Eleusinian Mysteries

Cover reveal, Excerpt & win an ARC! BLACK CITY by Elizabeth Richards

2012-02-29T23:04:00.000+11:00

I am so, so, so excited to be one of the bloggers revealing not only the stunning cover for Elizabeth Richards' debut novel, BLACK CITY, but also an amazing sneak peek of the story + your chance to win one of the first few ARCs! Is that the recipe for an epic post? I think so.

So without further ado... I introduce to you the absolutely gorgeous cover art! Seriously guys, how eye-catching is this? Although devastating. Something once sweet and beautiful bloomed amidst the bleak darkness of the city, and now it's being brutally torn apart. But oh, what a perfect representation of the story! (although everyone has their own interpretation of things, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!)

A huge thanks to Penguin Books for Younger Readers for the all the hard work in putting this together and allowing me to take part!

Black City by Elizabeth Richards

November 13th 2012 by G.P Putnam's Sons

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A dark and tender postapocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

_________________________

Chapter Preview - Black City by Elizabeth Richards

ASH

An air raid siren wails in the distance, alerting Black City citizens to lock their doors and turn out the lights. They don’t want to be out in the dark alone. They might meet something dangerous. Something like me.

I head under the canal bridge and wait for the girl, taking a packet of Sentry-regulation smokes from my back pocket and sparking up. The nicotine courses through my veins, making them throb with adrenaline; the sensation is almost like a pulse . . . almost.

Footsteps approach the bridge, and a short girl with straggly black hair appears from the shadows, dressed in men’s work boots, tight black trousers and a tailcoat made from a patchwork of clashing fabrics. Her hazel eyes gaze up into mine. She’s brave. Not many cherry-poppers have the courage to look me in the eyes. She hands me an old playing card with two hearts on it, one red, one black. It’s my calling card. It seemed an appropriate choice; that’s what I’m selling her after all, an illusion of love. I slip it into the pocket of my dark green military jacket.

“You’re late,” I say. “Last thing I need is to be caught out here after curfew by a Tracker. They’re just begging for a reason to throw me in jail.”

“Sorry, they’ve put up extra checkpoints, stopping everyone. There’s tanks everywhere!” she babbles. “I guess they can’t be too careful with the Sentry Emissary back in the city, what with the boundary negotiations with the Legion and—”

“You paid Beetle?” I interrupt.

The girl nods.

“Terms and conditions,” I say. “No refunds. You don’t enjoy it, you puke, you freak—not my problem, okay?”

She nods again.

“You pregnant?” She blushes furiously. “I’ll take that as a no. It may cause drowsiness, so don’t drive or operate any heavy machinery.” She smiles at this, and I grin. They always like that. “And no repeats for at least two weeks, all right? I mean it.”

“That all?”

“No kissing. Strictly business, okay?”

She seems a little disappointed by this, but I don’t like to mix business with pleasure. She shyly unbuttons the collar of her coat, revealing her slim, pale neck. Hunger grips my stomach at the sight.

“What do I do?” she asks.

“Lean back,” I say.

She obeys like a good girl. I place a hand against the wall and slip my other hand between her thighs, gently easing her legs apart. Touching her doesn’t turn me on, but I groan like it does, knowing she’ll enjoy that. They all do, even the guys—it’s why they come to me instead of the Haze dens. I slide my body between her thighs so we’re face-to-face. Her shallow breaths are warm against my cool skin.

“Relax, okay? It’s more enjoyable if you relax.”

“My heart’s pounding a mile a minute.” She gives a nervous laugh.

“Can’t say I know how that feels,” I admit.

She tentatively presses a hand against my chest, and her eyes widen. “So it’s true, then? You don’t have a heart?”

“I have a heart,” I growl, shoving her hard against the wall. It just doesn’t beat.

A small tear snakes down her cheek, her thin lips trembling.

“Sshhh, it’s okay, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to frighten you.” I gently wipe her tear away. “Forgive me?”

She nods, then tilts her head to one side, exposing the smooth whiteness of her neck. The poison sacs behind my fangs swell with venom.

Focus, Ash. Don’t blow your load.

I lean toward her, pressing my lips against the soft flesh on her neck, just below her ear. Her pulse flutters under my lips, and I nearly lose it. I begin to nibble on the flesh, tickling the tiny hairs on her neck with my tongue, making them wet with my saliva.

“Do it,” she whispers.

So much for foreplay. I sink my fangs into her jugular. Hot blood spills over my tongue, making my taste buds burst with its sticky sweetness. Man, I love the newbies; they always taste the best. She sighs as my venom enters her bloodstream. I wait for the Haze to take effect before I start to drink from her. That’s the bonus of Haze; my clients get high from me, and I get high from them by drinking their drugged blood. It’s win-win.

A sour, bitter flavor suddenly floods my mouth, and I gag, leaping back.

“What the—” I spit up blood.

The girl stares at me with glazed eyes, blood trickling down the two puncture wounds in her neck.

“Everything’s sparkling,” she says dreamily.

“Didn’t Beetle tell you I don’t take clients on meds?”

She lurches toward me, and I grab her before she falls into the water.

“I love you,” she slurs, trying to kiss me.

I shove her, hard. She falls back against the wall and slides to the floor. Her eyes roll back into her head, and she begins to spasm, white foam bubbling out the corners of her mouth.

“No, no, no! Wake up.” I kneel down and shake her, panic rushing through me.

The girl jerks, her boots leaving black scuff marks on the cobblestones. Fragg! This is why I don’t take clients on meds. You can never tell how they’re going to react to the Haze. I shrug off my jacket and place it under her head.

A Sentry tank rolls over the bridge, and I shut my eyes and wait for it to pass. Even though the war is officially over, I still get chills at that sound. Wherever they went, Death followed. I had a few close scrapes during the war. During those days, the fact that I was a legal citizen and half human didn’t mean much to them. If you weren’t 100 percent human, you were the enemy. Every day was a fight for survival. Not much has improved since then; I’m still the enemy in most people’s eyes. All they can see is the Darkling in me. The tank turns down Bleak Street toward the Sentry Emissary’s headquarters.

The girl groans. It’s too dangerous here; I have to go. I could just leave her . . . No, that’s not an option, but I can’t take her to the hospital. I’d get in so much trouble.

Beetle!

I peer down the canal. A yellow barge is moored about one hundred feet away. The lights are off. Where is he? He’s meant to be my wingman; that’s why I came to the bridge in the first place. Can this get any wor—

An explosion of pain bursts inside my chest, and I clutch a hand over my lifeless heart. I sense someone behind me and turn.

A girl stands by the entranceway, lit by the headlamps of a passing truck. In the fleeting light, I catch a glimpse of cornflower-blue eyes flicking between me and the Hazer writhing on the ground.

Her gaze finally fixes on me.

I fall back, struck down, as the pain in my chest blooms again.

Shivers run through my body, rushing toward a single point in my chest. There’s a spark of electricity and then:

A flutter.

WHAT?! DON'T END! DON'T END! I WANT MORE! MORE! MORE! Wow. How gripping, intense, and absolutely thrilling was that excerpt? And that's just an EXCERPT. My mind is going into overdrive pondering what else Elizabeth has in store for us. Black City looks set to be a darkly fascinating read and has officially marked itself as one of my most anticipated novels of 2012!

WANT TO WIN AN ARC?!

by the amazing author, Elizabeth Richards!

The incredible team at Penguin Books for Younger Readers are giving one lucky reader from my blog the chance to win a printed galley (ARC) of BLACK CITY months before it's release!! You also have tons more chances to win from the other amazing bloggers involved in this! You can find a full list of those participating on Elizabeth's BLOG. Make sure you visit them all and enter!

And because Penguin just like to outdo their own levels of awesome, all winners of the ARCs will also go into the draw to win 1 of 5 exclusive drawings of the main characters - Ash and Natalie - personalised and autographed by Elizabeth Richards. Above, is a photo of the sketch, but each of the 5 sketches will all be unique in their own way! Winners will be chosen randomly by Elizabeth.

Rules:

Open internationally
Ends 12th March 2012
Mandatory entry = name/email/comment
Extra entries for advertising and adding to Goodreads

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If the embedded form is not showing for you, please click this link to enter!

Elizabeth Richards lives in Buckinghamshire, England and can be found online at www.theredpenofdoom.wordpress.com

Elizabeth Richards is an award-winning journalist and debut author, who spent her early career writing for videogame publications such as CUBE, P2 and GamesTM,and now works as a website editor. Previously, she ran a successful lifestyle website aimed at teenage girls. She won the Jane Hayward Young Journalist of the Year award for her feature on girls in the games industry, and was named 'Editor's Choice' in the industry trade magazine, MCV.

Valentine's Blog Event: Interview Feature - Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart

2012-02-29T22:00:00.000+11:00

My very last Valentine's post for February! Excuse me, I'm a little emotional *takes a moment to compose self* Ahem. I'm happy to close this month with the ever lovely, all-Australian, Rhiannon Hart! She's the author of one of my favourite novels of 2011 - BLOOD SONG. If you haven't yet read my review listing all the reasons why you must read this book, THEN GO CHECK IT OUT NOW.

Oh, you're back so soon? Well then, why don't I treat you with a fancy mock interview feature Rhiannon wrote - ripped straight from the Pergamian Standard society pages - giving a glimpse into the personal lives of Zeraphina and Rodden, set between book one and two. But get your swords ready, I think our dear Rodden needs some persuasion to open up a little!

Rhiannon Hart - Mock Interview Feature

On the eve of Amaternost, the early summer celebration of love and romance, Constantino Belfur of the Pergamian Standard society pages met with the two greatest enigmas of the season: new arrival Princess Zeraphina of Amentia, sister to the future queen, and stalwart figure Rodden Lothskorn, king’s man, in an attempt to tease out the true meaning of their unlikely friendship.

When I encounter Princess Zeraphina she is fresh from riding, perspiration covering her brow and dust coating her riding clothes. In fact, there is little on her person suggests her royal heritage. She is devoid of ornamentation. But there is something undeniably regal in her manner: she possesses the gravity that one would expect from a newly minted queen, rather than a younger princess. My attempt to address her as “your highness” is met with a scowl. “Call me by my given name, please,” she insists.

Many call her a private princess. She is seldom at court despite her sister’s constant presence, newlywed Princess Lilith and darling of the Pergamian people. I spoke with the future queen while I was attempting to run her little sister to ground. There is a clear-eyed happiness to Princess Lilith’s features, so different from her stormy sister.

“Fina”—Lilith’s pet name for Zeraphina—“hasn’t always been so reluctant in company. And it’s not that she’s shy,” she protests. When asked what may have inspired such reluctance, Lilith thinks for several minutes and confesses she does not know. “It’s just her age,” she says with a shrug.

Zeraphina is no stranger to scandal. The rumours abounding about her lineage ran riot at court for a time, but have been firmly squashed by our King Askar. The confirmation is surprising from that quarter, in its genesis at least, if not its perpetuation. I was able to trace the source to none other than our living riddle, Rodden Lothskorn.

Lothskorn is an imposing figure amongst the slight, fair-haired Pergamians, and I confess to feeling a little out of my depth upon confrontation with him. His heritage has been oft talked of too. He’s a difficult man to persuade, and I find myself conducting our interview in the corner of a courtyard while Lothskorn grips a riding crop in one hand. He too is fresh from the stables and refuses to retire to any other location for our discourse.

“I came to Xallentaria from Jefsgaad, where I worked for the captain of the guard there,” Lothskorn says. “Before that, I grew up in Pol.” Pol is the capital city of Verapine, the desert nation across the Osseran Sea west of Pergamia. No trace of Lothskorn’s native accent remains. He hints that he was grown when he made the crossing, so an effort must have been made to expunge it.

Lothskorn is all too aware of his mysterious status, and indeed a faint smile crosses his usually stony features when I draw his attention to it: he’s not without a sense of irony, and I predict the rest of my interview attempt will come to naught. My remaining questions are met with a firm, no comment. The only other sentence he strings together is, “That is a matter of security.” It’s said several times. My arch response that the procurement of Princess Zeraphina’s stunning peacock dress for what was originally her farewell ball can hardly be a matter of security is met with a glower.

Zeraphina is not yet as skilled at evasion as her riding partner, and I put to her many of the questions about Lothskorn that I put to him. “He doesn’t talk about himself, I’m afraid.”

Speaking of Lothskorn does soften her features somewhat, and when I question her about her feelings for him, Zeraphina becomes silent. She gazes out the window for a moment. “Rodden is easy to misunderstand. I was mistaken in my impression of him for a long time. There are days when I find him incredibly frustrating, and days when I know I couldn’t be without him.” Here she blushes, and refuses to say more.

This reporter is painfully aware that he has cast little light on the mystery surrounding the connection between the unlikely pair. There is little doubt that there is more to be discovered. So be comforted, reader, that court secrets rarely stay secret for long.

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*snorts* Why does it not surprise me that Rodden is frustratingly vague with his answers? Well no, he's less than vague isn't he? Wait until you see him in the book! You want to simulatenously jump his bones and tear at his chest! Have you read BLOOD SONG already? Or eager to become a new fan? Trust me, you want to, this is such a fantastic novel!

Now bid farewell to our Valentine's month over on Lisa's blog, where she's ending with a super adorable scene from Tera Lynn Childs!

And that's a wrap!! All giveaways (except for the Boyfriend Battle, which ends tomorrow) will end Tuesday, March 6th 3:59pm AEST (which is Monday 11:59pm US EST). Lisa and I will be doing a wrap-up/thank you post with a list of the winners later next week.

You guys have been absolutely amazing. We'll gush more about you all in our wrap-up post, but just know how much we appreciate you making this such a success! Good luck in the giveaways and we hope you've enjoyed the month! We definitely have! <3

Valentine's Blog Event: Excerpt - BOURNE by Lisa Bergren

2012-02-28T22:01:00.003+11:00

It's our second last day of posting! *tear* But what better way to treat you, as the month draws to an end, than with an excerpt from Lisa Bergren's e-novella, BOURNE! If you haven't read the Waterfall series yet, the below excerpt does contain SPOILERS! So isn't now as good a time as any to start Waterfall?!

This series is amazing. Sisters Gabriella and Lia Beterrini accidentally time-travel back to 14th century Italy... smack-bang in the middle of battle. These books are filled to the brim with action, suspense, danger, family loyalty and romance! Not convinced? Even after reading my reviews of WATERFALL and CASCADE? I'm hurt, but maybe reading an excerpt of the first book will tempt you? Go, go, go!

Excerpt - From Chapter 3 of BOURNE by Lisa Bergren

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVE NOT READ WATERFALL, CASCADE AND TORRENT!

My eyes moved up to the guards on the walls and saw that they watched me, recognized my tears. Their faces told me they noted my compassion, bonded with me further because of it. But I looked away, unable to bear it. How long until they, too, were like these before me?

“Patrol approaches!” called out a guard. “And a second, right behind them!”

Rodolfo rode in first at a canter, astride his massive gray gelding, and caught sight of me and my tearstained face before I could duck my head. His men were right behind him, two of them clearly wounded. But his attention was solely on me. He whirled his horse around and dismounted before he was fully at a stop. He hurried over to me and eased an arm around my shoulders. “Gabriella,” he said, his voice a moan in shared grief before he even knew what pained me. “Is it Marcello?”

I glanced at him in confusion. His tone held both fear and hope. Which outweighed the other? “Nay,” I said, shaking my head and sliding out of his uncomfortably familiar embrace. The guards…everyone would see! See his obvious attention, undue care…

“Then what burdens you so?” he asked, still holding my hand in both of his, insistent.

But then the second patrol rode in, Luca at the front, his face a mask of fury. I did a double take, so unfamiliar was his expression. Gone was the playful, fun Luca; in his place was solely a warrior on point. “Greco!” he screamed, charging toward us.

I frowned in confusion and alarm. Rodolfo took my hand and pulled me to the right to avoid Luca’s horse, but this seemed to only aggravate Luca further. He jumped to the ground and ran toward us. Rodolfo eased me behind him, just before Luca struck him. Hard. A massive belt to the cheek.

Rodolfo stumbled to the side, but kept his feet. And my hand.

“Luca!” I cried, reaching out toward him with my other.

But he ignored me, his attention only on Rodolfo. “Unhand m’lord’s wife,” he seethed.

Rodolfo let go of my hand and lifted both of his to the air in a sign of submission. Luca moved so close that they were chest to chest, his face a snarl of challenge, while Rodolfo’s was resigned.

“Nay! Stop!” I cried, trying to part them but failing. “What…what has transpired?”

“This man,” Luca seethed, tapping Rodolfo’s chest as if he wanted to pierce it, “went out there”—he gestured angrily above the wall—“with a wish to meet the Angel of Death.”

I glanced back in confusion, but Rodolfo just slowly wiped the blood from a small cut in his cheek and stared hard at Luca.

“Of what do you speak?” I asked Luca, fully facing him now.

“We came across more Fiorentini,” he said, pacing, shaking his head as if trying to figure it out himself. “I commanded he hold in formation, to wait, but Rodolfo charged, instead. But for the hand of God, they all might’ve been killed.”

“I knew you would come to our aid in time,” Rodolfo said in a monotone. I gave him a hard look, but he wouldn’t return my gaze, still watching Luca as if he couldn’t be trusted. Which he probably couldn’t. The other men formed a semicircle around us, watching. Waiting.

“Why?” I asked. “Luca is the captain in charge of any knight that departs these gates. Even you, so new to us, understood this.”

Still, Rodolfo wouldn’t look at me.

Luca neared again, and Rodolfo tensed. Luca was shorter than Rodolfo by several inches, but you’d never know it by his demeanor. He got right up into Rodolfo’s face again. “Because he’s wracked by guilt,” Luca said.

He looked over at me meaningfully, and I felt an arrow go through my heart. What was that? Guilt over my own memories?

Others neared. My Dad, with Tomas. Captain Pezzati and his patrol rode in. “Let us go to the Great Hall and speak of this in private,” I said.

“Nay!” Luca shouted, making me jump. His face collapsed in sorrow. He shook his head and rubbed his neck with a grimy hand, which he then lifted to me, begging me in gesture. “Forgive me, m’lady, but permit me to see this through. In Marcello’s absence…”
He took my silence as all the permission he needed. He moved toward Rodolfo again. “You are my brother.” He angrily rolled up his sleeve and lifted the tattoo into his line of vision. He snorted in derision. “You may as well be my brother by blood.” He dropped his sleeve and lifted both hands to grip Rodolfo’s shirt. “You have sacrificed everything, everything for Siena. For this house. For these people.” He leaned in, inches away from Rodolfo’s face again. “And I shall not let you kill yourself as a means of appeasing the pain.”

____

Three Valentine-worthy Knights! Which Team are you on?

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Whoa, intense!! Have you ordered your copy of BOURNE yet? Or if you're not yet up to the novella (which is set after Torrent), do you plan on reading the series? These are such addictively absorbing novels, you MUST add them to your wishlists!

Be sure to vote in our Ultimate Boyfriend Battle for the chance to win your choice of Waterfall, Cascade or Torrent!

Skip over to Lisa's blog where Elizabeth Fama, author of MONSTROUS BEAUTY, gives us a sneak peek of her characters!

The month is just about over, so make sure you have all your entries in! Even just one comment for the Comment Contest is a guaranteed entry! Or try our Scavenger Hunt, Boyfriend Battle, Boyfriend Quiz, Cover Puzzle, Love Triangle Debates, Publisher Favourites for MORE prize packs to win!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Review: Article 5

2012-02-28T11:56:00.000+11:00

Author: Kristen Simmons
Release Date: Already out in US / March 2012 AU
Publisher: Tor Teen / Pier 9
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Buy it: Amazon / Book Depository

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Set in a post-war future, Article 5 offers a brutal and devastating new reality. When the Federal Bureau of Reformation (MM for short - Moral Militia) come knocking on Ember Miller's door, she is rightfully terrified. Her single mother has apparently violated one of the newly instated Moral Statues - Article 5 - which outlaws the birth of a child when a man and woman are not married. Her mother is forcefully dragged away and Ember is thrown into a girls reform school. One where whippings and violence against teenage girls is not frowned upon. Alone and fearful of her mother's safety, Ember must learn to navigate this terrifying world on her own and decide who is friend, who is enemy and how far she is willing to go to survive.

I loved that Ember stood up for herself. In a world where it's safer to submit to the hand of those holding a gun to your head, Ember stands with her chin held high. It's so easy to sympathise with her desperation to find her mother. She's witnessed first-hand the violence soldiers are happy to use on people her own age, so she can only imagine what they're doing to her mother, the one responsible for the violation. Ember's always been the strong one, always her mother's rock or taking charge when necessary. So for her to have no idea where she is or what they're doing to her, it eats away at her heart. There are few things stronger than a parent-child bond. Ember endures a great deal of torment throughout the book, physically, emotionally and psychologically, but she perseveres on. Sometimes she breaks, in great moments of despair, but you can count on her to get back and keep fighting. She has the spirit of a survivor and a rebel, and that's what I so admire in a protagonist!

The relationship between Ember and Chase was beautifully complex. You could feel the unresolved feelings bubbling like mad, violently threatening to explode any second. But they kept them under a frustratingly good hold. Through flashbacks, we see the boy Chase once was and the sweet, tender relationship he shared with Ember. Compare that with the the present day Chase and the change is heartbreaking. The MM have beaten and broken and tried their best to mould him into the perfect little soldier, but you can see the effect Ember has on him. Her mere presence cracks through the thick walls he has up and touches something rooted deep inside his heart. They both put up barriers against one another, but will either ever let them down? They have their reasons not to. And perhaps one of them is hiding a very troubling secret.

Kristen magnificently captures the brutality of a twisted post-war America. You'll often be sitting there with eyes wide, mouth agape, shocked by the cruel violence. But that shock quickly turns to absolute rage at those responsible. I love when a book is able to elicit such a reaction of out of me. The messed up rules and regulations make me want to scream. In fact, Kristen evoked a different emotion every step of the way. Whether despair, surprise, heartache or the sweet fluttering of hope. From the very first page, she pulled me into this scary world without a moment to catch my breath and then flung me to and fro and around a new bend without a single warning.

This is the kind of dystopian I love. Where it's physically impossible to set the book down for a second, because you need to see what will happen next. But then it's finished too soon and you're agonising over the painfully long wait until the sequel. Article 5 paints a raw picture of our world twisted into an cruel and ugly future. Lovers of dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels will eat this up and come crawling back on hands and knees, begging for more. Explosive action, heart-clenching romance and suspense so thick, even the MM standard gun can't shoot through it. Article 5 is definitely one of my favourite reads this year!

5/5 Golden Apples!

Valentine's Blog Event: Character Interview - The Iron Fey

2012-02-27T22:04:00.000+11:00

Julie Kagawa. Yeah. That superwomangenius creator of the best faeries in all the land. JULIE. FREAKING. KAGAWA. Ahem. This amazing lady managed to wrangle in her three main faeries and one particularly sullen cat to sit for an interview with Lisa and I. I only became hooked on THE IRON FEY series late last year, thanks to much ~~torture-inspired~~ encouragement from so many of my bloggy friends and I can only think now, 'WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG?!' This is such an amazing series. Action, adventure, romance and such an imaginative world... but more importantly, characters that burrow deep into your heart. If you haven't read them yet, I suggest you do so now, unless you'd like Puck to persuade you... and that mischievous fey can be rather creative. In ways you won't want to experience.

Julie also has a new series coming out in May 2012, THE IMMORTAL RULES, a vampire dystopian that is guaranteed to be AMAZING! I cannot wait!

Character Interview - Ash, Meghan, Puck & Grimalkin

Ash, we know you and Puck share a very.... colourful and messy history together. But you were once the best of friends, despite his annoyingly charming ways! Can you share one of your more fond or memorable adventures together?

Ash: "..."

Puck: "Oh, lighten up, ice-boy, you know you love me. What about that time we stumbled into that hydra nest just as all the eggs were hatching? Or the time we fought a pair of minotaurs in the labyrinth? Or when we were attacked by that clan of harpies in the cave?

Ash: "I seem to remember all of those being your fault."

Puck: *Sighs* "Do I have to tell them about the time you lost your shirt to that satyr girl, ice-boy?"

Ash: "I will kill you."

Puck, a djinn grants you 3 wishes. What do you ask for? And don’t worry, we’ve checked already. It’s not some sneaky faery (or Ash in disguise) planning to rip out your heart or steal your innocence (ha!) in sacrifice the moment you make your wish!

Puck: "Wishes, huh? I dunno, there's this thing in the Nevernever called the Wishing tree, and if you can get past the giant snake that guards it, the tree grants you a wish. But it NEVER turns out the way you want. I remember this one time Ash and I...well, never mind. Three wishes, let's see. I'd wish Oberon would lighten up some, I'd wish pig-latin was a real language, and I'd wish for a turkey sandwich. That way, I know I'd get at least one of my wishes.

So tell us, Meghan... does Ash prefer boxers or brief- Yeesh! Put the sword down, Ash! We’re totally kidding! *was totally not kidding* Erm, so, Meghan... as you know, Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. While not a tradition we imagine to be celebrated amongst the fey... if you could sneak Ash off to the land of mortals for the day, where would you love to take him?

Meghan: *Giggles* "Don't worry, Ash, I won't tell them. Some things are better left a mystery. ;-) And if I could go on a Valentine's date, I'd probably drag him to the movies. And watch some sort of sappy romantic comedy. In the back row. In the dark.

Ash: *Looks mildly confused.* "Is this a type of human movie-watching ritual I don't know about?"

Puck: "Don't worry, ice-boy. You won't remember much about the movie, anyway."

Grimalkin, we thought we’d consult the wisest kitty.... er, we mean the most DIGNIFIED AND SOPHISTICATED CAT in all of Nevernever on the fierce war that has raged between Team Ash and Team Puck fans. (Some are even sporting Team Grimalkin badges!). What are you thoughts on this? Have you secretly taken a side?

Grimalkin: "Please. Do not insult me with such ridiculous questions. I do not choose "sides" human. To do so implies I care about such trivial matters. And I have much more important things to worry about."

Puck: "Yeah, we all love you too, Furball."

What do you guys think of Julie’s next project involving vampires? Do you think you faeries have some fierce competition on their hands?

Puck: "Vampires? Come on, who can replace ME?"

Ash: "A challenge would be nice. I hope at least one of them can swing a sword."

Meghan: "Vampires have been around forever. I don't think we're in any danger of being forgotten.

Grimalkin: *Yawns*

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I think Grim needs some perking up.... Puck can teach him how to play fetch, perhaps? *ruffles his fur* Naww, don't get all hissy and scratchy! Don't you guys just LOVE these characters? Have you read The Iron Fey? Or eager to become a fan? And who else is counting down the days until the release of The Immortal Rules?!

Julie actually wrote a short story inspired by Valentine's Day which sees Meghan taking Ash into the human world to experience this human tradition - it's so sweet! Head over to her website to read it!

Now run along to Lisa's blog where she has an amazing interview with Perry and Aria from UNDER THE NEVER SKY!! EEEE! I love these two! And it's one of my favourite books of 2012!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.
We have TONS of giveaways for you to enter, but things are coming to a wrap soon, so hurry!

Valentine's Blog Event: Publisher's Favourites & Giveaway

2012-02-26T22:05:00.000+11:00

We couldn't have a month-long lovefest without appealing to the publishers of many of the amazing books we've featured, could we? Lisa and I ~~begged~~ asked a few publishers to share with us their favourite romance reads of 2011 and a sneak peek at the amazing titles we have to look forward to in 2012! All featuring... you guessed it, ROMANCE! Whether sweet or scorching, messy or simple, love is a language we all understand.

So read on for some lusty titles and hot hot hot giveaways for our Australia, New Zealand and UK readers! (Sorry international folk, but you guys still have tons of chances to win in our other giveaways! Plus commenting on this post still counts toward your Comment Contest entries)

Lisa is also featuring 3 different publishers on her blog today, make sure you head over to check them out!

Catherine from Scholastic UK

Immortal City by Scott Speer

April 5th 2012

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Imagine a world where Guardian angels not only exist, but walk among us every day, treated as the ultimate A-listers. Blogs are dedicated just to their movements, the latest fashion trends are dictated by what they wear. They are still the Guardians, providing a service, protecting people every day … for the right fee of course.

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest Angel in a city that is obsessed with these Immortals. He’s about to become the youngest Guardian in history. Everyone loves him. Everyone except Maddy Montgomery. She’s not interested in celebrities and the shallow world they inhabit. Until Jackson takes refuge in the diner where Maddy works and a fierce, inexplicable connection pulls them together. But as Maddy is reluctantly drawn into Jackson’s glamorous world, she’s exposed to more than just the paparazzi. A serial killer is murdering one Angel at a time … and Jackson is his next victim.

The book is Immortal City and it is fantastic!! And the chemistry between Maddy and Jackson is just perfect for Valentine’s Day swoon-ness.

Catherine has been so generous as to offer 20 ARCs of Immortal City, which have been scattered throughout our many giveaways! UK readers have the chance to win 1 of 2 today, by filling out the form below!

Jennifer from Hardie Grant Egmont

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

June 2011

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London Lane cannot remember the past, she only remembers the future. She manages her condition by writing notes to herself each day, and programming important dates into her phone. She has created a system that works and is living some semblance of a normal life.

Then she meets Luke. Handsome, kind, unforgettable Luke. He triggers a dark memory and suddenly there are too many questions. Why can’t London remember Luke? How long can she go falling in love with the same boy every day? Whose funeral is haunting her and how can she solve a mystery she doesn’t remember?

Forgotten is a heart-wrenching story about first love, and finding the truth in a past you can’t
remember.

Through it all, her heart keeps time even when her head does not.

I remember forwards.
I remember forwards, and forget backwards.

My memories, bad, boring, or good, haven’t happened yet. So I will remember standing in the fresh-cut grass with the black-clad figures surrounded by stone until I do it for real. I will remember the funeral until it happens – until someone dies.

And after that, it will be forgotten.

Here’s the thing about me: I can see my future, but my past is blank. I see the future in flashes, like memories. I remember what I’ll wear tomorrow, and a car crash that won’t happen till this afternoon. But yesterday has evaporated from my mind – just like the boy I love. I can’t see him in my future. I can’t remember him from my past. But today, I love him.

And I never want to forget how much.

Key Points:

Lucas Henry will give you heart palpitations. Every young reader will be enamoured with his dreamy looks, his sexiness, and his tenderness towards London. And thank goodness for a really good guy with none of the dangerous charm or bad-boy image that’s come to dominate male love interests in recent teen fiction – Luke melts our hearts with his thoughtfulness, particularly in moments like the star-gazing scene.

Forgotten has sold over 15, 000 units across ANZ since June 2011

____

Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt

March 2012

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After the car crash that leaves her best friend dead, Jenna is permanently scarred. She struggles to rebuild her life, but every stare in the street, every time she looks in the mirror, makes her want to retreat further from the world. Until she meets Ryan. Ryan is also an outsider. When he and his mother arrive in town she tells him this time it will be different. He doesn't believe her. Until he meets Jenna. As Jenna and Ryan grow closer, repercussions from the crash continue to reverberate through the community. And then a body is found…

Key Points:

Fang-free romance for readers who are allergic to the paranormal
Ryan is a character every girl will fall in love with
It’s an against-the-odds love story, it’s rites of passage, but it’s also a compelling mystery with a serious crime at its centre
Explores themes of beauty, prejudice, peer pressure and courage.
Perfect for girls of 13+ who prefer realism, who will grow up to enjoy women’s fiction

____

Revived by Cat Patrick (author of Forgotten)

April 2012

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Daisy has died five times. She’s a test subject for a government super drug called Revive, which brings people back from the dead. Each time she is revived, Daisy has to move cities and change her identity to avoid suspicion. Daisy has always gotten a thrill out of cheating death, but her latest move has come with unexpected complications: a new best friend, and a very cute new crush who is taking a special interest in her...

As Daisy’s attachment to her new home grows, she discovers secrets that could tear her world apart. And the more she learns, the more she feels like a lowly pawn in a sinister game. When the stakes are life and death, someone is going to get hurt.

Key Points:

A fast paced thriller with enough romance and suspense to keep girls hooked right to the end
Cat Patrick brings us another swoon-worthy love interest, she has a brilliant career shaping up in front of her!
Forgotten has sold over 15, 000 units across ANZ since June 2011!

The gorgeous Jennifer is giving away 10 copies of Forgotten by Cat Patrick + heart shaped post-it notes for Australian and New Zealand residents, which we've scattered throughout the giveaways this month! You can win 1 of 2 today by filling out the form below!

Theresa from Date A Book

The amazing Theresa from Date A Book has allowed Lisa and I to giveaway TEN PRIZE PACKS throughout February, which totals to a mind-blowing ONE HUNDRED BOOKS. Have I mentioned she's amazing? Possibly. But it's important you hear it again! We're giving two of those prize packs away today!

The Gallagher Girls - Ally Carter (all 5 books)

The Violet Eden Chapters - Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)

A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton

Heaven - Christoph Marzi

WIN! WIN! WIN!

UK Prizes(2 winners)
ARC of Immortal City by Scott Speer

Australia/New Zealand (2 prize packs)

The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter (all 5 books)

The Violet Eden Chapters by Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)

A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton

Heaven by Christoph Marzi
Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr
Forgotten by Cat Patrick

GIVEAWAY FORM

You will find the same giveaway form on Lisa's blog, so you only need enter once. But make sure you go check out the amazing titles she is previewing!

A HUGE thank you to all the amazing publishers for their contributions today! We so appreciate the incredible books you have donated and for sharing with us those hot titles we ought to be shaking with excitement for! (Trust me, WE ARE).

Valentine's Blog Event: Guest Post - Katie Kacvinsky

2012-02-25T22:00:00.000+11:00

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Katie Kacvinsky, author of AWAKEN and the upcoming FIRST COMES LOVE. While I'm ridiculously eager to read both of these, after stalking her website I discovered one of her first books was actually one of swear words, appropriately titled, "The Book of Swear Words". In grade 3. Which she proudly showed to her teacher. Suffice it to say, that book is destroyed. And she was put on a two week playground ban. But it's legacy lives on, because I now officially love this woman.

So I'm crazy excited to share with you her thoughts on the MALE MIND. That scary enigma that intrigues us ever so much. And Katie has plenty experience probing this confusing, attractive species!

Katie Kacvinskey - Guest Post

Dissecting the Male Mind…

It’s something all women love to do, right? We spend hours trying to decipher what all their subtle behaviors mean. Well, I’ve had the privilege (and challenge) of having a lot of guy roommates in my life. In college I lived with six guys. When I was twenty-one, I lived in a house with nine guys, yes, NINE, and I was the only girl. Let’s just say, all this one-on-one time with so much collective testosterone has given me quite a bit of writing material. It also gave me the opportunity to observe guys—how they communicate, how they handle confrontations and how they deal with relationships (and how they really don’t understand how to clean a bathroom or kitchen).

So, when I wrote First Comes Love, my goal was to tackle emotionally heated issues from the male perspective—issues on family, loss, friendship, sex, love and independence. The story flips narratives between Gray and Dylan, and they learn that love is a lot more than butterflies in your stomach. It’s more than asking what someone’s favorite color is, or what they want to be when they grow up. Love is about asking the tough questions. It’s about loving someone even when they make it extremely hard to love them.

Here’s what Gray learns about relationships, which he explains to a friend in the story:

“I don’t know much, but this is what I’ve learned. You’ll fall for the last person you ever thought you’d be interested in. That’s the tricky part. You might not even notice her at first. And she usually comes around just when you’ve stopped looking. But if you pay attention you’ll know it’s her because she’ll stand out from everybody else. She might even scare you. But if you’re lucky enough to meet this girl, be smart enough to realize it and try not to screw it up.”

How did Gray come to this realization? You’ll have to read the book to find out. :) Happy Valentine’s Day.

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She lived with NINE guys?! I'm not sure whether to be thrilled by that prospect of absolutely terrified. Perhaps a little of both ;) I can imagine the inspiration she gained from the experience though! Something I can't wait to see reflected back on Gray in First Comes Love! But oh, I love how she describes love. She's made me even more excited to read this now!

And for fans of Kady Cross, Lisa is treating you all to a fantastic excerpt of the sequel, The Girl in The Clockwork Collar!

This is your final letter to collect! Make sure you go back over both mine and Lisa's posts for every blue letter and then unscramble the words to enter the Scavenger Hunt Giveaway!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Valentine's Blog Event: Guest Post - Rebecca Lim

2012-02-24T22:01:00.000+11:00

You might have seen my reviews for Mercy, Exile and Muse last year when I discovered this series thanks to the amazing Lara at Harper Collins. Suffice it to say, Rebecca Lim 110% hooked me in! Mercy's story is so different to what we've come to expect from the majority of angel books in YA and while I've loved many of them, it's so nice to have that change of pace! Rebecca offers a fresh new story and much more, with her gorgeous writing and terribly cruel cliffhangers that make you AGGGHHH until the next book is out!

So before you all go running to add the Mercy series to your Goodreads lists, have a read below, as Rebecca has generously taken time from her busy schedule to share her thoughts on love in YA!

Guest Post - Rebecca Lim

Love is one of the most complicated, thrilling things each and every one of us will be hit with in our life times. And it’s something that YA literature is steeped in.

Want a love triangle or love hexagon featuring hot supernatural boys? YA lit has it.

Want creepy, stalker love, or love that is continually reincarnated, or love from beyond the grave? Got that, too.

It may seem that the world of young adult literature is bursting with inconceivable ideas of love, but it’s just a reflective, refractive view of what goes on in the “real” world.

We’re a complicated species, and we’re at a fantastic point in our literary evolution – we’re grown up enough to write and read about love that isn’t necessarily rooted in 1950s notions of what a family or relationship should be.

So we’ve got vampire families and zombie single dads, gay martial arts practising bodyguards and girlfriends who are undead or see dead people. And it’s not crazy; it’s just the human condition to work things through in our art forms. And don’t believe what the critics say, a lot of young adult work is imaginative art, pure and simple.

Happy reading and Happy Valentine’s Day, people. May you get the kind of love you long for and deserve.

Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Mercy Books Facebook / Rebecca Lim Facebook

I so love this post! And especially her last paragraph, so true, so inspiring and so makes me want to read about zombie single dads. And you can't tell me I'm the only one who finds the above Australian covers for the series series absolutely breathtaking?! They are STUNNING! I cannot wait to get my hands on Fury in May!

And continuing the angelic theme, Lisa has Syrie James on her blog talking all about the delicious forbidden love in her YA novel, FORBIDDEN!

A mystery letter! Find it's friends and enter the Scavenger Hunt Giveaway!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Review: Born Wicked

2012-02-24T11:21:00.003+11:00

Author: Jessica Spotswood
Release Date: Already out!
Publisher: Penguin
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon / Book Depository

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship--or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate stars scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood -- not even from each other.

After the death of her mother, Cate Cahill had to take on the responsibility of caring for her two younger sisters. Her father is rarely home and even when he is, he's not exactly the most reliable of men. Not to mention he knows nothing of his daughters whispered spells. Only their mother knew of their magic and urged them against telling anyone, father included. So for years, Cate has had to act as mother more often than sister, and while they've had their many ups and downs, inviting anyone into their private lives to offer help is a dangerous and unthinkable notion. So when her father hires a Governess, on the word of their nosy neighbour, to help transform the girls into ladies fit for society, Cate is more than a little apprehensive. But she only has a few months left to decide her own fate - accept the hand of an eligible man in marriage or join the Sisterhood? Because this is far removed from a time where women have access to a thing called freedom.

