WARD AGAINST DARKNESS Cover Reveal!! & Giveaway!

Today Melanie Card and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for book 2 in The Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer Series, WARD AGAINST DARKNESS. Also enter below for a paperback of the book or an eBook!

On to the reveal!

Blurb:

The last thing Ward de'Ath wants is more trouble. On the run from both the law and the criminal underworld, Ward and Celia flee Brawenal City only to stumble into the mansion of a powerful evil necromancer. And when Ward discovers the man possesses a dangerous grimoire, his duty leaves him no choice. He can't allow the necromancer to keep the grimoire. But the mansion is filled with monsters--human and undead--and Ward has no way of telling who's friend or foe. The only person he can trust is Celia who dominates more of his thoughts and feelings everyday. But there are still laws in the way of anything but friendship. She's still dead and he's still alive . . . for now.

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

About Melanie:

Melanie has always been drawn to story telling. In fact, she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t telling a story in her head or on paper. In grade school, they had journal writing time which she turned into story telling time, weaving tales of magic and adventure that mimicked the fairy tales and myths that she loved to read. It was there, with the help of two very special teachers, that she nurtured this love and started her journey as a writer.

She writes fantasy, paranormal romance, and everything in between, seasoned with a good dash of adventure and mystery. Join her on my tales of magic, adventure, and romance.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

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If you haven't heard of this series yet, be sure to check out my review of Ward Against Death (the first book in the series) HERE!!
 

THE PLANET THIEVES: Tour Stop & Giveaway!

Hello and welcome to a giveaway stop on The Planet Thieves book tour!  I personally haven't had a chance to read The Planet Thieves yet, but I have only heard great things about it so of course I can't wait to get my hands on it!  Check out this great sounding start to a series below... 

The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos

The Planet Thieves is the first thrilling installment of a new middle-grade series by Dan Krokos.

Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter.

But routine goes out the airlock when they’re attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years.

With the captain and crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that’s left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever.

Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn’t a war left to fight.

• Read an Excerpt! 
• Add it to Goodreads!
• The Planet Thieves is out now, and available for purchase! 
• This series has already been optioned for film by Warner Bros! HeyDay Films will be handling it, who also handled the Harry Potter film franchise!Yay!
• Be sure to check out the first stop on The Planet Thieves blog tour at The Midnight Garden and follow it from there!!  

 

About Dan Krokos
After pumping gas for nine years to put himself through college, DAN KROKOS, now twenty-six, writes full-time. He enjoys watching TV, playing MMORPGs, and drinking coffee. His YA novel, False Memory, debuted from Hyperion in Fall 2012. Currently, he’s hard at work on the next book in the Planet Thieves series. Find him online at dankrokos.com

• Dan Krokos Website
• Dan Krokos Blog
• Dan Krokos Facebook
• Dan Krokos Twitter

* Giveaway *
Thanks to Tor I am lucky enough to be giving away a copy of The Planet Thieves! Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win.

- Must be over 13yrs old to enter.
- Must have valid US or Canada mailing address.


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Coming this fall...

In case you were wondering why I have been such a blog-slacker lately...

We can't wait!

What was your favorite children's book??

I need to make sure my future minion has all of the best reads.

World Book Night 2013!

What is World Book Night?
"World Book Night U.S. is a celebration of books and reading held on April 23, when 25,000 passionate volunteers across America give a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don’t regularly read. In 2012, World Book Night was celebrated in the U.S., the UK, Ireland, and Germany and saw over 80,000 people gift more than 2.5 million books." (Source)

I am a Book Giver! I was chosen again this year to be a Book Giver and I can't wait to start handing out books to reluctant/new readers!  I live right by a college campus and in a big city, so I am sure it won't be an issue to find new readers out and about today.  However, I am only one person and can only go so far. BUT with this blog I can reach a national audience so I have decided to give away two copies of my World Book Night book right here!  I was lucky enough to be chosen to hand out copies of John Grisham's Playing for Pizza!

A small stack of my books ready to find new homes!

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham
 "Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game against Denver, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually got into the game. With a 17-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provided what was arguably the worst single performance in the history of the NFL. Overnight, he became a national laughingstock and, of course, was immediately cut by the Browns and shunned by all other teams.

