Tuesday 31 January 2012

The Clann #1 Crave

What would you do when the one person your told by your elders not to commune with is actually the one to whom you are attracted to? That definitely complicates matters don't you think? So without wait let's see how they do it in The Clann #1 Crave by Melissa Darnell.

Here is the summary of the book:

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail. For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

First book of the series and this is how it goes like. The Clann, the founding families of Jacksonville have strictly warned warned their younger descendants to have next to no contact with Savannah Colbert, but a certain younger descendant, Tristan Coleman can't seem to avoid her even if he tried. Even in a crowded hallway neither Tristan nor Savannah can ignore each other at all, even if they tried.

Then there is the question of what the Clann really is and why don't they want their children mixing with the Colbert girl. Its easy they are witches and warlocks and who would be their enemy? Well the vampires. Savannah belongs to the vampire sect of the story (of what kind? that you need to read to find out...but thank God she doesn't sparkle....sorry couldn't resist). But when Tristan and Savannah start to get closer again (they used to be friends when they were kids) and realize their love for each other all hell breaks loose and the tentative peace treaty between the Clann and the Council is on tenterhooks. 

Crave is the first book of the Clann series and saying that it did take me a little while to get into it, like it does for me everytime I start reading something new but i was easily drawn into its chasms and relish every moment in it, all the cravings, joy, saddness, loneliness, love and affection and everything the characters feel within these pages. The plot can be considered fairly close to that of the classic pair Romeo & Juliet (pardon me but they are not really my favourite...too many inconsistencies for my liking) but they thankfully are not like them and rather grounded in the reality and supernaturality of the situation.

Savannah really tries to stay away from Tristan and ignore him but situations in her life make it very hard to do that. She is an easy person to love and her transition from the one being bullied to the one learning to look after herself is very nice to see. Tristan is the typical southern boy who we easily fall for, he is strong and handsome and rather very much of a 'knight in shinning armor'. 

The plot on the whole was fairly something very familiar, you'll find a paranormal romance like this in many stories but what makes it unique is the setting of the plot and the way it is presented to us, altering between Savannah and Tristan's point of views. As well as the level of intensity of the love they share strives to melt even the coldest of hearts. I'm definitely looking to read the next book...what about you guys?

"Dark and Seductive"

Genre :      Fiction, Romance, Paranormal


Publisher: Harlequin Teen


My Copy: Netgalley and Publisher


Rate:              5/5 (It was Awesome)

Monday 30 January 2012

Incarnation #1 The Alchemy of Forever

Alchemy is one topic which I never had really breached upon before, unless you regard Nicholas Flamel in popular culture (like Harry Potter or The Secret Life of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel), but this is the highest level of the subject I've have ever read before. So presenting my review of Incarnation #1 The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams.

Here is the summary of the book:

After spending six hundred years on Earth, Seraphina Ames has seen it all. Eternal life provides her with the world's riches but at a very high price: innocent lives. Centuries ago, her boyfriend, Cyrus, discovered a method of alchemy that allows them to take the bodies of other humans from jumping from one vessel to the next, ending the human's life in the process. No longer able to bear the guilt of what she's done, Sera escapes from Cyrus and vows to never kill again. Then sixteen-year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrific car accident right in front of her, and Sera accidentally takes over her body while trying to save her. For the first time, Sera finds herself enjoying the life of the person she's inhabiting--and falling in love with the boy who lives next door. But Cyrus will stop at nothing until she's his again, and every moment she stays, she's putting herself and the people she's grown to care about in danger. Will Sera have to give up the one thing that's eluded her for centuries: true love?

What would you say when you hear the term Alchemy? Well either the factor of turning anything to pure Gold (Au) or immortality and both these things attribute to the legend of the philospher's stone but alchemy is more than just magic, its an advanced form of science and this is the alchemy which holds strong ground with Avery William's story.

Our story involved around the 1349 London where Seraphina Ames leads a peaceful life but due to situations that makes her hanging onto life, Sera is now an immortal, an incarnation along with her lover Cyrus. How does this Incarnation stuff work? Sera's soul is no longer tethered to her body anymore and all she has to do is inhibit the person, their soul is destroyed giving place to the incarnate's essence to occupy that body. It was her boyfriend Cyrus who had found this method of alchemy.

But centuries later Sera is no longer able to bear the guilt of what she had done and escapes from Cyrus trying to end the body she was in but sixteen year old Kailey Morgan gets into a horrifying car accident, Sera accidently takes over her body trying to save her. Sera in a teen body finally feels free despite her attempts to escape again and finds herself enjoying herself and falling in love with her next door neighbor but what she doesn't understand is that she may not really have won her cat and mouse chase with Cyrus yet, for the alchemist will do all he can to get Sera back.

The Alchemy of Forever is simply, a fast read and very new in the plot department which executed very nicely to shape this plot. Sera has seen it all and has it all every member of the group of incarnates but unlike others she is guilty about the part she played in the countless death of the several bodies she had inhabited. All she wants is freedom from this cursed life. She is quiet but at the same time fierce, and compliant. She clearly enjoys her new teenage life as Kailey Morgan. Cyrus on the other hand is clever, cruel and rather determined to always have his way. The cat and mouse game between is absolutely the most intriguing past of this book besides Sera's life in Kailey's body.

What I truly liked about this book was how alchemy was adapted to this story telling is a new theory of reincarnation (an idea which has long since eluded scientists all around the world) as jumping of the bodies essence/soul to a new vessel to gain a new life. Nonetheless I would have loved to more of the alchemy in here but maybe we will, since this book is the first part of the series. Would definitely like to know how Cyrus came to possess the elixir. Regardless this was an enjoyable read and Miss Williams has captured the characteristics of a person guilt-ridden and fed up with life perfectly. And that cliffhanger ending really keeps you on the edges.

"Can Sera gain the freedom and redemption that she seeks or does fate have another plan for her"

Genre :      Fiction, Romance, Paranormal


Publisher: Simon & Schuester


My Copy: Pulse It (reading circle of the publisher)


Rate:              5/5 (It was Awesome)

Sunday 29 January 2012

In My Mailbox #2 (JANUARY)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme run by The Story Siren which explores the books that have been delivered to our mailbox. Let us know what looks good to you and leave us a link so we can check out what you got over the week.


This will be my second IMM post and it will be for the month of January, 2012. Click the name of the books to access their goodreads descriptions.

For Review

Simon & Schuester Pulse It Reading circle

Netgalley


"The Hollow Tours" and "The Hollow Readers"


Bought



January RAK

This is a cool features by booksoulmates.blogspot.com, a random act of kindness.




GIVEAWAY

Friday 27 January 2012

Everneath #1 Everneath (for "The Hollow Tour" stop)

It is our choices that make us what we are, whether made in a conscious or unconscious mind and likewise the consequences to be dealt with. So begins Everneath #1 Everneath by Brodi Ashton. That cover sure is amazing.

Here is the summary of the book:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

Folklore and Mythology is one topic or subject that has too many opportunities that can be of use. Every civilization has its own treasures. Every folklore and every myths all round the world while they may just be stories, are based on some truths and this was how Everneath got its backdrop.

Nikki Beckett has forfeited her life. Too much pain and heartbreak makes a person want to take drastic measures to overcome this pain.....note I'm not talking from experience but I've heard from others. So Nikki has forfeited her life in exchange for forgetting that pain, a century has passed but that brown hair and the brown eyes and the way his eyes would captivate her and all of her problem would be gone....Nikki still can't forget this person, can't seem to forget her anchor to the surface world, can't forget Jack for that was his name.



Nikki returns home to the surface to say goodbye, a proper goodbye before the tunnels came for her. Getting accustomed to life again, school, family, friend and most importantly Jack. Nikki knows she has forfeited her life and chosen the easier way out but things never get easier the next time round. She gets attached again and doesn't want to say goodbye, not yet at least but can she and Jack do anything about it before Cole or even the tunnels come for her. Is there really a way out of it?

That's that and i'm not saying anything more about it at all, I've tried to keep it spoiler free and interesting for you guys to get the general summary of the story. Now its time to move to the technicalities of this book.

Nikki is a broken soul, there is not another word to describe her. Her home life isn't always good, she tries to go through school, well in the context of her returning to the surface rather painfully, trying to make amends, trying to find peace. But most of all she is human and not at all perfect. When in pain she chooses the human approach, the easy way out and in her case forfeiting her life. Jack Caputo is a jock, a typical high schooler but not just that, he also loves Nikki. Its not a phase for him it seems. He truly cares about Nikki and does all he can to keep her away from Cole and the tunnels. Such love is not always seen in reality but Nikki and Jack share such love. Every scene with them together was amazing, every feeling they share would leap up at you through the pages and make you feel the bitter-sweetness of it all. Cole is an everliving, he feeds on the emotions of the humans to sustain his life. But what is an everliving or for that matter the Everneath? Well myths and folk tales speak of Heaven and hell but Everneath is the in between, a place where those who have found the secret to immortality stay. 

A promising start; strong characters as well as a strong, new and fresh story line and concept. Masterfully crafted situations enough to evoke strong waves of emotions inside of you. Nikki with her imperfections, Jack with his everlasting love for her and Cole for his incessant search for his Queen, this book is sure to surprise you in every way you can ever imagine. Kudos to the author for a great book effectively delivered upon its readers. So excited for the next book in the series and what its going to bring upon us.

Blurb for the book from me:- 
"You can't always have what you want.....but can Nikki evade the tunnels, can she evade the debts but most of all can she spend the rest of her surface life reconnecting with Jack, when she knows that this won't last? - Find all these questions answered in the masterfully crafted Everneath by Brodi Ashton"


Some Teasers For You Guys :- 

"I was in the neighborhood," he said, answering the question I was about to ask. His lips twitched. "You know, wandering around, trying to be a hero."
"He was at once severe and beautiful, and the more the played, the more I felt surrounded by that cushion as well, as if I could fall and never hit the ground, as long as he was playing."
"We'd both been stripped of all the evasiveness, all the lies, everything we'd ever kept from each other. Layer by layer, we had given up our defenses and our excuses and our demands for whys and hows, and what was left were two broken beings. Clinging to one last shred of hope. Tethered to each other."
"In the dark, dank world of the Tunnels, I would call upon this memory. And there would be a flicker of candlelight. If only for a moment. I closed my eyes, as if my eyelids were the levers of a printing press, etching the fibers into my mind. Memories were outside Cole’s reach. As long as I held them, memories were mine and mine alone."
"There is no evil. There is no good. There is only life, and the absence of life."
and the last one
"You've had plenty of forfeits," I said. "What exactly makes me different?"
"I wish I knew. I really do." He let out a deep breath and stood up as if he would leave. "Think about it. I'm offering immortality. You could be like me." 

Genre :      Fiction, Romance, Paranormal


Publisher: HarperCollins


My Copy: Courtesy of Hollow Tours for blog tour


Rate:              5/5 (It was awesome)

Thursday 26 January 2012

The Wardstone Chronicles #4 The Spook's Battle

The Darkness is growing but the Spook and his apprentice Tom Ward, both seven sons of a seventh son do this time when the dangers come from the witch country itself? Well read on to find out what happens next in The Wardstone Chronicles #4 The Spook's Battle by Joseph Delaney.

Here is the summary of the book:

Warning: Not to be read after dark. 'I see your future clearly. Your master will be dead and you will be alone.' The Spook and his apprentice protect County from the dark abut now a terrible danger threatens. The witches are rising and the three most powerful clans are uniting to conjure an unimaginable evil - the Devil himself. If they succeed, will Tom and his master have the courage and cunning to defeat the most powerful enemy of all...?

In the course of the three previous books Tom has faced a lot of dangerous things, ghosts,old gods, vicious monsters, boggarts, dead witches and the like and came out victorious from them all but with heavy duty damages to himself and his associates. Not going to into details you might as well check my reviews of the previous three books here (click here to see the reviews).

But this time the dangers come from something close, the witch country of Pendle. This time the danger comes from his friend Alice's home country. Yup, i'm sure you guys remember that she is a witch (those pointy shoes are a dead giveaway).

So, the Spook, Tom and Alice set out to Pendle and be done with the witches once and for all but its not at all an easy task as the threat this time is more closer to home and on a much greater level than they ever imagined. The question remains can they prevent the doom that they witch clans are about to spring on them and more importantly can they come out of it in one piece? That is the question that remains to be seen.

On the whole The Spook's Battle is another well written chapter of the Spook and his apprentice Tom's life. Exuding an ounce of the creepy and a great sense of mystery. As the previous three books this time around again the fight is to the death and both the Spook and Tom are at their wit's end trying to battle the ever growing darkness. Tom, this time around shows a level of maturity that he never had before and the Spook himself battles the nuances of old age. This is definitely one book you don't want to miss out on, trust me!

"Do the Spook and Tom have it in them to fight - when this time around the enemy is the dark made flesh himself?"

Genre :      Young Adult, Fantasy


Publisher: Red Fox


Rate:              5/5 (It was Awesome)

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #3


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections are: 


The Immortal Rules

by Julie Kagawa
Publishing Date :- 24th April, 2012
You will kill. The only question is when.
In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.


The Land of Stories
by Chris Colfer, Brandon Dorman
Publishing Date: - 17th July, 2012

Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales.

The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.

But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

Friday 20 January 2012

Bookish: BOX of BOOKS - Huge INTERNATIONAL Giveaway!

Bookish: BOX of BOOKS - Huge INTERNATIONAL Giveaway!:
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.c...

Here's what you can get:




Water Wars and The Last Archangel are finished copies! Damned has a signed booklet! Razorland is actually an ARC of Ann Aguirre's Enclave! All of the books here are awesome and I'm sure you'll love them!

ONE PERSON TAKES IT ALL! :)
Everyone can enter!
I'm running this till March 1st
(that's when I'll be packing and that's when I'll send it out!)

Thursday 19 January 2012

CEDAR FORT BOOK TOUR STOP: Time Gangsters by Berin L Stephens


Presenting Berin L Stephens and his book Time Gangsters today as on my blog as part of the blog tour organized by the publishers. Read on and get a chance to enter for a giveaway.


SUMMARY

When Billy discovers a hidden cache of ancient coins, it isn't long before a gang of thugs swipes them right from under Billy. Plotting to use the magical properties of the coins to seize power in the past, these power-hungry gangsters will do anything to reach their goal. Their future threatened, Billy and Danny must race through time to steal back the coins---before history is changed forever!




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Berin was born in Anchorage, Alaska and grew up in the thriving metropolis of Chugiak. When in junior high and high school, he took up playing the saxophone and running track. After graduating from Chugiak High, he spent his college freshman year at Oregon State University majoring in confusion. In order to get his head on straight, he next served an LDS mission in the savage and uncivilized jungles of Anaheim, California.

After the mission, Berin transferred to Brigham Young University and majored in music performance and pedagogy, specializing in saxophone. He received a bachelors of music degree and a masters of music degree before the school finally kicked him out onto the street. The one good thing he did while at BYU was that he met his lovely wife, Vicky (well, she wasn't his wife at first, but he took care of that).

After graduating, Berin returned to his frozen homeland of Chugiak and started a music teaching business. He also taught saxophone and music appreciation (or is that depreciation?) at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. He became active in the local music scene and performed with several artists that rolled through the state, like the Manhattan Transfer, Ben Vereen, Bobby Shew, Rebecca Mauleon, Peggy Stern, and Vicki Carr. He also performed with several jazz groups, latin dance bands, and the Anchorage Symphony. But alas, the sad day came when Berin and Vicky bundled up the kids and force-marched them to Utah.

Berin is currently working on a middle-grade book called Time Gangsters and on the sequels to The Dragon War Relic. He is once again teaching and performing music, and is the saxophone instructor at Utah Valley University. Berin and Vicky currently live in Orem, Utah with their five children, dog (Nalla), cat (Kenai) and an aloe plant.

Exclusive Interview With The Author

Q. Tell us something about yourself.
A: I was born and raised in the thriving metropolis of Chugiak, Alaska. My degrees are in saxophone performance, so I teach saxophone and clarinet out of my home as well as saxophone at Utah Valley University. I also perform a lot of jazz, blues, classical and salsa music.

Q: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?
A: I don't know. I think some people are natural with short stories but struggle with novels and vice versa. I've done both, but I think novels are easier to write. With a short story, all of your story elements get squished together which, to me, makes it more challenging.

Q: How do you research for a book before you begin the writing process?
A: I don't. I just start writing the story and if I get to something that I don't know, I'll make something up or put in a note to remind me to do more research before the next draft. Once I get in the writing flow, I don't like to interrupt it with details. I do try to get them worked in by the second or third draft, though.

Q: What is the best part of writing for you?
A: First draft. That's where the fun is for me, because it is a new adventure that I don't always know how it will turn out.

Q: Did you always have in mind to be a writer or did it just happen?
A: I wanted to be a writer when I was young and took some stabs at submitting a few short stories while I was in college. Then life and family took over for several years and it got shelved for a while. Then, six years ago, my teenage daughter was participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I thought it would be a good daddy-daughter bonding experience if I did it with her. That was how Dragon War Relic got started. And, it did improve my relationship with my daughter, which to me was the main benefit.

Q: How would you describe TIME GANGSTERS in a sentence?
A: Twelve-year old cousins Billy and Dannielle are chased through time by gangsters looking for magic Egyptian coins that can allow them to rule the world.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your book?
A: Billy and Danny find out that gangsters have traveled from 1927 to look for coins hidden in their houses. When they find the coins first, they have to try to keep them away but fail. They end up being dragged back in time where a ruthless gangster wants the coins so that he can take over the country. Ultimately, if they don't find a way to stop him, the future will be changed for the worse.

Q: How did the idea of writing TIME GANGSTERS spring up in your mind?
A: Literally, it did. Some of my best story ideas come from dreams, because my subconscious will combine things in an interesting way that I don't know if I could ever do consciously. One night, I had a dream about kids with magic coins who were being chased by gangsters who used the coin's powers. I added the Egyptian stuff later to add a little more history to it. But I advise people to keep a dream journal that can be used when they need a story idea.

Q: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?
A: I am what they call a discovery writer or a pantser. In other words, I have no clue how my story will turn out, which makes it quite exciting for me. In fact, when I'm writing, I feel like I'm accessing the same part of my brain that I use when I'm improvising jazz. Now at some point, though, I do have to figure out an outline and characters to make sure there is a functioning plot with a good character arch. I do that mainly with the second draft, where I take the main ideas I had in the first draft and rework them until they make sense.

Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?
A: Chocolate, but most people probably already know that. I guess the other thing would be fantasy football. I don't follow many sports, but I love the NFL.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?
A: Best part: first draft, though second draft can be fun, too, as I rework my initial ideas into something functional. Worst part for me is the marketing. I hate trying to convince people to read my book, especially when there are so many other good books out there. But it's part of the business.

Q: How similar to its principle protagonist and the main cast are you?
A: With this one, not very much. With my first book, the three main characters were all different aspects of my personality. But for Time Gangsters, I'm probably closest to Danny. She has a lot of my personality quirks, which made it easier for me to write a female point of view.

Now some simple questions and more fun^^

-Your favorite books and author? 
That's always a hard one because there are so many. David Eddings has been one of my favorites, especially his Sparhawk books. Recently, I've really enjoyed Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn books.

-Your favorite band/singer? 
Easy. Michael Brecker. Most people haven't heard of him, but in jazz circles he is considered by many to be the greatest saxophonist ever. 

-Twitter or Facebook? 
Facebook. Or Phazebook.

-Favorite place in the world? 
Alaska. Outside of Alaska I'd have to say New Zealand.

-Last movie you watched at the cinemas? 
Probably Cowboys and Aliens.

-The last book you’ve read? 
Stormbringer by Michael Moorcock.

-Have you ever googled yourself? 
Yes. But, um, for professional reasons.

-If you wouldn’t be a writer, what you would be? 
First thought is musician, but I'm already that. Video game tester sounds good, too.

-And last one....print or ebooks? 
Print, print, print.

Q: The cover of TIME GANGSTERS is really awesome. Did you have any inputs in it?
A: Not much. Cedar Fort sent me a preliminary version that I made a few suggestions on. I mainly wanted a big honkin' tommy gun on the front, but I didn't win that one. But Cedar Fort makes awesome covers and I can't take any credit for them.

Q: If it ever gets turned into a movie then who would you like to see on the cast?
A: Since it would be mostly 12 year old kids, I don't know of any actors that age. A young Leonardo diCaprio would make a good Sticks. Tom Cruise could be agent Elliott, or maybe Johnny Depp. I'd have to think a little more to cast the gangsters.

Q: What's next after this?
A: I've got a couple of projects I'm excited about. I'm working on a superhero sidekick story where all the heroes are kidnapped and it's up to a teenage sidekick with no powers to figure out how to save them from super villains. I'm also working on a dystopian/fantasy/steampunk story that is more of an epic fantasy attempt.
Q: What advice would you like to give budding authors or those who want to start writing?
A: Anything you want to do and be good at, you have to make sacrifices and invest time. I did this first with music, where I spent 3 to 6 hours a day playing my instrument. Now, I'm spending about 3 hours a day working on my writing craft. I still have a long way to go, but there is no better school than experience. But most people have to sacrifice things to get good at it, whether it's video games, TV, or whatever.

REVIEW

So, your sleeping and all of a sudden you wake up in the night to see a broken window and guy standing over your bed with a tommy gun pointed at you, well not a situation you want to wake up to but this is what happens to cousins Billy and Danny wake up and to. This late night visitor sends Billy, his cousin Danny and friend on a merry treasure hunt that tops off any sort of adventure Billy had ever dreamed of. A race to prevent time from being drastically changed. Can they get there? Well they certainly can if they can work together and level their differences behind.

GIVEAWAY

Pretty simple fill in the rafflecopter form. Only one winner. Since it is conducted by Cedar Fort so if the winner is from North America, he/she get a print copy of Time Gangsters and outside North America or International winner will get the ecopy.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Legacy #2 Allegiance

An unhappy marriage and an impending doom, presenting the next book Legacy #2 Allegiance by Cayla Kluver. This book slightly changed my perspective about a few characters.

Here is the summary of the book:

Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive. An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return... Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge. Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn....


Historical romances always have a way of reminding us of times past, of the age of courting, of the age of gowns and corsets, of knights and the monarchy. It is this age where our story is set. Two warring factions, Hytanica and Cokyri. At war because of a stupid and vain mistake on the former's part.

Allegiance begins shortly after the first book Legacy ended (check review here). Alera is now in a marriage which she never desires with Steldor about to be crowned king and queen of Hytanica. For her heart is with Narian. In a land where men reign supreme, it is but expected to that Alera was not able to intervene or buy sometime to think things through. When your heart is with another it is impossible to stay in a marriage where there is no love.

Cokyri now has Narian and are pulling all the stops to take over Hytanica and avenge the decades old insult. In all this Alera still has eyes for only Narian(rather unfair to her husband) knows who he really is. Only she knows where his true loyalties lie but what will she do when she realizes that Narian is the enemy this time and her people must come first and not a love that was never meant to be.

Allegiance really turned the table on Steldor for me. Steldor in the first book appeared to be rude and disrespectful and rather snobbish but here we see him in an unhappy and a one sided marriage. By social hierarchy Steldor has the right to lord over his wife, would be rather petulant when his goals are not reached. While he may love her, Alera doesn't. A loosing battle in the end for the young king.

Alera for her part can't seem to connect to the idea of being the queen and having Steldor as a husband. The tension between them added flavor to the story. She clearly doesn't want Steldor but also can't seem to evade his charm...a rather very difficult situation. It can clearly be seen that Steldor was trying to be very patient with Alera and trying to wait for her to come around with her shunning him. But the one thing that felt irritating was that in dangerous situations (not going to name them as they will spoil the story) all Alera does is think if Narian loves her or not. Well why not, two hot guys want her - Steldor and Narian, it is within her right to be a little irritating. Narian on the other while not physically present all the time throughout the book has his presence felt.

On the whole plot and scenario are well written. The characters while a little confused are pretty strong and very much more linked with the plot points. A lot of questions that rose in the first book Legacy are also answered in this book. This book improved on the first one greatly. Allegiance had a fairly darker feel than the first book and with so much going on, the drama, politics, kingdom bench marking, violence and such you can definitely not evade the attraction towards this book but now that I have read this book I seriously want to read the next one in the trilogy "Sacrifice". I'll let you in on a secret there is also the prologue of the third book provided at the end of the book that definitely sets you up for what is to come.

"Dark and engrossing - Hytanica faces its ultimate enemy in battle head held high but can they survive!"

Genre :      Fiction, Romance, Historical


Publisher: HarlequinTEEN


My Copy: Courtesy of netgalley and publisher


Rate:              4/5 (Really liked it)

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #2

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selections are: 

Always You
by Shilpa Mudiganti
Publishing Date :- 6th March, 2012

Lyla has to move on. She’s been stuck in a rut since her heart was broken five years ago. Trying to decide about life with her fiancé, Nick, she resolves to finish one last project before moving to Spain and starting a new life. That is until she is face to face with the one man who broke her heart all those years ago, Alexander Knight.

Five years ago, when Alex and Lyla meet at his friend, Andrew's grave, they fall deeply in love. But, Alex is hiding a secret that will destroy his relationship with Lyla and does. What Lyla doesn’t realize is that Alex has changed since their break-up, because of her love, only she still has hate in her heart towards him.

But now, fate has brought them together in such a way that they have no option but to remain dangerously close - dangerous enough for Lyla to fall in love with him again. How can she? Not after what she knows about Alex and what he did to Andrew.

It’s true that love can change people for the better. But is it enough? What will happen when two broken people with a past come together? Can they forgive and heal?


Truly, Madly, Deeply, You
by Cecilia Robert
Publishing Date:- 21st March, 2012

Four days before Valentine’s Day, Liese Hansfeld is determined to shut the door to her house, as well as her heart, for her annual four days of mourning her one true love. Little does she know her best friend Freytag Meier is just as determined to keep her from her ritual. He’s ready to pick the lock to her apartment door and camp in her living room if that’s what it takes.

What Freytag isn’t prepared for is the surge of deep-rooted emotions he feels for Liese, but two things stand in his way: the grief and guilt she still clutches close to her heart, and a man who threatens to snatch Liese from under Frey’s watchful eye. Frey is determined to distract her into forgetting her pain. But is that enough to ease her grief, or help her see he can be more than her best friend?




Shadow of The Witte Wieven
by Debbie Peterson
Publishing Date:- 21st April, 2012

Despite a contract on her head, lone Drug Enforcement Agent, Aliyana Montijo must ferret out a mole and stop the assassination of top DEA officials, as so ordered by the Colombian drug lord she seeks to take down. The task is a daunting one, for there is no one she can trust. No one that is, until she encounters a most unlikely ally.

Former seventeenth century captain of the Dutch West Indies Company, Wolfaert Dircksen Van Ness, now from a parallel dimension, encounters the beautiful agent during an unearthly storm in the Bermuda triangle. Drawn to the Spanish beauty he rescues, he pledges his assistance, despite her reluctance to accept either his help or his heart.
Can Wolf bridge both space and time to claim the woman he loves?

"My reasons for the anxious awaiting?...All three books are the upcoming release from Inkspell Publishing, my employers.....and not just the book synopsis but these are lass with some beautiful book covers"

Monday 16 January 2012

Inheritance (Inheritance #4)

Eragon and Saphira return for the final showdown between good and evil. Feels such a long time since I read the previous book in the series. Presenting Inheritance #4 Inheritance by Christopher Paolini.

Here is the summary of the book:

Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders. Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances. The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost? This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.


Feels like so long since I read Brisingr.....I really need to brush up and remember what really happened in the previous books because whatever you say Inheritance now ranks below Lord of the Rings in my favourite high fantasy series.

This is the epic conclusion. The epic battle between Galbatorix and Eragon. The battle that decides the future of Alagaesia. But it is still a long way to go. Eragon may know his true parentage, he may have his own sword now and Saphira and he may have come a long way but they still don't know the way to defeat the evil king who can foresee what is to come in the near future...though call.

Alright....now this is confusing.....there is so much happening within these pages that it is getting pretty confusing. Eragon and Saphira know now the secret of Galbatorix's long standing power. Roran is fighting his own battles, his child is on the way and must look to play his part in the opposing army. Murtagh and Thorn have their own battles to face and their own decisions to make. They pull out all the stops needed to bring this about. In a fashion it is not easy to conquer an empire in a day, it requires thinking. Strategies, battle plans, diplomacy is required. The Varden little by little advance to the seat of Galbatorix's power, the final showdown between Eragon and Galbatorix and a surprising conclusion (an ending that I definitely did not like), made the highlights of this gigantic conclusion to the Inheritance Cycle.

Inheritance was a perfect conclusion but herein I present my thoughts about where it could have been better. The ever changing point of views. Yes, my biggest issue was this, in a big 860 paged book although it is necessary to bring out every angle of the story, particularly in high fantasies but here it felt disorienting. As we see one point of the battle from Eragon's point and the next chapter it changes to Nasuada or Roran..definitely confusing. Also the ending felt too like Lord of the Rings, I loathe to compare any books I read but can't resist and that retched movie definitely did not do the books justice at all.

Nevertheless the plot was balanced out, loose ends tied up and every question that us readers may have had after the third book are answered in here. Characters and their situations and relations to one another were as well balanced, nothing felt outlandish or forced. Alas I hope this is not the of Paolini that we see for he has so many years left and I for one would definitely love to hear more about Alagaesia. Christopher Paolini has not let me down, and I am sucked into his world every time I read any of the Inheritance cycle books. I'm so happy I was finally able to read this, and even more so that I really enjoyed it so much so that I actually finished it within four days.

"Exhilarating and enticing - The Epic Conclusion"

Genre :      High Fantasy, Young Adult


Publisher Random House


Rate:              5/5 (It was amazing, I recommend it)

Sunday 15 January 2012

The Infernal Devices #2 Clockwork Prince

Two boys, parabatai and in love with the same girl....yes I finally get to read the next book in The Infernal Devices #2 Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare and it is breaking my heart.

Here is the summary of the book:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them. Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do? As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.


First time I feel at a loss to form coherent thoughts about a book. So much is going on in there…..okay now before I start ranting I’ll try and write how good this book was without giving away any spoilers.

Clockwork Prince begins shortly after the first book Clockwork Angel ended. Mortmain is still at large. Tessa is still longing after Will, who is as obnoxious as ever and is rude enough for Tessa to know that he doesn’t want her in the Institute after that horrid balcony scene which really broke my heart. Jem is still sick but he and Tessa are growing closer than ever. Day by day Jem and Tessa’s friendship grows; he takes her around London showing her all the famous and noted spot of the country. If this is not enough Tessa is now developing feeling for Jem. For Tessa, Jem is perfection. He is good and kind and beautiful and the great friend anyone can hope to have.

Through in the midst Nephilim politics, Lightwood senior wants to be the head of the London Institute but that can’t happen when Henry and Charlotte Branwell are running it so he challenges them to find Mortmain or hand over the institute to the Lightwoods and in the meantime train Tessa and the maid Sophie to fight and enter Gabriel and Gideon Lightwood.

As far as Will’s tangent is considered, something plagues him. We see his past, we see his true nature. In other words we see the big secret. He is rude, he is obnoxious, he is disrespectful but underneath all, under all these layers is a broken boy who had too much heartbreak in life. He loves Tessa but knows that he can’t be with her. The walls that he had built around himself are seen slowly cracking here…..okay not going to say more or I’ll cry a river and end up spoiling the story for those who haven’t read it yet.

Secret are revealed, treason abound, twist and turns in every nook and cranny of the book, Cassandra Clare really knows how to play us readers. Strong characters, emotions running high, shock at every turns Clockwork Prince was a marvelous read. From the Mortal Instruments' modern speech to the Infernal Devices' Victorian era dialect, the author sure knows how to captivate her readers or rather break our hearts in two. The bittersweet ending is sure to keep readers in agony for fear that Clockwork Princess would not fare well on our health. I definitely do not want to say goodbye to Will, Jem and Tessa and surely you all will agree.

"Clockwork Prince is an emotional roller coaster; Cassie Clare you broke my heart"

Genre :      Fiction, Young Adult, Steampunk


Publisher Margaret K. McElderry


Rate:              5/5 (It was amazing, I recommend it)

Wednesday 11 January 2012

VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR: Six Weeks To Yehidah by Melissa Studdard


Sorry pretty late in posting this but lets welcome Melissa Studdard who is touring for her book SIX WEEKS TO YEHIDAH and its companion book MY YEHIDAH via Tourz de Codex.


About The Author
Melissa Studdard is the author of the bestselling novel Six Weeks to Yehidah, which also won the 2011 Forward National Literature Award for Middle Grade Chapter Books. She is also a professor, a book reviewer at-large for The National Poetry Review, a contributing editor for both Tiferet Journal and The Criterion, and the host of the radio interview program Tiferet Talk. As well, she is a member of many literary organizations, including the National Book Critics Circle and the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators.

She loves anything related to writing and reading, whether it's sitting alone with a book and a cup of hot tea, or attending a large poetry reading or literary festival. She also loves travelling, meditating, going for walks, bicycling, practicing yoga, and spending time with family.

She currently resides in Texas with her wonderful daughter and their four sweet but mischievous cats.

Find Melissa here:-

Her official website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Blog



About SIX WEEKS TO YEHIDAH

Move over, C.S. Lewis; Melissa Studdard is here! Annalise of the Verdant Hills is one of the most delightful protagonists to skip through the pages of literature since Dorothy landed in Oz. Join Annalise and her two walking, talking wondersheep as they travel to ever more outlandish places and meet outrageous and enlightening folk on their journey to discover interconnectedness in a seemingly disconnected world. Discover with them how just one person can be the start of the change we all strive for. A book for all ages, for all time: wonderful, wacky, and bursting with truth!




About MY YEHIDAH

Bursting at the seams with joy and truth, My Yehidah leads you through one of the most important adventures you can take--the journey to the center of your very own self.

Filled with writing and drawing prompts and beautiful illustrations to color, this book is the perfect jump start for meaningful, creative exploration for people of all ages.

My Yehidah can be done alone or along the novel Six Weeks to Yehidah.












MY REVIEW

A delightful read, Annalise and her two pet sheep, Mabel and Mimi caught in a flash flood and transported to the land above the clouds find more that they ever bargained for…..there is a land beyond the clouds. From Bob, a man made of light, to Hagski, a nasty bag lady who likes to make rules, to a shaman named Tony and his wise mother Kàna. Here, too, they find that animals talk and musical instruments sprout from the ground like corn. Annalise visits islands and special gardens and a tunnel through the ocean, all the while learning lessons about herself and the nature of the universe. But at last she must decide whether she wants to stay there or return home.


The author weave an enchanting tale that I guarantee will have a great effect on all of us in one way or another.

Interview

Q. Tell us something about yourself.
I’m super active in the literary world as an editor, a reviewer, a talk show host, a professor, and, obviously, a writer. I’m also a single mom, so I’m pretty busy. But I love, love, love reading and writing, and I will always make time for them, no matter how busy I am.

Q: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is, and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?
Very interesting question.I do know authors who say they can only write short fiction, but I, personally,enjoy writing across the genres, and I believe that experience writingstories can create a skill set that enhances ability in other genres, if the person is so inclined.

Q: How do you research for a book before you begin the writing process?
Because I write about subjects I’m interested in, the research happens naturally through the course of living. In Six Weeks to Yehidah, for instance, there’s a lot of Native American imagery and symbolism which were already in my mind from the traveling and reading I’ve been doing for several years. I also Google all sorts of things right in the middle of the writing process.

Q: What is the best part of writing for you?
The best part to me is the discovery. Every time I write, I learn about myself, others, and the world. It’s exhilarating.

Q: Did you always have in mind to be a writer, or did it just happen?
I’ve always been an avid reader. As a kid, I read massive tomes like War and Peace instead of watching television. Back then it never occurred to me that I could write books too, but over time I started to realize that there were real, living people writing books. Once I grasped that writing wasn’t just some archaic ritual performed by people who have been dead for centuries, I grabbed a pen and got started.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your book?
Six Weeks to Yehidah is the tale of a spunky young girl on a metaphysical journey. As she travels from one adventure to another through magical, mystical lands, she learns ancient wisdom traditions and gains deeper and deeper insight into herself and her world. Eventually she must make the most important decision she's ever faced -- whether or not to return to the self she has always known.

Q: How would you describe SIX WEEKS TO YEHIDAH and MY YEHIDAH in a sentence? 
Through the story of Annalise in Six Weeks to Yehidah, and the prompts and activities in My Yehidah, readersare guided on a journey towards wholeness and self-discovery.

Q: How did the idea of writing SIX WEEKS TO YEHIDAH spring up in your mind?
I was in a wonderful critique and writing group in which we took turns assigning prompts each month. One woman asked us to read The Oxford Book of Modern Fairy Tales and write our own short tale. It turned out that I was so compelled by the voice and characters I’d created that I kept writing and writing until I realized I was no longer working on a short story. I was writing a novel.

Q: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? I.E., do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your ideas develop as you write?
I’m not a big planner as a writer. I like to create characters and throw them into situations and see what happens. I may know the ideas I want to convey, but I leave it up to the characters to drive the plot through action.

Q: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?
The best aspect is getting to do what you love on a daily basis. Work is a huge part of where we spend our time, so if you can enjoy what you do for a living,it contributes to leading happy life. I’d say the worst part is the frustration: writer’s block, trying to place material with a publishing house or magazine, and so forth. The positives outweigh the negatives by far for me, though.

Q: How similar to its principle protagonist and the main cast are you?
The funny thing about my characters is that each one is a mix of different people I know. So, all of my characters have a little of me in them, and none of them are fully me. It’s a fascinating part of my creative process—seeing how this blending of features from different people will take shape. It’s all very organic in the moment of writing. I don’t even realize it usually. Then when I look at the finished piece, I say, “Oh, that’s where that trait came from!”

Now some simple questions and more fun^^


-Your favourite books and author?
I have a few favorites that I could pick, but right now I’d have to say Gabriel GarcíaMárquez is my favorite author, and One Hundred Years of Solitude is my favorite book by him.Every sentence he writes simultaneously breaks my heart and exalts me to wonder. His imagination is unparalleled, and his understanding of the human condition is genius. He is a complete original.

-Your favourite band/singer?
Billie Holiday. I tried to train myself to sing like her, but somehow it just didn’t work out. Maybe I’ll keep trying. J

-Twitter or Facebook?
Facebook

-Favourite place in the world?
Ithaka, Greece. I can understand why Odysseus was desperate to get home. The waters surrounding the island are so gorgeous. In one patch, you’ll find a deep, cerulean blue, in another a pale aqua, and in yet another, shimmering green. The island itself is beautiful, as well, and the people are kind and down to earth. The food is also delicious and healthy.

-Last movie you watched at the cinemas?
Avatar. That was a beautifully done movie. I would love to see the magical lands of Six Weeks to Yehidah portrayed so well.

-The last book you read?
Apricots from Chernobyl by JosipNovakovich. It’s a marvelous collection of narrative essays about life in two different countries: the former Yugoslavia and America.

-Have you ever googled yourself?
Yes – I periodically do – I like to know what’s out there.

-If you weren’t a writer, what you would be?
Probably a librarian. I’ve always had a fantasy about spending my days literally surrounded by books. I like everything about books, even the way they smell.

-And last one....print or ebooks?
Print. I feel like I spend my life hunched over the computer as it is—writing and grading papers. When I read for pleasure, I just want to look away from the screen for a bit. And, as you may have gathered from my answer above, I also enjoy the sensory experience of holding a book in my hands.

Q: The covers of both books are really awesome. Did you have any input in the process?
Yes—fortunately, the cover designer wanted a great deal of input and allowed me to look the cover over step by step. I agree that he did a fantastic job.

Q: What advice would you like to give budding authors or those who want to start writing?
First of all, you should always remember that you’re the only person who can speak your truths, and you are worthy of being heard. Secondly, be patient and keep after it and write without ridiculous expectations. Sometimes your writing won’t be good, but you have to write through that to get to the good stuff. Quitting writing won’t fix anything. Don’t be wary of writing the bad stuff. Just laugh at it, think of it as practice, don’t show it to anyone if you don’t feel like it, and keep writing until the good stuff starts flowing again. Just do not stop writing. The most important thing is to keep doing it against all the odds, obstacles, doubts, and insecurities. Those who keep after it are the ones who succeed. I’ve seen it over and over again with my writer friends.
 

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