Where Cate did her best to make sure she and her sisters flew under the radar, Maura, the middle child, felt trapped. And when a flighty spirit is suffocated, she will thrash her wings until she is freed. She's reckless and feisty, but she added flair to the story and even if there's times where you want to shake her by the shoulders, she will intrigue you. And I so adored Tess! Sweet and eager and a little lonely, for the youngest sister she was wise beyond her years. But even she wasn't happy to let their magic stay untapped like Cate wanted. I loved the strong bond the sisters shared. It may have been fragile at times, with Maura especially, but you could see the love was still strong underneath. Cate herself is an amazing protagonist. Not only for the responsibilities she's taken on at such a young age, but for the fierce and stubborn young spirit inside her, something that is always so invigorating to see from a girl in that historical period. She would truly shine in our modern world, but her day needs a girl like her. To offer hope for revolution, to punch through the stifling restrictions that are forced upon females.

Oh Finn, my feathery Finn! The feather scene? One of my favourites in the book <3 You might have seen the stunning moment captured in the book trailer and oh, it's even sweeter in words. Finn is the quiet, intelligent scholar; passionate about learning, with the kindest of hearts. His own loyalty to his family mirrors Cate's, and what's so beautiful is that he accepts and admires her for who she is - in all her unladylike splendor. He's just a book keeper, taking on the additional job of gardening to try help his family out of financial unrest. He knows he can't offer Cate what Paul (her childhood friend and now suitor) can, but his heart is worth a thousand times the gold any man could give. I did sort of like Paul. He also appreciated Cate for who she was, not who he expected her to be, but I felt Finn was much more of the 'soulmate' type of match. Plus, Paul's behaviour toward Finn in their years at school earned him many narrowed eyes from me!

While my heart did swoon and miss a beat throughout the book, it often thudded angrily, so infuriated with certain people and their rules!! I wanted to reach through and gouge their eyes out, but that would only result in a shredded book and it's too beautiful to ruin. The Brotherhood sprout their, 'witches are wicked, evil, unholy,' rubbish upon the entire community and not adhering to their rules is basically signing your own suicide letter. They rule with an iron-clad fist and their word is absolute, so if they deem a young lady a witch, then they'll drag her away kicking and screaming until she's locked away in an asylum. Or put to death.

The Sisterhood is Cate's second option to marriage, but it's not exactly a viable choice for Cate when it would separate her from her sisters. They're said to offer ladies the best they can in terms of skills and education, but are they perhaps hiding a few secrets of their own?

Born Wicked is a beautifully written debut that had me under a spell from the very first page. Jessica Spotswood has such gorgeous prose. She creates deep and touching characters that you truly care for, unless they're in the Brotherhood, who you only care to stake through the heart. With breathtaking magic, haunting prophecies and impossible choices, Born Wicked is wickedly captivating. If you love romance and danger, sacrifice and magic, and your heroines brave, then this is a novel you cannot pass up!

5/5 Golden Apples!

Valentine's Blog Event: Character Interview - Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

2012-02-23T22:01:00.000+11:00

If my review and fangirling tweets escaped your attention, I recently read Storm by Brigid Kemmerer AND FREAKING LOVED EVERY WORD OF IT! Seriously guys, you'll want to preorder the sequel before you even read the first. Because you're guaranteed to be clambering for the next book the minute you turn the final page. The characters are so amazingly REAL and flawed, the plot is fast-paced and suspenseful, the refreshing mythology will have your eyes glued to the pages and she writes her action and romance SO FLIPPING WELL.

And yeah, 5 sexy guys certainly do not hurt :D I have the immense pleasure of welcoming the Merrick brothers here today, who have kindly taken some time from their busy and chaotic lives to to chat about girls and looooove for our Valentine's event! Warning: 102% chance of swoonage.

Character Interview - Smokin' hot Merrick brothers

In Storm: The Elemental Series, the four Merrick brothers are ordinary guys—who have the ability to manipulate the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. They’re powerful. Dangerous. And marked for death because of abilities they can barely control. They stopped by to chat with Lisa and Brodie about themselves.

Brodie: Thanks for stopping by to chat, guys. We’re excited to have you with us today.

Michael: (Glances at watch.) We don’t have a lot of time. I have a big job this afternoon. Agreeing to this is the only way I could get all three of them out of the house.

Lisa: What kind of work do you do?

Michael: Landscaping. I took over my parents’ business when they died. It works well with my whole Earth power thing. (A shrug.) And it pays the bills what with Chris and the twins eating more food than a small army.

Brodie: Wait a minute. How old are you all?

Michael: Twenty-three.

Chris: Sixteen.

Nick: Seventeen.

Gabriel: (Points at Nick.) Did you catch that we’re twins?

Brodie: Twins? Do you have the same powers?

Nick: I can control the air.

Gabriel: (Pulls out a lighter and flicks a flame to life.) Guess.

Nick: Chris’s special power is brooding.

Chris: It’s water. And I do not brood.

Nick: You’re kinda brooding now.

Lisa: We have a lot of gorgeous ladies reading, and Valentine’s Day is coming up...who would you say is the most romantic of you all?

Nick: Wait. Can we see some pictures of these gorgeous ladies?

Michael: (sighs) This would be so much easier if I had sisters.

Gabriel: You do have Chris.

Chris: Whatever.

Brodie: Okay, maybe not romance, then. Would any of you ever use your powers to impress a girl?

Gabriel: Once during a science lab, I kept making a girl’s Bunson burner catch fire.

Nick: Isn’t that the same time you accidentally set her entire textbook on fire?

Gabriel: Details. She was hot.

Chris: We don’t like to show off. Michael won’t even let me join the swim team. We’re supposed to stay hidden. Our abilities are too strong. If the wrong people find out where we are, it would be bad.

Gabriel: Very bad.

Nick: Yeah, Mike learned that the hard way.

Michael: The last time I used my powers around a girl, it didn’t end well.

Lisa: So you were trying to show off, and it went badly?

Michael: No. I was trying to save her life.

Nick: Maybe we could talk about something happier, before Michael calls this whole thing off.

Brodie: Happier…well, what’s your favorite quality in a girl?

Gabriel: That sexy Australian accent.

Nick: And I like girls who read.

Gabriel: Suck up.

Chris: Yeah, said by the guy who’s hitting on our interviewer.

Michael: Maybe you could let them move on to the next question?

Lisa: If a gorgeous girl were to walk by, which of you would have her in your clutches first, and how?

Chris: I’d make it rain while I was the only one around with an umbrella.

Gabriel: Dude. Lame.

Nick: I’d turn the air cold and offer my coat.

Gabriel: I can’t believe I’m related to you two.

Brodie: What would you do?

Gabriel: Just wait til you see what I can do with a campfire. What are you doing later?

Michael: You are working later.

Gabriel: (whispering) Okay, what are you doing later later?

Lisa: It sounds like you all have an appetite for romance. Can we expect any romance in the pages of Storm?

Chris: I do meet someone special.

Nick: Aw. He’s blushing.

Chris: Forget it. You’ll just have to read the book to hear all about Becca.

Brodie: What makes her so special?

Chris: She saves my life.

Nick: Don’t give it all away.

Michael: I think we’re out of time, anyway.

Lisa: When can we read all about Chris and Becca’s story?

Chris: April 24.

Gabriel: Yeah, yeah, yeah, enough about the book. Let’s talk phone numbers.

AUS Covers

US Covers

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YES. I DO BELIEVE GABRIEL WAS HITTING ON ME. And no, I'm not telling you ~~if we hooked up later later~~ what happened later around the campfire... *shakes ash out of hair* Anyway, I LOVE these guys and trust me, once you've read Storm (because you're running off to preorder a copy right now, aren't you?), you will too!

Aren't the covers AMAZING? Both so different, yet look incredible as a series whole. Head over to Brigid's blog to see the bigger versions (the guy on the AUS Spark is HOT. I also have a girl crush on the Spirit girl) and let her know what you think of them! <3

Lisa is also playing host to an equally AMAZING author today - Cat Patrick! I LOVE her beautiful debut, Forgotten and cannot freaking wait for her second novel, Revived!

Look! A lonely letter! Collect it to unscramble the lustworthy title in our Scavenger Hunt!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Valentine's Blog Event: Author Interview - Hannah Harrington

2012-02-22T22:48:00.000+11:00

I am so excited to have Hannah Harrington joining us today! I absolutely LOVED her debut novel, SAVING JUNE. It's funny and touching and such a beautifully constructed novel. AND did I mention there's a road trip? And lots of awesome music? And snappy dialogue? And sexual tension? And that I laughed? And maybe shed a few tears? Seriously, I really really, really urge you all to go grab a copy. You will not regret it!

I love her answers in this interview. She's such an intelligent, inspiring and sweet young woman! Read on, fall in love with her and then dash out of the house to get your paws on Saving June :)

Author Interview - Hannah Harrington

What’s the first thing you notice about a someone who you’re attracted to?
As far as physical features go, I really love someone who has striking eyes. When it comes to personality, I'm really attracted to intelligence. Smart is sexy!

Do you prefer the bad boy or good guy?
Both have their pros and cons. I like "bad boys" with an edge to a certain degree, as long as they don't treat you badly or are mean to you-- no girl should put up with that past the second grade, when boys are too dumb to express that they "like" like you any other way than pulling your pigtails on the playground. And "nice guys" are great so long as they don't expect anything from you in return just for being nice or your friend. Entitlement isn't sexy! Really, whether "bad" or "good", respect is important!

What is your favourite YA romance?
I really love the relationship between Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie in Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty.

What was your thought process on how the romance between Jake and Harper would develop?
I tried to think specifically of a dynamic that would work for Harper-- the kind of person she would be attracted to and the kind of person who would bring out something new in her. And vice versa for Jake. It was very much a push-pull thing going on, and even with all of the butting of heads and banter, I wanted them to challenge each other in good ways. They both get under each other's skin. They're not perfect people but they're perfect for each other!

If you could go on a road trip, what places would you love to see? Who would you go with?
I've gone on a lot of road trips, but I think I'd want to go from northern California all the way down into Mexico. Driving on the coast is wonderful. I'd probably take one or two of my best friends, since you always want to road trip with someone you can stand to be around for long periods of time!

If you could only play one song on the road trip, what would it be?
One time on a road trip with a friend of mine I played "All These Things I've Done" by The Killers for probably three hours straight. How she didn't murder me, I don't know. So I'll pick that one! It's fun to sing along to.

What was your favourite scene to write in Saving June?
This is a hard one! I'd probably say the scene where Harper and Jake dance in the jazz club. I think it's a tipping point for both the characters and their relationship. It's the first time Harper is actually enjoying herself and Jake's company, and they're still teasing each other but there's no hardness behind it. Plus added sexual tension! It was a fun one to write.

What’s the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you?
In real life, I actually am not into typical big romantic gestures. But one time on a first date with a boyfriend of mine, we were standing outside looking at the stars, and we didn't kiss, but I think we both wanted to but were a little too shy. A few dates later in his driveway, he stopped me to look at the stars again, and confessed that he'd wanted to kiss me that first time. And then he made up for the first missed opportunity. It was a little swoon-worthy!

How would you describe your ideal first date?
The where and the what don't matter so much as the who! As long as there's good conversation, I'm happy. Good food is also a plus.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog!

Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

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"Smart is sexy!" - Yes, yes and YES! And aw geez, I think she made me a little swoony with the her answer to the most romantic thing a guy has done. Le sigh. And talking about Harper and Jake is really making me want to go reread the book. Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by, Hannah! <3 And on a final note:

nolite te bastardes carborundorum

If you want to gain full appreciate for that, go read the book ;)

Now run along to read a super awesome interview with the wonderful Marissa Meyer on Lisa's blog where she also reveals some details about the sequels to CINDER!

E

I'm lonely and separated from my alphabet companions, collect me in the name of Scavenger Hunt!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Valentine's Blog Event: Ultimate Boyfriend Battle - Final Round!

2012-02-22T10:00:00.000+11:00

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Who is the best YA boyfriend of them all?

THIS IS IT! The final round in the Ultimate Boyfriend Battle! You all voted like crazy to support your favourite guy and we now have the honour of presenting to you the 3 YOU voted for as your most swoonworthy boy in YA. The losing guys bowed out gracefully (alright, so maybe there were a few punches thrown and we swear the salty scent of tears still lingers in the air), but they each fought heroically and still remain the sexiest in many of their fangirl's eyes!

But right now it's time to focus on three. Two boys with a paranormal edge, the third working in black ops. Each has their own different brand of sexy working in their favour and each has a fiercely loyal following. Only one will survive this battle. So the only question that needs asking is: Who do you think is the Ultimate YA Boyfriend?

PRIZE PACKS

International Prize Pack
Everneath + 1 set of bookmarks - Brodi Ashton
1 x readers choice from River of Time series by Lisa Bergren
1 set of bookmarks & 1 angel wing necklace - Aimee Agresti

US/Canada Prize Pack
Signed The Girl in the Steel Corset - Kady Cross
Dearly, Departed (signed & personalised) + other goodies - Lia Habel

UK (3 winners)

Immortal City ARC by Scott Speer

Australia Prize Pack

HarlequinTEEN book of your choice from THIS LIST

Faery Tales & Nightmares - Melissa Marr

Forgotten + heart shaped post-it notes - Cat Patrick

Fallen in Love - Lauren Kate

Jenna and Jonah’s Fauxmance - Emily Franklin

2 signed bookmarks - Veronica Rossi

Signed bookmark & bookplate - Kim Harrington

Australia & New Zealand Prize Pack
Hachette Date A Book Pack
The Gallagher Girls series - Ally Carter (all 5 books)

The Violet Eden Chapters - Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)
A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton
Heaven - Christoph Marzi

POLL

Voting closes 11:59pm 29th February US EST (or 3:59pm 1st March Australian EST)

May the best man win!

BOYFRIEND BATTLE GIVEAWAY FORM

PLEASE NOTE: You are able to vote multiple times, however it appears the poll host, PollDaddy, issues a 'cooling off period' which blocks users after they've voted a certain amount of times. We are really sorry for this, but unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it! :(

But to clear up any doubts: none of the boys are gaining an unfair advantage because of this. Logan, Alex and Sam fans have said they've been blocked while repeat voting. The reason Logan and Alex are so fair ahead is likely because their supporters are larger in number. I've seen them rallying support from fellow fans on social networks and they are so amazingly dedicated! <3

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Valentine's Blog Event: Boyfriend Quiz!

2012-02-21T22:06:00.000+11:00

Always wondered which fictional guy is the perfect match for you? You may think of yourself as a magnet for the sexy bad boy, but what if you’re better suited for the sweet-hearted gentleman?

Forget paying a psychic to tell you who you’ll marry in ten years time! Lisa and I have taken it upon ourselves to help matchmake you to your most ideal YA boy! It's a painless process, we promise. Just answer the below quiz and we'll do the rest! Who knows, your Cricket obsessed heart may secretly crave the intimidating touch of an alpha wolf like Ren ;) We understand it’s sometimes hard to see through the love-induced haze, so let us take away the drama of a conflicted heart!

BOYFRIEND QUIZ GIVEAWAY FORM

Be sure to share your results in the comments! By taking our quiz and showing off your sexy new boy, you’ll go into the draw to win:

PRIZE PACKS

International Prize Pack

Die For Me (signed) - Amy Plum

Forgive My Fins + Fins Are Forever + swag - Tera Lynn Childs

US Prize Pack

Half-Blood, Pure, Cursed and Obsidian bookmarks

Half-Blood and Pure MISC swag

UK (3 winners)

Immortal City - Scott Speer

Australia Prize Pack #1

Wood Queen (The Iron Witch #2) by Karen Mahoney

Faery Tales & Nightmares - Melissa Marr

Forgotten + heart shaped post-it notes

Signed bookmarks - Veronica Rossi

Australian Prize Pack #2:

Faery Tales & Nightmares - Melissa Marr

Forgotten + heart shaped post-it notes - Cat Patrick

Australia and New Zealand Prize Pack #1
Hachette Date A Book Pack:
The Gallagher Girls - Ally Carter (all 5 books)
The Violet Eden Chapters - Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)
A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton
Heaven - Christoph Marzi

________

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Review: Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

2012-02-21T11:33:00.001+11:00

Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Release Date: April 24th US / May 1st AU
Publisher: Kensington / Allen & Unwin
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon / Book Depository

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming . . .

It's late night in an abandoned parking lot, but Becca Chandler can't just stand there and watch Chris Merrick be cruelly beaten upon by two older guys. From the moment she saves his life, she unwittingly marks herself as a target. The Merrick brothers are not ordinary. They're Elementals, each with a strong power over an individual element - water, earth, fire and air. They are dangerously powerful and those that know of their abilities want them very dead.

Allow me to take a moment to express the depth of my love for the Merrick brothers. I'll get the obvious thought out of the way first: HOLY F$^#&@* SWOONSVILLE! Clear the top spots on your Best Boyfriend Lists, because these boys are about to rumble the very foundations of Hotness. But do you want to know what makes them compelling? They are REAL. They are FLAWED. They are FUNNY. They are FRUSTRATING. They are so goddamn amazing. I loved how you're not told that the brothers share a strong and messy bond, you discover the many complexities of their relationships. The fights and the resentment, the banter and camaraderie, the fierce protectiveness and loyalty. Family relationships this brilliant are rarely explored so well in paranormal novels.

Chris is the youngest brother and deep down, a little lonely. Twins, Gabriel** and Nick, are a tight-knit duo, combining one's recklessness with the other's intelligence for their naughty schemes. Michael is the eldest and while he and Chris once shared more of a closer bond, Michael is weighed down with heavy responsibility that's shifted his role in the family. Chris is the slightly more 'innocent' of the brothers... but don't mistaken that for a naive little boy. Just in comparison to the others, he's a little more sweeter, a little more younger, but no less fierce or brave or challenging. He may not have as much experience with girls as the twins, but it's his lack of experience that makes him all the more endearing. That hint of nervousness that sweeps through him at times around Becca. I loved how they could both shake each other up. Also, did I mention he's a sweetheart? <3

The characters of this novel are what make it such a standout. Is Brigid Kemmerer really at teenage boy in disguise? 5 times over? The dialogue and mannerisms and the way they express themselves... she nails it! And what about Becca, who is one of my new favourite heroines? This is the kind of protagonist I LOVE. She doesn't take crap from people. After a douche named Drew ruined her reputation, she's had to deal with the fallout every day since. And though it affects her, she still puts up a hell of a fight. Her vulnerability and strength shine through so admirably - she'll stand up for herself, verbally or physically when needed - yet she not a complete hardass. She has such a beautiful a heart and cares more than she should. I really don't know who I love more - her or the boys. I'm definitely not choosing teams!

And then there is Hunter. He's a new kid in town and won me over the moment he opened his mouth. Let's just say his entrance to the story? Total. Freaking. Win. I was cheering him on. Hunter is just as complex and compelling as the Merrick's. He comes off very open and friendly and is guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings, but you do sense a mystery in the shadows. Perhaps he's hiding a few secrets of his own.... People people will call the romance in this a 'love triangle' but I really don't want to attach that label to it. Because it's not what you expect when you hear those words. There are two potential suitors for Becca, yes, but she doesn't spend the entire novel obsessing over which boy to choose. It all develops so organically, so naturally, that you're tangled up in the complicated web before you even realise what's happening. And both boys will have a hold over your heart - I honestly could not choose a favourite. It feels so real and rich and more than just a romance, yet still sexy and heart-pounding and throws you off balance in the best freaking way.

Storm is a smashing debut that combines the thrills and danger of a paranormal with the emotional weight you often find in a contemporary. Brigid paints the raw, gritty reality of bullying so amazingly well. The verbal taunts that dig under your skin and the physical violence that spirals out of control. Her story will inspire and motivate you, make you snort laughter or clutch your heart in despair. It will cause irreparable health damage after you've just swooned eight times over in the one chapter. Her characters are literally tearing at the pages while you're trying to read, so life-like that an ink and paper prison cannot contain them. Storm is that novel that can't stop flicking back through days after finishing, with characters you're still quoting years after and a compelling paranormal edge that is about to take the YA world by storm.

Brigid, you have cemented yourself as one of my new favourite authors. I love you. Can I please keep your boys?

5/5 Golden Apples!

** Gabriel? Sexy, flirty, firecracker who will make you swoon one minute and say something infurating the next and holy hell, I am looking forward to his story in Spark! Yes. That's a plug for the sequel, which comes out September this year. That you can also preorder right now.

US cover / AU cover

I'm crazy in love with the Australian one, they're going to look amazing lining my bookshelves! <3

Team Gabriel & Fever Giveaway!

2012-02-20T23:09:00.000+11:00

Late last year the amazing Kathy from A Glass of Wine had the idea for a Team Linden/Team Gabriel post to celebrate the release of Fever by Lauren Destefano. Because if you've read Lauren's amazing debut, Wither, you'll know it's a sequel you ought to be excited about!

So today I'll be defending Team Gabriel. And because Kathy just likes outdoing her own levels of awesomeness, she made this fabulous Team Gabriel button! (See? She secretly must be Team Gabriel! :P). Make sure you check out her incredible post after mine and then enter the giveaway!

________________

Gabriel...

Gabriel lived in an orphanage throughout his earlier childhood, but at least he still had freedom to venture outside, see the ocean. At the age of 9 he was sold in auction and has lived as a servant in the Vaughn mansion ever since. Gabriel is a beautifully sweet boy, who you can only hope will find happiness. He listens. He cares. He may not be able to take Rhine out on flashy dates or buy her expensive gifts, but his small gestures to make her feel special touch your heart that much more. Sneaking June Beans in napkins because he knows how much she likes them or arranging her breakfast into the shape of a boat or the Eiffel Tower - freedoms they can now only dream of. Despite how dangerous it is, he steals any moment he can just to share a few words with her. A smile or an uncertain kiss. It's a sweet, tentative relationship. A single rosebud amongst a tangle of suffocating weeds. Two beaten souls who find hope in one another and that is ultimately what Rhine needs - hope. How can Linden offer that when he doesn't understand just how much she needs it?

Linden...

I won't say Linden is a monster, because despite his actions, he really is just a pawn in his father's cruel games. Linden is a gentle young man, kind and compassionate but his beliefs are twisted. His father has raised him sheltered and fragile, feeding him only the information he deems fit. And so Linden doesn't understand the wrongness in kidnapping these girls to be his wives. The things he does may seem sick in theory, but Lauren has crafted such a layered character who you can't help but pity on. But that's the problem - you pity him. I really want to see him break out of the cocoon his father has wrapped him in, but right now, he just isn't strong enough to be with Rhine. They wouldn't be equals and Linden's naivety prevents him from understanding the past Rhine has endured and how trapped she feels in the present.

Rhine...

Rhine needs someone who is willing to brave the scary and terrifying world outside. Someone who will fight beside her, encourage her and fuel her own spark of hope. She can't share with Linden the life she's lost, the brother who was ripped away from her, but she can with Gabriel. And she can't just forget these parts of her life. They make her who she is, they urge her to keep on surviving. She is such a strong heroine whose spirit remains unbroken despite the horrors she's faced. She needs a partner who doesn't turn a blind eye to what is happening around them, but someone smart enough to acknowledge what's wrong and brave enough to join her.

And Gabriel is that choice. A forbidden one, a dangerous one, but one she had the freedom to choose for herself. It's beautiful and tender and real. It wasn't born out of fear or a calculating move to try escape, as was her relationship with Linden at first. Rhine and Gabriel sought comfort from one another and quickly found a kindred soul. And that is why you should all be throwing June Beans at Linden and chanting the tune TEAM GABRIEL! TEAM GABRIEL! TEAM GABRIEL!

____________________

Now go over and read Kathy's amazing post for TEAM LINDEN! Okay, so I'm 100% Team Gabriel, but I'll admit she is ridiculously good at swaying you to the other side... BE STRONG! *pins Gabriel badge to your forehead*

GIVEAWAY!

Want to win a copy of Fever, the sequel to Wither? OF COURSE YOU DO! Kathy (aforementioned girl who is 21324x awesome) is giving away a copy from The Book Depository. Meaning it's open INTERNATIONALLY. Read both our posts and submit your entry by 27th February for your chance to win!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Valentine's Blog Event: Guest Post & Teaser - The Catastrophic History of You and Me

2012-02-20T10:00:00.000+11:00

EEEE. LADIES. AND. GENTS. You saw my review of The Catastrophic History of You and Me, right? So you know how squeeful and gushy I am over this amazing novel. Lisa also finished reading it last night and we were having a midnight "OMG!" chat after she had uncovered all the secrets :) So you will understand that it's with much fangirlish delight that I welcome Jess Rothenberg to our lovefest to talk about her achingly beautiful novel!

She not only teasers us with a sigh-worthy excerpt from Catastrophic History, but also divulges a few details about the boys of her story. And Oh. My. Swiss. Cheese... Patrick!! He's such a funny, vibrant soul. This boy will constantly have you smiling and when all is revealed at the end? My heart can be seen fluttering high above Golden Gate Bridge.

Teaser & Guest Post - Jess Rothenberg

I tried so hard to fight the tears, but they came anyway. “Why me?” I screamed up to the sky. “WHY? What the hell did I do to deserve this? To deserve any of this?!” I collapsed against Patrick, sobbing. Hot, angry tears pouring out of me and into the sandy, soggy ground.

“It’s okay,” said Patrick, his voice soft and serious. For once. “I’m right here.”

He let me cry into his lap for I don’t know how long, right below a giant redwood tree on the edge of Highway 1. He stroked my hair. Told me everything would be okay. The stars were all out, twinkling and shining, and the ground had grown damp beneath us. I felt him lean back and slowly unzip his jacket. He placed it over me, and I snuggled in even closer. I was so angry and upset I could hardly keep my eyes open, like a little kid after a temper tantrum.

“I bet,” I whispered,” once upon a time, you made someone really, really happy.”

If Patrick answered me, I didn’t hear him. I had already fallen into a dark, distant, stormy sleep.

________

<3 About the Boys <3

So there are two guys running around in Catastrophic History…. The first is Jacob, the guy who broke Brie’s heart beyond repair, and who (she’ll discover all the way from the Great Beyond) could be hiding a major secret about the night she died.

And then there’s Patrick, a boy Brie meets in her version of the afterlife (a pizza parlor called Little Slice of Heaven), who died in the ‘80s and has been hanging around in a Top Gun-style leather jacket ever since. Patrick’s a bit of a lost soul who shows Brie the ropes of what it means to be Dead and Gone, and helps her navigate the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance) so she can finally move on.

<3 What makes Patrick so swoon-worthy? <3

To me, Patrick’s crazy sense of humor is what makes him so swoon-worthy! But he’s also very loyal, very kind, and has a really big heart. Which, for a girl who’s literally heart broken, comes in pretty handy! Still, don’t let his snarky one-liners fool you… because Patrick might just have a few big secrets of his own. Ooh la la. ;)

Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Are you clambering for a copy of this already? You should be! My fingers are already twitching toward my copy to reread. Trust me, you want to meet these boys to uncover their shocking secrets and of course, Patrick is 101% guaranteed to make you smile :) Plus Brie? I LOVE HER!

Hop over to Lisa's blog to read a sweet, yet touchingly sad teaser from Once by Anna Carey!

Oh my, a letter! Let's celebrate! By finding his friends in the Scavenger Hunt!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Valentine's Blog Event: Guest Post & Giveaway - A Witch In Winter

2012-02-19T21:03:00.000+11:00

So ya'll like a juicy forbidden romance, right? And witches? And love spells gone horribly wrong? And dramatic showdowns between good guys and bad guys using their badass magic? Then obviously you've read A Witch in Winter, RIGHT? If you haven't, I strongly urge you add it to your wishlists and shopping carts asap!

Not convinced? I'm hurt that you'd doubt my powers of persuasion, but okay. Allow me to introduce the immeasurably talented Ruth Warburton, to give you the rundown on the deliciously complicated romance between Anna and Seth in A Witch in Winter! And for those who have read A Witch in Winter, Ruth gives a teasing teaser of A Witch in Love at the bottom! Don't worry everyone else, not at all spoilery!

Guest Post and Teaser - A Witch in Winter

Anna and Seth are the couple at the heart of my debut novel A Witch in Winter. Their relationship gets off to a really rocky start – Anna accidentally casts a love spell on Seth, and has to live with the consequences for the rest of the book. Some of those consequences include storms, floods, near-fatal accidents, and the wrath of a sinister group of witches furious that Anna has revealed the secret of her identity to Seth.

The other consequence is the tiny lingering doubt that's left in Anna's mind after the effects wear off. Does Seth truly love her? Would he have found her without that spell? Does she really deserve him?

So: doubts and fears and near-fatal accidents. Not very romantic, right? Maybe not, but I'm still going to argue that Anna and Seth are a really good couple.

Not because they're completely certain of their love and crash on blithely into eternity, quoting Hallmark greeting cards to each other.

But because they do feel fear, they do doubt themselves, and sometimes each other – just like all couples do. And yet they get through it. They find faith in the middle of doubt. They give each other strength when they fear the most. They love each other more than they love themselves.

Anna loves Seth so much she's prepared to give him up, if that's what's best for him. Seth loves Anna so much that he refuses to ask her to be less than she can be. Lots of guys might be threatened by a girlfriend who could kick their ass several times over, but not Seth. He wants Anna to fly – even if he's left on the ground.

They each want the best for the person they love – even when that means pain and loneliness for themselves.

TEASER ALERT!

In honour of Valentine's day I'm going to reveal a little teaser about book 2 in the Winter trilogy, A Witch in Love. The book's pivotal scene takes place on Valentine's Day. Anna's dad has gone on a research trip, and she tells him she's going to London. But she's lying. Instead she spends the night at Wicker House – and not alone. Who's she with? You'll have to read it to find out...

Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Website / Blog / Twitter / FacebookOoooh who does Anna spend Valentine's Day with alone in Wicker House? I know who I'd like it to be *wiggles eyebrows* Are you guys excited to read A Witch in Winter?!

International commenters will of course still gain entries into the Comment Giveaway, but for my Australian and New Zealand readers I have an extra treat for you! Want to win a super hot book pack which includes A Witch in Winter? Don't lie, I can see you drooling already!

Thanks to the gorgeous team at Date A Book, one lucky reader will win a 10 book prize pack filled with some of their sexiest dates:

The Gallagher Girls - Ally Carter (all 5 books)

The Violet Eden Chapters - Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)

A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton

Heaven - Christoph Marzi

Make sure you like their website and Facebook page because they're always having giveaways of their latest books or else just spreading the hot bookish news <3

GIVEAWAY ENTRY FORM

Good luck! Now head over to Lisa's blog where she has a super sweet interview with Vincent and Kate from DIE FOR ME! Um, Vincent? ADORABLE!

OOOOO a sexy letter! You know what to do? Find the rest in the Scavenger Hunt!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Valentine's Blog Event: Cover Puzzle Giveaway!

2012-02-18T21:01:00.000+11:00

BREAKING NEWS! We've just received word that 20 of the sexiest YA book covers have escaped from publisher headquarters! Novels are reported to be highly distressed at their current nakedness. Readers should be on high alert as these book covers are extremely dangerous, luring in unsuspecting readers with their strikingly beautiful looks. Our security cameras managed to snap a shot of each cover before they fled, but unfortunately they were too fast, so we only caught a quick glimpse of each.

This is where you come in! We need your help in identifying these runaway covers so we might stand a chance in locating them. It's time to shake off the love-induced fuzzies and put on your Detective badge! Every person who assists in this investigation will be rewarded with the chance to win some fantastic prizes.

For each cover you correctly identify, you will gain one entry. So if you guess 2 covers right? That's 2 entries. 5 covers? 5 entries. If you identify all covers, that's a whopping 20 entries into the grand prize!

PRIZE PACKS

International Prize Pack

Carrier of the Mark (signed) & silver celtic metal bookmark - Leigh Fallon

Cinder (signed) & swag - Marissa Meyer

US/Canada Prize Pack

Spellbound (signed), bookmark & temporary tattoo of Emma's crest - Cara Lynn Shultz

US Prize Pack

Kiss of Frost - Jennifer Estep

UK (3 separate winners)

Immortal City ARC by Scott Speer

Australian Prize Pack #1

The Wood Queen (The Iron Witch #2)- Karen Mahoney

Faery Tales & Nightmares - Melissa Marr

Forgotten & heart shaped post-it notes - Cat Patrick

Signed bookmark - Veronica Rossi

Signed bookmark & bookplate - Kim Harrington

Australian Prize Pack #2

Faery Tales & Nightmares - Melissa Marr

Forgotten & heart shaped post-it notes - Cat Patrick

Australia and New Zealand Prize Pack #1

Hachette Date A Book Pack:

The Gallagher Girls - Ally Carter (all 5 books)

The Violet Eden Chapters - Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)

A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton

Heaven - Christoph Marzi

COVER PUZZLE

HINT: They are all 2011 and 2012 YA releases!

Click to view image in new window

COVER PUZZLE GIVEAWAY FORM

In My Mailbox #33

2012-02-18T11:42:00.000+11:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by the wonderful The Story Siren where we get to drool with one another over the awesome books that came in the post this week

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

The Reluctant Hallelujah by Gabrielle Williams

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

The Alchemy of Forever by Avery Williams

Sexy Kobo Touch

I have an ereader! FINALLY! I won this baby last week and it arrived yesterday. It will still probably take me a while to get used to text size and all it's little features, but I hope we will soon fall in love with each other. Of course, nothing will take away my love of a good, solid, strokeable novel :)

Sweet Evil!! I'll be reading this next because I need to pass it on to Lisa and once she's read it, we'll be sending it out to one of the lucky winners from our Valentine's Giveaways (you have all month to keep entering, with more prizes to come!). And yes. The guy on the cover looks even hotter in person. Thank you, Wendy!! <3

SUPER excited to read all of these books. They sound amazing, plus I have heard fantastic things about them, especially Article 5!! But... how to read them all at once?!

What's in your mailbox this week?

Valentine's Blog Event: Ultimate Boyfriend Battle - Round 2!

2012-02-17T22:08:00.000+11:00

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...

Who is the best YA boyfriend of them all?

"I told you, I'M the best boyfriend, damnit! VOTE FOR ME!"

Oh boy, Round 1 was intense! If your favourite didn't make it through, not to worry! The losers are beaten, battered and in desperate need of a fangirl's affection. And while you're nursing their egos back to health, it's time to get clicking and vote for the guys who stood strong through to Round 2!

We've thrust 18 boys into the boxing ring - the 3 most voted for guys from each of the 6 heats. The polls you see below are the same you'll see on Lisa's. While you can only enter the giveaway form once, you're more than welcome to keep coming back to vote again and again for your favourites! And each comment you make on either of our Boyfriend Battle posts will earn you 2 entries. So get voting and commenting for your fave boys!

PRIZE PACKS

US/Canada Prize Pack
Signed The Girl in the Steel Corset - Kady Cross
Dearly, Departed (signed & personalised) + other goodies - Lia Habel

UK (3 winners)

Immortal City ARC by Scott Speer

Australia Prize Pack

HarlequinTEEN book of your choice from THIS LIST

Faery Tales & Nightmares - Melissa Marr

Forgotten + heart shaped post-it notes - Cat Patrick

Fallen in Love - Lauren Kate

Jenna and Jonah’s Fauxmance - Emily Franklin

2 signed bookmarks - Veronica Rossi

Signed bookmark & bookplate - Kim Harrington

Australia & New Zealand Prize Pack
Hachette Date A Book Pack
The Gallagher Girls series - Ally Carter (all 5 books)

The Violet Eden Chapters - Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)
A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton
Heaven - Christoph Marzi

POLLS

Voting closes 11:59pm 20st February EST (midday 21st February AEST).
The Top 3 boys from the polls below will then go through to the final round where we will crown the Best YA Boyfriend of them all!

BOYFRIEND BATTLE GIVEAWAY FORM

Review: Bloodrose

2012-02-17T12:00:00.000+11:00

Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel US / Atom AU
Release Date: January 3rd US / February 28h AU
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon / Book Depository

Is true love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

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 unnamable 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.

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.

Bloodrose picks up exactly where Wolfsbane left off and wastes no time in ramping up the danger, the romantic tension and the action-packed adventure our favourite characters must embark on. They have the Scion, but if Shay has any hope of succeeding, then he needs to wield the Elemental Cross. And naturally each part is scattered all across the world, guarded by life-threatening obstacles and Guardians very devoted in their mission to protect it. Andrea continues to deliver in the final installment. Each mission is just as deadly and uncertain as the last. The animosity between Shay and Ren remains ever present, with Calla holding the reigns to both boys hearts. Friendships strengthen and each character has their own sub-plot, whether it's romance, fulfilling their own destiny or else struggling to move on after losing an important part of themselves. I loved the unity between everyone and especially when the pack were in wolf form - their wolfy affection was so cute!

At times Calla frustrated me with how she handled things between the boys. One minute she was in sneaking in Shay's room, the next she was nearly kissing Ren. But given the fact that Ren is an enticing piece of sex on paws who took every opportunity to mark Calla with his, Mmm I'm A Sexy Alpha, Howl For Me scent (I am, Ren, I am!), I can understand her own heart betraying her too often. Andrea does explore Cala's conflicting feelings well. She cares deeply about both boys, perhaps one more stronger than the other, but this is not a decision to be taken lightly. Choosing a pack mate is a forever type of bond. And no matter who she chooses, someone she loves is going to be hurt. I've always liked Shay, but he definitely won me over even more in Bloodrose! And to be honest, while I love Ren, I felt Shay was the better choice for her. But only by a little bit! I could understand her calculated move of not making a decision between them until the war was over, because they really needed both boys working on their side if they had any hope of winning, but I did feel bad for the impact it had on the guys, especially Ren. I guess the phrase, "All is fair in love and war," has never been more fitting.

Romantic uncertainty aside, Calla is an incredibly strong heroine. Naturally she must be, given that she's an Alpha. Her loyalty and dedication to her pack really shine through in Bloodrose. And I like a determined, independent leader in my protagonist. I adore all of the secondary characters. Mason, Neville, Connor and Adne in particular. I loved seeing them all work together, fight beside one another. Guardians and Searchers, a united front. The camaraderie and banter between them all was so much fun to read and it added the perfect balance of lightness to the dark and ominous war they were facing. And to see blossoms of romance grow stronger between many of them was heartwarming to watch!

Unfortunately I stumbled upon a major spoiler months ago, but it still didn't prepare me for actually reading it myself. That moment when my jaw fell slack, eyes grew wide and my brain desperately tried to find a different meaning in the words because this could not be happening! It absolutely broke my heart, but with war comes sacrifice. It's depressing and unfair and you just want to throw the goddamn book across the room, but it's realistic. And I liked the way Andrea handled it. It wasn't melodramatic and drawn out, but fast, shocking and painful.

Action, mystery, romance and heartache, there's never a dull moment. Whether pulse-racing scenes of the sexual kind or heart-pounding danger that keeps you worrying over the fates of your beloved characters. Bloodrose is at thrilling and emotional end to what has been such a captivating series. Get your tissues ready though, because Andrea doesn't conclude her story without first stealing a dozen tears from you! The ending is incredibly bittersweet. I'm happy with it, yet at the same time I felt a deep pang of sadness in my heart. I was sobbing as I closed the final page! It's one that tugs at your heartstrings and is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on you. If you haven't given this series a try yet - what are you waiting for?!

