{Review} Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Apollyon
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Covenant #4
Pages: 344
Release Date: April 4, 2013
by Spencer Hill Press

Goodreads / Purchase

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex. Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back. The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries. Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

*A copy was provided by Spencer Hill Press for review purposes*

Crap on a cracker!  Holy daimon babies!  What an epic book!

Needless to say, I’ve gotten over the fact that this series is very similar to Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy books.  In fact, I might like this series a tiny bit more.  This book is a combination of everything I love in a book: snarky characters, smoking hot guys, kick-ass fighting, good writing, and a fast-paced story line.  This book started right where book three, Deity, ended, and I couldn’t really remember what had happened, so I was bit lost at the beginning of this book.  JLA didn’t explain what had happened it the previous books so I didn’t really have a clue, but I kind of hate it when authors describe every little thing that had happened in the previous books, so I was okay with being clueless.  I really loved JLA’s writing style.  It was, in a word, sassy.  I literally was laughing my head off at some of the things she wrote, including those to morsels of hilarity above.  I love her sense of humor!  The staging was perfect, the story line was fast-paced, the fight scenes were very well described, and romance finished it off perfectly.  The romantic scenes (if you know what I mean) could best be described as sizzling, but how else could you describe them when Aiden is involved right?  I also really liked the ending, even though it wasn’t really a conventional ending.  It’s like the lull before the storm, and JLA set up the fifth and final book in this series to be one hell of a thriller!

Because of this book, Alex has become my new favorite female character – EVER!  There are no words to describe her.  She was completely kick-ass, snarky, defiant, didn’t take any crap, annoying (but in a good way.  She was good at getting on people’s nerves in the book, and it was hilarious to read), funny, and just freaking awesome.  Can I please be her?  Please please please please please!?  Of course, if I’m her, I also get Aiden.  Aiden Aiden Aiden – sex-god extraordinaire, smoking hot, kick-ass, sweet, nice, sexy…I could really go on and on forever and I still wouldn’t be able to describe how freaking attractive Aiden is.

The main reasons I like this series better than Vampire Academy would have to be JLA’s hilarious writing style and Alex and Aiden.  Those three things make this series what it is, and what it is is awesome.  So there!

5 pink flowers

Favorite Quotes ah la Alex: 

I rolled my eyes, finishing off the burger.  Rummaging around in the bag, I pulled out an extra-large order of fries.  With all the exercise I was getting, my escape would involve me rolling out of here.

~Page 32, uncorrected ARC edition

No matter how convoluted my life got, one thing remained consistent—my hair looked like a baby opossum had taken refuge in it, invited friends over, and thrown a party.

~Page 64, uncorrected ARC edition

Now I was in full internal whine mode.

~Page 92, uncorrected ARC edition

“Alex,” Aiden snapped…” I also doubt Apollo meant for your mouth to be the only thing getting a workout.”

~Page 93, uncorrected ARC edition

I flipped the dagger in my right hand.  “It’s called being awesome and it worked.”

~Page 94, uncorrected ARC edition

The bathroom door opened and Aiden filled the doorway.  Lit by the soft glow of the light behind him, he was a study of shadowy contrast – shirtless and wearing only a pair of pajama bottoms that hung low on his hips.  That didn’t help my heart or breathing problem.

(See, I told you Aiden was freaking sexy!)

~Page 98, uncorrected ARC edition

Apollo dropped the necklace into my palm.  “Ha,” I said.  “It’s like Harry Potter and the invisibility cloak.”

Everyone stared at me.

I rolled my eyes.  “Whatever.  So I’m invisible if I wear this.”

~Page 139, uncorrected ARC edition

(So, for the record, Alex was like shaking her leg up and down because she was bored.  Plus, I TOTALLY DO THIS!!)

Apollo smacked a hand down on my leg.  “Must you always be moving some part of your body?”

I glared at him and not-so-gently removed his hand.  “It’s not hurting you,” I said.

“It’s annoying.”

“You’re annoying,” I shot back.

(Ah, classic Alex)

~Page 141, uncorrected ARC edition

Me?  The girl who pretty much said F.U. to everything, especially Fate.

~Page 262, uncorrected ARC edition

Damn.  Aiden was a badass ninja.

~Page 266, uncorrected ARC edition

I squared my shoulders.  “Release the Kraken!”

Several sets of eyes settled on me.

“What?” I gave a lopsided shrug.  “I’ve always wanted to yell that since I saw the movie.  Seemed like the perfect moment.”

~Page 275, uncorrected ARC edition

Waiting on Wednesday #61

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:

Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Goodreads / Pre-Order

Publisher: Viking (an imprint of Penguin)

Release Date: June 18, 2013

Anne Boleyn is the odd girl out. Newly arrived to the court of King Henry VIII, everything about her seems wrong, from her clothes to her manners to her witty but sharp tongue. So when the dashing poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach her on how to shine at court—and to convince the whole court they’re lovers—she accepts. Before long, Anne’s popularity has soared, and even the charismatic and irresistible king takes notice. More than popularity, Anne wants a voice—but she also wants love. What began as a game becomes high stakes as Anne finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between her heart’s desire and the chance to make history.

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Link me up!!!

A Few Recent Cover Reveals!

Starry Nights
by Daisy Whitney
Pages: ----
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: September 3, 2013
by Bloomsbury

Goodreads / Pre-Order

Seventeen-year-old Julien is a romantic—he loves spending his free time at the museum poring over the great works of the Impressionists. But one night, a peach falls out of a Cezanne, Degas ballerinas dance across the floor, and Julien is not hallucinating.

The art is reacting to a curse that trapped a beautiful girl, Clio, in a painting forever. Julien has a chance to free Clio and he can't help but fall in love with her. But love is a curse in its own right. And soon paintings begin to bleed and disappear. Together Julien and Clio must save the world's greatest art . . . at the expense of the greatest love they've ever known.

Like a master painter herself, Daisy Whitney brings inordinate talent and ingenuity to this romantic, suspenseful, and sophisticated new novel. A beautifully decorated package makes it a must-own in print.

The Iron Traitor

by Julie Kagawa

Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2
Pages: 304

Format: Paperback

Release Date: October 22, 2013

by HarlequinTeen

Goodreads / Pre-Order

IN THE REAL WORLD, WHEN YOU VANISH INTO THIN AIR FOR A WEEK, PEOPLE TEND TO NOTICE
After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

Well, those are the new covers!  What do you guys think of them.  Personally I don't think either of them are awesome, but I like The Iron Traitor's cover better.  Starry Nights' cover is kind of plain.  BUT ANYWAY - WHICH ONE DO YOU GUYS LIKE????

US vs UK #12 + Emily's Ramblings #2

US vs UK is a meme hosted by Book Passion for Life.  In this meme, I will post a US and UK cover from the same book, and you guys will vote which one you like best.

_________________________________________________

The Score:

US: 9 UK: 0 Draw: 2

Hysteria by Megan Miranda

  VS   

My Vote:

This is a close one, but I think I like the UK cover better.  The US cover is kind of weird, but I like how the UK cover has much more going on, what with the blood splotches, the awesome tag-line, and the face on the cover.

Links: Goodreads / Purchase

Which cover do you like best?

Leave a comment to vote!

__________________________________________


Last week's winner was...US!
Click here to view last week's covers!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Emily's Ramblings *drumroll*

So this Emily’s Ramblings post I wanted to talk a bit more about moi – me.  You know, what I do, what I like, about me, that kind of thing.  So, let’s go.

I’ve gone through a lot of phases in my life where I know everything there is to know about the subject (I went through a Queen Elizabeth I phase, a dinosaur phase, a Jeremy Renner phase (still in that one actually)).  Now I’m going through a movie phase.  I’ve become absolutely obsessed with them, because I have no life and nothing better to do than park my butt on the couch with some ice cream and watch movies all weekend long.  I treat movie actors like I treat authors: oh, yeah, this Channing Tatum was in so so and so movie, and J.K. Rowling also wrote so and so book.  I recognize a ton of different actors and actresses when they are in different movies.  My favorite actor/actress at the moment is Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence (thanks to The Avengers and The Hunger Games).

My two most favorite movies are Avatar and The Hurt Locker.  I must, must, must see The Host, Hansel and Gretel, and G.I. Joe Retaliation.  So, yeah, obsessed.

I also like listening to music sometimes.  I really love a few of Weezer’s songs (how many of you even know who Weezer is?).  Troublemaker is my anthem.

I also play soccer.  For you soccer players/lovers out there my team plays a 3-5-2, with a holding mid and two attaching mids in a triangle formation in the center, with a right and left mid.  I play right attacking mid :)

Hey, did you guys know that there’s for sure going to be an Avengers 2, and also a Hansel and Gretel 2?  I’m so excited.  I think what I might do for future Emily’s Ramblings posts is split it up into sections.  Maybe Randomness, then Movies, then I don’t know what.

Do any of you guys watch a show on BBC called Top Gear?  It’s a car show, and I’m totally not interested in cars, but this show is amazing.  It’s about these three British guys who absolutely love cars, and they’re best friends, and they test and review cars and do challenges with them.  They prank each other and are freaking hilarious.  And does anyone watch Survivor?  I love Survivor.  TEAM MALCOLM all the way!!

So I went to a soccer camp this week.  I could barely walk when I was done I was so sore.  It was just me and another girl there, and like 6 other guys my age, so I spent 3 hours a day getting beat up lol.  Not really though.  I haven’t really had time for reading.  I’m kind of in a slump right now.  I’m really intimidated by the size of my TBR pile lol.

Okay, well, I’m done for this week.

  Please don’t forget to vote on which cover you like best from above!! :)

Hunted Blog Tour Stop

Hey everyone!  Today I'm super excited to be a spot on the Hunted Blog Tour, hosted by the awesome Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.  I was originally supposed to post a review, but since it's taking me a while to get through this one instead I'm going to be posting an excerpt and giveaway!

And by the way, does anyone else think that the guy on the cover looks like Liam Hemsworth?  Is it just me??

Hunted

by Ednah Walters
Series: Guardian Legacy #3
Pages: 276
Release Date: April 2, 2013
by Spencer Hill Press

Goodreads / Purchase

Bran and Lil may have escaped an attempt to lure Lil to the dark side, and recovered the contracts damned people signed with Bran when he was a soul collector, but someone forgot to tell them that no one switches sides or cancels contracts without consequences. Hunted by an unknown but powerful enemy, Lil, Bran and the Guardians must seek help from unlikely sources to avert total annihilation of the Guardians. When they finally face their enemy, one of them may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Excerpt

The clang of metal hitting metal pierced the air and mixed with screams, hisses, and screeches. Thuds shook the ground, each like a slap at my psyche.

I tried to move and search for the sources of these sounds, but my body stayed frozen. My arms and mind were at odds too. I tried to reach for my dagger with little result. Frustration roiled through me. My toes curled and sank in the sand, the only proof that I was standing at the beach, that all of this was real. My eyes moved too, thank goodness.

Still, I couldn’t tell where I was or whether the others were with me or not. The shadows pressed heavy on my senses. After months of drawing strength from energies around me, I was being sucked into a hole where nothing existed. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see a single energy. My fear of darkness returned.

I closed my eyes, resorting to my old way of sensing things. Nothing.

Sighing, I opened my eyes and searched through the darkness for hope, anything. I opened my mouth to call to the others, but either the din swallowed the sound or I couldn’t produce any. Maybe I didn’t even open my mouth.

A movement appeared from the corner of my eyes then something shiny reflected light as it sliced the air. More appeared, the sound of metal against metal growing louder. Squinting, I studied them and realization dawned. There were weapons, swords and daggers thrusting and slicing. A battle raged around me and all I could do was watch, helpless and confused.

Bran? Remy?Sykes?Izzy? Kim? What’s going on? Can you guys hear me?

Once again, my telepathic questions went unanswered.I squinted, trying to see if my friends were among the fighters, but I couldn’t see faces, just silhouettes against a starless sky.Who’s out there? Where am I?

My senses threatened to explode from the echoes of pain and death. Bodies fell from the sky. Something sticky dripped on my arms, my head and face. Blood. Even in the darkness, I knew it. I smelled it. Swallowing, I tried to move again. Somebody help me, I screamed.

Tiny flakes fluttered down from the sky and fell on my head and on top of the bodies on the ground. No, not snowflakes.Feathers. Downy ones and larger ones, like the ones covering Bran’s wings. Guardians were being slaughtered.

Bran?Remy? I called to them again and again, but it was useless.

They are here and you must stop them, a woman’s voice, faint but sweet, broke through the murkiness.With it came light so brilliant I closed my eyes against the glare.

Who? I asked, opening my eyelids and squinting.

The Tribe…. The deafening resonance swallowed the rest of her words, yet I still couldn’t see anything, not the source of the voice or the light.

Tribe? What tribe?

Faint words followed. I strained to hear her with little success. Then her voice grew audible. Fight back or they’ll win again.There was a familiar lilt to it, yet I couldn’t place it. Don’t make my sacrifices be for nothing.

The screams, now jarring chords like a choir singing out of sync, rose again. More dead wingless bodies floated to the ground, arms flailing, the thud as they landed on the ones already on the ground sickening. I watched helplessly as a black hole appeared on the ground and sucked them away. It beckoned to me, offering solace and refuge. Just one step and I’d be free of this nightmare. Just one step.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour

April 3rd
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Guest Post
Forbidden Passion Reviews – Interview
Forever Young Adult – Interview

April 4th
A Diary of a Book Addict – Review
Amethyst Daydreams – Review
Blkosiner’s Book Blog – Guest Post

April 5th
Reading After Midnight – Review
The Book Pixie – Review
Curling Up With A Good Book – Interview

April 6th
JeanBookNerd – Spotlight
Insane About Books – Review

April 7th
Cuzinlogic – Interview
Emily’s Crammed Bookshelf - Review

April 8th
Reader Girls – Review
These Words Tell a Story - Spotlight
The Eclectic Review – Review

April 9th
Leisure Reads – Excerpt
A Life Bound by Books – Review
Reading with the Dark – Review

April 10th
Me & Reading – Review
My Paranormal Review – Excerpt

April 11th
Always YA at Heart – Review
Books Complete Me – Review
Lovely Reads – Interview or Guest Post

April 12th
Julia Antonovich Reece – Interview or Guest Post
Book Worm Brandy – Review
The FirstLink – Interview or Guest Post

April 13th
Recent Reads – Review
Beauty Brite – Interview or Guest Post

April 14th
Walking on Bookshelves – Review & Guest Post
Books4Tomorrow – Exceprt

April 15th
Just a Booklover – Review
Army Wife’s Reviews – Review
Bookworm Lisa – Interview or Guest Post

April 16th
Margay Leah Justice – Review
Book Fanatics – Review
My Bookish Fairy Tale – Spotlight

April 17th
Magical Manuscripts – Review
Tribute Books – Excerpt
Sweeping Me – Spotlight

April 18th
Literary Sweet – Review
Mythical Books – Review

April 19th
Spellbindings – Excerpt
Must Read Faster – Review
From the Bootheel Cotton Patch – Spotlight

Debut Author Caela Carter Interview

Welcome to the blog, Caela Carter!! :)

Debut author Caela Carter offered to do an interview for today to promote her book, Me, Him, Them, and It, which was published by Bloombury in February.  Please give Caela Carter a warm welcome!!

~Her Awesome Debut Book~

Me, Him, Them, and It

by Caela Carter

Pages: 320

Release Date: February 26, 2013

by Bloomsbury

Goodreads / Purchase

ME is Evelyn Jones, 16, a valedictorian hopeful who's been playing bad girl to piss off THEM, her cold, distant parents. HIM is Todd, Evelyn's secret un-boyfriend, who she thought she was just using for sex - until she accidentally fell in love with him. But before Evelyn gets a chance to tell Todd how she feels, something much more important comes up. IT. IT is a fetus. Evelyn is pregnant - and when Todd turns his back on her, Evelyn has no idea who to turn to. Can a cheating father, a stiff, cold mother, a pissed-off BFF, and a (thankfully!) loving aunt with adopted girls of her own help Evelyn make the heart-wrenching decisions that follow?

~Get to know Caela Carter~

Bio:

Caela Carter was raised in Basking Ridge, NJ and Baltimore, MD. She's been writing since she learned how to pick up a pen but before the writing thing got serious she spent six years teaching English to middle and high school students in Jacksonville, FL and Chicago, IL. Her debut novel, ME, HIM, THEM AND IT will be published in 2013 by Bloomsbury. When she's not writing, Caela is a middle school librarian in Harlem, a Notre Dame football enthusiast, and a happy explorer in New York City.

Connect:

Goodreads | Website 

~Her Interview~

1. Why did you decide to become a writer?

I honestly think it was instinct. Recently, someone asked me when I first thought I'd like to be a writer and the answer is that I was so young that I don't remember. So, I asked my mother how old I was when I first started talking about wanting to write books and she said that even she doesn't remember. It's just what I always wanted to do.

I will say, though, that despite the fact that writing has always been my goal, it took me a long time to pursue it in a serious way. I studied creative writing in college, but afterwards I became a teacher and didn't really focus on writing at all. Though it was what I wanted to do, I didn't think I'd ever actually be able to write something anyone would want to read. After several years, it got to the point that in not putting writing at the top of my Career Priority List I started to feel like I was living dishonestly. So, I began the MFA program in Writing for Children at The New School where I several like-minded writers who really helped me prioritize it. And the rest is history. :-)

2. Who were your biggest influences?

Hands down my biggest literary influence growing up was Cynthia Voigt. I read everything I could get my hand on when I was a kid and I was in love with reading long, long before I discovered Cynthia Voigt. But when I first picked up Come a Stranger I realized I'd found something different, something deep and wise and beautiful. I'm still completely in love with her books.

3. Where do you like to write?

I usually write at home. But I am most successful writing on trains. I don't know why, but am at least three times as productive on a train as I am anywhere sitting still.

4. Do you have a special routine you like to do before you write?

No! I really want a routine. I really want to be the type of writer who writes from this-time to this-time everyday, who always re-reads or never re-reads, who writes X number of words and then stops. Any routine, really. But, alas, I can't really make one work.

I try to write at least 1,000 words a day when I'm drafting, but some days I fail horribly, other days I write close to 10 times that much.

It seems like life gets in the way of routines, and I'm trying to be okay with that and enjoy it.

5. When and how did you get the idea for Me, Him, Them, and It?

Hmm...I have a really tough time with this question, particularly for this book. Everything else I've written, I kind of know where it came from. But this one was different.

It went like this: It was September 2010 and I had my first assignment due for my MFA program in a few days. I was working on a totally different project (which I feel like I'll keep on my back-burner forever and ever at this point) and I suddenly realized I wasn't ready for anyone to read it. It was too close to my heart and I had just met these classmates! Meanwhile, this angry, lonely teenager had taken up residence in the back of my brain. Her name was Evelyn. She had unruly red hair. She was totally confused about her place in her family. So, I sat down to see if I could write a few pages in her voice and it just kind of poured out. After about three sentences, she was pregnant, and her story went from there.

I didn't set out to write about teen pregnancy. I actually set out to write about family.

6. Is there another book in the works? If so, what can we expect?

Yes! I have a second book with Bloomsbury which should be hitting shelves in Spring 2014. I don't want to say too, too much about it quite yet, but it involves friends and ex-friends, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends, big life questions, and a few Greek Islands.

THIS OR THAT

1. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Love them both!

2. Cats or dogs?

Dogs, all the way! As soon as my husband and I agree on a breed, we'll get one. :-)

3. Hardcover, paperback or ebook?

I'll read them all, but I prefer them in that order.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE?

1. Movie?

I'm not too much of a movie person, but I love Judd Apatow-ish funny-with-a-dash-of-heartwarming stuff like Superbad or Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

2. Ice cream flavor?

Mint Chocolate chip! (Preferably with hot fudge to improve the chocolate-to-mint ratio.)

3. Animal?

Giraffes! They are so beautiful.

4. Book?

To Kill a Mockingbird

5. Actor and actress?

I don't have one of these. I tend to pay more attention to the fiction character than the actor.

6. Fictional character?

Aah! Of course you'd get me on this. There are so, so many I love. There's no way I could pick a fave!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY TODAY CAELA CARTER!  IT WAS A BLAST!! :)

Debut Author Laura Nowlin Interview

Welcome to the blog, Laura Nowlin!! :)

Debut author Laura Nowlin offered to do an interview for today to promote her book, If He Had Been With Me, which was published by Sourcebooks Fire at the beginning of the month.  Please give Laura Nowlin a warm welcome!!

~Her Awesome Debut Book~

If He Had Been With Me

by Laura Nowlin

Pages: 336

Release Date: April 1, 2013

by Sourcebooks Fire

Goodreads / Purchase

If he had been with me, he wouldn't have died. Throughout their whole childhood, Finn and Autumn were inseparable—they finished each other's sentences, they knew just what to say when the other person was hurting. But one incident in middle school puts them in separate social worlds come high school, and Autumn has been happily dating James for the last 2 years. But she's always wondered what if... The night she's about to get the answer is also one of terrible tragedy.

~Get to know Laura Nowlin~

Bio:

Laura Nowlin holds a B.A. in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Missouri StateUniversity. Her short stories have appeared in The Moon City Review and STEM. In addition to being ambitious writer Laura is also an avid reader who believes that books allow her to live many lives in one lifetime. When she isn’t at home agonizing over her own novels Laura works at the public library where the patrons give her plenty of inspiration for her writing. She lives in St. Louis with her musician husband, neurotic dog, and psychotic cat.

Connect:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter

~Her Interview~

1. Why did you decide to become a writer?

I'm not sure if I can say that I actually decided to become a writer, it was more a realization that I needed my life to be about writing, and that I had to pursue publication in order to be fulfilled. There is a quote that is often hotly debated in the writing community, "Writers are born, not made." That quote expresses my experience, but many other writers argue ( in well written, articulate essays) that writers can be made. In the end, I can only speak for myself.

2. Who were your biggest influences?

As a YA contemporary author, I have to say that I learned a lot from Sarah Dessen's Keeping the Moon.  More generally speaking, I deeply adore everything written by J.D.Salinger, and I can only wish to someday write like Miranda July or Catherine Valente.

3. Where do you like to write?

I have blocked off a tiny corner of my apartment with a desk facing the window. I've covered the walls there with things I find inspiring, pictures and quotes and little knick-knacks of special meaning. A close friend once pointed out that my desk resembles a shrine more than an office.

4. Do you have a special routine you like to do before you write?

I suppose that only thing I could call a routine is putting in my earbuds and pulling up itunes. I always listen to music while I write, it helps me to access the emotions I need.

5. When and how did you get the idea for If He Had Been with Me?

I dreamed the premise of If He had Been with Me. I woke up in the middle of the night, went to my office/shrine, wrote the first chapter, and went back to bed. It's rare for me to be struck so suddenly with inspiration, so I knew this was a story I really wanted to pursue.

6. Is there another book in the works? If so, what can we expect?

There is another book in the works, or really its kind of three different projects and I don't really know which is going to happen first. Trust me though, there will be another novel before too long.

This or That

1. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Hmmm...Dark chocolate, but it's a tough call, right?

2. Cats or dogs?

I own and love one of each, and I just can't chose between my babies!

3. Hardcover, paperback or ebook?

I love how ebooks are bringing out more readers, but I love the smell of paper and ink! Paperbacks are cheaper and are easier to fit in a purse, but if I really love a book then I want a heavy hardcover on my shelf.

Favorites

1. Movie?

Black Swan is my favorite movie, because it is a brilliantly crafted story that perfectly express the darker side of being an artist.

2. Ice cream flavor?

I'm gonna go with Cookie Dough, but that has more to do with my love of raw cookie dough than ice cream.

3. Animal?

My favorite animal always has been and always will be the Narwhal! If you don't know what a Narwhal is then I have amazing news for you: underwater unicorns are real!

4. Book?

I can't chose just one! Here's a quick list of the top if my head in no particular order. A Prayer for Owen Meany, Franny and Zooey, The Magicians, Berlin Blues, A Wrinkle in Time.... we could be here all day...

5. Actor and actress?

Huh, I guess I don't have one. Weird.

6. Fictional character?

One? Just one? Again? Okay...Hedda Gabler from Ibsen's play wins out, but only by a margin.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY TODAY LAURA NOWLIN!  IT WAS A BLAST!! :)

YADP Post: In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Young Adult Debut Promotions (YADP) is a post I do to help out debut authors, and to get them noticed.  My posts will definitely include a feature of the book, a feature of the author, and a giveaway, with an interview, guest post, or excerpt optional.  If you would like more information about YADP click here and scroll down until you come to the section talking about it.

Today I am featuring...


Cat Winters
And I will be doing a review and giveaway!

~The Book~

In the Shadow of Blackbirds

by Cat Winters

Pages: 400

Release Date: April 2, 2013
by Amulet

Goodreads / Purchase

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her? Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

*A copy was provided by Amulet for review purposes*

What a heartbreaking, breathtaking book!  Seriously, the feels from this book!  If I didn’t already know that Cat Winters was a debut novelist, I would have sworn on my life she was a seasoned writer with tons of award winning novels already published.  The way she wrote this book and manipulated the story line and characters was just mesmerizing.  Her writing was fluent and flowing, the story line was perfect, and the staging was absolutely superb.  She found a way to slip in little details that would be crucial later on in such a way that you didn’t have a clue it would affect the story until something big had already happened because of it, and then you think back and go “Oh, that’s what it was”.  The idea was just amazing for this book, and the way she introduced the setting and everything was just masterfully done.  I loved how history played a part in this book, and how there was a mystery aspect to this book.  The combination of romance, mystery, history, and hauntings was just superbly done.  I will say, though, that I guessed half of what happens in the end.  I was so invested and focused and into this book that I literally was yelling at the pages that for about 20 pages in the middle, and my dad had to come in and ask what was wrong.

The romance in this book could best be described as tragically beautiful.  It was heartbreaking to read about how much Mary and Stephen loved each other, but could never be together again.  I will say, I absolutely loved Mary.  From her name (her full name is Mary Shelley Black.  How awesome is that) to her personality, she was awesome.  She was head-strong, defiant, didn’t take any crap, and was completely kick-butt in her own way.  Stephen seemed like a really awesome guy, sweet, caring, and perfect.

Winters completely sucked me in from page one of this book and didn’t let me come up to breath until the very last page.  I was reading so intently that the TV didn’t even bother me, and I had the book pulled up closer to my face as if I could actually go into the pages.  This was such a beautifully written, tragically romantic, and well written novel, I can’t wait to see what Winters comes up with for her sophomore novel.

5 pink flowers

~Giveaway~

~There will be 1 winner

~Giveaway ends on April 15, 2013 @ 12:00 A.M.

~This giveaway is US/CAN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Get to know Cat Winters~

Bio:

Cat Winters was born and raised in Southern California, near Disneyland, which may explain her love of haunted mansions, bygone eras, and fantasylands. She received degrees in drama and English from the University of California, Irvine, and formerly worked in publishing. Her debut novel, IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS—a YA ghost tale set during the World War I era—is coming April 2, 2013, from Amulet Books/ABRAMS. She currently lives outside of Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.

Connect:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Thank you so much Cat for stopping by today!  It was a blast to have you on the blog!!!

Thanks for checking out this post!  If you could share it with a friend that would be really great.  The whole point of this post was to get an awesome debut author noticed, so if you could help that would be awesome!

Waiting on Wednesday #60

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:

Contaminated by Em Garner

Goodreads / Pre-Order

After the Contamination—an epidemic caused by the super-trendy diet drink SlimPro that turned ordinary citizens into violent, uncontrollable creatures—the government rounded up the “Connies” to protect the remaining population. Now, two years later, the rehabilitated are being allowed home, complete with shock collars that will either control, or kill, them.

Velvet Ellis has struggled to care for her ten-year-old sister since her parents were taken in the round up. When she finds her mother in one of the “Kennels,” Velvet resolves to do whatever it takes to put her family back together. But the danger isn’t over. It’s beginning all over again…

Gritty and grabbing, Velvet is a harrowing, emotionally charged novel for fans of Carrie Ryan and The Walking Dead.

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Link me up!!!

{Review} Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

Dance of Shadows
by Yelena Black
Series: Dance of Shadows #1
Pages: 447
Release Date: February 12, 2013
by Bloomsbury

Goodreads / Purchase

Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts… Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames… Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed…

*A copy was provided by Bloomsbury for review purposes*

Coming into this book I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I’m glad that I didn’t have very high expectations because I would have been even more disappointed than I am now.  What this book had was a bad case of bad-execution-ites.  The idea for this book was awesome, but the execution was not.  The writing was definitely not amazing, but the thing that really got me was the bad staging, and the lack of finesse when introducing new characters or situations.  The staging was way too obvious and easy, and the events were choppy and disconnected.  Vanessa had 4 best friends within 10 pages, and they were tight, tight, tight.  And the way they were introduced wasn’t very well done.  Also, this book had insta-love at it’s finest.  Not to mention, the guy dumped his then girlfriend to go with Vanessa.  Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t really like when that happens – in real life or in books.  The ending was pretty decent, but I think it was way to easy to overcome the evil and come up with a solution.  It wasn’t thrilling, it wasn’t very well done, and pretty much summed up the whole book: too sudden and lacking finesse.

I had a huge problem with this cast.  First off, Vanessa.  Who, as I mentioned earlier, stole another girl’s boyfriend.  Enough said.  She was annoying, weak, and clueless.  And boyfriend himself, Zep.  Ditto what I said about Vanessa.  He was annoying, controlling, mean, and a jerk.  There were so many things wrong with these two characters that they really shouldn’t have been written like this.

The only reason I’m not giving this book a big fat 1 star is the idea and the few bright moments in the book where things moved smoothly and the staging was good, and also because of the fact that the book was pretty well written, in the middle at least.

2 pink flowers

US vs UK #11 + Emily's Ramblings #1

US vs UK is a meme hosted by Book Passion for Life.  In this meme, I will post a US and UK cover from the same book, and you guys will vote which one you like best.

_________________________________________________

The Score:

US: 8 UK: 0 Draw: 2

Shattered Dreams by Ellie James

  VS   

My Vote:

I think I'm going to have to go with the US cover on this round.  I do like that there is a tag line on the UK cover, but I don't really like the model or the design.  The US cover is prettier and more well-done.

Links: Goodreads / Purchase

Which cover do you like best?

Leave a comment to vote!

__________________________________________


Last week's winner was...US!
Click here to view last week's covers!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Emily's Ramblings *drumroll*

Emily’s Ramblings is a weekly post I like to do where I basically ramble – a lot.  I talk about anything and everything!  I’m a teenaged girl so I might not keep the rambling strictly to books, but please just bear with me.  I have other interests than books and will be discussing them in these posts!

Who else really wants to see the Beautiful Creatures and The Host movies? *puts and up in the air and jumps around*.  Okay, who here has read both books? *puts hand down and cries in a corner*.  You got it folks – I HAVEN’T READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS!  I know, I know, it’s like a crime or something, but I just haven’t had time.  I’m actually more excited to read/watch The Host because Beautiful Creatures doesn’t appeal to me as much, and also because the main girl in The Host, Saoirse Ronan, was in this really awesome, kick-ass movie called Hanna and I absolutely LOVED it so I can’t wait to see The Host because I think it’s the only once she’s done since Hanna.  Those of you who have seen Hanna know the awesomeness and kick-ass-ness that is Saoirse Ronan.

Okay, so, something you guys have to know about me is I have a bit of a crush (haha, who am I kidding, I’m obsessed) on Jeremy Renner.  He’s been in The Hurt Locker, The Avengers, The Bourne Legacy, and Hansel and Gretel.  And he has other ones that I haven’t seen yet.  I’ve seen the first three but not Hansel and Gretel and I really, really want to see it!  He is a really, really awesome actor!  He’s really kick-butt and omg his arms are huge and ugh.  Okay, sorry.  Teenager things.  Anyway, have you guys seen any of his movies?

Also, speaking of movies, I am completely OBSESSED with The Avengers.  I’ve seen it so many times that I can actually quote whole scenes.  I took an Avengers quote test and I got 100%.  Not kidding.  I know, I know, I’m such a nerd, but the movie is just so awesome.  And I like watching all the Hawkeye scenes.  And the cast that they have is the best I’ve ever seen – it’s just such an awesome group of people who have great personalities and goof around and ahhh, it’s just amazing. (If you want to see the bloopers from the movie YouTube “Avengers gag reel”.  You will die laughing).

Lately I’ve become super-addicted to Instagram.  I absolutely love it.  I follow a ton of other awesome book bloggers, but I’ve also found some Hunger Games and Avengers accounts that I absolutely love!  Seriously, what did I do with my life before I found Instagram?  And now I want to make a cool account like everyone else’s but I can’t because I don’t know how to edit and stuff.  And I really want Instagram to let people download pictures onto their phone like Tumbrl does, because I “like” a ton of pictures every day, and I really, really love a few and want to keep them but I can’t.  So I lose them :/

How was everyone’s Easter?  My mom withheld candy (oh, I’m sorry, the Easter Bunny) so I scouted out where she put the bag with all the candy in it and stole some.  *evil laugh*.  But she’ll know it was me because I’m always taking cookies and candy.  And I’m proud of it lol.

Okay so I hope that was a good first rambling post, and hopefully the first of many.  I’ll try to write one every Monday!  And again, I might not keep the stuff to just books, because I’m a teenager and I’m going to be going through teenage stuff (like thinking every single actor I ever see is the hottest man on earth lol), and I’m homeschooled and don’t really have many friends so I’m going to be gushing to you guys.  So deal with it.  Just kidding.  But you probs will be getting an earful.

And I’ll probably be talking about movies and actors most of the time, which, I personality think, is a good change from books every single day.  Adds some variety in. :)