Sunday, November 25, 2012

Blog Tour: Excerpt from Eternal Hope by Frankie Rose


I'm so happy to be a part of the Blog Tour for Frankie Rose's second book, and sequel to her first, Eternal Hope! I fell in love with her story and her characters when I read Sovereign Hope in the summer.

You are in for a treat today, my friends. Frankie has offered up an excerpt from Eternal Hope for your reading pleasure, and let me tell you, it's a good one.

Unbelievable. Totally unbelievable. He was a nightmare. Farley charged over to the view of the city below, surging and throbbing to a rhythm that could only be heard on the other side of the glass. The metropolis, like any other night, was a living, breathing, ugly, beautiful thing. “Coward,” she whispered.

Daniel’s reflection approached her quietly from behind, his face serious and sharp. He wound his arms around her waist and rested his chin gently on her shoulder. “I am a coward. But only when it comes to you.”

“Well, don’t be. The thought of you with someone else makes me feel physically sick but I’m not a child. I’m not stupid. You’re ancient. Of course there have been people before me, Cassie included.” Farley re-focused her eyes, not wanting to look at the intense expression on his face; instead, she concentrated on the dark outlines of the high rises, lit sporadically against the darkness. Daniel’s arms fell slack from around her, and his hands came to rest on her hips.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he murmured, pressing his face into her hair. He hooked his thumbs under her shirt and rubbed them in slow circles over the base of her spine. She shivered, fighting with herself. It was hard to be angry when he was so close, when the smell of him flooded her senses.

“Then tell me,” she demanded, placing her hands behind her over his. His thumbs stopped working over her skin.

“There was someone. Once,” he whispered.

Farley narrowed her eyes, intending to zero in on the Daniel in the glass again. Before she could see what his face was doing, though- whether he looked awkward or uncomfortable- she caught sight of her own reflection. Backlit from the room behind, she looked pallid and washed out. Her clenched jaw made her look tired and hard. Suddenly she wished she hadn’t pushed it. There was no way she wanted to hear about this. “Stop. Don’t. It...it doesn’t matter.”

“No.” He shook his head, softly brushing her hair back over her shoulder to expose her bare neck. “It doesn’t matter. This matters.” He leaned forward and slowly lowered his lips to her skin, his eyes still locked on hers in the glass. The heat from his kiss was explosive, wracking through her body. She twisted in his arms, turning to face him. He rolled with it, slouching down to continue kissing her neck, gently grazing his teeth across her skin in a way that made her legs go weak. It felt like he was holding her up, his hands rough against her back, her hips, her thighs. He shoved her against the glass, hard, and she slapped her palms against the cold surface, momentarily scared. The whole world was at her back. It felt like with one heady heartbeat they would topple back into it, lost in the dizzying sensation of the fall and the kiss and the way everything felt like it had stopped moving.

Daniel brought his hands up to cradle her face, kissing her like didn’t need oxygen to breathe, couldn’t bear the space between them. A low crackle ripped through the air, and Farley felt the sweet burn of his light biting at the skin on her neck. Her whole body tremored involuntarily. She gasped, low and shocked. Daniel sucked in a deep breath and jumped back, clenching his fists by his sides. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

Farley slid down the glass as her knees buckled. Her breathing matched his, ragged and uneven. “What?”

He raked his hands back through his hair in a motion that gave away his frustration, and shot her a pained look. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t do that. It’s... it’s kinda weird.”

She looked up at him in a daze, feeling slightly flushed and embarrassed. There was no way her cheeks weren’t fuchsia right now. “It’s not kinda weird,” she said in a breathy voice that barely sounded like her own. “It’s kinda hot.”

Whoa. And I mean, WHOA. Hot is right, my dear Farley!

Big thanks go out to Frankie for sharing this with us! If you've as-of-yet been missing out on these books, what are you waiting for?!? Go get them now!


Visit Frankie's website to see all the other stops on the tour!

***************



Frankie Rose was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives with her husband in sunny Australia.

She officially makes things up for a living, and when she's not doing that, she is generally making paper birds out of receipts and old lists or taking photographs that make her smile.



Find Frankie and her books on the web:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | YouTube | Amazon

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Review: Deadly Intentions by Lisa Kuehne

Title: Deadly Intentions
Author: Lisa Kuehne
Publisher: Noble Young Adult
Publication date: May 21, 2012
Genre: YA, paranormal
Pages: 225 (ebook)
Source: From author for review
Series: True Intentions #2
1. True Intentions (review)
2. Deadly Intentions

**WARNING: SPOILERS**
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old, Ava O'Brian's may have survived her ordeal with Satan, but her troubles are far from over. They're just beginning. Her premonition nightmares only create questions about her special ability; is she really capable of influencing good or is she truly creating something else—evil. Uncovering the truth behind her miraculous survival, and choosing between the two immortals fighting for her affection will reveal far more than she is expecting and expose her to Deadly Intentions.

When I first started this book, it took me a little while to get back into Ava’s world. I don’t think it was for any specific reason, just that it had been a while since I’d read the first book and a few story lines were melding together in my head. But eventually I was sucked back in and along for the ride.

I loved the plot line of this book. It’s really a good continuation of what happened in the first book. Ava is doubting her abilities to influence good because of her suicidal act. She’s convinced of this because she begins to have nightmares of terrible things happening. But when she wakes up, she realizes these things are true and she’s worried she’s causing them. The way the story unfolded was set out so well and paced perfectly. I definitely wanted to keep reading whenever I had to put the book down.

Another big problem for Ava is her growing attraction to William, and the fact that he and Sam hate each other with a murderous passion. I really enjoyed the dynamic between these three. Whether it was just Ava and William talking about her problems, or William and Sam attacking each other with words and fists, I found that the relationships were clear cut and well defined.

Considering this is a self-published novel, the writing wasn’t fantastic. I did have a few issues with it while I was reading, but not enough to deter me from the story. At this point (a couple weeks later), I can’t even remember what it was that irked me. Needless to say, the plot and the characters definitely won me over!

Although I don’t know the name of it or the publication date, I know there will be at least one more book in this series. There has to be; especially after what happened at the end. Things are much more complicated now than they were before. Hopefully Kuehne doesn’t take her time, because I want to know how this series will end!


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (67)





"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!





This week I'm waiting on...


The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Publication date: January 22, 2013

Synopsis:
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.


Why I want it: I am such a fan of Victoria's writing and her personality. The plot sounds so intriguing. I also know how excited Victoria is for this release, and the excitement is contagious!


Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu
Publication date: January 29, 2013

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—-June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?


Why I want it: I absolutely LOVED Legend. I flew through it. I can't wait to see what happens next for Day and June.

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (66)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.
Here's what you do:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two sentences from somewhere on that page
Share the title and author
Try not to include spoilers!

This week I'm reading Eternal Hope by the amazing self-published author, Frankie Rose. Here's a teaser:





About five feet away from where they stood, she squealed, "Daniel!" and launched herself at him.

That left just enough time for him to give Farley a horrified look before the girl landed on him, wrapping her legs around his waist and grabbing hold of his head so she could plant a kiss directly onto his lips.



All the backstory you need to know is Farley is the girlfriend of Daniel, the one who was just attacked with kisses from another girl. I haven't read far enough to see this problem fixed, but I doubt it'll be an easy one to fix.

I loved the first book in this series, and I can't wait to see what happens in this book. Also, make sure you stop by on November 25, when I'll have an excerpt and a giveaway as part of the Eternal Hope Blog Tour!

Feel free to share your teasers with me. I'd love to see what you're reading!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Review: Rivals and Retributions by Shannon Delany

Title: Rivals and Retributions
Author: Shannon Delany
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: August 7, 2012
Genre: YA, paranormal
Pages: 306
Series: 13 to Life #5
1. 13 to Life (review)
2. Secrets and Shadows (review)
3. Bargains and Betrayals (review)
4. Destiny and Deception (review)
5. Rivals and Retributions

**WARNING: SPOILERS**
Synopsis:
In Rivals and Retribution, the fifth book in the 13 to Life series by Shannon Delany, Pietr and Jessie will find themselves caught in a pack war with a new breed of werewolves.

Jessie Gillmansen is in trouble again and she's in for the fight of her life--and Pietr's! With Marlaena’s dangerous wolf pack putting more pressure on the Rusakova family, change is inevitable and when it comes, it brings a heavy price that forces Alexi into action to save his youngest brother's heart, head, and life. In the stunning conclusion of this celebrated paranormal series two werewolf families fight for control of the small town of Junction, control of each other and--most elusive of all--control of themselves.


The ending of a series is always bittersweet. I’ve loved the 13 to Life series since I read the first book. It had its ups and downs, and not every book was my favourite, but it was a journey, and a good one at that.

This last book in the series was really adrenaline-filled. It started with Jessie’s kidnapping and the suspense kept up from there. Whether it was the anxiety of the Rusakovas looking for Jessie, the fear of the other pack, or the confusion surrounding Derek’s influence on Jessie, there was always something going on to keep me turning the pages. I knew that at the end of the book, all the answers would be revealed and it would ideally end in a happily ever after. And after everything Jessie, Pietr, and the Rusakovas had gone through, they deserved that happily ever after.

The characters in this book are the same ones we’ve come to love and hate. I actually really enjoyed Gareth as a character, even though he was a member of Marlaena’s pack. He was genuine and kind-hearted, and truly just wanted the best for the people he loved. And then there was Marlaena, who was really just a bitch. There were moments, especially those from her POV, where I could almost care and see that she was just trying to do what was right by her pack. But she was such a bitch that I could never do it. And she was a consistent character through to the end.

I do think that Delany wrapped the ending up nicely. Rivals and Retributions is a fantastic final novel for this series. I’m really sad to see Jessie and Pietr and all the other characters go. There was always something special about these Russian werewolves that kept them (and will still keep them) in my heart. So, I am sad to say goodbye, but I know I’ll be back to visit them in the little town of Junction again. Thanks for a great ride, Shannon!

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Stacking the Shelves (4)

Sculpture: Home by Miler Lagos

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that gives bloggers a chance to share what books they received in the last week. Find more information about it here.

This week I got...

Bought
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout {Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon}
Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
{Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon}

For Review from NetGalley
Dualed by Elsie Chapman {Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon}
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ebook review copy!

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Monday, November 5, 2012

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven Boys
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: September 18, 2012
Genre: YA, paranormal
Pages: 408
Source: Netgalley
Series: Raven Cycle #1
1. The Raven Boys
2. Untitled (expected pub September 2013)
Synopsis:
“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love... or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them - not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all — family money, good looks, devoted friends — but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.


I’m a huge Maggie fan, and I worry sometimes that because of this, my expectations of her books are too high. I definitely had high expectations for The Raven Boys. In some ways, it definitely delivered, but then it also fell short in others.

I really like the concepts in this book: the psychics, the ghosts, the dead Welsh king. It’s really original and all has a spooky mystery to it. These concepts were so well blended, thanks of course to Maggie’s fantastic writing. However, there’s still so many gaps. I know that this is the first book in a series, but rather than being cliff-hanger-y and suspenseful, it’s almost too much is missing to really understand what’s happening. I worry that it’s enough to make people put down this book and not want to continue it because of it being so full of gaps. That’s not me because I love Maggie and will read all of her books, but that’s how it made me feel.

I really loved the characters in this book, as I do all of Maggie’s characters. I don’t think any of her characters are one-dimensional or boring. They’ve all got so much going on under the surface, and we can still see this even from a third person narrative. I was a bit surprised by Gansey. I didn’t expect him to be so invested and obsessed with the supernatural. I loved all the Raven Boys (of course!): Ronan is so badass and doesn’t give a crap about much; Adam is a genuine sweetheart, but he’s also too proud for his own good; and Noah, even though he doesn’t say much, just belongs. And then there’s Blue, who I love and believe in above anything.

Although there are gaps in the story, there’s still so much to love. It’s a fast-paced read because you won’t want to put it down. And when you get to the end, even though the questions may be overwhelming, you’ll need to read more. I definitely need to read more. I need more Raven Boys!

Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ebook review copy!

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery