy their souls completely.



About the Author:








Melissa J. Cunningham began writing five years ago when she decided, out of the blue, to enter a community writing contest and won first place. From that moment on she had a new love: Writing. Melissa is a member of the League of Utah Writers. Her past publication experience includes a recurring opinion column called Writing Reality, for her local newspaper: The Leader

Melissa's first novel: Reluctant Guardian, was accepted for publication through Clean Teen Publishing in August 2013.

When Melissa is not writing you can find her spending time with her family and her horses, cats, dogs and chickens or reading. Melissa is also a local music teacher.

 


















A digital copy of Reluctant Guardian, a bookmark, and reader’s choice of any Clean Teen Publishing digital book.

 





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Summer Of Me & You Blog Tour + Giveaway

 


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Title: The Summer of Me & You
Author: Rae Hachton 


Interview:

Where are you from?

I’m originally from the Phillipines but I currently reside in the USA :)

When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing back in high school (2005). I devoured a lot of YA Literature and I liked the idea of creating page people and falling into book worlds. One day I had the urge to create a book world of my own.
What books have most influenced your life most?

All of them? I've read soooo many, it's hard to choose just one or a few. I can relate so many of the books I've read to certain memories, for example:

David Levithan's writing and his books made me want to start writing. He was one of the first writers I read.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower was an amazing book! I have a battered copy that I've probably read too many times to count. It taught me the most about writing-how simple words and phrases can create the deepest emotions & images.

Then there was Twilight. I think my world really changed with Twilight :) I haven't found a book that's grabbed me the way that one did. I'm still searching though. I want that feeling again. It was the greatest thing ever.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Oooh. This is also a hard question to answer! Mostly all books and authors I read teach me something new about writing. Every author has his or her own personal strengths, something that they're BOSS at. I usually find myself taking notes on what a certain author did or how he or she achieved a certain effect. I refer to these notes sometimes when writing my own books.

What book are you reading now?

Right now, I'm not reading anything. I'm actually making plans for my next book. But...I'm looking forward to reading How To Love by Katie Cotugno and Lauren DeStefano's Perfect Ruin!!  I totally had to pre-order both of those. Seriously. Lauren's books are ah-mazing in so many ways it's unbelievably good. I'm excited!
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Katie Cotugno :) haven't read her book yet but I've heard it's good. I believe she's debuting. And that's exciting!
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Once again! There are sooo many.

But I'm gonna go with Kelly Creagh and Nevermore. It's currently by far one of my favorite series! I love Poe and I love Kelly Creagh's darkly portrayed world. She did an amazing job at depicting the epicness that is Poe. When I first read Nevermore the creativity of it all blew me away.  I need Oblivion! Book Three!


What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Now this is a question I can fully answer! Hahaha. Most of the books I've written so far are monster books.

Going from gargoyles and vampires to a summer romance was a jump I thought I wouldn't be able to take.

The challenge for me was resisting the urge to not toss in some magical element. Saying it was difficult is an understatement. I almost deleted this book altogether and said forget it, but I pushed through anyway because I wanted to try something new :)

All in All, I think the result is satisfying and the characters are happy :) The idea for the book just zapped me from out of nowhere and wouldn’t stop waking me up in the middle of the night until I wrote it. It was definitely something I’d never done before, but I think I managed to keep my “dark edge” that’s becoming more and more prevalent in my work.

Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read)

Yes, I have :) At a younger age I started reading goosebumps books. As I grew older I moved on to books such as Megan McCafferty's The Jessica Darling series and Meg Cabot's Mediator series. That eventually led to my discovery of Twilight which a few years later led to me writing my own books.



Ok now some fun questions:

What is your favorite sport to watch and or play?

Volleyball! I like to play :)

Favorite TV Show?

Pretty Little Liars! Oh! And I'm so totally psyched for Ravenwood! I really love Caleb. And I'm really hoping that just because he's in a new show that it doesn’t interfere with his relationship and he gets stays with Hannah.
Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate!
Puppy's or Kittens?

Puppies!




 
 
Giveaway!!!!
 


 
 
Follow the rest of the tour here.
 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday (4)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
Last hours to enter my giveaway: here

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is

How to LoveBefore: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice