Laura's Review Bookshelf

So I haven't been blogging lately

2012-02-24T15:14:00.000-05:00

I'm sorta on a self-imposed vacation. I should be back and running next week. This week the little one was on vacation and we did some day trips. I'll be back on Monday with the Best Book You're Not reading and some other posts that I have to think of.

See you then!

Waiting on Wednesday 25

2012-02-15T10:19:00.000-05:00

I am really looking forward to this one. Jillian really encompasses the history of the roaring twenties and the racial and social differences that occurred during that time.

From Goodreads:

Parties, bad boys, speakeasies—life in Manhattan has become a woozy blur for Clara Knowles. If Marcus Eastman truly loved her, how could he have fallen for another girl so quickly? Their romance mustn't have been as magical as Clara thought. And if she has to be unhappy, she's going to drag everyone else down to the depths of despair right along with her.

Being a Barnard girl is the stuff of Lorraine Dyer's dreams. Finding out that Marcus is marrying a gold digger who may or may not be named Anastasia? A nightmare. The old Lorraine would have sat by and let the chips fall where they may, but she's grown up a lot these past few months. She can't bear to see Marcus lose a chance for true love. But will anyone listen to her?

Now that the charges against her have been dropped, Gloria Carmody is spending the last dizzying days of summer on Long Island, yachting on the sound and palling around with socialites at Forrest Hamilton's swanky villa. Beneath her smile, though, Gloria's keeping a secret. One that could have deadly consequences . . .

Most Romantic Books for Valentine's Day.

2012-02-14T10:14:00.001-05:00

As today we celebrate love. I thought it would be nice to make a list of my favorite romantic books.

1. Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen. How can this not be number one. It's perfect on the romance. Heavy on the social sarcasm, but it all works out in the end. Well except for Lydia and Wickham.

2. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte. Reader, I loved it. Jane's life is so hard and difficult as a small child that you just hope that she overcomes the hardship and find the one person who could love her for her. She does, but it ends badly for all involved. But Jane perseveres and she comes out on top.

3. Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Bronte. By far my favorite of all the Bronte sisters. This book was written 150 years too soon. Gilbert Markham is the epitome of hero.

4. The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Nifnegger. How can you not love this book. The love between Henry and Claire is heartbreaking and yet, funny at the same time. Claire has loved Henry forever.

5. If I Stay and Where She Went, Gayle Forman. SIGH. A heartbreaking tale of continue to live throughout adversity and realizing that the person who helped pull you through is still the one for you. Mia and Adam is the perfect couple. It only took them three years to realize that.

6. Trinity, Leon Uris. An unusual add, but this is a love story to Ireland. This epic story will have you rooting for Conor and Ireland and hating the English and the Catholic Church. Just a beautiful story set during Ireland's turbulent times.

7. Twilight Series, Stephenie Meyer. Regardless of what you think the romance oozes off the page and people have been addicted to this book. I can't explain what it is. I don't think anyone can. Edward and Bella are not perfect and their romance calls to question many issues like stalking. For some reason, teenage girls find that sexy. Go figure.

Couple of honorable mentions:

A Room With a View, EM Forster. Italy brings out the lovers.
Persuasion, Jane Austen. Refinding love at an older age. Nothing better.

Do you agree with my list? What are you most romantic books that you read?

The Best Book You're Not Reading (3)

2012-02-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

This book that I'm picking is one that I focused a whole week in December on. Am I getting through to you? I loved this book so much and it hasn't found much love lately. But I want you to love it. Because it's fantastic!

Damien Locke is a fantastic character. How can you not love a snarky, hormonal superherovillain? I cannot push this book enough. Chelsea came on my blog and stated that she is writing a sequel and it will be self-published, but don't let that scare you. She is a fantastic writer and I'm looking forward to reading her other books that are coming out soon.

I did some research on this book. It is ranked #806,871. There are only 24 reviews on Amazon. 14 of them are five stars. Please give this book some love. Buy it, borrow it. Do anything to read this. You'll be glad you did.

