Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Cover reveal - Lucid by P.T. Michelle

Lucid releases spring of 2012 




 Find P.T. Michelle


I really loved the Brightest Kind of Darkness (see my review here) and am so excited for Lucid.  This cover is beautiful.  I love all the colors.  What do you think?

And the winner is...

Priya Dutt


The winner has been emailed.

Congrats!

Didn't win?  This is a great book. Check it out below.

On The Bright Side by S.R. Johannes + Author Interview

Happy Book Birthday to 
On the Bright Side!

On the Bright Side is a hilarious road to guardian angeldom paved with so much drama and due-paying that it makes middle school look painless.

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, Skyphones and InnerNets are all the rage. Until Gabby finds out she has to protect Angela, her school nemesis, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven. Problem is, Angela is now hitting on Gabby's should-have-been boyfriend. (awkward!)

Instead of protecting Angela, Gabby pranks her (like tripping is a sin?) at the hopes of cooling off the new couple. At first, they seem harmless until the school dance sabotage gets 
completely out of control. Then, her Celestial Sky Agent, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, puts Gabby on probation, threatening her eternal future. 

Determined to right her wrongs, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to Earth for just one day. Without knowing, she kicks off a series of events and learns what can happen when you hate someone to death. 


Praises for On The Bright Side
Clever and charming, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is the story of a reluctant guardian angel, her still-breathing crush, and the frenemy she’s assigned to protect. A great read! -Suzanne Young, author of A Need So Beautiful, A Want So Wicket (6/12), and The Program (2013)"

"With a smart, snappy heroine and a heart-warming crush, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is a page-turning new take on guardian angels that left me begging for a sequel!" - Gretchen McNeil, author of Possess and Ten (9/12) (Balzar + Bray)


S.R. Johannes delivers a cute paranormal thrill ride for middle graders! Even in death there is a BRIGHT SIDE!" - Addison Moore, author of the bestselling Celestra series and soon to be TV show 

“ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is both hilarious and heart-warming – a tale that’ll have you hoping that there really *are* spunky and determined angels like Gabby who’ve got our backs.” - Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of Selling Hope & The 13th Sign (2013) (Feiwel & Friends)


Author Interview


Where did you get the idea for writing On the Bright Side?

I have always been kind of obsessed with death and the after life. After I reading Lisa Schroeder’s I Haunt You…, I found myself wondering more about Jackson’s world. Where was he? Was it so bad, he needed to stay on Earth? I used to watch shows on those people who die for a few minutes and come back. They always talk about how wonderful the OTHER SIDE is. So I started writing a funny book about a great afterlife. The lighter it got, the younger it got and eventually went from being YA to tween.

What can we expect from On the Bright Side?

It is a funny book about death. It looks at a brighter side of The After Life where SKYfones and InnerNets are all the rage. Where you can dress in dolce and Nirvana and eat at The Sacred Chow. But it is also a book about friendship, loss, and acceptance.

Tell us something about Gabby that we won't learn from reading the book.

She almost failed home ec class due to her lack of sewing button. But luckily she can cook a mean grilled cheese sandwich. Gabby walks dogs in her neighborhood for extra money. Though she’s petrified of sheepdogs due to being dragged by one down the street by one. In front of Michael no less. Nasty scabs on 3/4s of your body is not cute.

Is there any of you in Gabby or any of the other characters?

I think there is some of me in ALL my characters. Gabby is like me at that age. She is snarky always slightly moody. I was that way especially in middle school. But I am also extremely loyal (probably too loyal) and I can somehow find humor in the strangest of situations. But I am not very mischievous like Gabby.

If you could have one wish for Gabby, no questions, what would it be?

For her to accept her fate and let go of the past. I think she will be happier.

What's next for you?

I am in a Valentine’s Day Anthology full of Indie authors called In His Eyes. It is filled with short stories from the hot boys in our books and how they feel about girls and love.

Uncontrollable, the sequel to my teen wilderness thriller Untraceable, is scheduled for summer.






Teaser Tuesday 1-31-12

This is a weekly bookish meme is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To participate you:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can     add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO WINGS of the WICKED!

Today's teaser comes from
Wings of the Wicked
by Courtney Allison moulton

"I nodded, taking long, slow breaths to put myself back together, my hands still clutching him.  I needed my head in the game, but I didn't want to let go of Will." Page 9

I loved Anglefire and am so excited to be reading Wings of the Wicked.

What do you think of the teaser?  What's your teaser this week?  Leave me a comment.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Oh Light and Darkness- The Vampire's Daughter by Shayne Leighton

Source:  received eBook from author in exchange for a fair and honest review

My Summary:

Found by a vampire as a baby, Charlotte has lived in the mythical world all her life.  Now as a young adult, she hunts for her vampire and questions the relationship they have.  He has stopped being a father figure to her and started being something more.  But the powers that be want him gone and another wants Charlotte as his own. Struggling to deal with the turmoil of the only world she's ever knows and her developing feelings for the one who raised her, Charlotte must figure out how to save all the ones she loves.

My Thoughts:

2 stars - not my taste but maybe yours

This book is a traditional vampire world with most of the common lore.  I think I may prefer the more urban fantasy world of vampires compared to the traditional world.  I don't care for the casual killing to survive that vampires do in the traditional worlds.  I guess that makes me a western civilization girl, which is true.

The POV of the book moves between different characters.  At first, the book spent a lot of time in Charlotte's head but then the POV started moving around a lot.  At times, this confused me.  I had developed an idea of a character and then I was in his head and it was really different than what I had thought before.  Maybe I have 2 or 3 limit on points of view per book.

The idea of Charlotte being raised by Valek and then having him as a love interest was hard for me to deal with.  I just couldn't get past it. 

As for the plot, it wasn't predictable for me.  That may have been because I was unclear about a few things.  I didn't understand why in one situation, things were dangerous for Charlotte but then later in the same situation, it wasn't dangerous anymore. 

What did I like about the book?  Well I was compelled to finish it.  I wanted to know what would happen.  I think that's important because a lot of books I  don't like, I never finish.  I wanted to know the outcome.  I don't think I will want to read the next book though.  I'm content with this ending.

So this book wasn't for me but it may be for you.   

Here's another persons opinion that was very different from mine.  



Shayne Leighton | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
I am not compensated by the links in this post.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

And the winner is...

*~Bookcrazy~*

Congrats!


The winner will receive an eBook copy of Embrace by Cherie Colyer.
An email has been sent to the winner.

Didn't win?  You should so check out this book...

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Free excerpt + GIVEAWAY

Angel's Rest by Emily March

Blurb from Goodreads:

Beloved author Emily March returns with a warm and uplifting new novel about a small town with a big heart. Welcome to Eternity Springs, a little piece of heaven in the Colorado Rockies.

Gabriel Callahan has lost everything that mattered. All he wants is solitude on an isolated mountain estate. Instead, he gets a neighbor. Vibrant, no-nonsense Nic Sullivan is Eternity Springs’ veterinarian, and she has an uncanny plan to lure this talented architect back to the world of the living. First with a dog, next with a renovation project, and, finally, with a night of passion that ends with a surprise.

Now a man still raw from tragedy must face the biggest struggle of his heart. Can he forgive himself and believe in the power of second chances? Dare he trust in the promise of a future and a brand-new family here in Eternity Springs?


Angel's Rest by Emily March (Excerpt) 

***GIVEAWAY***

I have a copy of this book to giveaway.  Winner's choice of paperback or eBook.  US only.  Fill out the rafflecopter to enter.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Introducing Gavin from the Light of Asteria

 

Character Interview with Gavin from The Light of Asteria


Hey Gavin, thanks for agreeing to talk to me.  Your home is beautiful.  I’m so happy to see all of your beautiful artwork. Can you tell me what draws you to painting?

It may sound odd to some, but I did not choose painting; it chose me. Gifts are given before we are born, and those are the gifts that call to us.

What is your favorite painting that you have ever done?

I usually prefer large canvases that give ample room for subject, light, shadow, and detail. But my favorite piece is actually a painting the size of my palm. It was created when I thought I’d never see Nora again. I carry it with me wherever I go, and it is for my eyes only.

When you and Nora bumped into each other on campus, can you tell me your first impression of her?

I remember her eyes ... deep hazel with flecks of green. They were innocent, but knowing ... intelligent. And then I remember my hand finding the soft curve of her waist. As soon as I took her in my arms I knew I would never want to let go.

Can you share what you were doing on campus that day?

We had been tracking the Dokkalfar throughout that area for several years. Elias prefers anonymity, and so we usually avoid public places. But the morning I met Nora I knew we had to go through campus ... I knew we would find something, I just didn’t know that it would be her.   

Now that you know Nora better, can you describe her in 5 words?

Adorable, determined, intelligent, passionate, and loyal

This may have already happened, but could you describe the perfect day with Nora?  Where would you take her and what would you do? 

I love Nora for a thousand different reasons and for no reason other than she is who she is. And so, to me, every day I have her in my life is a perfect day. Though I’ll admit I would love to take her to a village just east of the castle. Years ago, during the reign of the ancients, those gifted in sculpting lived there. Each dwelling is said to be a masterpiece created from earth, tree, and stone. It is foretold that the villagers embedded so deeply their intent in the homes that the forest has grown to protect it. Legend tells that only the descendants of the ancients can find it. Nora loves exploration, and combining that with her passion for sculpture would be something I would like to experience with her. 

If you could have one wish, no questions, what would it be and why?

I wish that grief was not so tightly bound to love. While I know that love cannot be truly appreciated without grief, it still seems almost cruel that they should be experienced with the same intensity and passion.    

Randomoness:

Skittles or M&M? Neither. I don’t like processed sweets.  
Blond or brunette?  blonde
Blue or brown eyes? brown eyes
Mountains or ocean? mountains
Coke or Pepsi?  spring water
Dinner in or out? Dining in ... I love to cook.
Day or night?  I love the nights of Kailmeyra.
Chocolate or vanilla? Pure vanilla bean sprinkled on Strawberries, pineapples, or papaya. 

Anything else you would like to share with my readers?

Nora asks that I send her warm wishes, and we both would like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement. I’ve come to discover that readers have the kindest hearts of all. 

Hey thanks for talking to me today.  I love those green eyes of yours.  Will you do me a favor?  Can you make sure nothing happens to Nora because I’ve kinda gotten attached?

It will be my life’s purpose. Of that you can be sure.  

Elizabeth Isaacs | Twitter | Amazon Author Page| Asteria Blog  Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

*** GIVEAWAY***

There are a few more days to enter to win an eBook copy of The Light of Asteria.  Just fill out the rafflecopter below.