Embrace Blog Tour: ARC Review + Author Interview + Giveaway

~Review~

Author: Jessica Shirvington

Series: The Violet Eden Chapters #1

Pages: 367
Format: ARC
Source: Sourcebooks (Thanks Jessica)
Rating: 3.5/5

Summery:
Violet Eden is dreading her seventeenth birthday dinner. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. The one bright spot is that Lincoln will be there. Sexy, mature and aloof, he is Violet’s idea of perfection. But why does he seem so reluctant to be anything more than a friend?

After he gives her the world’s most incredible kiss – and then abandons her on her front doorstep – Violet is determined to get some answers. But nothing could have prepared her for Lincoln’s explanation: he is Grigori – part angel and part human – and Violet is his eternal partner.

Without warning, Violet’s world is turned upside down. She never believed in God, let alone angels. But there’s no denying the strange changes in her body ... and her feelings for Lincoln. Suddenly, she can’t stand to be around him. Luckily, Phoenix, an exiled angel, has come into her life. He’s intense and enigmatic, but at least he never lied to her.

As Violet gets caught up in an ancient battle between dark and light, she must choose her path. The wrong choice could cost not only her life, but her eternity...

Review:
I will always compare angel books to Hush, Hush.  That's just a fact.  And while this book isn't as kick-ass as Hush, Hush, it's still special in it's own way.

I really liked the different angel spin Shirvington put on this story.  I think it was a good idea, a good story line, and amazing writing.  There were just a few things that weren't very good: Shirvington mentioned towards the end of the book that Violet was terrified of her old teacher (you'll understand once you read the book) but I didn't really get that vibe throughout the book.  And the embrace, which should have been amazing, breathtaking, and should have sucked me right in, didn't.  It should have been a climax to the story and it wasn't.  And at the moments that should have been groundbreaking and momentous, she made the moments boring.  Those moments are when the reader should be totally sucked in and can't hear her brothers screaming bloody murder into her ear, but it wasn't.  And, although this book had a love triangle, it was only a semi one, so I think it really helped the story.

In the love triangle there are three people: Violet, Lincoln, and Phoenix.  But the thing is, there really isn't a love triangle.  Violet chooses Phoenix, and I can't for the life of me figure out why.  (Don't worry, that's not a spoiler.  It is a small detail in the whole story.)  Lincoln just seemed so nice and all, perfect boyfriend material.  But on the other hand, Phoenix was smokin' hot and totally swoon worthy.  Towards the end of the book,  I liked Phoenix better.  And, although he did something bad (I won't tell) in the end of the book, I still like him.  Usually when a boy messes up and does something like framing the girl for a crime he committed, I despise that boy.  But with Phoenix, I like him just as much.  I think part of the reason why is that Shirvington didn't make what he did groundbreaking and world-ending to it didn't really sink in as bad.
Lincoln is the perfect perfect boy.  He's nice, cute, and totally swoon-worthy.  But he wasn't as kick-ass as Phoenix.  Don't get me wrong though, I love both of them.
And, last but not least, there's Violet.  I think she was a very strong female character and I'm so glad that there wasn't a huge love triangle because I would have hated that competing against the fact that she was kick-ass.

All in all, I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next book, Enticed, to come out September 2012.

Thanks so much to Jessica Shirvington for reading my messages BEGGING for an ARC and for sending it to the right people so they could mail me one.  You're awesome!! :P

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~Interview~

Today has a been a day of several first for me: my first ever blog tour and first ever author interview and I'm so glad I get to share it with all of you. :)

 Jessica Shirvington is the author of The Violet Eden Chapters also known as The Embrace Series. An entrepreneur, author, and mother living in Sydney, Australia, Jessica is also a 2011 finalist for Cosmopolitan’s annual Fun, Fearless Female Award. She’s also one of the lucky few who met the love of her life at age seventeen: Matt Shirvington, a former Olympian and current sports broadcaster for FOXTEL and Sky News. Married for almost eleven years with two beautiful daughters, Sienna and Winter, Jessica knows her early age romance and its longevity has definitely contributed to how she tackles relationships in her YA novels. Previously, she founded a coffee distribution company, Stella Imports, in London, and before that was involved in the management of restaurants Fuel Bistro and MG Garage in Sydney. Jessica is now a full-time novelist and living her dream.

(Author bio taken from Goodreads)


1.   Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Sure. I'm 32 years old, I live in Sydney, Australia with my husband, Matt - who was an Olympic sprinter and is now a TV presenter, and our incredible daughters, Sienna and Winter. I have managed and owned a couple of businesses, the main one in London which was a fine foods import and distribution company - we imported products from Italy and France (specializing in espresso coffee) and supplied restaurants and hotels across the UK. I have done a lot of travel in my life, first to adventure, then to follow my husband around the world as he competed, and then living and working in Europe. Embrace is my debut novel and has just been released in stores across the US and Canada. Yay! Until the last couple of years my love of writing has been a private passion, one I never considered a possibility to pursue. I'll never know exactly why I opened my laptop that day sitting at my kitchen counter, but I will be eternally grateful I did! 


2.   What do you enjoy most about being an author?
Storytelling. I get such a buzz out of coming up with a complete story that I believe in and want to share with people.


3.   Who were your biggest influences?
I always say CS Lewis, but the truth is I've read so many books and they all influence me in one way or another. You never stop learning.


4.   Why did you start writing?
At the time, I was reading a lot. Obsessively. I'd just had my youngest daughter and we had moved back to Australia after living in the UK for 6 years. It was the first time in my life I wasn't working full-time and when I actually had a minute to think about what I wanted to do, well, I opened my laptop and started writing. It wasn't a plan. I hadn't considered it could be a new career. I just knew I really wanted to see if I could write a good story.


5.   If you could have a different career instead of being a writer, what would it be?
I did have a different career and I really loved it, so I feel confident when I say, I have no desire to be anything other than a writer (I love it that much!!)


6.   When and how did you get the idea for Embrace?
The idea for Embrace came on that same day. It started with simply writing a scene - an introduction to the main characters and discovering who they were. From there, I knew I wanted to write a story that was based on choice and consequence. This is often at the heart of coming of age stories - I just wanted to delve deeper. The concept of angels worked brilliantly for this as they are often caught up in the predetermined destiny vs freewill debates. And then the research began and the story took shape.


7.   What's your favorite animal?
Horses


8.   Favorite color?
Orange


9.   Favorite candy?
Anything chewy. I love toffee.


10.   Favorite season?
Winter


11.   What can we expect from the next book in this series?

The next books see Violet learning more about who she is and the people around her. With many answers come more questions and the only thing she is sure of is that if she wants to survive and protect the people she loves, she is going to have to fight. Hard. 

In Entice, out Sept 2012, Violet travels to Jordan in search of something that could tilt the balance of light and dark in the world forever. More secrets are revealed, enemies are made, and new characters arrive. Entice really ups the ante in terms of Violet's role in the greater fight and she is also forced to face some matters of the heart she is not sure she wants to.

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~Giveaway~

Ok, so today I've decided to give away my ARC copy of Embrace, by Jessica Shirvington.  It is in ARC format, so I hope you don't mind.  I have read the copy I am giving away but don't worry, it's in perfect condition.  Please read all the rules carefully and feel free to comment below! :)

MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FOLLOWING RULES VERY CAREFULLY!!

The Rules:

1. There will be one winner. 
2. Giveaway ends on March 29, 2012 @ 11:59 p.m.
3. Must be a GFC follower
4. Must be 13 or older.
5. US resident.  If you're not, no entry (sorry).
6. Fill out the form.

Thanks so much for stopping by and looking in on my first ever blog tour.  It means a lot to me and I really hope you enjoyed it.  Feel free to comment below if you have any pointers or are just feeling talkative :P
Huge thanks to Jessica Shirvington for answering all my questions and for asking me to be a part of this tour in the first place.  You're the best! :)

Review: Fracture

Author: Megan Miranda
Pages: 262
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4/5

Summery:
Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

Review:

This book is unlike any book I've ever read before.  It's different, and I love that.  It's thought-provoking and I will never forget it.

The idea is amazing.  Just amazing.  How did Miranda come up with this?!  It is a completely awesome, original idea, and I love it.  The story line was really good, and the writing topped it off and made it an all-around solid book.  It really makes you think, and I can pretty much guarantee I will never forget it.  The ending was really good, albeit a little weird, and totally sad.  But I think it was the right ending for this book.

I loved Decker.  Oh my god.  *swoon*.  I felt like screaming at my book JUST TELL HER YOU LOVE HER!! multiple times, and I almost did a few times ;p.  He was so sweet and caring, and gosh...I love him!!
Now I'll flip that around and say I hate Troy.  What the heck is his problem?  He's mean, delusional, and has a mixed up view of justice.  I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate him.
And then there's Delaney.  I love her.  She's strong, doesn't take any crap, and really tried to make what happened to her into a positive (unlike Troy).  She really cared, and I really appreciate that.

Anyone who reads this book will be left with the question "If you had one day left to live, what would you do?" and they will be thinking for a long time afterwards.

Review: Bloodrose

Author: Andrea Cremer

Series: Nightshade #3
Pages: 406

Format: Hardcover
Rating: 5/5

Summery:
Calla has always welcomed war.

But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamanble horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

Review:
I'm kind of sad this is the last book in the Nightshade series because I actually really enjoyed it.  But I'm also glad I finished it because I got to read Wolfsbane (which I loved) and this book, so it's kind of bitter-sweet.

I have to admit, this book has one of the best story lines I've seen in a while.  There were twist and turns, things I didn't even see coming, and the ending was great.  But it was also really sad (I won't tell).  It had great writing, great action, and another thing I loved about it was the love-triangle.  I know, I know I always say I hate love triangles, but sometimes the book really needs it to make it exciting, and I feel like the love-triangle was perfect for this book.  But what I really liked, and I think Andrea Cremer is a genius for doing this, is Calla putting a hold on both her relationships with Ren and Shay.  It really kept you captivated because she kind of went from one boy to the other, sneaking a private moment, and I LOVED it.

Coming into this book I was totally Team Ren.  I hated Shay because he was so possessive and he just wasn't as sexy as Ren.  But as I read I started liking Shay more and more, until they were about even.  Ren is so sexy and caring, and he really, really loves Calla.  With Shay, I didn't really get those vibes.  But I'm so sad the love-triangle ended like it did (let's just say there wasn't a third person to make it a triangle).

Although I wasn't a huge fan of Nightshade, and Wolfsbane was better, I think that Bloodrose is the best of the series.  And I'm so glad I own it so I can go back and read it again and again whenever I want.

ARC Review + Giveaway: Rivals

Author: Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur
Series: The Ivy #3
Pages: 365
Format: ARC
Source: Greenwillow
Rating: 2.5/5

Summery:
Decisions, decisions . . .

You’ve survived your first semester and captured the interest of not one but two of the hottest guys on campus.

Now who are you going to choose?

Callie Andrews returns for her second semester at Harvard determined to do better than the previous fall, where those Bs on her report card seemed pretty good compared to the state of her extracurriculars (F, as in if at first you don’t succeed, you should probably stop trying), friendships (C-minus, since she and former BFF Vanessa are still on thin ice), and love life (D, as in don’t even go there). But various campus rivalries soon threaten to thwart Callie’s resolve. Will Callie ever be a match for—

Grace Lee
the take-no-prisoners managing editor

Alessandra
the gorgeous transfer student

Clint
the guy who might just be too perfect

and Gregory
the guy who may never be perfect enough.

Callie will face some of the toughest choices imaginable: in friendships, in loyalties, and in love. The pressure to pick a side—and a suitor—has never been higher. But will she and her friends choose well?

Review:
I will admit, I don't like books like this.  I didn't even ask for an ARC of it, Greenwillow just sent me one (THANKS!!).  I haven't read the first two books, I didn't understand what was going on.  I didn't like it enough to give it 3 stars, I was going to give it 2, but then I read the ending.  And you know what I always say about the endings. :)

It was a good idea, don't get me wrong.  But I just didn't like it.  It's totally no one's fault but mine because I just don't like these kinds of books in general.  The plot was good, the idea was good, it had a lot of things going on and a complex plot (which Kunze and Onur still made understandable, and I totally give them credit for that), but the writing was okay.  Again, I just don't like these kinds of books.  It's no one's fault but mine.  I did laugh at a couple things and there were parts that I thought were really imaginative and funny.  The handcuffs I though were a really good idea (I won't tell you any more, you have to read the book :P).

A strong female character is always crucial for me, and I don't feel like Callie fits that description.  I can totally understand her being with Clint, but the things she did before that, I just don't understand, and I don't think a REAL strong female would have done them.
In the beginning, I adored Clint.  He was totally swoon-worthy.  Then came the end.  And let's just say, I hate him now. (Read the book :P)
Gregory was okay for me, not especially hot or swoon-worthy.
I really, really liked Mimi and Vanessa, though.  They were funny, strong, and, to be honest, I liked them more than I liked Callie.

All in all, not my favorite book, but I'm sure that if I liked chic-lit I would love this book.

Huge thanks to Greenwillow for sending me an ARC of this book when I didn't even ask for it. :)

And another huge thanks to Isabella on Goodreads for telling me what the rest of the series was about because, to be honest, I didn't have a clue what was going on.  Thanks dalin' :P
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!! :)

Today I'm going to giveaway ONE ARC COPY of Rivals, by Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur.  I have read the edition I am giving away and it is in perfect condition.  Please read all the rules below very carefully.  Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my review, and I hope you enter my giveaway.  Feel free to comment below!! :)

Rivals, by Lauren Kunze & Rina Onur

MAKE SURE YOU READ THE FOLLOWING RULES VERY CAREFULLY!!

The Rules:

1. There will be one winner. 
2. Giveaway ends on February 29, 2012 @ 11:59 p.m.
3. Must be a GFC follower
4. Must be 13 or older.
5. US resident.  If you're not, no entry (sorry).
6. The winner WILL have to pay for shipping via PayPal.
7. Fill out the form.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR READING MY REVIEW AND ENTERING!!  FEEL FREE TO COMMENT BELOW, TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!! :):):)

ARC Review: Where it Began

Author: Ann Redisch Stampler

Pages: 369
Format: ARC
Source: Simon Pulse (Thanks Ann)
Rating: 3.8/5

Summery:
Sometimes the end is just the beginning.

Gabby lived under the radar until her makeover. Way under. but when she started her senior year as a blonder, better-dressed version of herself, she struck gold: Billy Nash believed she was a the flawless girl she was pretending to be. The next eight months with Billy were bliss...Until the night Gabby woke up on the ground next to the remains of his BMW without a single memory of how she got there.
And Billy's nowhere to be found.
All Gabby wants is to make everything perfect again. But getting her life back isn't difficult, it's impossible. Because nothing is the same, and Gabby's beginning to realize she's missed more than a few danger signs along the way.
It's time for Gabby to face the truth, even if it means everything changes.
Especially if it means everything changes.

Review:
I've always believed that the ending of a book is the deciding factor as to whether it's a meh book or a good book.  This book was gearing up to be a meh book, but then ther was the ending.  And it completely changed my mind.

This was a good idea from the start, and while the writing wasn't the best I've ever seen, it was still a pretty good book.  It had a really, really good story line and the staging was amazing.  And the ending.  Wow.  Don't even get me started.  It has got to be the best ending ever.  And I've read a lot of books with really good endings.  But it wouldn't have been that great it Stampler hadn't staged it in the very beginning of the book, and you have to give her full credit for that.

In most of the books I've read, I usually like the moms.  In this one, I have to completely opposite feeling.  I hated Lexi's mom.  All she cared about was Lexi looking good and being popular.  Even when she was in the freaking hospital her mom wasn't worried about her, she was worried about people seeing her.  And while I will admit that Lexi did screw up pretty bad, she still deserves better than that.
Even with her obvious issues, I still really like Lexi.  She screwed up, and now she's trying to fix it, and I really respect her for that.
Now, if you have a severe aversion to hate, you might not want to read this next part.  Because I hate Billy more than I have hated anything in this world.  He is the perfect example of a boy you want to stay away from. He is the meanest, most controlling, self-centered *********** **** ********** **** I've ever seen (I didn't actually swear, I just held down the key randomly :P)

All in all, a pretty good YA debut.  This book really produced feelings I haven't felt in a while, pretty much the negative kind, because there are some characters in here I don't like at all.

Huge thanks to Ann Stampler for sticking with me when I was bugging her for an ARC of this book.  I really appreciate it and thanks so much. :):):)

Review: Destiny's Fire

Author: Trisha Wolfe

Source: Trisha Wolfe (thanks a million!!)

Rating: 4/5

Summery:
It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

Review:
I usually don't like books with love triangles in them because it lowers my opinion of the main girl character, but in this book it really worked.

I really liked this book.  There was action from page one, beautiful writing, and, of course, the love triangle.  I usually despise books with love triangles in them, but it totally worked for this book.  However, if it had just been the love triangle and nothing else going on, I don't think I would have liked it half as much as I do, so a tip of the hat to Trisha Wolfe for writing it like that.

In the love triangle there are three people: Jace, Reese, and Dez.  Of the two guys, I honestly can't decide which I like best.
On one hand, Reese is super hot and totally swoon-worthy.  But it was like a sea-saw with him: I loved him, I hated his guts, I loved him.  Maybe that's why I like him so much though.
I also really like Jace.  He is also super hot but not as swoon worthy.  I don't know what it was, maybe the fact that he's like a slobbering guard dog when it comes to Dez, but he came across a little creepy.  I like him less than Reese, but it's still really close.
And, last but not least, I like Dez.   I didn't mind that she had two guys going at one time because she didn't go back and forth, back and forth between the two.  She picked one and stuck to him.  Mostly.  I won't give away too much because you have to read it.:p  I also liked that she was a strong female character and actually did something in the book.
This character isn't huge in this book, but I also like Lana.  She was so cool and supportive, I would totally love her as a BFF.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what Trisha Wolfe comes up with next.

Huge thanks to Trisha Wolfe for sending me a copy for review of this book.  It was totally awesome and I really appreciate it.  THANKS!!!

ARC Review: Social Suicide

Author: Gemma Halliday

Series: Deadly Cool #2

Format: ARC
Source: Gemma Halliday
Rating: 5/5

Summery:
Twittercide [twit-er-sahyd]: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper's brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went...a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH's resident body finder, I'm stuck trying to prove that Sydney's death wasn't suicide.

I'm starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos...

Review:
Wow.  This book is amazing.  I don't usually like mystery books, but this book is something special.  It's hard to write long reviews for books you love so this one will probably be super short.

I loved it.  That's really all I can say.  It had a great story line, was hilarious, and the writing was amazing.  The characters were great, it all worked perfectly together.  In Deadly Cool I wrote in my review that the motive for the killer was kind of lame.  Well, this one wasn't.  It was a great motive, and I loved the ending.  The rescue of Hartley was great too.  I won't say too much because you all have to read it. Some of my favorite parts in the book is when she gets all dressed up because she thinks Chase asked her out.:p

I loved Hartley.  She was funny, kick-ass, and smart.
I think I have a crush on Chase.  He's cute, sexy, and totally swoon-worthy.  The whole book I felt like yelling "Ask Hartley out!!"
I know this character isn't huge in this book, but he was just so funny I have to mention him.  I loved Connor.  He was so funny, stuck-up, and clueless.  I loved that Gemma Halliday wrote him like that.

All in all, I absolutely love this series.  It's my favorite of all time and I really hope Gemma Halliday writes another book for it.

Huge thanks to Gemma Halliday for sending me a pdf of this book.  I really appreciate it.  It's one of my favorites ever. :)