Waiting on Wednesday 24

2012-02-08T10:28:00.000-05:00

With the sudden ending of Bumped, this is one book that I've been waiting patiently for. I'm curious what happens to Melody and Harmony. What about Ram and Jondoe. What about vertically challenged Zen who really likes Melody? I loved the language of Bumped and hope we get that in the sequel. I find the whole plot to be so original. Megan McCafferty is a fantastic author.

Thumped is released on April 24, 2012

The Best Book You're Not Reading (2)

2012-02-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

In this second edition of The Best Book You're Not Reading, I give you Before After and Somebody in Between by Jeannine Garsee.

This is a little gem that was released in 2007 to very little fanfare by Bloomsbury USA. It tells the story of Martha Kowalski who lives with a drug addicted mom, an abusive stepfather and family upstairs that are involved in gangs. Martha is bullied at school. When Martha is taken away from her mom and sent to live in a foster home, in the suburbs, with a family who have it all. A nice house, money a mom and dad, but things aren't exactly as they seem in that house. There is a secret that is will tear that family apart and leave Martha with absolutely nothing at all.

If you've read Sara Zarr's, Story of a Girl, you'll love this book even more. Garsee creates rich characters that are so disturbed, you can't help but wonder if anyone can survive. The old adage that the grass is greener on the other side is so false that Garsee tells you that it's bullshit and you have to make your own green grass. There are no excuses with her characters, they are what they are and they have to fight to make the right choices. Martha has a gift with the cello and that just may be her saving grace.

Jeannine Garsee works in her real life as psychiatric nurse in a downtown Cleveland hospital, so she sees it all. She is great study of people with various mental illnesses and has her pulse on the life of the poor and downtrodden.

Amazon ranks Before, After or Somebody in Between at 1,301,468 in best selling ranking. This is a fantastic read that is gritty, dirty and hopeful.

Thankful Thursday on the Shelf

2012-02-02T08:11:00.000-05:00

As a life-long Massachusetts resident, I have to pimp out my AFC Champs, New England Patriots. I was absolutely thrilled that we would meet New York G-Men in the Big Game. I have been a long-suffering fan of the Pats when they stunk it up in the late 70s and early 80s.

I remember the beat down we got from the Chicago Bears in the 1986 big game. My heart broke for our team, but we just didn't play well. We went back to the big game in 1997 where we suffered a loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packer and Brett Favre. Turns out that Parcells was leaving the Pats to go coach the NY Jets. And so begins the rivalry between the two markets.

From the moment Belichick came to New England, our football team has been reinvented and we have been on a winning streak that has shocked even some of the hardened fan. We love to win in our hometown and we pride ourselves on being known as a title town. I know there are many people that hate on this man, but he has football in the blood and he bleeds X's and O's.

Tom Brady. What else can I say. From a 6th round pick in 2000, to the best quarterback in the game. With his strong, good looks and athletic ability, we adore this man. He's made a few missteps in the past few years, but we forgave him for that. We see a man who is a wonderful father to two little boys and a husband to a woman who makes much more than him!

Now on to my prediction!

PATRIOTS 31- NEW YORK GIANTS 28.

Everyone enjoy Super Sunday, stay safe, eat and drink lots!

Waiting on Wednesday 23

2012-02-01T14:25:00.000-05:00

My waiting on Wednesday is a by an author who is dear to my heart. I was one of the first people to read an early copy of her very first book and I loved every minute of it. This author is a great person, a fantastic mother and truly loves her fans. I pick Michelle Zink's latest.

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal

This book will be released on March 20, 2012. Published by Dial Books for Penguin.

WoW is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine!

Cinder Audiobook Sample

2012-01-31T09:48:00.000-05:00

I've been asked to give you a sample of the audiobook for Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I just reviewed this book last week on my blog so you can find it below. I'm so excited to partake of this book, it's such a favorite of mine!

Enjoy the audioclip!

The Best Book You're Not Reading (1)

2012-01-30T07:00:00.003-05:00

This is a meme started by me. If anyone else would like to partake of this, I say go right ahead, because I want to know what gems I haven't read either! This will be a weekly meme by me posted on Monday's. I want to say thank to Lisa Mantchev for instilling this idea in my head. She wrote on her facebook that she hates correcting people who call her a New York Times best-selling author. Well you know what? Her book deserves to be a NY Times best seller! So Lisa is my first The Best Book You're Not Reading!

First of all, this cover is just absolutely gorgeous. It's whimsical, magical and it has the coolest looking heroine and fairies. Plus they sorta kick butt in the book too! I had so much fun reading this book. It takes Shakespeare, turns it on it's head and throw in a mystery or two or three and you have a fantastic book! Beatrice lives in the Theatre Illuminata. Her friends are characters in some of Shakespeare's biggest plays!

Lisa creates a mystical world inside the theatre while outside life is moving along. You get that sense although Bertie is sheltered, she knows what the world outside is like. But what I like most about this story is the romance. It's a tiny little flame that is smoldering. Nate is the swashbuckling hero that is also Bertie's best friend. Ariel, is an earth spirit who causes Bertie's knees to weaken.

The fairies are there as your comic relief and they definitely, albeit annoyingly, to Bertie command it! The world is Bertie's stage, yet she's afraid to leave the world she has grown to love, but as she gets older, she must make her way in the world and forge her own destiny.

Eyes like Stars was first published in 2009 by Feiwel & Friends. It currently ranks on Amazon at #481,662. It is a series. Perchance to Dream was published in 2010 and So Silver Bright was published in 2011. The cover artist is Jason Chan.

I need to thank Lori from Pure Imagination for creating the button! She is an amazing person and created something that I could not do. Lori, I can't thank you enough.

Scholastic Book Fair Part 3

2012-01-26T07:49:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was our annual trek to the much loved book fair at Lily's school. In fact I was excited because they had so many great books to choose from even on the YA front!

One of my most favorite purchases this year was the middle grade novel by Kim Harrington, Slueth or Dare: Partners in Crime. In fact there were four copies and I purchased two! I got one for my local library because the librarian loves Kim Harrington books and it's a great add to the collection. Can I just tell you the cover of this book is completely darling in person.

Following Lily's trend of buying 'celebrity' books. All written by Riley Brooks, we got a Selena Gomez and Victoria Justice book. I'm curious about Riley Brooks because she doesn't really interview the stars as she culls information from other locations and interviews. I find you don't really learn much from these books, but Lily likes them, so they get purchased.

The last book was a generic Spongebob book. Which we cannot seem to find. You see right after the book fair, we headed to library and think it's possible Lily left it there. We'll check later today.

Book Review: Cinder, Marissa Meyer

2012-01-25T09:21:00.000-05:00

Reading Level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 390 Pages

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, Jan 3, 2012

Parasols: 5

Cinder was one of those stories that I went into not knowing too much about it. I knew that it was a fractured fairytale and followed the Cinderella template. But it was much more than that. So much more that that.

Cinder is half-cyborg, who lives with a step family who despises her. She works as a mechanic and makes menial money to bring home to her horrid stepmother. She also has two stepsisters, one who is vain, conceited and terrible, and another one who understands her. Everything changes when a strange, handsome young man comes in to her shop to fix his android. He happens to be Prince Kaito of New Bejing.

Throughout the world, a disease is killing people, Letumosis. When the king perishes to the disease, Prince Kai is now in charge of the new world, and many people want to see him get married. However, he has threats coming from another planet who may or may not have the vaccine to save the population. Once the Envoy from the planet Lunar shows up, all hell breaks loose and Cinder will find herself the center of a galactic war.

I read this book back and in November of last year, and really wish I'd written down my thoughts then. I really enjoyed this book a lot and am looking forward to reading more from Marissa. I'm very excited to see how she translates fairytales into this series. I understand this is a quartet so we have a few years to go. I really like how the whole Cinderella theme wasn't shoved down my throat. It wasn't a direct rip-off, she added a lot of elements, but allowed the story to be the focal part. Cinder was a great character. You could tell she just wanted to do her job and not have to deal with the nastiness that she was subjected to by her stepmother, Adri. a completely horrible person. Cinder was brought to the family by Adri's husband and he died leaving her with a half-person, who's history was a mystery. Cinder knew that Adri blamed her for her husband's death and could never think of her as her child.

But that also gave Cinder her tick. The relationship between Prince Kai and Cinder is sweet and slow. Cinder seems a bit oblivious that Kai could show any interest in her, especially when she tries to so hard to keep her cyborg parts secret.

I highly, highly recommend this book and hope that people will enjoy it as much as I did. I'm a big fan and can't wait for the sequel. This is my first 5 parasol review of the year! The thing about reading books early is you have to wait forever for the next one! But I will be first in line to buy the sequel when it's out.

Busy Day in the YA world!!!

2012-01-23T10:39:00.000-05:00

Well today was awards day at ALAMW12 in Dallas, TX.

The big award, The Michael L. Printz award went to:

Where Things Come Back

By John Corey Whaley

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

Fellow Honors:

Why We Broke Up, written by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

The Returning, written by Christine Hinwood and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group Young Readers Group USA.

Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

The Scorpio Races, written by Maggie Stiefvater and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

Where Things Come Back

By John Corey Whaley

Also won the William C. Morris award for best debut.

Winner of Cinder!!!!

2012-01-21T16:12:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the winner of Cinder.

Jane Lafary

Via Randomizer!!!

I will send the Macmillan representative your address and she will mail you your book.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

Bloggers vs. Authors

2012-01-20T09:31:00.000-05:00

There has been some brouhaha lately about authors getting angry with bloggers because they have given a negative review of their book. This is my thought on it.

Authors need to think of their books as children. Once your child is grown up (finishes high school) you have to let them free. You can't keep checking up on them once they've entered the hallowed walls of university or college. A book is the same way. You nurture it, you build it up, it grows and grows until it's ready to fly the coop. Once it's out there, it's no longer yours. Yes, you brought it up, you hope that did you right by it, but you cannot check up on it. If someone doesn't like your child do you e-mail that person and disparage them? No, you tell your child that this is life. Not everyone is going to like you. Same with your book. YOU MUST LET GO.

Debut authors, I think are more likely to take offense, then seasoned authors. They want to be liked and everyone to like their book. But this is not how it works. E-mailing, or getting into a flame war with bloggers, reviewers is not professional. In fact it is disheartening. We don't go into a book thinking we are automatically going to hate it. In fact, we are so excited to receive an early copy or finished copy of book to promote. We have taken out time to read the book and if it is not our cup of tea, it bothers us just as much.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was hugely popular during BEA and at the beginning of 2011. Everyone wanted it It was huge. I managed to get a copy and was so excited to read it. Thrilled! Imagine my surprise when I didn't like. It just wasn't my cup of tea. It had nothing to do with the author, she's been getting a ton of positive reviews, but for me, this book didn't work. I also despised The Lovely Bones. I read that for book club back in 2003 and I just really tore into it. Again, other people loved it. I could name every book I hated and loved and this would be one long post.

Authors, we know that your blood and tears go into your stories and they are close to your heart. But you must let go once it's out in the world. As Bill Belichick says, "We're only looking at the Ravens this week. We can't look past this week." (I paraphrased) when asked if they felt confident winning the Super Bowl 46.

Btw, Go Patriots!

Cinder Blog Tour Stop: The Timeless Allure of Cinderella’s Ball

2012-01-16T07:00:00.011-05:00

Thank you for coming to the thirteenth stop! Have you seen the other twelve stops? Are you ready to learn more about Cinder and the reason for having a Ball? I'm so excited to present Marissa Meyer and her book, Cinder. This is a fantastic read and I urge everyone to run out and buy one or borrow from the library!

Or you can win a copy from the publisher! Just comment and you're entered to win a bound copy of Cinder and a Cinder Mirror! (My 8 yo. snagged mine!) US only. I will pick a winner on Friday, January 20.
Please fill out the form at the end of the post! Thank you.

______________________________________________________________________

There’s just something about getting dressed up and going to a party.

Donning our finest clothes, swanning into a room full of high-society, and enjoying a celebration. Rubbing elbows with those higher-classes we dream of one day joining. Tasting tray-passed delicacies we’ve only ever read about in foodie magazines.

Balls. Dances. Galas. They’re as timeless as star-crossed lovers and happily ever afters.

I submit for the jury’s review the following examples:

- Romeo and Juliet meeting at a huge family bash.

- Elizabeth and Darcy crossing paths at a local dance.

- The traditional Yuleball in Harry Potter’s Goblet of Fire.

- Every high-school prom story ever told.

- The clock striking midnight on dozens of Cinderella tales.

And that’s only the start of countless masquerades that fill up our stories, old and new.

So why has this trope persisted for so long? Why do we still fantasize about ball gowns and champagne fountains, when we can recognize how impractical and nonessential these things are?

I think the reasons are the same now as they’ve been for centuries, and the word fantasize might be the key word in that question. People like to have something bright and whimsical to fill up with daydreams and expectations. Today we might look at Hollywood stars on the red carpet and think What if?, just as Cinderella thought what if as the prince’s ball approached.

And on those rare occasions when such a fancy event becomes a reality—say, our first black-tie wedding or even something as commonplace as a high-school dance—it allow us to envision a transformation that isn’t possible during our normal day-to-day doldrums. When life offers us something to look forward to, we grasp onto it. Hold it dear. Gossip and plan and agonize over which shoes to wear—at least, those of us without a helpful fairy godmother.

For one night, we are the princess, the celebrity, the hero of our own romance.

And it doesn’t appear that these traditions will leave us any time soon. If today’s science-fiction is anything to go by, even future high-tech societies will continue to enjoy these deep-seeded fantasies.

I submit more examples:

- The triumphant celebration at the end of Star Wars Episode IV.*

- The ill-fated “Shindig” in Firefly.

- The over-the-top Capital parties in The Hunger Games.

Though my debut novel, Cinder, is set hundreds of years in the future, I never once questioned the plausibility of the annual festival and royal ball (a celebration of ongoing world peace). I never wondered if it was realistic that Earth’s future teenagers would dream of dancing with a prince. I never doubted that our future generations would still appreciate the art of fashion and luxury, though tastes and trends no doubt will change.

The beauty of Cinderella’s ball, as iconic and symbolic as it has become, is that it offers a glimpse into a lifestyle that many of us can only fantasize about. It offers us something rare and beautiful to store safely in our dreams.

I don’t envision that bit of human nature going away… whether the tale is set once upon a time, or in a galaxy far, far away.

(* Okay, the Star Wars ceremony isn’t really a “ball,” but it is a big celebration, and Leia does look gorgeous in that dress, so I’m counting it.)

Please visit the other stops on the tour!

Monday 1/2 http://www.intergalactic-academy.net/

Tuesday 1/3 http://basicallyamazing.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 1/4 http://www.thebookrat.com/

Thursday 1/5 http://www.readingvacation.net/

Friday 1/6 http://www.workingforthemandroid.com/

Saturday 1/7 http://apocalypsies.blogspot.com/

Monday 1/9 http://www.mybookishways.com/

Tuesday 1/10 http://bookalicio.us

Wednesday 1/11 http://mermaidvision.wordpress.com/

Thursday 1/12 http://bookmigik.blogspot.com/

Friday 1/13 www.mangamaniaccafe.com

Saturday 1/14 http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com/

Monday 1/16 http://www.laurasreviewbookshelf.com/

Tuesday 1/17 http://thebookwurrm.wordpress.com/

Wednesday 1/18 http://www.thebookcellarx.com/
Thursday 1/19 http://www.almostgrownup.net
Friday 1/20 http://ramblingsofawannabescribe.blogspot.com/
Saturday 1/21 http://www.novelnovice.com

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

FRESHMAN YEAR AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS by Meredith Zeitlin Book Trailer

2012-01-13T09:15:00.000-05:00

From Press Release:

Meet Kelsey Finkelstein. She’s fourteen. She lives in Brooklyn.

She's starting her freshman year of high school.

And this is going to be the year that things finally get AWESOME.

(Then again... maybe not.)

Kelsey Finkelstein doesn’t have a checking account, much less a personal Black American Express Card. No fake ID, either – not that she’d pass for 21 in a million yearseven if she did. The only couture in her closet is a Halloween costume her mom made out of an old laundry bag when she was eleven. She’s never been to a club, or had a drinkserved in a martini glass or, frankly, done anything really NYC-ish at all. She doesn'teven have a single friend who's a vampire.

But don’t despair, people—Kelsey’s starting high school in less than a week! This isgoing to be the year she lives up to all of her untapped potential…finally.

Author Meredith Zeitlin is proud to announce the upcoming release of her young adult novel, FRESHMAN YEAR AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS. Coming March 2012 and published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, FRESHMAN YEAR follows the upsand downs of a witty, sometimes wild heroine as she navigates the uncharted waters ofcrushes, friendships, enemies, mysterious photographers, and horrifying school plays.

E. Lockhart, best-selling author of THE BOYFRIEND LIST,

says “Cute and sassy, open-minded and truthful, Kelsey

Finkelstein will be your new best friend.”

FRESHMAN YEAR Links:

Book Website: http://kelseyfinkelstein.com/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOTDUDvvO-k

Amazon Listing: http://mzwrit.es/r3YIgZ

Barnes and Noble Listing: http://mzwrit.es/sl9Sap

Tempest Audio Clip AND Giveaway!!!!

2012-01-12T13:58:00.003-05:00

I'M EXTENDING THIS TIL MONDAY, JANUARY 16 UNTIL 2PM

Tempest webclip

Here is an exclusive clip from the soon to be released Tempest by Julie Cross! I am also giving away a copy of the audiobook to my commenters! The contest will run from 2pm today until 2pm tomorrow! So if you want the unabridged audio copy of this book, leave a comment!

I will pick a winner at 2.15pm tomorrow and the audiobook will be mailed by next week.

In order to win, you must comment!

Thank you and good luck!

Tempest Trailer

2012-01-12T13:34:00.001-05:00

ABOUT TEMPEST:

The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps– it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future. Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

A success in the making: Pre-empted by Summit Entertainment (producers of Twilight) for feature film, with foreign rights sold in more than a dozen countries, Tempest, on sale January 17, is the first book in the buzzed about Tempest series by Julie Cross.

“Julie Cross's thrilling debut is brimming with excitement, romance, and intrigue. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!” —Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

TRAILER URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sidaeJl0qOE

LINKS:

THE TEMPEST SERIES FACEBOOK FAN PAGE:

Read the first 4 chapters of TEMPEST by Julie Cross now at http://on.fb.me/AoQyaQ

Harbinger Trailer

2012-01-11T19:17:00.000-05:00

This book sounds fantastic and I love the cover!

Sara Wilson Etienne

on sale 2/2/12

About the book:

Set in a world in which a diminishing oil supply has lead to chaos and mass rioting, sixteen year old Faye is plagued by waking visions and nightmares. Her parents think the only solution is to send her to Holbrook Academy, the creepy prison-like school for disturbed teenagers. When she and her friends wake up on the floor with their hands stained red, Faye has no idea what it means, but fears she may be the cause. But despite the strangeness of Holbrook and the island on which it sits, Faye feels oddly connected to the place. The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain he is trying to kill her –and the rest of the world too.

Advance Praise for Harbinger:

· “Heart-wrenching, terrifying, hot, and un-put-down-able!” – Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author

· “Intricate, suspenseful, completely absorbing. Harbinger is masterfully done.” – Lisa McMann, author of the New York Times bestselling Wake trilogy

Tempest, Julie Cross-- Pre-Buzz!!!

2012-01-10T17:08:00.002-05:00

You can find the trailer for Tempest here at Shelf-Life at Entertainment Weekly

PRAISE FOR BUZZED-ABOUT DEBUT NOVEL TEMPEST

“Julie Cross's thrilling debut is brimming with excitement, romance, and intrigue.

I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!”

—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

“I have seen the future and it is Jackson Meyer! I loved Julie Cross's engrossing and engaging TEMPEST. If I could time-jump, I'd read the sequel yesterday at the very latest.” —Nancy Holder, New York Times bestselling author of the CRUSADE series

“Once I started TEMPEST, I couldn't put it down. Once I finished TEMPEST, I was dying for the next installment. Julie Cross takes readers on an unforgettable trip through time in this inventive, suspenseful and romantic tale. A thrilling debut from a fantastic new voice.”

—Courtney Summers, Award-Winning author of CRACKED UP TO BE

and SOME GIRLS ARE

“A good thriller moves forward at high speed, but only a superlative thriller can take you on a breathtaking journey through the fourth dimension. Julie Cross’s ingenious story is vividly imagined and splendidly rendered, hitting just the right notes with liberal doses of suspense, intrigue, and romance. Throw in a pitch-perfect cast of engaging characters, and you’ve got a blockbuster young adult debut that will keep readers glued to the pages.”

—Sophie Littlefield, Award-Winning author of BANISHED

“For time traveler Jackson Meyer, the past is the key to his increasingly dangerous future. But who can he trust? The CIA? His mysterious father? Or his conspiracy-theory addicted best friend? A maze of ingenious twists and turns, TEMPEST takes you on a magic carpet ride

that will have you flipping pages to the end.”

—Jana Oliver, author of THE DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTE

“It is equal parts adventure, romance, science fiction and touching family drama; readers will turn the last page and find themselves wishing they could ‘jump’ to the future and read the sequel.”

—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Cross debuts in a big way… Romance fans may discover a newfound interest in time travel, while time travel fans will find some fresh mind-bending ideas at work.”

—VOYA

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEMPEST

By Julie Cross

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Julie Cross' Debut novel TEMPEST (Hardcover; Thomas Dunne and Griffin Books; January 17, 2012; $17.99) is filled with time-travel adventure, romance, and a twisting plot that will keep readers turning the pages. Foreign rights for Tempest have sold in sixteen countries and Summit Entertainment, the company behind the Twilight movies, pre-empted the film rights. The first in an epic trilogy, Tempest heralds a powerful new voice in young adult literature.

Tempest begins in 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy: he’s in college, has a girlfriend, and… the ability to travel back through time. But it’s not like time-travel in the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there are no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors, like in Back to the Future. Jackson’s best friend Adam is the only one who knows about this ability, and with his brilliant mind, helps Jackson to control it and understand it.

But one day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but it is not like his previous time jumps. He’s now stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities. He pieces together clues about his mysterious father, and what really happened to the mother he barely knew. Jackson also befriends the 2007 Holly, protects her, and falls in love with her all over again. But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler… or kill him.

TEMPEST is The Time Traveler’s Wife meets The Bourne Identity, and is sure to please teen and adult readers alike.

About the author:
Julie Cross lives in central Illinois with her husband and three children where she works as a YMCA Gymnastics Program Director. She never considered writing professionally until May of 2009. Since then, she hasn’t gone a day without writing. Her website is http://juliecross.blogspot.com/.

TODAY: A #Cinderparty on Twitter

2012-01-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

#cinderparty tonight on twitter!!

On Monday, January 9, @Figmentfiction is going to be hosting a daylong Twitter party in honor of Marissa Meyer’s new novel, Cinder, a futuristic tale that sends the Cinderella story “into an entirely new, utterly thrilling dimension,” asPublishers Weekly raved: “it unfolds with the magic of a fairy tale and the breakneck excitement of dystopian fiction.”

The #cinderparty starts with 10 chances to win! From 10 a.m. ET until 7 p.m. ET, @Figmentfiction will be tweeting trivia questions related to Cinderand Marissa. Every correct answer gets entered into a drawing to win a supercoolCinder mirror. (One mirror will be given away per question.)

TO WIN: You must be following both @Figmentfiction and @marissa_meyer and use the hashtag #cinderparty in your response.*

Then, from 7:00 to 7:30, you can try and out-Cinder Cinder‘s author in our live trivia quiz. @Figmentfiction will be trying to stump @marissa_meyer on all the things that appear in Cinder. Okay, things that kind of appear in Cinder. Okay, we’re really pushing it, but surely writing about a cyborg mechanic makes one perfectly qualified to field questions about the differences between a lug nut and a wingnut? Maybe not, but this just means you, home-audience tweeters, have a better shot at winning swag for yourselves!

We’ll tweet out a question and you’ll have a few minutes to shout out what you think the answer is with the hashtag #cinderparty. We’ll let you know when you have 30 seconds left. Then, after everyone has submitted their best guesses, Marissa will pick the answer she thinks is correct–or come up with her own if she thinks all of you are wrong. Then we’ll announce if she answered correctly. If YOU manage to get it right, you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of Cinder! (Two copies will be awarded in total.)

TO WIN: You must be following both @Figmentfiction and @marissa_meyer and use the hashtag #cinderparty in your response.*

Then, at 7:30, we’ll sit down (metaphorically) with Marissa for a chat about how to get a debut novel published. Marissa gained a serious online following for her fanfiction and used that fan base to launch a professional writing career. She’ll tell us about that process and offer tips that you, professional writing hopeful, can use to follow in her footsteps. Also joining us will be Marissa’s agent, Jill Grinberg (she also reps Scott Westerfeld!). So if you’re looking tocreate the same kind of splash that Cinder has, be sure to tune in from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. EST!

* Potential winners will be contacted via direct message, and will be required to sign and return an affidavit before receiving a prize. Winners must be 13 or over, and must live in the United States.

Update: Your chance to win is happening here.

Wordpress vs. Blogger

2012-01-09T09:25:00.000-05:00

I'm considering switching my blog over to Wordpress, but I'm not sure if that will be a good idea. Blogger has been okay, but I would like something a bit different with more plugins and perhaps a bit more space? I'm not the most tech savvy blogger and my hubby helps me out a lot when I need it. Lori from Pure Imagination created the template that you see (and I absolutely adore it!). I would definitely migrate everything over and keep this the same.

What are bloggers' thoughts on switching? Should I stay with Blogger or switch to Wordpress. Any information will help me make an informed decision.

Thank for all your help and don't be shy. Tell me your thoughts!

I just really like this!

2012-01-07T19:18:00.001-05:00

Found this on stumbleupon.

Book Breakups - 4

2012-01-06T10:42:00.000-05:00

Book Breakup was created by Lori at Pure Imagination. Address below!

Book Breakup #1

Stephanie Plum Series, Janet Evanovich

I devoured these books about four years ago, until I hit book 12 and then I just got tired of the same formula. As much as I love Stephanie, Grandma Mazur, Ranger, Joe and Lula, I just couldn't take the same story line over and over again. I really hate the dragging out of who Stephanie will pick (Ranger or Joe). Personally, Joe is the one for her. But I think Janet E likes writing the Ranger sex scenes. I'm interested to see the movie and I think there's been enough time for me to pick up Book 13. We'll see.

Book Breakup #2

Anything by V.C Andrews and Ghost Writers

I read these books in 1979 when they first came out and they were scandalous and amazing. My mom is the one who gave me the first book and I was hooked. I read V.C. Andrews voraciously until she died in 1986. Then her books started popping up years later. Continuations of books I'd read while she was still alive. They just did not compare and you could tell that it wasn't the same writer. Twenty-four years after her death her books are still coming out. I find it kind of creepy. Just like I find this cover extremely creepy. If you know the story, this cover is just not right! The true V.C. Andrews books are great, the ghostwritten ones, not so much.

Do you have any book breakups you want to discuss? I'd love to hear what you've read and just can't continue on with!