But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent, Arnie, find a team that needs him. Against enormous odds Arnie finally locates just such a team and informs Rick that, miraculously, he can in fact now be a starting quarterback. Great, says Rick—for which team?

The mighty Panthers of Parma, Italy.

Yes, Italians do play American football, to one degree or another, and the Parma Panthers desperately want a former NFL player—any former NFL player—at their helm. So Rick reluctantly agrees to play for the Panthers—at least until a better offer comes along—and heads off to Italy. He knows nothing about Parma—not even where it is—has never been to Europe, and doesn’t speak or understand a word of Italian.

To say that Italy—the land of opera, fine wines, extremely small cars, romance, and Football Americano— holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement."

My thoughts:  I read Playing for Pizza by John Grisham a LONG time ago - way before I started my book blogging, so I don't have a full review of it posted on my site.  However, it is a great novel.  A little different from John Grisham's norm Playing for Pizza is a contemporary fiction about a not-so-great football player that ends up in Italy playing football for "pizza" and learning what is really important in life.  The novel is heartwarming and very well written. I highly recommend it! It is a great book to start reading if you aren't a big reader.  Not too heavy or challenging, with an interesting plot and likeable characters. 

Giveaway
Are you a reluctant reader or have a reluctant reader in your home that needs a little motivation?  Or do you not have easy access to books?  Then be sure to enter the rafflectoper below for a chance to have one of my copies of Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
-Must be over 13 yrs old to enter
-Must have valid US mailing address.

Divergent Book #3: Title Reveal and Countdown!

It's time to start counting down.

Divergent Book #3...

ALLEGIANT

comes out this fall!

See the title reveal video here!

Allegiant is definitely on my pre-order list. I can't wait! I know October seems far away, but it will be here before we know it.

In My Mailbox (31)

"In My Mailbox" is a weekly Meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Yay for new reads! 

I got some great new reads in the last week or two so I am really excited to share them with you. 
Check them out below (not all are pictured)...

For Review

Icons by Margaret Stohl
Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan
Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr

Prizes 

Angelopolis by Danielle Trussoni 

Purchased 
Foretold by Jana Oliver
Soul Thief by Jana Oliver
Infamous by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Gifts
The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde 
The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
Steel by Carrie Vaughn
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern 
Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Waiting on Wednesday (65): Inferno & Magic Rises

Time for "Waiting On Wednesday" weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine! Waiting on Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 

 

  Coming Soon...

 

Inferno by Sherrilyn Kenyon

To Be Published: April 9th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

 

"The heat is on, and a new threat to humanity has risen…

Nick has his driver’s license and he’s not afraid to use it. But turning sixteen isn’t what he thought it would be. While other boys his age are worried about prom dates and applying for college, Nick is neck deep in enemies out to stop him from living another day. No longer sure if he can trust anyone, his only ally seems to be the one person he’s been told will ultimately kill him.

But life spent serving the undead is anything except ordinary. And those out to get him have summoned an ancient force so powerful even the gods fear it. As Nick learns to command and control the elements, the one he must master in order to combat his latest foe is the one most likely to destroy him. As the old proverb goes, fire knows nothing of mercy, and if Nick is to survive this latest round, he will have to sacrifice a part of himself. However, the best sacrifice is seldom the sanest move. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves your enemies confused, and you even more so.

And sometimes, you have to trust your enemy to save your friends. But what do you do when that enemy is you?"

 

My Ramblings on Inferno: I have really enjoyed the other three novels in the Chronicles of Nick series, so I will probably enjoy this one as well! Just another week and I can add this one to my collection.  This series, while not a deep read, is an enjoyable one.  I like the crazy plots and all of the characters.  I am looking forward to reading more about Nick! However, this is probably the cover I like the least so far of the series.  Nick's position just looks kind of awkward... Is he running? Is he dancing ballet? Not sure. haha..

 

 

 Waiting for the long haul...

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels 6) by Ilona Andrews

 

To Be Published: July 30th 2013 by Ace

 

"Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…"

 

My Ramblings on Magic Rises: YES PLEASE. I love this series and can't wait to get more of Kate and Curran! We have had an extra long wait for this one, so I am really looking forward to it.  Oh, and have you read the synopsis yet? Looks like the little kiddos will be getting the short end of the stick in this novel = instant tear-jerker.  I am also hoping that Ilona Andrews will continue to write spin-off series for her other characters *cough*Derek*cough* ;). Oh and as for the cover - I love it. Probably my favorite of the entire series. 

Winner!

Congrats to Tayte!! You won my Kick-Butt Characters Giveaway Hop!

Tayte won The Hunt and The Prey by Andrew Fukuda!  

Be sure to respond to my email so you can get your book asap. 

Enjoy!

Ender's Game Movie Poster!

Is anyone else as excited about this as I am??

I read Ender's Game as a child (let's just say that was a long time ago) so I have been waiting for this movie for ages. Can't wait! Here's hoping they don't screw it up. 

The Breeders Review Tour & Giveaway!

The Breeders by Katie French

Genre: Young Adult – Dystopian

Publication Date: August 1st 2012
Age Range: Young Adult
Book Source: eCopy for review from Kismet Book Touring & Author
 

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Riley Meemick is one of the world’s last free girls. When Riley was born, her mother escaped the Breeders, the group of doctors using cruel experiments to bolster the dwindling human race. Her parents do everything possible to keep her from their clutches– moving from one desolate farm after another to escape the Breeders’ long reach. The Breeders control everything- the local war lords, the remaining factories, the fuel. They have unchecked power in this lawless society. And they’re hunting Riley.

When the local Sheriff abducts the adult members of her family and hands her mother over to the Breeders, Riley and her eight-year-old brother, Ethan, hiding in a shelter, are left to starve. Then Clay arrives, the handsome gunslinger who seems determined to help to make up for past sins. The problem is Clay thinks Riley is a bender– a genderless mutation, neither male nor female. As Riley’s affection for Clay grows she wonders can she trust Clay with her secret and risk her freedom?

The three embark on a journey across the scarred remains of New Mexico– escaping the Riders who use human sacrifice to appease their Good Mother, various men scrambling for luck, and a deranged lone survivor of a plague. When Riley is shot and forced into the Breeder’s hospital, she learns the horrible fate of her mother—a fate she’ll share unless she can find a way out.

Scoot’s Review:

Riley lives in a dark and unforgiving world. A world where lives can be lost in the blink of an eye and being female makes life even more dangerous. Disguised as a bender Riley and her family have managed to eke out a simple existence, but when tragedy strikes she and her younger brother are thrust into that dark world they tried so hard to avoid. The Breeders is a well written, fast paced story that gets the reader sucked in from the start. You quickly empathize with Riley and her feelings, but can also relate to her family and why they do the things they do. I loved Riley’s protective relationship of her family and especially her younger brother Ethan. Riley is a strong character lead for the novel and she has a backbone of steel (which I always appreciate in a female lead!). The novel was well paced. I never lost interest in the story and read it all very quickly. The speaking style wasn’t necessarily grammatically correct, but it was clear and I never stumbled over any of the sentences. I was easily absorbed in the plot because I never felt pulled out of the world by tripping over the writing style. The characterization was good; there were a lot of unique characters introduced in the novel and they each had distinct personalities. Some of which you learned to love and others you learned to hate. The story was definitely gritty and intense, and honestly a little more gory than I prefer at times. There were a few violent scenes that had me cringing, but they didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the novel. It was easy to get attached to the characters and you often wanted to jump into the novel to protect one of them you loved. I am happy with the ending of the novel, but there is plenty of room for story growth if Katie decides to write a sequel. The Breeders has plenty of action, a bit of mystery and a sweet romance. So if you are looking for a new dystopian read, The Breeders is a great one to go with!

Notable Quotable:

   

"He looks up at me, his face searching mine for reassurance. I squeeze his shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”

What a terrible liar I am. "

                - Katie French, The Breeders 

Grade:

Find The Breeders online:
Goodreads 
Amazon
Lulu

About Katie French  
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
Katie French imagined herself an author when her poem caught the eye of her second grade teacher.

In middle school she spent her free time locked in her room, writing her first young adult novel. Though her social life suffered, her love for literature thrived. She studied English at Eastern Michigan University, where she veered from writing and earned an education degree. She spent nine years teaching high school English.

Currently she is a school counselor, doing a job that is both one of the hardest things she’s ever done and the most rewarding. In her free time she writes, reads great books and takes care of her two beautiful and crazy children. She is a contributor and co-creator of Underground Book Reviews, a website dedicated to erasing the boundaries between traditional and non-traditional publishing. She lives in Michigan with her husband and two children.

Enter to win one of 10 eCopies of the Breeders!

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Kick Butt Characters Hop: Win The Hunt and The Prey!

2nd Annual Kick Butt Characters Hop

Hosted by Good Choice Reading  & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

March 23rd - 28th

This hop features the best Kick-Butt Characters in Young Adult Books!

I chose to feature Gene from The HUNT and The PREY by Andrew Fukuda!  

Don’t Sweat.  Don’t Laugh.  Don’t draw attention to yourself.  And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

Thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Griffin I have one paperback copy of The Hunt and one hardcover copy of The Prey to give away! Enter the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win. 
(must be over 13 years of age to enter and have a valid US mailing address)

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Be sure to enter the other giveaways in the Kick-Butt Characters Hop!

Book Birthdays: March 19th 2013

Happy Book Birthday(s)!

March 19, 2013

 Any books that I missed? Just leave them in the comments!!

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)
by Cassandra Clare

 The Gate Thief (Mithermages #2)
by Orson Scott Card 

 Quintessence
by David Walton

Fox Forever (Jenna Fox Chronicles #3)
by Mary E. Pearson

Notes from Ghost Town (ARC)

Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison
 

Genre: Young Adult – Contemporary/Mystery
Publication Date: February 12th 2013 by EgmontUSA
Publisher:  EgmontUSA
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Book Source: ARC for review from Publisher
 

Synopsis (via Goodreads): They say first love never dies...

From critically acclaimed author Kate Ellison comes a heartbreaking mystery of mental illness, unspoken love, and murder. When sixteen-year-old artist Olivia Tithe is visited by the ghost of her first love, Lucas Stern, it’s only through scattered images and notes left behind that she can unravel the mystery of his death.

There’s a catch: Olivia has gone colorblind, and there’s a good chance she’s losing her mind completely—just like her mother did. How else to explain seeing (and falling in love all over again with) someone who isn’t really there?

With the murder trial looming just nine days away, Olivia must follow her heart to the truth, no matter how painful. It’s the only way she can save herself.

Scoot’s Review:

Growing up on the Miami seashore Liv and Stern were best friends for life.  Individual, talented and artsy their close bond was like no other and on the verge of turning into something more. But disaster struck; Stern was murdered and Liv’s mother was to blame.  Now time is running out, and Olivia is struggling to keep sane while being visited by her lost love and discovering the truth of that tragic night.  Notes from Ghost Town had me hooked from the first page.  The story has a strong opening sequence that leaves you wanting to know more. Kate Ellison’s writing style made it easy to connect her characters emotions.  Ellison has a way of wording things so you feel like you are watching it all happen right before your eyes.  This story was different from my usual read, but I enjoyed it.  With rich storytelling and strong characters you were easily pulled along the plotline.  The mystery of the novel was intriguing and I didn’t have it all put together until near the end.  The plot was fast paced and I didn’t get bored reading it.  The story kept you questioning and worried for characters. Notes from Ghost Town had plenty of romance and mystery, but at the same time it dealt with a few deeper issues such as mental illness and parents getting remarried.  I believe this is a stand alone novel and I was satisfied with the ending.  I would recommend it for older teens or adults because it did have underage drinking and some sensual scenes.  I have never had a chance to read Kate Ellison’s other novel, The Butterfly Clues, but after reading Notes from Ghost Town I am going to have to check it out. 

Notable Quotable:

“If I could stay there, in that moment before everything changed, I would stay there forever.”

            -          Kate Ellison, Notes from Ghost Town

Grade: