Cover Features (#2): Steampunk

Cover Features is a meme hosted her at Emily's Crammed Bookshelf where we feature books that have the same theme in their covers.

Cover feature this week:

Steampunk

Innocent Darkness
by Suzanne Lazear
Release Date: August 8, 2012
Publisher: Flux

Goodreads / Amazon

Wish. Love. Desire. Live.

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish.

The Unnaturalists

by Tiffany Trent

Release Date: August 14, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Goodreads / Amazon

In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

The Iron Thorn
by Caitlin Kittredge
Release Date: February 22, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.
     Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

The Peculiars

by Maureen Doyle McQueery

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Publisher: Amulet Books

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance. On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

 

Other cool covers:

Silence | The Nightmare Garden | The Girl in the Steel Corset | Masque of the Red Death

 

What's your cover feature this week?

Which covers are you favorite?

Review: ReVamped

Revamped
by Ada Adams
Pages: 300
Format: Paperback
Release Date: February 20, 2012
by Ada Adams

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.
When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

*A copy was provided by Ada Adams for review purposes*

From the very beginning, I thought this was a kind of cheesy book.  But waht was weird is that it was a good kind of cheesy and I ended up really liking it.  Yes, there were some not-so-great aspects of the story, but overall it was a pretty good book.

It's hard to tell the same story over and over agian, and it's always cool when authors come up with fun new versions of common topics, like vampires, or werewolves.  I liked the different spin Adams put on this vampire story.  She had fabulous writing throughout, and I loved how she explained everything at the beginning of the book so we all understood what was going on.  It was a really good plot, and I loved the ending and how all the different aspects of the book came together and all made sense, and that there was an explanation for everything, which meant no plot holes.

There is one event that sticks out to me in this book.  It's when Dawn and the team set to risk there lives to rescue...wait for it...a dog.  Yes, you read that correctly...a dog.  I'm sorry, but you seriously couldn't think of anything better than that?!

From then on this book was simply hilarious and kind of cute. However, there was no build to the story at all, total insta-romance, and no staging really.  But, by the end of this book, I realized that it was the perfect combination of cheesy, funny, cute, and kick-butt, with a couple flaws along the way, but still a pretty good book.

This is such a great cast, but the weird thing is is that when it was first introduced I hated it because I thought it was cheesy and lame.  But I ended up liking it a lot.
Adams really made a point of making Dawn a totally kick-butt character, and I love that.  She's probably the most kick-butt character I've read about in a while.  She's strong, independent, and can take care of herself.  Yay for Adams!!
There's kind of a semi/half/kind of love triangle in this book.  Sebastian and Ethan are the guys in question, and, to be honest, I can't choose who I like best.
This book had serve-me-up-insta-romance galore, but I'm going to overlook that.  Ethan is really cute, a nice guy, innocent and sweet.  Sebastian is kind of the bad boy in this book, dark, mysterious, and kick-butt.  I LIKE THEM BOTH!! *hides in shame*
I also really liked the rest of the cast: Brooke, Sophie, Seth, and Hunter.  Each were special in their own way, and I really liked them all.  Brooke was kind of a *can't say the word* in the beginning, but she totally grew on me.  Sophie I liked from the beginning because she's a bookworm and *cough* so am I.  I also really liked Seth and Hunter, just because they were so sweet and funny.

This book was really a breath of fresh air, and it was so cute and adorable and I just loved it.  One thing that I do have to say, too, is that this is the prettiest self-published cover I've ever seen.  It's simply glorious and I love it!! :P

4 pink flowers



Review: Chasing Brooklyn

Chasing Brooklyn
by Lisa Schroeder
Pages: 412
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: January 5, 2010
by Simon & Schuster

In this chilling companion to Schroeder's "I Heart You, You Haunt Me," a year has passed since Lucca dies, and Brooklyn and Nico are still struggling with their sorrow. As they work together to rediscover their passion for life again, they soon discover their growing passion for each other, as well.

I've never read a book like this before, with this kind of unique idea, or this kind of writing, and in the beginning I didn't really like it, but by the end I found myself really enjoying the story and the characters as they grew.  I think this book is a really sweet coming-of-age story, and a great introduction into this genre.

I've read ghost books before, but none quit like this.  It started off sad, and just got sadder as it went along.  It was a fabulous idea, fabulous story line, and, although it was kind of weird, fabulous writing.  Here's a little quote to show you guys the writing style:

"My fist pounds on the window.
I pound and pound
and open my mouth to scream.

Then, he's there.
In front of me.

Gray skin with eyes
black as the darkest night,
and lips blood red."

That is exactly how Schroeder wrote this book, and it was hard to follow and get into the book because of that, but about half-way through I got used to it and was totally captivated by the book.  I really liked how the romance grew over the course of the entire book, and that there was such a happy ending.  It's just a really strong story of getting over tragedy and moving on, and I loved it.

I really liked Brooklyn in this book.  I think she was strong, independent, and just an all-around solid character, perfect for this book.
I also really like  Luca.  He was so nice and sweet and really cared about Brooklyn, and I loved that.  There aren't many characters in this book but these two have enough personality for an entire cast.

I loved the whole haunting/love story thing going on in this book, and it seriously was such an entertaining read...you guys should definitely pick it up if you get the chance. :) 

4 pink flowers



Review: One Moment

One Moment
by Kristina McBride
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Release Date: June 26, 2012
by EgmontUSA

Goodreads / Amazon

This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it’s the one she’d do anything to forget.
Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below—dead?

As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

The latest novel from the author of The Tension of Opposites, One Moment is a mysterious, searing look at how an instant can change everything you believe about the world around you.

*A copy was provided by EgmontUSA for review purposes*

I feel like I probably would have liked this book a little bit more if it wasn’t such a simple story line.  From about page one I could see right through the story and really the only question for me wasn’t what Joey did, but who he did it with.  It had good writing and a good idea, but I think that if it had been a bit more complex it would have worked out a bit better.  The ending was really long and went on and on, and the book was really dramatic and kind of annoying.  I know this might sound a little weird, but I’m sure you guys have read books where the characters talk way to perfectly, saying things like:

“I’ve tried to shove it all down, but the parts with you, they bubble their way to the surface in the strangest ways.  How, at the craziest moments, I just want to feel your hand on mine, or hear your voice whispering in my ear, or feel the tickle of you laughter against my cheek.”

Yes, that is an actually quote from the book (taken from an ARC edition).  It drives me nuts whenever characters talk like that because it’s not realistic or believable.

I do have to give Kristina McBride credit for there being a kind of mystery in the book, and not having a sudden “Oh, that’s who it is” because they saw a sock or something moment.

I do kind of want there to be a sequel for this book because there is too much left unexplained at the end.

There are really only three characters of note in this book, and I like two out of three.

Maggie was a pretty strong character to me, and, aside from her outrageous talking, she was a relatable, easy to connect with character.

I also really like Adam.  I do have to say that I was rooting for him the entire book.  He just seems like a really nice guy, very sweet.

And now for the character I don’t like: Joey.  Yes, in the beginning I did like him, but since I pretty much already knew what was going to happen, I quickly grew to dislike him.

This book could have been so much better if not for a see-through plot and too little going on, but I do hope McBride writes a sequel because I would love to see what happens to Maggie and her new boyfriend (not telling who!!)  :P

3 pink flowers

Still on My Mind (#4): Lock and Key

Still on my Mind is a weekly meme hosted by Haley at .YA-Aholic where we feature a book that we read a while ago but can't stop thinking about because it was so good.

My pick this week:

Title: Lock and Key
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release Date: April 22, 2008
Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Goodreads / Amazon

Ruby, where is your mother?

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

I read this one ages ago and I loved it.  It was at a time when my mom actually checked what I was reading, so she read this one before me and okayed it so I started it.  This was the first Sarah Dessen book I'd ever read and it seriously blew me away.  Loved, loved, loved this book, and if you haven't read it yet I highly recommend it! :)

What are you still thinking of?

Link me up!!

Cover Reveals x 5

The Rising
by Kelley Armstrong
#3 in Darkness Rising
Release Date: April 9, 2013
by HarperCollins
Number of pages: 400
Format: Hardcover

Amazon

No summery avaliable

Darkness Rising:



Click here to check out my review of The Gathering



Echo

by Alyson Noel

#2 in The Soul Seekers

Release Date: November 13, 2012

by St. Martin's Griffin

Number of pages: 400

Format: Hardcover

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

The second book in the Soul Seekers series about a girl who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead by #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël!

Daire Santos just saved her grandmother's life—and her soul. But at a cost. The Richters, a dark family of sorcerers, have been let loose in the Lowerworld, and Daire and her boyfriend, Dace, must once again work together to find them before they upset the balance between good and evil, and destroy not only their small town in New Mexico, but the entire world.

As Daire and Dace's relationship deepens, Dace’s evil brother Cade grows stronger than ever, building his power and forcing Daire to confront the horrifying prophecy that has brought them all together. One that will leave Daire no choice but to claim her true destiny as Seeker, but only by making an unthinkable sacrifice for the greater good of all.

The Soul Seekers:



Everbound

by Brodi Ashton

#2 in Everneath

Release Date: January 22, 2013

by Balzer + Bray

Number of pages: 384

Format: Hardcover

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

Everneath:



Crimson Frost

by Jennifer Estep

#4 in Mythos Academy

Release Date: January 1, 2013

by Kensington

Number of pages: 384

Format: Paperback

Amazon / Barnes & Noble



For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes — the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki — the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming. I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison — and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself …

Mythos Academy:

 



Lullaby

by Amanda Hocking

#2 in Watersong

Release Date: November 27, 20112

by St. Martin's Griffin

Number of pages: ----

Format: Hardcover

Amazon

Sequel to WAKE, the first book in the phenomenal new series by bestselling author Amanda Hocking.

Watersong:



Wow what a collection of amazing covers!  I was expecting maybe three but when I went to look again there were tons more, so here they are!! :)

What do you guys think of these new covers??

Waiting on Wednesday (#36): Triple Edition

This is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlites upcoming new releases that we're highly anticipating.

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

Finale, by Becca Fitzpatrick

Goodreads / Amazon

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean that they will always be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. But now they face their biggest challenge. Can their love survive a seemingly insurmountable divide. And in the end, will there be enough trust left to rebuild what has been broken? The lines are drawn - but which sides are they on?

_________

The Mirrored Shard, by Caitlin Kittredge

Goodreads / Amazon

Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Aoife Grayson must face death to win back Dean—the love who was ripped from the Iron Lands of the living when he was shot in the arctic north. But getting to the Deadlands is something that Aoife can't do on her own. And if she can find a way there, Tremaine would surely never allow it. He has sworn to keep her in the Thorn Lands, the fairie home of her mother, Nerissa. But Aoife is determined to find her way out. And she has no trouble if that means she has to kill Tremain and his queen to do it.

___________

Blood-Kissed Sky, by J.A. London

Goodreads / Amazon

Release Date: December 24, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

A note from Emily:

All of these books just got their covers released, and instead of doing a cover reveal I decided to just feature them as this week's Wow.

What are you waiting on?

Link me up!!

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

Hello lovelies!  Today I have decided to participate in awesome hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Uniquely Moi Books!

Okay, so I know it's been a really long time since I've hosted a giveaway, and I do apologize, it's just that I'm kind of running out of cash to send out the books.  So today I'm going to do an ebook giveaway.  Below are the rules and the awesome prize up for grabs!! :)

 Today I am giving away and E-ARC of the book below.  This giveaway is Int so I hope everyone will enter!! :)

Mesmerized, by Julia Crane & Talia Jager

The Rules:

~There will be one winner.

~Giveaway ends on June 27, 2012 @ 12:01 AM

~This giveaway is INT
~Must be a GFC follower

~Must be 13 years or older.

~Fill out the Rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway


P.S. For a complete list of all the awesome blogs participating in this hop click HERE.

Teaser Tuesday: (#30)

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Anyone can do it. You just have to do is:

(1): Grab your current read.

(2): Open it to a random page.

(3): Share 1 or 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!!

(4): Make sure you also mention the author and title.

Burn Mark, by Laura Powell

Add on Goodreads

#1: "By the time Lucas went to meet Glory and Angeline, he was much more at ease in his second skin.  He could craft Harry's glamour in under fifteen minutes, and get the perfect image each time.  Zoey also used a glamour for undercover work, but even though she'd had much more practice than Lucas, it took her considerably longer to complete.  It left her tired and dizzy too."

#2: "He immediately brought up the National Witchkind Database.  There were four access levels.  Level One recorded the names of anyone suspected but not proven to be a witch.  Level Two provided basic information on all proven witches whose identity wasn't classified.  Level Three gave access to their personal files.  Level Four contained summarised reports on all witches whose identity was secret or sensitive.  To read their complete case histories you had to apply directly to their warden, or whichever state offical was responsible for their supervision."

What's your teaser this Tuesday?

Link me up!!!

Dusty Reads: (#10)

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme hosted by Giselle at .Xpresso Reads where we feature a book that has been sitting unread on our shelf for a long time.

My pick this week:

Author: Leanna Renee Hieber

Release Date: November 8, 2011

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Goodreads / Amazon

I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.

What's getting dusy on your shelf?

Link me up!!

This Is Not A Test Sequel Movement

Hello lovelies!  Okay, so this is a post I have never done before, but I hope you all read it.  I just posted my review of This Is Not A Test, by Courtney Summers (click here to check it out) and I loved it.  In my review I wrote that I really wanted a second book.  Those of you that have read this book, I’m sure you want a sequel too, because I’m sure you will agree that there is a ton left unexplained.  So, if you have read the book, or even if you haven’t, I am asking you to get Courtney Summers’s attention and let her know how much you want a second book.  I’m sure that if we say it enough she will take notice and possibly write a second book.

How?

How do we do this, you ask?  Get it noticed.  Post about it on Facebook, blog about it, Tweet about it, put it everywhere possible, make it popular, invite your friends to join in.  Do everything you can to get more people to join in and publicize it.  I’m sure that if we have enough people participating Courtney Summers is bound to notice it somehow and hopefully (fingers crossed) she’ll write a sequel.

To Participate:

If you do decide to participate in this little movement, leave a comment below with the link to your blog, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, or Amazon profile.  Please don't leave links to your actual posts/tweets.  It doesn’t matter if you are a blogger or not, if you have a love of books that’s all you need.

Grab the button below and post it everywhere you can.  Make sure that whenever you make a comment, post, or Tweet about this movement try to link back to this blog so other people can come and join too.

The button is below.  Please everyone, please, I really want a sequel, so please please please enter into this movement!!

<a href=" http://emilyscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/2012/06/sequel-for-this-is-not-test.html " target="_blank"><img src=" http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s377/EmilysCrammedBookshelf/Buttons/thisisnotatest.jpg "/></a>

Review: Lost Voices

Lost Voices
by Sarah Porter
Series: Lost Voices #1
Pages: 291
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: July 4, 2011

Goodreads / Amazon

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder? The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

*A copy was provided by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for review purposes*

I have never read a mermaid book before, so going into this book I didn’t really know what to expect.  I knew how the traditional mermaid stories were told, so I was expecting that.  But that’s not what I got.  I got something better.

First off, this book is amazing.  Second, this book is amazing.  And third, this book is amazing.  I didn’t have any clue what Sarah Porter was going to do with a mermaid story, but it turned out to be a unique, catchy book.  The idea was amazing.  I really liked the different spin Porter put on the mermaid folktale.  Even though this book wasn’t very action-packed, it still kept me interested.  The writing was, in a word, amazing.  The story line, the staging, the events, everything was amazing, and the climax was really, really good.  The one thing that I did have a problem with was a little hole in the plot.  It’s when Luce saves someone with her talent (I’m not giving spoilers) and everyone should be astounded and wondering how she can do it, but Porter just left it.  Another thing that wasn’t that good was how, after like five pages, Luce and Catarina were already BFFs.  There was no build, and to make matters worse, Luce was literally saying, “I love her.”  Waayy to weird for me.  And one last thing: I don’t understand why Samantha (a mermaid in this book) was begging Catarina to save Anais, literally crying about it.  I though it was because they were sisters, but Porter never really explained that.  Those three little flaws were what kept this book from getting 5 stars.

I really like this cast of characters, and I liked that they were introduced as the story progressed, and not just in the beginning.  It was a really big cast but I really liked it like that because it made the story interesting.

I really liked Luce.  I thought she was a strong, defiant, confident person who had been left out her entire life but didn’t let that get in the way of doing what was right.

I also liked Catarina.  I felt really bad for her at the end, but she did kind of bring it on herself.  I thought she was kick-butt, confident, and really queen-like.

Now I’m going to do a 180 and say that I hate and despise Anais.  She was so mean, self entitled, and just down-right horrible, I couldn’t stand her.  But she does make a great villain in this book.

This book was a really good introduction for me into the mermaid genre, and seriously, I would have given this book 5 stars and a ranting review if not for those three flaws.  I can’t wait to continue on with the series, and I highly recommend picking up this book.

4 1/2 pink flowers

Cover Reveal: When Silver Moons Rise

Hello lovelies!  Today I am happy to be participating in this cover reveal of When Silver Moons Rise!  This book is the second instalment in the Copper Suns series, and looks really good!  I hope you all will stick around and read my post!!  Soon a real tour with reviews and giveaways will be planned so stay tuned for that too!!! The host site is Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

Cover Reveal:



When Silver Moons Rise
by Kasonndra Leigh
#2 in Copper Suns
Release Date: November 2012
Number of pages: ----
Format: Paperback

Facing an unstable future, Chela Prizeon leaves Castle Hayne and crosses over to enemy territory in pursuit of Faris--the boy of royal blood who is cursed by a bitter rival. But soon Chela learns that he has been taken deep into the treacherous frozen prisons--a majestic, but deadly place where people enter and are never seen again. To find the boy she loves and his lost sister, Chela must join forces with one of her greatest enemies. And even though she pulls strength from the good in her powers, she finds herself drawn to the dark side's temptation as well. Narrated from both Chela's and Faris's point of view, this enchanting sequel to When Copper Suns Fall will take them on a voyage into unknown lands, where the dark, twisted, and revengeful wait to make this their most dangerous journey ever.

About Kasonndra Leigh - Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

KaSonndra Leigh was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine,North Carolina. She likes to write about people doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Her two sons have made her promise to write a boy book next.She holds the MFA in creative writing, and loves to play CLUE, Monopoly (the Indiana Jones version), and Pandora's Box (good writer's block therapy). She lives in an L-shaped house with a garden dedicated to her grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies,Venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass.

Excerpt:

Faris

The shackles tightened on my wrists and ankles, digging deep in my flesh. Dark magic eased its way through to my skin. I sucked my breath and held it, waiting for the fiery feeling to pass. Curse it. I could hardly move, let alone think. A small band of light eased in through the windows above me, giving the metal chamber a touch of softness.

"I ask you again, Faris Toulan. Is this girl worth your life? Your immortality? Or what's left of it anyway," Olivia hissed into my ear, a sneer on her face. I stayed silent, refusing to give in. She grasped my chin and forced me to look at her face.

I glanced deep in her empty eyes, and said: "Yes. Chela is everything to me. She’s all that you could never be. Your tricks can't remove what I feel for her."

Dark eyes glared at me. Her harsh laugh ripped through my soul. The kindness she showed me earlier disappeared at once. I didn't care. All I hoped for, all I ached for was a chance to see Chela again. I promised to return as the protector she needed me to be. I refused to go back as the thing she was cursed to destroy.  That would only hurt her more than I had already done. I intended to keep my word.

"I do hope you understand what you've agreed to do," Olivia said in a low, but deadly voice, her breath on my ear, her cold fingers stroking my face.  "By the time I’m done with you, there won't be any other name you'll call except mine. Because that's how long you'll beg for mercy."

She moved closer to my face and kissed my lips. I wanted to gag. Inside, I was already screaming. But her torture, or whatever she planned for me, was nothing compared to facing a life without Chela. By thinking of her face, her laugh, even the way she sometimes annoyed me, I could handle anything Olivia did.

Hell most definitely existed. I was about to experience it in full force.

And then I heard Chela call my name…

Chela

In my dream, I felt his suffering as if it were my own. Every burn, each tingle, the agonizing way he screamed from inside that awful dark chamber. Lying in my bed, I thought of the kiss we shared the last time I saw him. My eyes flew open as I grasped at the air around me, reaching for him, but finding emptiness instead. And then the tears fell, and kept falling.

My mind was shutting down one cell at a time. Even breathing took effort. It was as if my lungs were a balloon, and his breath was magical helium; something that only the luckiest girl could find…and lose.

"Faris." I called his name out loud, hoping with all my faith that he heard me. Was it possible for us to connect even with so much distance between us?  I had to try. If he can hear me, then our link will pull him through whatever they were doing to him.

I can't just sit around and wait to hear news about his death. I had to do something.

"Chela. Can I come in?" My best friend, Alexa, stood in the doorway to my room. I didn't even hear her open it. She walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down. Her kind eyes filled me with warmth after so many cold nightmares had left me shivering. 

"Baby, you've been in this room almost a week. Jalen and I miss you. Come back to us." She stroked my hair and laced her fingers with mine. Those small gestures were just enough to make me sit up and bury my face in her shoulders. "You got snot on my school uniform. Well, at least that's a start." I pulled back, glancing at Alexa's face as she studied her shirt. Looking up at me, she wrinkled her nose.

"Eew, gross," we both said at the same time. And then we both burst out laughing, covering our mouths as we giggled. She was right. Smiling was a good start. And then I heard a boy's voice speak in my mind.

"Chela, I heard you. By the lights, I heard you," Faris said.