4.5/5 Golden Apples!

Valentine's Blog Event: Character Interview - Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

2012-02-16T21:02:00.001+11:00

I'm sure you've all heard of this lovely lady. She's has been building quite a name for herself after the release of her hit novel, Half-Blood. I recently read Obsidian (totally separate series with smoking hot aliens) and whew. SEXY. But today is not about extraterrestrial beings with drool-worthy abs, it's about godly beings with drool-worthy abs. I'd like you to all welcome Aiden and Alex, love interests in the Half-Blood series! Make that secret love interests, given that their kind are forbidden to engage in a relationship with one another.

They've generously stopped by during a break from their sparring to answer a short interview for Lisa and I!

Aiden, you obviously tried to fight your feelings for Alex. What changed your mind?

Aiden: Tried? I haven’t realized that anything has changed.

If your love wasn’t forbidden and you could freely go on a date, where would be the perfect place?

Aiden: Alex loves animals, so I would like to take her to the zoo. I know that may sound weird to some people, but I know it would be something that Alex would love.

Will you be spending Valentine’s Day together somehow?

Aiden: Who knows. If we are, I’m positive it won’t be out of romance.

What attracted you to her to begin with?

Aiden: Her eyes… they are beautiful.

Seth has a...colourful personality. What do you think about him?

Aiden: I try not to think of him. It’s like he doesn’t exist.

Alex, if you were a pure blood and could control any element, which would it be?

Alex: Fire. Nothing is cooler than fire.

This is a violence-free zone, guys... Keep it tame! What are the most annoying traits of your partner?

Aiden: Her stubbornness.
Alex: His control.

And....in a fight? Who’d win? You both train hard. *winks*

Aiden: Me.
Alex: *smirks* Until I turn eighteen…

Do you believe love can conquer all?

Aiden: Yes. Love does.

Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Heh, Aiden is awfully sure of himself.... who do you think would win in the fight? ;) Who here has read Half-Blood? Or any of Jennifer's novels? Any newcomers excited to become fans?

Now head over to Lisa's blog where she has a super sweet, super exclusive Valentine's Day scene from Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik!

I'm lonely and separated from my alphabet companions, collect me in the name of Scavenger Hunt!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Team Cassian vs. Team Will - Firelight by Sophie Jordan

2012-02-15T23:00:00.000+11:00

And this is it! My final debate for the event! It's been so much fun having such crazy talented writers come on our blogs to defend their team. Some have even managed to convert a couple of you to the other team! Although many have remained strong and true to their long-time loyalties. Either way, there's no denying these are fierce, sexy and ever so complicated love triangles. But isn't that why we love them? You have all month to keep voting, so don't let your boy lose! Full list of debates are HERE.

We now conclude things with a showdown between Puff, the Magic Dragon and -- OKAY, SORRY CASSIAN. Don't kill me! I couldn't resist ;) Cassian - sexy and intimidating, the boy who Lisa claims inspired Sophie Jordan to write a sequel in his honour (my, her nose is growing!), but Supercalifragiliciousreads doesn't let us forget Will - sweet and courageous, who embarks on a starcrossed love with Jacinda.

Who earns your vote? Remember to fill out the giveaway form to enter our yummy prize packs! ALSO: Slight spoiler warning in Team Will post for those who haven't read Firelight yet!

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TEAM CASSIAN

Represented by: Lisa from Badass Bookie

Hello Lovelies! It's Lisa from Badass Bookie and as part of the February Valentine's Event debate team I'm here to stand and DO MY MAN PROUD! The idea of TEAM X vs. TEAM Y has long expanded from Edwart and Jacob and today I stand the ambassador, spokesperson, ADVOCATE of TEAM CASSIAN.

Who is he? - A hot, smoking, not-quite-human young man who is completely swoon-worthy! First seen in Firelight by Sophie Jordan, a 2010 publishing sensation. The man proved so popular, Jordan was compelled to write a sequel in honor of his beauty, intelligence and fab abs! Vanish was released into the world in 2011. A sequel written just so - we can basked in his beauty!

Okay, so that wasn't *quite* true. In reality, Cassian plays one third of a love triangle, he is a Draki, a half human, half dragon supernatural being. He's portrayed as the "other guy” in other words, Jacinda doesn’t KNOW WHAT SHE IS MISSING!

5 Reasons Why Cassian is YOUR Man!

1) He's Not Human! - Um, HUMAN IS SO OVERRATED. It's last year, it's old, it's SO DEAD to the world! There are plenty of humans to choose from but where else would you find a hot, SEXY Draki?

2) This – Extract from Firelight, Pg. 23

He leans down, rustling the hairs near my temple as he growls in his smoky voice, “You scared me, Jacinda. I thought I lost you.”

Tell me, TELL ME you didn’t swoon just a little bit. That you heart didn’t skip a beat at how protective he sounds, how manly he is! Everyone wants their Prince in Shiny Armour don’t they?

3) , 4) and 5) When he looks like this how can you not swoon? ;)

TEAM WILL

Represented by: Supercalifragiliciousreads

Hey! I’m from  Supercalifragiliciousreads, and I review YA books. I'm a  die-hard fan of Will, from Sophie Jordan’s Firelight, so it should come as no  surprise that I am absolutely excited to be advocating for Will in this Love  Triangle Debate! You can follow me during the tournament on twitter @superreader1 or at my blog.

For those who  have not read Firelight, here is a short summary:

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form. Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even, if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy. Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

It  sounds amazing, right? And Firelight totally delivers. My favourite character in  the book was Will. Will grew up under the care of his father and his mother  passed away at a young age. (SPOILER) Throughout his childhood, Will battled Leukemia, a  form of cancer. Thankfully, Will is currently alive and well. And now, on to  Will’s best attributes:

Velvety voice
Beautiful face
Chiseled body
Funny
Kind, considerate
Extremely tactful
Respectful
 Loving
He is willing to go against his family’s  beliefs for Jacinda

“I won't leave you! Do you know how unbearable it's been without you? You're not like the rest of them." His hand swipes through air almost savagely. I stare at him, my eyes wide and aching. "You're not some well-trained puppy content to go along with what you're told. You have fire."He laughs brokenly. "I don't mean literally, although there is that. There's something in you, Jacinda. You're the only thing real for me there, the only thing remotely interesting.”

- Will

It is stated in this quote and all too many times in the book. Will is in love with Jacinda. He truly loves Jacinda and is willing to do whatever it takes to be with her.

P.S. Favorite Quote:

“You want to go out?"  he asks suddenly.

  I blink. 

"As in a date?"

  "Yes. That's  what a guy usually means when he asks that question.”

Oh I love me a sexy Draki - part human, part dragon. But WILL!!! I have yet to read Vanish (I KNOW. I'M ASHAMED OF MYSELF TOO) but Firelight? I was all about Team Will! I'm such a sucker for a forbidden romance and he really won me over with his charm and dedication. But I've no doubt delicious Cassian whips out his talons in the sequel. Which will you be voting for?

Cast your vote below, enter the giveaway form and then battle it out amongst your fellow readers in the comments! After filling in the form (you must fill it in once for every debate you want entries counted for - total 16) each comment you make will earn you entries!

Voting will remain open until the end of the month.

VOTER GIVEAWAY FORM

And don't forget to check out the final debate on Lisa's blog between Tod and Nash from Soul Screamers!

List of prizes can be found HERE.

All the debate links can be found HERE

Team Simon vs. Team Derek - The Darkest Powers by Kelley Armstrong

2012-02-15T17:00:00.000+11:00

Did you catch the battles going down between Asher vs. Devin and Lucas vs. Derek? None of these boys are planning to give up without a fight! Make sure you get your votes in!

This time, Nadia casts us under a spell with the magically charming Simon... can we really resist an artsy, Asian boy?! But then Mag bites Simon on the rear with the stealthy wolf, Derek, whose troubled past has a way of luring us in. But you know what makes this debate even harder? The fact that these boys actually care about each other! Can't we just squish them both together and let them have a threesome? Okay, okay. No. Fine then. I'm handing the polls over to you guys!

You know the drill by now. Vote vote vote and you might win win win!

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TEAM SIMON

Represented by: Nadia at Lost In A Bookshelf

Hi! I'm Nadia and I run the book blog Lost In A Bookshelf. I'm honoured to be a part of the Valentine's Event. I will be supporting Simon Bae from the Darkest Powers series in the Love Triangle Debates.

Let me tell you a bit about Simon:

Simon Bae is a sorcerer of Korean and Swedish descent who can cast spells, such as levitation and mist projection. He is fifteen-years-old. His father, a lawyer named Christopher Bae, worked for the Edison Group, eventually adopting Simon's foster brother, Derek, with whom Simon shares a close bond. Simon is shown to be very easygoing and he cares a lot about Derek and he would do anything for him. He's also a diabetic.

Now, why is Simon better than Derek, you ask? Why does he deserve to be with Chloe more than Derek does? I'm giving you 9 reasons why!

1. He is a lot nicer than Derek

Simon is a nice, caring guy. He is the total opposite of his brother, Derek, who is grumpy and angry all the time. But Simon? He is the one who will never judge you or be mad at you.

2. He can always cheer you up

Simon is the guy you should go to when you need cheering up. He will always listen and he is guaranteed to make you feel better, thanks to his caring personality and sense of humour :)

3. He is funnier than Derek

Ok, I think you all agree with me on this one. Did you see the hilarious things that come out of Simon's mouth? Very funny! Now, did you see Derek say things like that? No, thought so.

4. He has some real chemistry with Chloe

For those of you who read the Darkest Powers series, I think you know there was real chemistry between Simon and Chloe from the very first moment they saw each other! It was perfect! After they admired each other from far away (ok, not that far, but still), they decided to go on a date. A date! A real date, which ended up in a kiss. So, these two were meant for each other. You would be blind not to see it.

5. He isn't dangerous at all

While Derek is a werewolf and may be potentially dangerous to Chloe, Simon doesn't have any of that! He isn't dangerous at all.

6. He is HOTTER than Derek

In my opinion, Simon is a lot hotter than Derek. He has dark blonde hair and a cute Asian face. (Now, tell me, don't we all love Asian guys?) And I mean, look at Derek: he is too tall and he has acnea. (I feel sorry for him, but...)

7. He could come in handy some day!

His powers could come in handy some day, with all the spells he can cast.

8. He continued showing her that he likes her

He's always been tolerant and caring with her and he continued showing her that he liked her. Now, that's romantic!

9. He can draw! Nice drawings! Drawings of Chloe!

Now, we all like an artsy boy, don't we? And he is perfect for the job! He even drew pictures of Chloe. Awww, so cute :D

Now, my dear readers, I know you've been asked this kind of question before, but I'm gonna ask you, too: Do you want a cute, nice, caring, funny boy like Simon? Or an always angry, not-so-hot and not-so-nice guy like Derek?

So, with that being said, GO TEAM SIMON!

TEAM DEREK

Represetnted by: Mag from Geek Chic

Hi, I'm Mag from Geek Chic! I'm lucky enough to be defending the awesome and wolfy Derek Souza from the Darkest Powers trilogy by Kelley Armstrong. I already know this is going to be easy, because even if he seems scary at first, Derek really is AWESOME.

Stats

-Name: Derek Souza (Alias: "Derek Brown")

-Age: 16

-Species: Werewolf

-Family: Simon Bae, foster brother; Christopher "Kit" Bae, foster father

Appearance

-Super Big: Derek is over six feet tall and broad-shouldered.

-Black Hair: Despite him showering twice daily, it's usually pretty greasy do to his raging werewolf hormones. Luckily, by the end of the series, once he's started Changing, it gets better, as does his acne.

-Green Eyes: They stay that way whether he's human or wolf.

-Black Fur: Only when he's in wolf form. Thankfully.

Best Features

-Derek is super protective, which is one of his best features and also one of his worst. It's equal parts wolfish instinct and just Derek instinct. He'll protect those he cares about with his life, but anyone else he couldn't care less about.

-Derek is seriously smart--both book smart and street smart.

   "I thought Derek was in tenth grade."

   "Yeah, but not in algebra. Or geometry. Or chemistry, physics, or biology, though he's only in twelfth grade in the sciences."

   -The Summoning

-Super senses, including night vision, sense of smell and hearing. They make it very easy to avoid people who'd like to kill you and find people who don't.

-The ability to move super silently. Warning: Likely to sneak up behind you and inadvertently scare the crap out of you.

-He has the extremely cool ability to Change into a wolf. Granted, he can't control when it happens, but once he's Changed, his senses are even more heightened and, despite his initial fears, he's still himself, just...a wolf.

-Derek is also good at interrupting Simon and Chloe at the best times:

     Simon swore. "Anyone ever tell you your sense of timing really sucks?"

     "That's why I don't play the drums. Now what's up?"

   -The Summoning

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     "There's another thing I've been thinking about. I know it's not exactly a good time, but once we get settled in, I thought maybe you and I could--"
     A shadow loomed over us.
     Simon didn't bother looking up. "Yes, Derek?"
     Derek leaned over the seat, one hand on the back for balance as the bus swayed. He seemed distracted, almost anxious.

     -The Awakening

- And finally...well, I don't think there's any commentary needed for this one:

     Derek looked around, like he was searching for something to use. Then he stripped off his shirt. I tried not to look away. Not that he looked bad without his shirt.

     The opposite, actually, which is why...Let's just say friends are really better when they're fully clothed.

     -The Reckoning

More About Him

Ever since Derek was a little kid, he was treated like a monster. That's had its effects on him. There are times when he doesn't feel like he's worth anything, when he BELIEVES he's a monster.

     "You were just worried about me."

     An exhale, relieved that I'd understood. "Yeah."

     I turned. "Because you think I'm worth it."

     He put his fingers under my chin. "I absolutely think you're worth it."

     "But you don't think you are."

     His mouth opened. Shut.

     "That's what this is about, Derek. You won't let us worry about you because you don't think you're worth it. But I do. I absolutely do."

     -The Reckoning

But despite that, he tries so hard not to be a monster. The problem is, that's what people expect, so they treat him harshly because of it.

     He knew they were talking about him. But he wasn't dangerous. He'd never done more than shove the other boys and only when they came after him or Simon.......He was a good boy--everyone said so.

     -"Dangerous," from the Darkest Powers Bonus Pack

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     "Yes, sir."

     His lips tightened at the "sir". Figures. Try to be polite and they think I'm being sarcastic. Dad would say it's my tone. And my look. And maybe a bit of actual sarcasm.

     -"Dangerous," from the Darkest Powers Bonus Pack

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

     "Yes, sir." I said it without sarcasm, but he still glanced over sharply. He'd made up his mind. I was just a knuckle-dragging bully who'd probably thrown that kid into the wall because he wouldn't lend me a smoke.

     -"Dangerous," from the Darkest Powers Bonus Pack

Why He's Better

As to why he's better than Simon, well...I love Simon, okay? I really do. He's a great guy. But sometimes being a great, likeable guy isn't enough reason to pick him. I'm not saying bad or mean guys or better--or that Derek is a bad or mean guy--All I'm saying is that sometimes the person you're meant for isn't the person you'd think. In the end, you can't control your heart.

I lifted onto my toes, put my hands around his neck, and pulled him down. When our lips met, that first jolt...It was everything I hadn't felt with Simon, everything I'd wanted to feel.

-The Reckoning

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Chloe? It's me."
After a pause, he added, "Derek," like I could mistake that deep rumble
for anyone else, like I could mistake that little part of me that
perked up like an eager puppy saying, "It's him. Quick! Go see what he
wants." God, how had I been so blind? It seemed so obvious now.

-The Reckoning

And more than that, Derek does have his moments. He loves Chloe, but he's secretive about it because of various reasons: He's a werewolf, he doesn't find himself worthy of love, and, most importantly, his brother may or may not like her himself. Awkward. But there are the times when his feelings for Chloe leak through.

He'll do anything to make sure Chloe's safe, and that's one of his biggest weaknesses.

     When Liam stepped forward again, Derek's arm shot around me, a growl vibrating up from his stomach.

Liam put his hand out toward me. When Derek tensed he pulled back, then
did it again, testing his reaction, laughing when he got one, until
even Ramon started to laugh.

     "Check this out," Liam said. "I think the pup's got himself a mate. Isn't that the cutest thing?"
     -The Awakening

Derek can act angry and aggressive sometimes (okay, a lot of times), especially to Chloe. But that's just because he cares about her and wants to make sure she's safe.

One second he was in my face, making me feel stupid and useless. The next he was like this: hovering, concerned, worried.

-The Reckoning

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I'm not going anywhere, not without Chloe."

-The Reckoning

Closing Arguments

I'm going to let this speak for itself:

His lips pressed against mine, then parted. And he kissed me. Really kissed me--arms tightening around me, mouth moving against mine, firm, like he'd made up his mind that this was what he wanted and he wasn't backing down again.

I slid my arms around his neck. His tightened around me and he scooped me up, lifting me off my feet, kissing me like he was never going to stop, and I kissed him back the same way, like I didn't want him to ever stop.

-The Reckoning

And to finish up

Let's all give a big thanks to Brodie and Lisa for hosting this awesome event, and to Kelley Armstrong for writing such awesome books! You can click on the images to go to their sources.

Is your heart torn in half yet? Because mine certainly is! Do you vote for Sorcerer or Werewolf? One who will woo you over with his sweet, humorous nature and the other who offers a little more spice, yet doesn't think he's worth it? Both types make me melt at the heart! Which melts yours more?

Voting will remain open until the end of the month.

VOTER GIVEAWAY FORM

And now Lisa hosts the hardest one you will ever vote in - Team Dimitri vs. Team Adrian!! AGH! I'm Team Adrian for myself, Team Dimitri for Rose. How to choose?!

List of prizes can be found HERE.

All the debate links can be found HERE

Team Devin vs. Team Asher - A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

2012-02-15T11:00:00.000+11:00

Today is our final day of the love triangle debates, but don't worry, you still have all month to keep voting! Don't let your fave Team lose out! Lisa and I have each have 3 fresh debates for you all today. So get your game face on and help your boy win!

Descending from the skies are two heavenly young men.... uh... and I think one has the other in a headlock. Yeesh. And the debate hasn't even started yet! It would appear there is some animosity between the boys from A Beautiful Dark! Fighting on Devin's behalf is Bree, who plays dirty with puppy dog eyes and shows us that shy can mean sexy. And defending Asher is Kris, tempting us with his rebellions nature and flirty charm! Who deserves Skye's heart more? Who deserves YOUR heart?!

Vote. Enter the giveaway form. Psyche out the opposing team in the comments!

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TEAM DEVIN

Represented by: Bree from The Magic Attic

Who is Devin?

O__O

>__<

O__O

You don't know who he is?

Devin's one of two angels that were sent to watch Skye; to note any 'strange' things that might happen to her after her seventeenth birthday.

Long story short: he's sexy; he's mysterious; he's blond; he's hot. He's everything Asher's... well, not.

Reasons why Devin is way better than Asher:

He's reckless, too and, sure, he keeps his secrets. But at the end of the day, he'll be there. And that's the thing. With cocky, reckless Asher - sure, he's hot - but he's too unpredictable. One second he's there and the next, he's gone. You don't know if he'll be there or not. Most of the time, you don't even know where he is. But Devin's calmer, more controlled. And you know he'll always be there for those he cares about.

He apologizes. No, really. Girls, this isn't a little thing. 'Cause we should all want a guy who knows when to joke, when to shut up, and when to say sorry. You want a guy who knows when he crosses the line, and you want a guy who feels sorry when he does something wrong. And he should give sincere apologies - there's a difference between a sincere apology and a light apology that's... well, not sincere. He'll sulk (so will Asher), but when he comes back, he'll apologize. And with Asher, you won't really know.

Devin: "I'm sorry about ruining your party Saturday night."

His voice was calm, quiet, shy. But also seemed sincere. I hadn't been this close to him yet, and now I could see that his eyes were a tranquil blue. Peaceful. I was something I longed for since my parents had died - a place with no troubles.

He's the mysterious, sexy stranger with that extra something. Whether it's a guy, a book, or real-life, don't we all love mysteries? And that's Devin - quiet, shy-ish, and a mystery. Oh, and you did notice me italicize 'quiet, shy-ish'? Yep, that was on purpose. Because he's sexy, mysterious, caring, and he's also a great listener. It wouldn't be so great if the guy you liked talked and talked and talked and talked without letting you speak at all, right? But Devin's not like that - he's quieter, shyer, and a great listener. Talking with him won't be about Devin, Devin, Devin. And that's the kind of great conversation to have.

He might seem cool and aloof, but he's a softie at heart. I mean, no one wants a guy who's cool and aloof inside and out, right? Once you get past that quiet, reserved, cool outer barrier, Devin's... well:

Tentatively, he reached up and cradled my cheek in his hand. His palm was warm, his fingers gentle. His thumb neared the corner of my mouth and I had the feeling he wanted to trail it over my lips. The blue in his eyes deepened. "My descriptions don't do it justice. I want to be able to share it with you. I want to be able to share so much with you."

And if you've read the ending of A Beautiful Dark, (QUICK! Look away if you haven't!), you'll know he's loyal to those he cares for - right 'till the very end. I'm surprised he held out that long. And, hey, you've got to give him some credit - he could've done it at the very beginning but he resisted, right? That's gotta earn him some brownie points, and that's a part of him Asher doesn't have.

Asher's cool too - I'll give you that. But he just isn't like Devin; he doesn't have the qualities Devin does. But, y'know, it's perfectly fine if you don't like Devin. Y'all can go crush on Asher - I'll keep Devin for myself ;P

Represented by: Kris from Imaginary Reads

Asher is the wild rebel that good girls should stay away from. He is the dark and passionate one that allures you. Energy surrounds Asher, and it is easy to get caught up in his face. While Skye believes that she knows what she wants, Asher makes her question herself. Does she really want to be a good girl? Or does she want to throw caution to the wind and see what happens? Girls flock around Asher like it is the most natural thing in the world, but it isn't really him. All they see is his front. They can't make sense of the complex puzzle that is Asher.

Outside, he is the wild rebel; inside, his worries amount to the weight of the world. Although Heaven may view him as a rebel, his heart is as pure as they come. Honestly, I have no idea what his goodness level amount to, and it doesn't matter. What really matters is that he takes Skye's feelings into consideration. He is there for her.

Not to say that Devin isn't there either. Yes, Devin also cares for Skye, but he isn't as free as Asher. And he isn't willing to put his entire being on the line for her or suspect his superiors of malicious intentions towards her, not until it is too late. In light of the fact that he acts on the orders of beings that you do not want to cross, it is easier to understand his position. Nevertheless, he remains indecisive for too long and cannot give Skye the attention and care that I believe she deserves.

Asher is the one who protects Skye when it really matters. He is there when she needs a friend, he is there to protect her, and he is there with his heart in hand. I have a soft spot for hot, bad boys who really aren't bad boys, if that makes any sense, and Asher is a dangerous boy in a tough spot with a soft heart. If you search for a guardian angel with no loyalties to Heaven and is not afraid to do whatever is necessary to be with you and keep you safe, if you are looking for a hot, dark, and wild with a past, then look no further. Join team Asher, if you haven't already done so.

Can the sweet, quiet type of guy truly trump the sexy bad boy? Do you prefer a boy who can follow the rules or one who likes to shake them up? I confess I am 100% Team Asher (so maaaaybe I had a thing for a rebel), but Bree sure knows how to make you swoon for the 'good' guy! Which boy has won over your heart?

Voting will remain open until the end of the month.

VOTER GIVEAWAY FORM

For a less divine, but equally attractive supernatural debate, head on over to Lisa's for Lucas vs. Derek from Born at Midnight!

List of prizes can be found HERE.

All the debate links can be found HERE

Valentine's Blog Event: Guest Post & Teaser - Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

2012-02-14T21:59:00.000+11:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! We've hit the halfway mark in our February lovefest - have you been enjoying the posts so far? We certainly have! And since today is the day that inspired it all, what better way to celebrate than with a post all about SEXUAL TENSION?

You've heard of Wendy Higgins, right? Author of upcoming debut, SWEET EVIL? Yeah. THAT BOOK. With the dark and seductive guy on the cover! Well she's treated us to a double hit of lust today with a guest post on how she writes romantic tension AND just to emphasis things, SHE'S GIVEN US A TEASER OF SWEET EVIL. And it's hot. Who needs a date today when you can curl up with a swoony book boy?

Wendy Higgins - Guest Post & Sexy Teaser

Mmm…tension. My favorite element in a story. It’s the thing that makes me cling to each word and turn pages long past the point of midnight exhaustion. Many forms of tension can drive a story, but my personal favorite is the ever-delicious romantic tension. Ooh-la-la. As a writer I will tweak a scene a thousand times to try and get the tension just right. It’s the tiny nuances: the gazes and flutters, perfectly placed touches and dialogue that hints or slaps when necessary. But it’s also in what’s not said. There’s a fine balance to the timing of when things should happen or be revealed. You need to give enough away so as not to frustrate the reader, but you don’t want to go overboard into corny territory where all tension is lost. How do you know when you’ve gotten it right? Two ways: have a trusted fellow writer critique for you, and take some time away from the project to work on something else. When you read it again after a bit of time you’ll see it with fresh eyes.

I’m going to share with you a tension-building excerpt from my upcoming novel Sweet Evil (May 1, 2012). This scene was fun to write and sustained many tweaks. The MC, Anna, has been smelling a particular scent now and then from Kaidan, and in this scene she is attempting to discover the source. FYI--the Nephilim can see auras and they each have supernatural starbursts at their chests called “badges” which depict the sins they are plagued with…

My face was on fire as Kaidan stepped into the small bathroom and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. I stepped away. He seemed entertained by my predicament.

            “I haven’t been wearing any cologne.”
            “Oh.” I cleared my throat. “Well, I didn’t see any so I thought it might be your deodorant, but that’s not it either. Maybe it’s your laundry detergent or something. Let’s just forget about it.”
            “What is it you smell, exactly?” His voice took on a husky quality, and it felt like he was taking up a lot of room. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. Something strange was going on here. I stepped back, hitting the tub with my heel as I tried to put the scent into words.
            “I don’t know. It’s like citrus and the forest or something… leaves and tree sap. I can’t explain it.”
            His eyes bore into mine while he wore that trademark sexy smirk, arms still crossed.
            “Citrus?” he asked. “Like lemons?”
            “Oranges mostly. And a little lime, too.” He nodded and flicked his head to the side to get hair out of his eyes. Then his smile disappeared and his badge throbbed.
            “What you smell are my pheromones, Anna.”
            A small, nervous laugh burst from my throat, then it closed up and I crossed my arms. Pheromones weren’t real. Were they? Based on the serious look in his eyes, they were.
            “Oh, okay then. Well…” I eyed the small space that was available to pass through the door. I made an awkward move toward it but he shifted his body and I stepped back again.
            “People can’t usually smell pheromones,” he told me. “You must be using your extra senses without realizing it. I’ve heard of Neph losing control of their senses with certain emotions. Fear, surprise, …lust.”
            I rubbed my hands up and down my upper arms, wanting nothing more than to veer this conversation out of the danger zone.
            “Yeah, I do have a hard time reigning in the scent sometimes,” I babbled. “It even gets away from me while I sleep now and then. I wake up thinking Patti’s making cinnamon rolls and it ends up being from someone else’s apartment. Then I’m just stuck with cereal. Anyway…”
            “Would you like to know your own scent?” he asked me.
            My heart swelled up big in my chest and squeezed small again. This whole scent thing was way too sensual to be discussed in this small space. Any second now my traitorous body would be emitting some of those pheromones and there’d be red in my aura.
            “Uh, not really,” I said, keeping my eyes averted. “I think I should probably go.”
            He made no attempt to move out of the doorway.
            “You smell like pears with freesia undertones.”
            “Wow, okay.” I cleared my throat, still refusing eye contact. I had to get out of there. “I think I’ll just…” I pointed to the door and began to shuffle past him, doing my best not to brush up against him. He finally took a step back and put his hands up by his sides to show he wouldn’t touch me. I broke out of the confined bathroom and took a deep breath.

I wish you lots of yummy romantic tension this Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s the real-life kind or the fabulous novel-in-your-hands kind. Happy Heart Day, lovelies!

Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Website / Twitter / Facebook

Did somebody light a fire in here? Or is that just my aura pulsing red red red?! Thanks so much for the SMOKING teaser, Wendy!! I'm especially excited to meet the delectable Kaidan. He is welcome to corner me in any bathroom he likes..... or bedroom *cough* Anywho, who else is excited to read Sweet Evil?!

Whether you're spending the day with someone special or just inside the pages of a novel, I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Lisa also has a super swoony character interview and teaser from Aimee Agresti's ILLUMINATE, a book she LOVED!! Go check it out!

Mmm, a mystery letter! *eats* Collect it for the Scavenger Hunt!
Full schedule of events HERE.

Review: Goddess Interrupted

2012-02-14T12:00:00.000+11:00

Author: Aimee Carter
Release Date: March 27th 2012 (US) / April 2012 (AU)
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon / Book Depository

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

6 months have passed since Kate accepted the offer of immortality and Henry's hand in marriage. 6 months separated from her lover, exploring the world with best friend James by her side. Now she's to return to home, be officially inducted as Queen of the Underworld and spend her eternity in Henry's arms. Right? Well... she's not exactly treated to the welcome home she imagined. Henry barely even speaks to her, lest embrace her in a passionate kiss that you'd expect from lovers who haven't seen one another in half a year. And then things go from bad to terrible. Just as Henry is about to crown her Queen, daddy comes to crash the party. Cronus, a Titan who fathered the six most powerful Gods is beginning to break free of his prison from the darkest pits of Tartarus. And not without a little help from dear, psychotic daughter Calliope. When Henry, Walter and Phillip are kidnapped, Kate, James and Ava set off on a journey after the only person who may hold the key to saving them.... Persephone, of course. Because what's a complicated love without digging the knife in deeper?

I liked that bit of spice Persephone brought to the novel. She definitely shook things up with a couple of characters, and her banter and rivalry with Ava was fun to watch. Our initial impression of her was a little bitchy, but as time wore on you see more sides to her unfold and I enjoyed how forward she was. She doesn't shy away from things, she speaks her mind and while that doesn't always make her the most likable, it does make her the most interesting.

I didn't particularly feel that spark between Kate and Henry. Throughout most of the novel Kate is constantly questioning Henry's love for her and she seeks a lot of reassurance from others, rather than bombarding the man himself. I'm glad she did eventually force him to be straight with her, giving him an ultimatum because damnit, he's was infuriating! Give the girl a few words to show her you care, at the very least. You did marry to her, after all! But Henry isn't exactly well versed in the art of romance. He may have been around for thousands of years, but clearly no one gave him lessons in How To Show Your Feelings 101.

Whilst these aspects kind of annoyed me, I could understand where each was coming from. Kate needs something from Henry - she gave her mortality to spend forever by his side and this is how he reacts when she returns to the Underworld? She feels a lot of insecurity and confusion. And don't we all crave some sort of validation? It's hard committing your life to someone you're not 100% sure even cares. But Henry has been burned badly in the past and trust doesn't come so easily to him. Giving another power to reject him again is a big step, plus he's still hung up over Persephone. I wanted to shake him by the shoulders and say GET OVER HER, ALREADY. Persephone never loved him back and he's brooded over that unrequited love for a loooooong, long time. So I could understand the root of their feelings, I just wish it didn't drag on for so much of the novel. After so many pages, it gets a little tiring. I wanted more progress in their relationship.

I also would have liked a front-seat viewing to a particular showdown that went on near the end, but that's just the action-loving side of me mourning the absence of a gritty battle. The ending is definitely a shocker. I knew there would be cliffhanger from other reviewers, but that? I did NOT expect to happen and uh... I really don't know how I feel about it. I'm interested to see where it's taken in the third book. Frustrations over the lack of communication with Henry and Kate aside, I still did enjoy this installment. Drama, heartache and a scorned Goddess do not write a recipe for a happily ever after. Goddess Interrupted is rife with confusion of the heart, ghosts of the past, unexpected betrayal and one very pissed off Titan.

3.5/5 Golden Apples!

Valentine's Blog Event: Scavenger Hunt Part 2!

2012-02-13T21:16:00.000+11:00

-insert hot boys above-

It's time to follow the hot-boy paved road once again as we kick off Part 2 of our Scavenger Hunt! Spread across both mine and Lisa's Valentine blog posts are mystery letters. Your job? Stalk our blogs, collect the letters and unscramble them to form a 2012 book title we're each frothing at the mouth for!

You still have all month to go back and find the letters from Part 1 of the Scavenger Hunt, which were scattered throughout our posts from February 2nd to February 10th and coloured RED. They form the title of one of my most highly anticipated titles of 2012.

Of course, if you've already entered your answer into Part 1, you don't HAVE to enter for Part 2, but you will earn even more entries into winning a prize!

Part 2 of the Scavenger Hunt begins tomorrow and the letters coloured BLUE will form one of Brodie's most anticipated 2012 titles.

Once you think you have the answers, fill out the appropriate form below!
Part 1 Giveaway Form = RED LETTERS.
Part 2 Giveaway Form = BLUE LETTERS.
Please do not post your answer in the comments!

SCAVENGER HUNT PART 1 GIVEAWAY FORM

SCAVENGER HUNT PART 2 GIVEAWAY FORM

Hints:

Both are YA 2012 titles.
Both titles contain multiple words.
Keep a record of your letters!
The first letter will appear on Lisa's Aimee Agresti post.
And the second letter will appear on Brodie's Wendy Higgins post.

PRIZE PACKS

International Prize Pack

Signed Above & bookmark - Leah Bobet

Delirium - Lauren Oliver

Signed Born Wicked - Jessica Spotswood

2 signed bookmarks, a signed bookplate, Hemlock stickers, Hemlock mini-cards, a Hemlock postcard - Kathleen Peacock

US Prize Pack

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight & eye mask - Jennifer E. Smith

Forbidden - Syrie James

Signed Saving June - Hannah Harrington

First Comes Love ARC - Katie Kacvinsky

UK Prize Pack (3 winners)

Immortal City ARC - Scott Speer

Australia Prize Pack #1

4 HarlequinTEEN books of your choice from THIS LIST

(You could get the entire Iron Fey series! Rachel Vincent? Maria V. Snyder? And lots more!)

Australia Prize Pack #2

Storm ARC - Brigid Kemmerer

Faery Tales & Nightmares - Melissa Marr

Embrace (NEW black edition) & bookmark - Jessica Shirvington

Forgotten & heart shaped post-it notes - Cat Patrick

Fallen in Love - Lauren Late

2 signed bookmarks - Veronica Rossi

Signed bookmark & bookplate - Kim Harrington

Australia Prize Pack #3

Hachette Date A Book Pack:

The Gallagher Girls series - Ally Carter (all 5 books)

The Violet Eden Chapters - Jessica Shirvington (first 3 books)

A Witch in Winter - Ruth Warburton

Heaven - Christoph Marzi

Good luck and happy hunting! :)

Witchblood Blog Tour: Character Interview & Giveaway!

2012-02-13T12:17:00.000+11:00

Taking a short breather from the Valentine's posts, I'm excited to be stop #4 on Emma Mills blog tour for her recently released ebook, WITCHBLOOD. Not only does the cover look awesomely creepy, but it's already getting some great reviews. Plus, it's set in the UK! And there's vampires! And witches! And a sarcastic heroine!

Since I haven't read the book yet, Emma wrote the questions herself (much as I'd like to take credit for them!) to give us all a better peek into Jessica's character and of course, tease us to some juicy plot details! Stay tuned for a giveaway at the bottom! Thanks so much for stopping by, Emma!

_____________________

Character Interview - Jess from Witchblood

Your name is Jessica James? I hear there is a story behind that?
Yeah…how did you hear that? My dad was a huge wild-west film buff. I think he wanted a boy, but instead he got me, and then he found he could still name me after his biggest hero…Jesse James!

What are you most hopeless at?
Hmm I dunno, I guess six months ago I would have said cooking – my university pizzas were either burnt or floppy. But now, well I guess Eva would say I’m most useless at being a vampire! I don’t tow the party line, I sleep more than I should and I find drinking live blood icky…and no, I’m not about to go all twilight and snack on a Mountain Lion…I mean all the fur would get in your teeth! It’s bad enough when you get a single hair in your mouth, never mind a whole gob-full of fur!

So how do you feel about being a vampire?
Well at first it was pretty freaky. I mean you hardly go and get yourself murdered and when you wake up say, ‘yey! I’m a vampire!’ It’s more like ‘what the hell?’ I thought I was in some weird dream. Of course once I got used to it, I’m glad, I suppose. Sometimes it’s pretty cool…but other times, not so much. Life has certainly got more complicated, but it’s definitely better than being dead!

Who has hurt you worst in your life? And have you forgiven them?
I don’t really feel ready to tell you that. Let’s just say I’m pretty pissed at a lot of people right now. My dad for telling my lies my whole life, and my very ex-boyfriend for the same. In fact the vampires are possibly the sanest people in my life right now, and that’s not saying much.

There are rumours that you have descended from a powerful family of witches in north eastern America and they want you to leave Manchester. Is this true?
Who the hell have you been speaking too? Sebastian will kill me if I answer this, so I’m not going to, but there’s no way I’m leaving Manchester.

You obviously have a close connection with Daniel, your vampire maker, and you are now living with him. Are you an item and is this why you are reluctant to leave Manchester?
Erm, I’m not sure…I mean no! Well, it’s complicated, I suppose. Like you said, he is my maker, so of course I’m attracted to him, but there’s other stuff going on right now. I have my own room in Daniel’s house, and Eva does too. I’m new so there’s no way they’d let me live on my own anyway.

Is it true you killed one of Sebastian’s vampire bodyguards?
Oh my god! What do you think? Me, a smallish baby vampire against a three hundred year old super vamp-hardly! I think Sebastian’s going to be pretty pissed with you, and I can hear him coming, so I’d make a quick exit if I were you.

Brodie's Fearful Note: *CAN BE SEEN RUNNING THE HELL OUT OF HERE*

When Jess steals a glance at a gorgeous guy in a Manchester nightclub, little does she realise how he is going to change her life…or should that be death? Yet, the vampire clan could never have predicted what they were taking on.

With Luke pronounced ‘off-limits’ and the blood of a vampire simmering in Jess’s body, can she forget the love of her life and move on? If not, she will risk exposing the entire Northern vampire clan to untold dangers, in order to live her life the way she wants.

Can Jess be sure that Luke is all he appears to be? Will she succumb to the attraction she desperately tries not to feel for Daniel? And why does she still crave a packet of crisps more than a tasty teenage boy’s blood?

Goodreads / Amazon / Website / Twitter / Facebook

And check out the awesome trailer for Witchblood!

Want to win an e-copy of WITCHBLOOD? Emma has kindly offered to donate one copy to a lucky reader!

Rules:

Open Internationally

Ends February 20th 2012

Name & Email = 1 entry

Extra entries for adding to Goodreads or advertising

FILL OUT THIS FORM TO ENTER

Extra! Extra!

Ever fanced yourself as a vampire? Angel? Witch? Well, Emma is giving you the chance to be a character of your choice in the sequel, WITCHCRAFT! Be sure to go enter!

Team Puck vs. Team Ash - Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa

2012-02-12T23:23:00.000+11:00

Did you miss the two new debates we posted today? Cam vs. Daniel and Peeta vs. Gale are locked in a ferocious battle! Don't let your fave boy lose!

And now I welcome two characters who are no strangers to opposing one another. They may have once been the best of friends, but Ash and Puck have been at odds for over a century and now even more so as they battle for the heart of Meghan Chase (okay, we already know who wins her heart, but some crazy people haven't finished the Iron Fey series yet!!). And to you who haven't finished - WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Joanne brings to light all the reasons we love Puck, whose mischievously delightful personality brightens any room he enters. And Shirley makes us swoon for Ash, whose devestating and chaotic past cannot ever freeze the warmth hiding in his heart. From opposing courts, sharing a history rife with tragedy, these boys both know how to put up a fierce fight against one another. But it's your hands now, who deserves to win Meghan's heart - and yours?

_______________________________________________________________________

TEAM PUCK

Represented by: Joanne from Cotton Candy Reviews

Puck or Robin Goodfellow from Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series is an adorable prankster with a lethal side. What’s not to love? He always has a joke or snide comment on hand and lightens up every scene he’s in. I love Puck. “I've always wanted the IQ of a rock. No, wait. That would be an insult to the rock.” This guy makes me laugh out loud and wish I could have a Puck of my own.

Why he is right for Meghan? They’ve been friends forever and know each other like the backs of their hands. He can make her smile, lift her mood and know what she’s thinking. He set off with Meghan on her journey without a second thought. He’s been there for her every step of the way and always will be. Puck protects her with everything he has. “I have always loved you, princess" Robin Goodfellow promised, his green eyes shining in the darkness. "I always will. And I'll take whatever you can give me." Doesn’t this quote just make you melt? After everything that has happened this is how he feels.

“Me? Die? Didn't they tell you, princess? I'm Robin Goodfellow.” And he always comes back! Just when you think he’s gone for good and the tears start he shows himself and my heart swells with happiness. Puck is just an all-around great guy. There aren’t many guys who can claim as much notoriety as the Summer Fey known as Robin Goodfellow. This is why I choose Puck.

TEAM ASH

Represented by: Shirley from Shiirleyy's Bookshelf

ASHHHH

*instantly melts*

Man, writing a post about why ASH IS MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITE LITERARY BOYFRIEND is both an honour and a little er...overwhelming! Why? Because I'm totally obsessed with him, so be warned; there will be excessive gushing, rants and an abundance of exclamation marks. But of course you'll read on and vote for him or else I'll probably make a personal visit to you and literally force you to vote for Ash! No, I'm kidding, but please DO read on! Ash really does deserve your vote!!

Let's start with a brief introduction:

My name, my full, True name, is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn, and I am the last son of the Unseelie Court.
There were three of us at one time, all princes of Winter, myself and my brothers, Sage and Rowan. I never knew my sire, never cared to know him, nor did my siblings ever speak of him. I wasn’t even positive we shared the same sire, but it didn’t matter. In the Unseelie Court, Mab was the sole ruler, the one and only queen. Handsome fey and even wayward mortals she might take to her bed, but Mab shared her throne with no one.

Ash is a man of few words, so you're lucky to know that much about him already!

Appearance & Personality:

Oh my, Ash has GOT TO BE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING YA male characters out there! No kidding! (Or at least how I've imagined him in my mind!)

(shame on you if you haven’t read seen the ASH on the cover of the Iron Knight!)

Apart from the eyes (which are suppose to be silver *swoon*), I actually like how Ash looks here <3

Here's how our heroine Meghan sees him:

'high cheekbones and dark tousled hair falling into his eyes'

'..young, pale, strikingly handsome..'

'tall and lean,garbed in silver and black'

'devastatingly gorgeous, dressed all in black, his pale face seeming to float over the ground'

Did you read that?!?! DEVASTATINGLY GORGEOUS! With his pale face, dazzling silver eyes and irresistible high cheekbones, I don't think any girl in their right mind, can reject him! And everywhere he goes, you'll see him with his trademark sword - something that he'll never ever part with. Doesn't that make you feel protected, like even if the sky came crashing down on you, he'll be there to shield you?

Hmm...do those quotes remind you of a certain actor...

Perhaps...

BEN BARNES?!?!?!

Of course, There’s NO ONE out there who can live up to the perfect image of Ash in my mind, BUT I really wouldn't mind Ben Barnes!

Personality wise, Ash may seem distant, cold and emotionless, and the only people who've ever seem him in his vulnerable state are Meghan and (once upon a time) Puck. But he doesn't shut everyone out because he's a heartless person who genuinely wants to do that; it's only to protect himself in the Winter Court. (And of course later on Meghan,once she arrives at the Winter Court)

There is a reason the Winter Court freezes out their emotions, why feelings are considered a weakness and a folly among the Unseelie fey. Emotion corrupts the senses, makes them weak, makes them disloyal to kith and court.

But beneath this mask, Ash is truly fiercely loyal to the one he serves. Once upon a time, he did everything for his Queen; what she asked of him, he would complete. He would never betray his Queen's trust.
Then, came Meghan; and with it, his devotion to her as well.

'I promised I’d find a way for us to be together. I intend to keep that promise.'

“My name is Ashallyn'darkmyr Tallyn, third son of the Unseelie Court...Let it be known--from this day forth, I vow to protect Meghan Chase, daughter of the Summer King, with my sword, my honor, and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, my True Name, and my life. From this day on..." His voice went even softer, but I still heard it as though he whispered it into my ear. "I am yours.”

He may isolate himself from others; he may act as though he doesn't give crap about anything; he may purposely say something cruel enough to pierce an innocent person's heart, but beneath this exterior,he really is a loving and heartfelt person. He rarely ever reveals his true self, but when he does, you'll understand the terrible pain he has to suffer just to keep up this pretense.

If there's one thing you have to believe about him, it is that he loves Meghan with his heart, his soul, his entire existence.

Ash.

~~Not Puck.~~

Why Ash?
Our icy Prince is loyal, and fully devoted to his task of protecting the one he loves. He'll kill every single wild creature out in the Nevernever who stands in Meghan's way, shield her from any unprecedented attack, and when he promises to do something, he WILL accomplish it, even if what comes after, is death.

In every single book, you'll realize that everytime Meghan is on a mission/journey to accomplish something important/save someone/find answers Ash is always the one by her side. He's always there to protect her, give her strength and support her. From the day that he pledged his life to her, he'll be forever by her side.

"Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit."

Oh, and I'm a real sucker for true love. Ash has gone through EVERYTHING imaginable; including overcoming every obstacle and passing every trial that stood between his & Meghan's happiness (i.e. going to the end of the world) just so he could be with her. He was willing to give up his throne and Prince title,(and he was the heir to the throne!) if it meant he could live with his true love. And it didn't matter if he would eventually fade into nothingness ( because that's what would happen to faeries once they're forgotten or stay too long in the mortal world) if it meant spending every moment with the one he loved. You'll be insane to reject a guy like Ash, who has lost everything that once defined him, given up his home, his world, just for that one girl.

And do I even need to mention what happened in the Fourth Book? What Ash did there, was beyond any normal person's capabilities. Seriously? To accomplish the impossible? It's absurd! But he never gave up; his heart never wavered and he believed he could be successful. What Ash did proved how much he was willing to sacrifice for Meghan & how Meghan has completely changed him to a better person.

Andddd...seriously, one of my FAVOURITE quotes ever! (From the Iron Queen. I swear I've read this scene A MILLION times (maybe even enough times to surpass HARRY POTTER, and trust me, I've lost count of how many times I've read THAT) & this is one of the most memorable quotes from said scene :D ）

“Forgive me," Ash murmured, and I heard the faintest of tremors beneath his voice. "But I can't...I won't...give her up. Not now, when I've just found her."

OMG. My heart literally breaks every single time I read that!!

One last quote! It's also one of my favourites <3

“Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?”

Now, I'll admit that Puck is certainly one of the most amusing characters ever (and I love him!)but personally, I find him to be a better BEST FRIEND rather than BOYFRIEND material. But that's just me (and hopefully you too after reading my very...all-over-the-place post :D)

Ash, you're my hero <3

Has Joanne won you over with the adorable prankster Puck, who despite his joking nature, has a fiercely loyal interior? Or has Shirley captured your soul with the dedication and fierceness of the Winter Prince, Ash? I absolutely LOVE Puck, but it's Ash who my heart is forever pledged to. There is no denying Julie Kagawa has created two absolutely AMAZING characters who I love equally! But now it's time for YOU to choose a Team!

Voting will remain open until the end of the month.

VOTER GIVEAWAY FORM

If you can draw yourself away from our two favourite fey, hop over to Lisa's blog as Aiden and Seth from Half-Blood go head to head!

List of prizes can be found HERE.
All the debate links can be found HERE

Team Cam vs. Team Daniel - Fallen by Lauren Kate

2012-02-12T17:00:00.000+11:00

And welcome back for another day of swoony guys battling against one another for the hearts of their leading lady - and yours! Two debates will be posted here today and another two on Lisa's blog. You have all month to keep voting, so don't forget to check out the previously posted debates!

We kick things off today with a "My Wings Are Sexier Than Yours" showdown between Cam and Daniel from Lauren Kate's FALLEN. Sarah plays Lucifer by tempting us with the delicious, forbidden fruit that is Cam in all his sexy winged glory and Brooke entrances us with ~~abs abs abs~~ the romantic and ever patient sweetness of Daniel. Both girls are frustratingly talented at making you swoon for each boy, which will no doubt make your choice MUCH harder than it ought to be!!

Read on, lust and pledge your loyalties to either Team! If you haven't read Fallen, vote for whichever guy has stolen your heart below :) Don't forget to enter the giveaway form at the bottom for your chance to win some amazing prizes!

________________________________________________________________________

TEAM CAM

Represented by: Sarah from saz101

Dark, messy hair, striking pale complexion, emerald-green eyes and golden wings. Ladies, we love a bad boy, and I'm pretty sure Fallen's Cam Briel, a fallen angel A.K.A. DEMON is right there in the dictionary next to bad boy.

OK, so first up, let me say this: We all know who wins this little triangle as far as the Fallen series is concerned. Luce's mind is made-up or perhaps made up for her, because of the curse. So there's no use bringing her opinion into it... much. Let's remove Luce from the picture, and talk about the man we'd choose for ourselves.

I'm not going to Daniel-bash. Daniel's cool, but talk about baggage. He's been in an on/off relationship for FIVE THOUSAND YEARS. So rather than talking about why Cam is awesome, and Daniel's not (because, hey, I'd be lying, right? Both boys are cool, not to mention smoking-hot), I'm going to talk about why Cam is the man all of his own right. We don't need to make Daniel look bad to make Cam look good...

Naughty or Nice?

Naughty? Nice? Come on girls, I KNOW you love a bad boy. Throughout literary history, we've fallen for them over and over. Let's tick em off:

Romeo Montague: Kills his girlfriend's favourite cousin
Mr Rochester: Don't even get me started
Patch Cipriano: You don't get much more badass than trying to MURDER YOUR GIRLFRIEND
Jace Wayland: Tortured, reckless, now possessed. The boy's just HOT.
Adrian Ivashkov: Cigarettes, drinking, madness and swoon!
DAMON EFFING SALVATORE

You love these boys, right? You know you do. Well, you can add Cam to this list. As the fairer sex, we have a long and hallowed history of crushing on the guy who's a little bit badass. You can't deny the obvious appeal of the boy so bad he's good. Charming, confident, can get away with anything. I love a man who can keep me out of trouble by charming his way out of it... or at the very least keep me company in detention.

But what's this, you say? Cam's evil? Yes, I concede our green-eyed fallen angel has a dark side, but don't we all? For example: my husband hates The Vampire Diaries and hasn't read a novel since high school, but I still love him. There are folks that think Vampires Suck (poor, misguided souls. They even made a movie). I'll even wager there are people in this world that don't like Tim Tams! All of these things are pretty darn bad in my books. So, I ask you now: what's worse? Playing a little more for the naughty team than the nice, or NOT LIKING CHOCOLATEY GOODNESS. I, for one, know which seems a better indicator of character to me.

The point (Ha! Yes! I DO actually have one) is that it's the darkness that makes the good parts shine. Let's face it: good guys or bad guys, it's the fact that Cam's a total badass that makes him so darn sexy.

And, if you're still worried about the whole evil' thing? Even Daniel Grigori, in Passion, says Cam may not actually be evil. Chapter 16, page 313 in AU paperback:

Miles: 'But he's still evil'
Daniel: '…he was not evil, not yet. Maybe not even now.'

Bad boy, yes? Evil? Nup.

Aw, the Badass is a TOTAL SWEETHEART!

Badass he may well be, but that doesn't make Cam any less of a sweetheart. When Luce first shows up at Sword & Cross, scared, isolated and unsure, Cam pulls her under his wing (pun intended) and makes her feel at home. Cam shows time and time again that he'll put himself on the line to keep Luce safe... even after she rejects him for another man. That's loyalty, and believe me girls, that's what you want in a boy.
Despite having to work with the guy he's been rejected for, Cam calls a truce to a millennia-old war, and works with the enemy to keep the girl he cares for safe.

When Luce flees back in time through the Announcers, Cam follows, unbidden, despite knowing he still won't win the girl. What... dedication AND selflessness? He's willing to put himself at risk to protect the ones he loves. *sighs*

Throughout the eons Cam's been there, watching Luce, along with Daniel. That kind of dedication without satisfaction or reward makes Cam pretty swoon-worthy in my books... Can you imagine what he'd be like with a girl who did return his love?

I'm starting to think our bad boy has a soft, gooey centre.

He's Pretty, Too?!

I don't know about you, but from the first page Cam showed his face in Fallen, he had my attention, all dark, messy hair and pale perfection. And I've yet to meet a girl (or a Young Adult author) who doesn't go weak at the knees for gorgeous emerald-green eyes. Plus, uh... he has wings. Golden wings. And ink. I have an inexplicable love for (good) tattoos on guys. Wait, did that sound like I was more excited about the tattoo than the wings? Let me repeat: HE HAS FREAKING WINGS. Yeah, yeah. I know Daniel does too, but, you know, just thought I'd remind you.

In Closing:

Cam might not always play by the rules, but he always comes through. Clever, calculating and committed, this is the man you want on your team. Cam'll stick by your side if you've won his loyalty. Dedicated, sexy as hell, and the ultimate bad boy, what more could you want?

We all know who's going to win out in the Fallen series. No contest, and that's been obvious from the start. So ladies, I'm asking you this: Not who do you want to end up with Luce; who would you want to end up you YOU? I sure know who I'd choose ;)

TEAM DANIEL

Represented by: Brooke from Brooke Reports

Daniel Grigori might seem aloof and distant at times, but underneath his leather jackets & ripped up Tee’s, he’s literally, yes literally, an angel.

So what makes Daniel Grigori the right corner of the triangle for Luce to pick?

Well there's this:

(Tell me you wouldn’t want to run your fingers through his perfectly tousled hair!? I mean look at it! UNF! And those lips?! Yowza!)

ANNNNNNND there's also this:

Ooh, yeah.

Ehem, right...abs aside, Mr. Daniel Grigori is a perfect gentleman. He is an angel after all! Like, legit. He has wings and everything. And his wings happen to be HUGE! (You know what they say about big wings right? *wink*) Annywho, they're blindly gorgeous, like fresh fallen snow, and super soft and shimmery and he’ll cuddle you right up into them. Daniel also likes to take Luce on breath-taking dates. So he flys. In the sky. At night. When there are romantical stars shining and twinkling! How amazing is that!? I do believe the only date a certain someone (*cough, Cam, cough*) has taken her on was to a bar. Or restaurant or some other totally mundane place! Lame.

Daniel is also mysterious & alluring, he keeps Luce on her toes. He doesn't come onto her like you-know-you, he doesn't pester her, threaten her, corner her, or try to intimidate her in anyway. He's kinda just...there; always waiting for Luce to need him. He'd really do anything for her. And that includes being tatted up and beaten down. If that doesn't score him some points....then go look at that gif again. :P

Daniel, while looking rather good shirtless, also knows how to “dress to impress”. I think that’s what makes this boy truly sexy, his style. He knows how to rock a pair of sunglasses, he looks damn good in a scarf & the he can pull off a pair of flip-flops! One day he’s in a sweater and the next a leather jacket, and he looks mind-blowingly hot in both! Oh, and don't forget about his black boots- yum!

In all seriousness, Daniel is the better pick because he's been around for centuries and has only ever been in love with Luce. They both madly and desperately love each other; so strongly that even hell can’t break their bond. If they're not meant-to-be and that’s not true love, then I don’t know what is!

"I do all of these things," Daniel said, leaning into her so that their foreheads touched, "because you're my love, Lucinda. For me, you're all there is."

This is SO HARD. I must admit I'm personally more temped by the alluring Cam, but Daniel is clearly the one for Luce. But beautiful, dangerous Cam! But look at Daniel's 5,000 year loyalty! But .... yeah, I'll hand the reigns over to you now, dear readers. Has Sarah (and Nicholas Hault) made you bat for the dark and sexy 'naughty team' or has Brooke (and Chord Overstreet) captured your heart for the blonde-haired gentleman?

Voting will remain open until the end of the month.

VOTER GIVEAWAY FORM

List of prizes can be found HERE.

Now on a more human note, head over to Lisa's blog where the Boy With The Bread and that other guy are battling it out for the heart of one of our strongest heroines!

Valentine's Blog Event: Deleted Scene - Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

2012-02-12T11:00:00.000+11:00

If you failed to notice in my many previous posts featuring the ridiculously talented Sarah Alderson, I am 98% in love with this woman. (She loses 2% for her anti-Team Peeta ways). Anyway, she's been SUPER awesome to Lisa and I this month and thus, been featured 4 times on our blogs! With character interviews from Evie & Lucas (Fated), Alex & Lila (Hunting Lila) and a deleted scene from Hunting Lila. And now today? I have ANOTHER amazing deleted scene from Lila to share with you all!

Also, whether you've read Hunting Lila and want MORE (because the sequel is painfully far away) or if you want a taste of Alderson Awesomeness first, then check out the FREE short story from Suki, one of the characters in Lila! Catching Suki is available free for a limited time and by doing so, you'll be supporting such an empowering charity!

Deleted Scene - Hunting Lila

Sarah's Note:
This comes from the first draft of Hunting Lila. Originally Lila wrote a letter to Alex which she planned to give to him on his birthday and have him open when she had gone back to London. It never made it to the final edit.

_____

I lay face down on the bed contemplating the two other things I needed to do before tonight, trying to work up the courage to actually do them. The first was to lie some more to Jack and the second, the thing which was eviscerating my nerves, was to tell the truth to Alex. Well, one truth. Sara was right, I would have enough suffering in my life from now on without adding to it. I was going to tell Alex I loved him. Not to his face though, I drew the line at total humiliation. I needed to write him a letter, and instructions to open it when I was safely thousands of miles away from the bomb blast of his reaction.

I took out my diary and tore out a sheet of paper, then picked up my pencil and chewed on it. How on earth did you do this? Turn three words, so empty when you wrote them down, into something that actually expressed the whole of what you meant to say. After five minutes of staring at a blank page I stopped procrastinating and pressed the pencil to the paper;

Alex,

Once upon a time you rescued me, and that was the moment - though you've never known it - that I fell in love with you. I have loved you ever since - before I even knew the words to describe the feeling, and I think I always will.

Do you remember my mother's funeral? You held my hand through it all and you didn't let me go. I never got to say thank you. But I was so grateful. Now I don't want to let you go - but I have to.

I'm not telling you this because I hope or expect anything from you. I know you don't feel the same. But I needed to tell you because I am tired of keeping secrets from you and because tomorrow I will be gone and I'm not sure I'll ever be back.

Please keep taking care of Jack for me,
Love always,
Lila x

Take that, fear, I thought, putting my pencil down. Sara was right. It was an enormous release, like being filled with helium. I folded up the letter and put it under my pillow. I had to get dressed and start acting normally. Make every second left with my brother count.

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Awww Lila! <3 I would've liked to have read Alex's reaction to the letter... wait... no. To be honest, I prefer when they're together. Mainly because there's potential for sexy scenes and you can't have sexy scenes when they're miles apart. Unless, of course, Alex jumps on a plane to chase after Lila. Or just swims across the ocean. He is pretty fit afterall. And he'd likely be shirtless...... *mind is quickly going to dirty places* AHEM.

Also, did you know that on her website, you can write to any of Sarah's characters AND THEY WILL WRITE BACK TO YOU? I still need to prepare my lusty email for her lead boys.

If one yummy scene wasn't enough, then skip over to Lisa's blog where she shares an excerpt from Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Remember to fill out the Comment Giveaway Form so your comments will count toward the prizes!

Valentine's Blog Event: Leah Bobet - Author Interview

2012-02-11T22:01:00.001+11:00

And the amazing authors just keep rolling on in! Today, I'm honoured to welcome Leah Bobet to our 29 day lovefest, author of upcoming debut novel, ABOVE. Have you seen the cover art? So stunning! And the PLOT? WOW. it sounds absolutely incredible. Not to mention the fascinating main leads.... she, who speaks to ghosts and he, who shoots lightning from his fingers. Seriously, where is April hiding?

To help ease the torturous wait until ABOVE is released, read on as Lisa and I have picked Leah's brain on all things romance. I love her answer so much, she really digs deep into the heart of every question, which speaks volumes for her writing talent. And if possible, has me more excited for her novel!

Author Interview - Leah Bobet

What is your favourite movie romance?

Joel and Clementine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, hands down. They're both these complicated, broken, prickly, real people, and they love each other so much that even after the ways they've inevitably hurt each other, the ways they have tried to forget each other, they will look each other in the face, clear-eyed, and throw themselves into all that possible hurt and risk and trouble again. Because they can't not try, not if there's a chance. It breaks my heart, and it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, all at once.

Do you have a celebrity crush?

I…do and I don't? It's hard for me to crush on famous people, because I used to do theatre, and so I'm really, really aware that what you see of an actor or a musician or whatnot in public isn't them: it's their characters, and it's their public persona, which is a character all by itself. I learned this the hard way one fall after wondering why that cute guy who sat next to me in our Twelve Angry Men production was such a breathtaking jerk everywhere except rehearsal. Sigh. That said, there are a couple guys in some of the local indie bands here who I'd dress my best for. And if Joseph Gordon-Levitt showed up on my doorstep with a three-piece suit and a guitar, I would cancel all my plans for a week.

If you could switch places with any YA girl, who would it be and why?

After a lot of thought, I think I wouldn't. I have a pretty happy life! And most YA heroines have terrible lives, which is what makes them fun to read about. Seems like a bad deal all around, really.

If you could go on a romantic getaway, what would be your dream location?

One of the really crunchy historic cities: Paris, Osaka, London, Athens, Beirut. Exploring by yourself is great. Exploring with someone you care about is better.

Which physical features and personality traits and do you find most attractive in a guy?

I'm ridiculously picky about guys (and girls, for that matter, on the rare occasions I have had crushes on girls), but the most important thing in both is always honesty. The people I date more than once tend to tell it like it is, or at least tell it like they see it. And they tend to have the kind of understated, dry, ridiculous sense of humour that makes me spit my drink.
As for the physical stuff? I'm very rarely attracted to a person on looks alone. It's always their smile, or the way they move, or who they are; something about how they inhabit their body, and if they're comfortable in their own skin.

What’s the most romantic thing a guy has ever done for you?

Flew 1,500 miles to take me out to dinner when we'd never met face to face. The relationship didn't survive the distance in the end, but as grand gestures go, it was pretty seriously grand.

How would you describe Ariel and Matthew's relationship in one word?

Hah: complicated.
Just like Joel and Clementine up there, they're both very messy and occasionally gun-shy. And when you put that together – especially when what one person wants isn't exactly what the other one needs – things get, well. Complicated.

What’s special about your couple and why do they have a great romance?

Because despite all that, and all the things stacked against them? They're both really, really sincere and good people. And they are trying so very hard for each other. They can't help but try.

Do you believe in soul mates?

Not in the sense of a One True Person You Are Supposed To Be With Forever™. We all grow, and we all change, and a person who fills all the missing spaces in your heart at 18 may not have anything in common with you at 25, or 30, or 40 – and there's nothing wrong with that, because you don't want, at 30, to be the exact same person you were at 18. Most relationships end. That's kind of okay. That said? I do believe in having people out there who you will have instant connections with, and instant intimacy and trust, and in having people who, even though they cause you a hell of a lot of complication and trouble, make your life brighter and better and sharper for being there. And I guess, to me, that's soulmates: the people who walk into your life and bring up the lights.

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Tell me my heart wasn't the only one that fluttered when reading her soul mate answer? Perfectly answered! Who else has fallen in love with this gorgeous lady? And are clambering for the 'preorder' button on Book Depository?!

Now that you're riding the love-train, go check out the swoontastic interview Lisa has posted between Lila and Alex from Hunting Lila!!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.

Remember to fill out the Comment Giveaway Form so your comments will count toward the prizes!

In My Mailbox #32

2012-02-11T13:37:00.000+11:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by the wonderful The Story Siren where we get to drool with one another over the awesome books that came in the post this week

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Scott Pilgrim vs. the world DVD

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Um, can I say SQUEE?! HELLO AMAZING MAILBOX!!

BLOODROSE! BORN WICKED! I have been itching to get my hands on both of these books. I've only just started Bloodrose (a little terrified to read on, actually) and then I shall be meet one Mr. Finn belestra. I finished Goddess Interrupted the other day and eeeep, who saw that cliffhanger coming?! (and yes, that is the gorgeous Australian cover pictured above!). I bought The Iron Queen for myself last week to soothe the devestation of an empty mailbox. Then I promptly reread the ending and cue more devestation *sob*

A huge thanks to Brigid Kemmerer for the ARC of Storm!! AND she was so kind to throw in four signed cover jackets! One I will be keeping for myself and the other three? *PLOTS* Since my ARC will be included in one of the prize packs from mine and Lisa's Valentine's Blog Event once I've read it (it's signed too, by the way!), I'm thinking of doing something with these just after Feb so I can continue to force this book on you all :D So excited to read it!

And now a shoutout to one of the most crazy awesome Psychotic Sidekick's in ze the world. Sarah from saz101! She recommended I watch Scott Pilgrim because a) it's apparently awesome and v) there is a vegan villain!!! So I will hopefully watch that over the weekend. And just because she likes topping her own levels of coolness, she sent me these SUPER ADORKABLE psychotic vegetable stickers! You know, because I'm a vegan and she's a vegetarian and we're both a little cracked in the head :) Anyone else think brocolli looks like Voldy? The eyes and no-nose and scary teeth! (I know, my phone doesn't take super clear photos). And evil pea minions!! THANK YOU SARAH <3

What's in your smexy mailbox this week?

Valentine's Blog Event: Character Interview - The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

2012-02-10T22:00:00.000+11:00

What Valentine's event would be complete without a touch of France? It is home to one of the most romantic languages afterall and have you seen the gorgeous Paris?! Plus, we all know they breed those French boys well :) Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Ella and Alex from Melissa Jensen's upcoming novel, THE FINE ART OF TRUTH OR DARE.

Our boy of the moment just happens to be Ella's French tutor. And to seal the deal, they embark on a forbidden romance! Is that a winning formula or not? Are you clambouring to grab yourself a copy already? I know I am. But to give you even more reason, read on for their adorable interview below!

Character Interview - Ella and Alex

What is it like to fall in love with someone so different to you?

Ella: He's a rich boy. He has everything he could possibly want. I mean, I know it's not his fault, but he doesn't know what it's like to have to do things you don't really want to do...or not do things you really want to do. Or even to just want stuff. That makes us so different.
Alex: I get it. I get that she thinks money is everything. Honestly, I don't think we're as different as she thinks we are. I don't think I'm that guy she thinks I am. I just have no idea how to get her to see that. Any suggestions?

How do you both feel about your secret relationship? Are you afraid that it might all come crumbling down one day?

Ella: I hate it. I hate that he doesn't want people to know...but he wants it that way and I...I want him.
Alex: People have their reasons, right? For wanting to keep certain things to themselves. I guess you just have to trust them that they're good reasons. I want to be with Ella, but it's so freakin' complicated. So I keep it secret.

Can you share an embarrassing moment you've had in front of your partner?

Ella: Just about every moment has been mortifying. The way we met. When I tried to recite that poem. When he thought I was peeping at him. Every single time his friends talk to me...
Alex: Oh, man. I'd barely met her when we had one of those big "I'm sorry" moments. It sucked.

What do you love most about each other?

Ella: He's smart and funny and so cute, and he's actually a really really decent person. And then there's the mermaid...
Alex: Really? I'm a guy. And I'm seventeen. Next question?

Can you tell us about how you first met? Were there instant sparks?

Ella: We'd gone to school together for two years. I knew exactly who he was (everyone at Willing knows exactly who Alex Bainbridge is), but we never spoke until I found a book he'd lost and returned it to him. Sparks? No. He called me "Freddie". Like "Krueger".
Alex: I kinda knew who she was, but that day was a little weird. She was standing behind my chair, not saying anything. I didn't know she was there and banged into her when I got up. Then there was that poem thing. Painful. Not the most auspicious of beginnings.

What’s the most romantic thing you've done for each other?

Ella: Oh, I'm not sure I want to share that. Not yet anyway. But I will say the ocean was involved in a big way.
Alex: Um. Guy?

Since you're a secret couple, how will you spend Valentine's Day?

Ella: Dream? At the art museum, in the Japanese exhibits. Or walking through the giant heart at the Franklin Institute. Maybe sushi. He really really likes sushi.
Alex: Um...

What's the most important thing you've learnt in your French lessons, Ella? Alex, can you say something in French for us? *bats eyelashes*

Ella: The most important thing I've learned? That whoever said Italian is the most romantic language was probably Italian.
Alex: Avec plaisir, mademoiselle. Ecoutez. Ces mots sont tres important...Ella est precieuse. Je le sais.

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Yes, as I'm sure some of you have already done, Lisa and I scrambled for Google Translator when we read that last line from Alex! Awwww so sweet! He may claim to be a typical 'guy' with the romantic stuff, but there's no denying his inner sweetheart :) Google says this translate in English to:

"With pleasure, miss. Listen. These words are very important ... Ella is precious. I know."

If one forbidden romance wasn't enough, then check out the character interview with Leah and Porter from Kiss Crush Collide on Lisa's blog!

Full schedule of events can be found HERE.
Fill out the Comment Form and every comment you make earns entries into the yummy prize packs!

Review: BZRK

2012-02-10T12:30:00.000+11:00

Author: Michael Grant
Release Date: February 28th 2012
Publisher: Egmont / Hardie Grant
Add it: Goodreads
Buy: Amazon / Book Depository

Noah and Sadie: newly initiated into an underground cell so covert they don’t even know each other’s real names. Trained for combat on the nano level, they are thrust into a war they can barely grasp.

Vincent: feels nothing and cares for no one. He’s fighting a personal battle with Bug Man, the greatest nano warrior alive.

The Armstrong Twins: wealthy, privileged, fanatical. Are they the saviors of humanity or authors of the darkest conspiracy in history?

On one side: Charles and Benjamin Armstrong’s Nexus Humanus. on the other: a group of teen hackers who call themselves BZRK. This is twenty-first-century warfare that takes place on the macro and nano level for the highest stakes: humanity’s free will. It’s time to choose sides.

BZRK begins by introducing two of our main characters, Noah and Sadie. They both live in separate parts of the world, but due to a series of life-changing events that occur in the beginning, they're thrust into an epic war that is raging inside the very minds of humanity and they don't even know it. Both sides are using nano technology, which are basically microscopic biots controlled by a human that are so small they can crawl in your eyes, scurrying along a path directly to your brain without you feeling a thing. Noah and Sadie are quickly trained in nano combat and sent out into battle, initiated into a cause they were unaware of just weeks prior, but are now apart of it for life. However short that may be.

The technology explored here is astounding. The things they can do inside the human body - 'down in the meat', as they say, is simultaneously fascinating and repulsive. And quick frankly, makes me a little bit paranoid! In the 'nano', we see things on the same level as the minuscule biots. The nano is like a whole new world. Forests of hair follicles, rivers of blood, choppy terrain of dead skin cells, but the real work begins on the inside. Where they can use their nanobots to manipulate your memories, your emotions, your thoughts and freewill. Connect a safe, happy emotion to the enemy and with time you could trust the very person who is trying to kill you. It's the ultimate weapon in world domination, because how can you fight something that can control your mind? That you don't even know exists?

At the root of it all are the conjoined twins, Charles and Benjamin, who are striving for a better world. A nexus-humanus, where we are united as one. Like an insect society, a hive mind where we think together, feel together, share in one another's joys. This is their utopia for humanity and they're determined to achieve it at all costs, regardless of laws, morals and lives. The villains are striving for world peace and happiness. The good guys are trying to tear them down so we have the right to wallow in depression and unhappiness. Sounds twisted, right?

There is a huge cast of characters here and while some I would have liked to grow more of an emotional attachment too, each were just as compelling as one another. BZRK is told from multiple different perspectives, something that really worked for this style of novel because you can't gain an appreciation for the intricate and crazy world Michael has crafted without insight into all sides. To catch glimpse of everything that's going down, because while there may be 'two sides' of this war secretly fighting, there are far more individual stories to tell, secrets and betrayals and sinister plans at play. It's interesting to see each persons motivations and personality. We may see them in a certain light from one character's perspective, but when we get inside their own head, the more layers we can dig through.

The title of the novel sums up exactly how I felt when trying to write this review, because it's not an easy book to describe in a few paragraphs. I want to write in depth thoughts about every character, but I feel I'd be here forever exploring each of them and likely commit spoiler crime. There is SO much going on within these pages, set in an extensively explored world that is quite awe-inspiring. It's gritty and raw, with splattering brains and bones jutting out of arms. But for all the gore and intense action, Michael still manages to explore the subtleties of love, friendship and loyalty. BZRK is clever and downright mad, it will suck you into a terrifying new reality where the only escape is madness or death. Is it inspiring to hope for victory or just plain foolish?

4/5 Golden Apples!

Valentine's Blog Event: Deleted scene - Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

2012-02-09T22:06:00.000+11:00

I am SO excited to be sharing a super special scene with you all today. Lia Habel, the gorgeous and ever so talented author of the zombie steampunk novel DEARLY, DEPARTED has offered us a deleted scene between Bram and Nora from the sequel, DEARLY, BELOVED. I am sad that it's been cut, because ANY scene between this couple gives me a serious case of swoonage. They are so adorable!

If you haven't read Dearly, Departed, you are SO MISSING OUT! This was one of my favourite novels of 2011, you can check out my review here. Lia has crafted such an amazingly creative and vivid futuristic world, blending the 18th century with modern times and.... zomibes? Never did I think I would fall for a sweet, zombie boy :)

Deleted Scene - Dearly, Beloved

“So, what do you feel like today?”

“Not fruit,” Nora Dearly groaned. “Anything but fruit. Between what we’ve found and all those army rations we carted back from Z-Beta…seriously, why were the rations all fruit?”

“Pro-carb policy. Recruits used to get into the meat and jerky rations. Like oversized cockroaches.” Smiling, I poked the girl I was courting – me. Dead. Courting gorgeous little living doll. It was still weird – in the shoulder. “Pick something.”

Swinging her legs against the water-soaked side of the Black Alice – the Punk airship we were still living on in the middle of the jungle, though in a few days, we’d be leaving everything behind for New Victoria – Nora considered. Behind us her zombified father worked at his papers, occasionally giving us an “I see you” glance. Nothing too severe. “Nuts? Would there be any nut trees around here?”

Shutting my eyes, I tried to go farm boy zen, and to indulge my heightened senses. There were ten billion smells in the wilderness, so many that none reigned supreme – but then, from far off, I got a tinge of nutrient-rich soil. It reminded me of the time my mother had planted almonds on our farm. “Maybe.” Without saying another word, I headed for the gangplank. I heard Nora talking to Dr. Dearly, and then running after me.

For a while we both walked in silence, just enjoying the time alone. Although he didn’t seem to mind if we touched one another chastely, or talked about any subject, Dr. Dearly usually insisted we stay near the ship. Every fifth day or so, though, he’d give me a knowing glance and turn a blind eye. Apparently today was one of our good days.

“I think it makes me sick in the head,” Nora said at length, “but I kind of like watching you play hunter. It’s very male. ‘Me man! Me am provide for woman!’”

Snorting, I replied, “Man corpse, am not need eat. Girl am need eat. Is logic, not misogyny. Of course…” I peered at her. “Man could am eat girl.”

For an instant horror seeped into Nora’s expression, her almond-shaped eyes opening wide – but then she cracked up laughing. “I am not even going theeeere,” she shrieked, running into the trees ahead of us.

The thing that’d made me sit up after dying two years ago, the Laz, itched a part of my brain whenever she did that. I had no choice but to give chase.

_______

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Aren't they ADORABLE?! Oh gosh. I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel for more Nora and Bram! Forget everything you thought you knew about zombies, Lia Habel will completely alter your perspective. Go grab yourself a copy asap!

One teaser not enough for you? Then run over to Lisa's blog for a hot teaser from HEMLOCK by Kathleen Peacock!

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Full schedule of events can be found HERE. Fill out the Comment Form and every comment you make earns entries into yummy prize packs!

Giveaway: TOUCH OF POWER by Maria V. Snyder!

2012-02-09T13:56:00.000+11:00

Just slipping this in between the Valentine's posts for all my Aussie and Kiwi readers! Yes, sorry if the double posting lately bothers anyone =\

You HAVE heard of Maria V. Snyer, right? Author extraordinnaire? Maker of fantastical worlds, badass heroines and delectable guys? If you haven't, here's your chance to get a taste of her amazing work! Touch of Power is the first book in a new series by Maria and it is FANTASTIC.

You can read my review HERE and you can check out a character interview with two of the main characters, Kerrick and Avry, HERE.

BUT WAIT. There's more! I'm not here to just force this book upon you (although that is 70% reason for this post). Thanks to the super awesome Gabby at HarlequinTEEN Australia, I have TWO copies of Touch of Power to giveaway! Want one? Fill out the form below!

Laying hands upon the injured and dying, Avry of Kazan assumes their wounds and diseases into herself. But rather than being honored for her skills, she is hunted. Healers like Avry are accused of spreading the plague that has decimated the Territories, leaving the survivors in a state of chaos.

Stressed and tired from hiding, Avry is abducted by a band of rogues who, shockingly, value her gift above the golden bounty offered for her capture. Their leader, an enigmatic captor-protector with powers of his own, is unequivocal in his demands: Avry must heal a plague-stricken prince—leader of a campaign against her people. As they traverse the daunting Nine Mountains, beset by mercenaries and magical dangers, Avry must decide who is worth healing and what is worth dying for. Because the price of peace may well be her life...

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Rules:

Australia & New Zealand residents only (sorry international readers!)

Ends February 23rd 2012

Filling out your name and email is an automatic entry

Extra entries:

+2 for every link to this post - twitter, facebok, sidebar, etc

+3 For commenting with your answer to one of the questions on the form (one question old fans of Maria, another for new fans)

+2 LIKE HarlequinTEEN Australia on Facebook

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Want even MORE chances to win? Other Aussie bloggers are hosting the same giveaway!

Sarah at saz101

Erin from Tales of The Inner Book Fanatic

Celine from Forget-Me-Not's

Michelle from Novels on the Run

Kylie from The Talking Teacup

Lisa from Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me (to be posted on the weekend)