Read My Mind

COVER REVEAL: Inbetween by Tara Fuller

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:32:00 +0000

Today, I have another cover reveal from Entangled Publishing. The boutique publishing company has putting out some great cover art lately, especially for their young adult line, and Read My Mind is happy to host this one for INBETWEEN by Tara Fuller.

About the author:

Tara Fuller writes novels. Some about grim reapers. Some about witches. All of course are delightfully full of teen angst and kissing. Tara grew up in a one stop light town in Oklahoma where once upon a time she stayed up with a flash light reading RL Stine novles and only dreamed of becoming a writer. She has a slight obsession with music and a shameless addiction for zombie fiction, Mystery Science Theater, and black and white mochas. Tara no longer lives in a one stop light town. Now she lives with her family in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Website | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Blurb:

Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s
life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving
“accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so
Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling
in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who
makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate
has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him
hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn't let her die before,
and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves
from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the
only thing he has left... his soul.

Coming August 2012, ENTANGLED PUBLISHING

Add to Goodreads

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Thoughts?

Bewitching Book Tour Giveaway Winner: Pride's Run by Cat Kalen

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:34:00 +0000

Prize: One e-book copy of Pride's Run by Cat Kalen

Winner: See rafflecopter announcement below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to the winner! I'll be notifying the tour organizer with your email, so your prize can be redeemed.

Didn't win this time around? Check out the other giveaways that I have going now:

Books With Love Hop which ends 2.19, 11:59PM EST.

Please come back to Read My Mind for more great bookish content, giveaways and reviews!

Bewitching Book Tour Giveaway Winner: The Master by Anya Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:33:00 +0000

Prize: One e-book copy of The Master by Anya Winter

Winner: Hai-Yen

Congrats to the winner! I'll be notifying the tour organizer with your email, so your prize can be redeemed.

Didn't win this time around? Check out the other giveaways that I have going now:

Books With Love Hop which ends 2.19, 11:59PM EST.

Please come back to Read My Mind for more great bookish content, giveaways and reviews!

COVER REVEAL: Gravity by Melissa West

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:28:00 +0000

Read My Mind is participating in a cover reveal for Melissa West's upcoming book GRAVITY, from Entangled Publishing. I love science fiction, and I really love science fiction romance. So what could be any better? A YA that fits the criteria, of course!

About the author:

Melissa lives in a tiny suburb of Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She pretends to like yoga, actually likes shoes, and could not live without coffee. Her writing heroes include greats like Jane Austen and Madeleine L'Engle.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Blurb:

In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don't. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last
person she expected hovering above her bed - arrogant Jackson Locke, the
most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind
of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help
him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her
question what she's been taught about his kind. And against her instincts,
she's falling for him. But Ari isn't just any girl, and Jackson wants more
than her attention. Sheąs a military legacy whoąs been trained by her
father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can
know - especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the
information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping
silent will start a war.

Coming October 2012, ENTANGLED PUBLISHING

Add to Goodreads

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon

So what do you think? I like the detailing on either side of the title, though I think the word could be larger. With the picture and author's name at the bottom half, there seems too much space where the title could dominate and stand out. I'd definitely expect a sci-fi novel from this cover, but I do get a bit more of a thriller vibe than a romance. However, I LOVE the blue color.

Comment to share your thoughts.

ARC Review: Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:05:00 +0000

Book: REDWOOD BEND
Author: ROBYN CARR
Genre: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Published: February 2012, MIRA (HARLEQUIN)

Series: Virgin River #18
Source: Little Bird Publicity, no other compensation given for an honest review

Katie Malone and her twin boys’ trip along the beautiful mountain roads to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, the rain has set in, the boys are hungry and Katie doesn’t have the first clue about putting on a spare. As she stands at the side of the road pondering her next move, she hears a distinct rumble. The sight of the sexy, leather-clad bikers who pull up beside her puts her imagination into overdrive.

Dylan Childress and his buddies are on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime. But the site of a woman in distress stops them in their tracks. And while the guys are checking out her car, she and Dylan are checking out one another.

In one brief moment, the world tilts on its axis and any previous plans Katie and Dylan might have had for their futures are left at the side of the road.

My Review:
I was really happy to return to Virgin River, after my first foray there with HIDDEN SUMMIT last month. One of the reasons that I liked both books, and have made it my mission to read more Robyn Carr, is the realness of the dialog and characters. Even for contemporary romance, I find that Carr writes as realistically as possible, including male and female point-of-view.

In REDWOOD BEND, the sister to Conner Danson, mentioned in HIDDEN SUMMIT, gets her turn at the spotlight. Conner no longer has to testify against the man he saw murder someone, Katie can now leave her temporary protected location, and without a permanent plan in place, she heads to Virgin River with her twin boys. As with Conner, she meets her match almost immediately as the novel opens. The instant attraction, or at least notice, is definitely present.

But, it's what Carr does with the rest of the book that makes it an enjoyable and rich read. None of her Virgin River couples come to love easily. In fact, there is much that the characters do and get involved in that does not necessarily revolve around romance. Dylan is trying to figure out what his next business move will be, while pondering a return to Hollywood, and Katie wants to find a place where she can raise her twin boys.

The fact that there is more to her book than just a sexual attraction between her characters is actually very attractive to me. I like that Katie is a mature character with her own mind and two children that don't always make it easy for Dylan. I like that Dylan has to make his own decisions about issues in his life and the two don't just fall into insta-love and miraculously all problems are solved.

The plot and the romance in REDWOOD BEND develop organically over the course of the book. Though Dylan and Katie have to be separated at one point, it reads like a normal relationship where two people have different goals and have to find their way through, then back to each other. Ultimately, a happy ending is reached. Carr's an author that I can count on to deliver a nuanced and engrossing contemporary novel and her VIRGIN RIVER series is one to read.

4/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 13/15 (4 stars) Highly Recommend

Find the author at:
Website | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | Books-A-Million | Amazon

Available formats: Print (Mass Market Paperback), NookBook, Kindle

Valentine's Day Books With Love Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:59:00 +0000

Read My Mind is participating in the Books With Love Valentine's blog hop, hosted by Good Choice Reading starting today, February 14th through February 19th. This is a U.S. only contest; I apologize to my international followers, but there have been many other (and will be in the future) contests where I ship internationally. I just can't do it this time.

Here's what's up for grabs:

A: Maggie Stiefvater ARC (YA Choice #1)

B: Lauren Kate Prize Pack (YA Choice #2)

C: Michelle Rowen Prize Pack (Adult)

The rules are pretty simple:

1. Must have U.S. shipping address
2. Must be 13+ for YA giveaway
3. Must be 18+ for adult giveaway
4. One entry per person via rafflecopter
5. Leave a comment with preferred prize pack (A, B, or C. You can choose more than one, if you like)
6. Two (2) winners will get choice of prize pack. First come, first serve after notification
7. Ends February 19th, 11:59PM (EST)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Valentine's Day!

Under $5 Nook Book Deals (Vol. 3)

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:38:00 +0000

(click title to go to Barnes and Noble)

FREE NookBooks

The Summons by Shona Husk

The Wild's Call by Jeri Smith-Ready

Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean

Survivors by Sophie Littlefield

Mayne Attraction by Ann Mauren

Heart At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

.99 NookBooks

No Dress Required by Cari Quinn

Winning The Wallflower by Eloisa James

Shifter Made by Jennifer Ashley

When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck

Brink Of Eternity by Caris Roane

The Geek Job by Eve Langlais

Chaotic by Kelley Armstrong

The Dead, The Damned, and The Forgotten by Jocelynn Drake

1.99 NookBooks

Devil To Pay by Jeaniene Frost

I Love The Earl by Carolyn Linden

Thread Of Death by Jennifer Estep

Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

The Hunters: Byron and Kitt by Shiloh Walker

2.99 NookBooks

Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews

Countdown by Mira Grant

Bewitching Book Tour Promo: The Mask by Anya Winter Excerpt + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:36:00 +0000

Thank you to Bewitching Book Tours and Anya Winter for today's promo of THE MASK. See my 3 star review for Winter's short and spicy book HERE.

Once upon a time … is how the stories used to start.

Not anymore. Now they start with chocolate (and maybe a little bit of passion).

At least in Anya’s world where passionate pleasures are explored …

One Story at a Time!

Don’t miss out on The Master: Book One of the Masquerade Series.

Website | Twitter | GoodReads

Eve Manor is a pastry chef with a passion for chocolate and romance. During the annual masked Black and Lace ball, Eve has a plan. She created a signature chocolate dish that was sure to knock the socks off every famous chef and food critic attending the ball. Everything hinges on the night’s success.

Christian Grier is a man with a secret. In the foodie world, he's known as the Editor-in-Chief of the famous magazine, Sizzle. When his old college roommate, Josh, asks him to attend the ball his company is catering, Christian intended to turn him down. But when Josh reveals Eve's secret plan, he knew he needed to do everything he could to help. Will hiding behind his mask help in his quest to seduce Eve or will she decide he’s not what she wants after all?

Liquid Silver Books | Amazon

---

Excerpt:

Eve wore a slinky black dress that highlighted her luscious curves. She gazed in awe at the masked dancers as they teased one another with their sexy corsets and tight leather outfits.

The Black Lace Masquerade Ball. A dream come true.

“Is it what you expected, kiddo?” Josh Brown, Eve’s boss, cozied up to her and placed his arm around her waist.

“I’m amazed. It’s better than I imagined. I just wish I was on the other side of the table.” Eve sighed as she gazed around the crowded ballroom. Full of her idols, top-notch chefs from around the country, she dreamed to someday apprentice with one of them.

Despite the sequined masks they all wore, Eve could pinpoint each and every chef she admired. Through Twitter statuses, Facebook updates and magazine articles, she felt like she knew almost every person on the floor.

Jillian Thomas, pastry chef for the Banff Springs Hotel, wore a gorgeous black pinstriped corset with a lace edge that did nothing to hide her voluptuous chest. Lacey Sullivan, Executive Editor for French Cuisine magazine, looked fabulous in a black leather corset dress with a slit up the side and showed the red lining of the leather underskirt. God, she was beautiful.

“You will, one day.” Josh pulled her close and brushed a kiss against her forehead. “That will be you out there, wearing a fuck-me corset and come-hither mask.”

“Josh!” Eve’s eyes widened as she checked to make sure no one heard his words.

Josh leaned down and whispered into her ear. “I saw you coming out of Ganache last night,”

Eve’s body stiffened as her cheeks flushed. Oh no. Without turning to look him in the eye, she tried to step away but his hold tightened.

“Something you want to tell me?”

Eve shook her head as she bit her lip.

“Nothing at all? ‘Cause I thought for sure you’d have something to say about that skimpy little number you wore, or the guy who escorted you to your car.”

What the hell was he doing in that part of the city?

“What would Harold have to say if he knew his little sugar plum was into BDSM?”

Eve dug her elbow into Josh’s side before she turned and glared at him. “I’m not.”

“Really? ‘Cause I know it may be called Ganache, but there’s nothing sweet about the club at all.” He smirked and winked at her.

Damn it all. There was no way she was going to admit anything to him. Not here. Especially not with her grandfather hovering over her every time she turned around.

“Can you forget what you thought you saw and just focus on our plan?” She stepped over to the table where she rearranged platters of petite éclairs, mini cheesecakes and mousse-filled martini glasses.

“It’s going to work.”

“I hope so.” Eve glanced over her shoulder at him and gave what she hoped was an innocent smile.

“Don’t bother sweet’ums. This isn’t my first ball, but it is yours. So let me give you the advice a dear soul gave me oh so long ago—the coach turns back into a pumpkin, the horses into mice and yes, as much as I hate to admit it, the prince does revert back to the Beast.” Josh laid his hand over his heart and sighed.

Eve struggled not to roll her eyes. He couldn’t even get his fairy tales right.

“That dear soul knew what she was talking about, didn’t she?” Madison Pearce, owner of Choco Chic Events, stood behind them, notebook in hand.

Josh stood there, eyes closed as he slowly nodded his head. Eve struggled for composure but lost it when Josh winked at her.

“Eve, your desserts are fantastic. I’ve already had several requests for quotes. You’ve outdone yourself.” Madison smiled before she turned to Josh and gave him a stern look.

Eve breathed a sigh of relief before she took a small step away from the two but still within hearing distance. There was a strong undercurrent filled with tension between them. Whatever was going on didn’t include her. She hoped.

So much was riding on tonight. More than Madison knew. These little desserts were nothing. Not even Madison knew of the plan Josh concocted to help her tonight.

“You promised to behave, Josh. Harold catching you in the broom closet with your new boy toy is not behaving. Honestly. I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately.”

Eve knew she should walk away. “Harold shouldn’t be poking around where he’s not wanted,” Josh crossed his arms and glared at Madison.

Uh oh. She really needed to walk away.

“He was getting a mop to clean up spilled wine. Where else was he to go? Seriously, I need you to step up. If you want a partnership, than show me you deserve it,” Madison hissed between clenched teeth.

Eve spied her grandfather across the room. Now was a good time as any to face him. Josh could handle Madison’s tongue lashing on his own.

She wove her way through the maze of guests and stood beside the man she adored more than life.

“The mask has always mystified me.” He nodded his head at a couple dancing close to them. Eve loved the masks they wore. The female’s face was half-clad in white satin with ribbons tailing down from a large pale pink flower. The man’s mask was a light green with an overlay of black strips.

“Do they not realize that they reveal more of the secrets they wish to hide?” Harold clasped his hands behind him as he surveyed the room.

Eve snaked her arm through his. She would have rested her head on his shoulder but PDAs were highly frowned upon. He believed public displays of affections were for the lower class. She tried to see it from his point-of-view, but for the life of her, she couldn’t. She craved to be out there on that floor wearing a mask that would bring out the girl she kept buried. She thought about the hatbox hidden beneath her bed, containing the beautiful silver mask she’d found in Venice, and a black wig.

“Oh, I don’t know. I find them mysterious, enticing. Seductive in a sense.” Eve tilted her head up and waited for her grandfather’s frown.

“Your generation knows nothing about seduction. Wearing undergarments to a social gathering cheapens the art.” Harold’s lips thinned.

Eve pulled away and studied the man who had moved continents to raise her. She would never have imagined he understood the term seduction let alone have thoughts about it.

“Don’t look at me like that, child. I may be English, but I’m not dead.”

---

Thanks for that great excerpt, Anya, and for visiting Read My Mind today!

Anya is graciously offering one lucky reader an e-book copy of the first book in the MASQUERADE series, THE MASTER. Just leave a comment or question for the author to enter.

A semi-naked photo, taken almost ten years, almost ruins everything for Madison Pearce. With a glass of champagne in hand, Madison is about to call her recent job a success, until she is pulled her into a private room and a secret, one from her past, resurfaces.

Along with the lover, she never expected to see again...

Rules:
Must be 18+
One entry per person
Leave a way to contact you in the comment
One winner will be chosen
Ends February 16th, 2:59AM EST (11:59PM PST)

Bewitching Book Tour Review: The Mask by Anya Winter

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:54:00 +0000

Book: THE MASK
Author: ANYA WINTER
Genre: CONTEMPORARY EROTIC ROMANCE
Published: December 2011, LIQUID SILVER BOOKS

Series: Masquerade #2
The Master (Masquerade #1)
Source: Bewitching Book Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

Eve Manor is a pastry chef with a passion for chocolate and romance. During the annual masked Black & Lace ball, Eve has a plan. She created a signature chocolate dish that was sure to knock the socks off every famous chef and food critic attending the ball. Everything hinges on the night’s success.

Christian Grier is a man with a secret. In the foodie world, he's known as the Editor-in-Chief of the famous magazine, Sizzle. When his old college roommate, Josh, asks him to attend the ball his company is catering, Christian intended to turn him down. But when Josh reveals Eve's secret plan, he knew he needed to do everything he could to help. Will hiding behind his mask help in his quest to seduce Eve or will she decide he’s not what she wants after all?

My Review:
When I first opened THE MASK on my e-reader, I was a little apprehensive about the page count. I enjoy reading novellas, but this seemed to qualify as a short story at less than 50 pages according to my Nook. I soon got over this concern. Though the page count is small, the story is not. Anya Winter employs a great economy of words here, doing little to set up the physical world, and instead focusing on the main characters, their relationship, and the lovely, lovely desserts that are featured in the story.

The reader knows that the setting is some type of tasting event and the dress code seems to be BDSM formal. (Though there is no heavy BDSM play, there is mention of a club that Eve works at, and Cristian is a member there.) Corsets and chocolate permeate the room and seduction is brought to the forefront when Eve decides to make her move on the man that she has wanted.

I adored the fact that Winter made Eve's seduction first involve her incredible desserts. It was like the reader was able to participate in unique foreplay between the two characters before the sexual contact. To be honest, the scenes between Eve and Christian were smoking hot, even when they weren't naked, but there was a sensuality to their encounter that wasn't just overt sexuality.

Like the desserts that take center stage in the beginning of this book, THE MASK is delicious and naughty; the kind of book brief enough to leave a reader wanting more, just as a small square of rich chocolate or slim slice of cheesecake is guaranteed to do. I enjoyed the time I spent in Eve and Christian's world.

Even though it was short, as a contemporary erotic romance, THE MASK hit all the spots I want from this type of book. Better than that, even with this being stand-alone enough to be read without having read the first in the series beforehand, it made me want to check out THE MASTER and see what else Winter has written.

3/5 for plot
3.5/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 10.5/15 (3 stars) Recommend

Find the author at:
Website | Twitter | GoodReads

Purchase book at:
Liquid Silver Books | Amazon

Tour Participation:

Bookish Snob Promotions: A Vampire's Deadly Delight by Liv Rancourt

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:22:00 +0000

I'd like to welcome Liv Rancourt to Read My Mind today. For her blog tour, sponsored by Bookish Snob Promotions, Liv has kindly provided an excerpt from her book, A VAMPIRE'S DEADLY DELIGHT!

About The Author:

Liv Rancourt is a writer of speculative fiction and romance. She lives in Seattle with her husband, two teenagers, two cats and one wayward puppy. Writing stories that have happy endings is a good way to balance her work in the neonatal intensive care unit, and she is thrilled to be publishing her first novella with Black Opal Books.

Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Excerpt:

There’s nothing more fun than killing a vampire…maybe…

“Better.”

In that one word I heard his tension, saw the wooden rigidity of his arms. Yeah, he wanted me. He wanted me bad. This one was strong. And old. As we stood, taking each other’s measure, I could sense the power of his years on Earth. Woo baby, I’d never done one this old. Wasn’t going to stop me, though. I reached for the short sword I kept in a sheath that was strapped to my thigh.

“Sorry we don’t have time to catch up, Shakespeare baby,” I said as I raised the blade I called Mr. Sticky. I imagined pressing it to his chest, making a quick slice up his sternum, right turn across his ribs, then back to make sure I got through his great vessels, the aorta and the vena cava. His heart would be mine. Too easy.

“Jai,” he breathed.

I stood frozen in place, my normal protection against a vampire’s vibe completely gone. They usually don’t scare me. He did. He was so old, so powerful.

Pausing is always a mistake. It gave me time to really look at him. There was something warm, something good, worked into him, one golden thread in the blackened weave of his being. All I usually saw in a vampire was dead—bone and muscle, sinew and dust. This one was different. I didn’t put Mr. Sticky away. I didn’t go for his heart, either.

It was Vivienne who blinked first. She threw the candle at the bed then dove between me and the vampire. He grabbed at her hair. I heard a snap and saw her crumple to the floor, her neck making an awkward L-shaped curve, her head at an impossible angle to her shoulder. The candle went out and before I could respond I felt the vampire leave.

Jai faded and Kristen came back.

Thanks for the sneak peek, Liv!

Readers, be sure to check out the next stop on the tour on February 10th: Stitch, Read, Cook.

Visit Liv Rancourt's website on February 15th for the final stop and a fantastic giveaway.

Come back to Read My Mind on Monday, February 13th for my review.

Kristen has a deadly secret—when she smells a vampire, she turns into Jai, a beauti-licious babe who makes vamps permanently dead. To a vamp, Jai is like ambrosia. They can’t resist her. She uses this attraction, plus her super strength and her trusty blade, Mr. Sticky, to end their undead lives. The thrill of wearing miniskirts without worrying about cellulite stifles any qualms Kristen might have about killing the undead. Being Jai is the most fun she has ever had—until they come up against the one vampire Jai can’t kill. If he and Jai have a history, as he claims, Jai can’t remember it...or him.

But when her work catches the attention of some old enemies—who won’t hesitate to destroy Kristen if it also means the end of Jai—this vampire may be their only hope. Can Kristen and Jai learn to tell the difference between good and evil in time to defeat Jai’s ancient nemesis? Or will being Jai’s hostess cost Kristen more than just a little sleep?

Tour Participation:

Bewitching Book Tours: L.J. DeLeon Guest Post + Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:50:00 +0000

Welcome to L.J. DeLeon, author of the WARRIORS OF LIGHT series! I really enjoyed reading the first book, WARRIOR'S RISE. See my review HERE.

About The Author:

Bestselling author, LJ DeLeon is an Army brat and a world-traveled former CIA Intelligence Analyst who has seen enough of this world to appreciate other worlds. Working for the CIA was great training for writing fantasy, paranormal, and futuristic romance--and understanding the warrior mentality--amazing how real life and fiction overlap. Honor: the ultimate seduction.

Hi, I’m LJ DeLeon and am not only a writer but a bookaholic. I’m never seen without a book and will read anything put in front of me. If there isn’t a book around, I’ll read the ingredients on the back of a box.

My love of reading would come from both my parents. Mom was always reading. Dad had three books going at once—bathroom, bedroom, and family room. Once, I asked why so many at the same time? His answer was classic. Those are the rooms I spend most of my life. By having a book in each room, I don’t have to carry one with me from room-to-room. I’m more like my mother, one book at a time. My father was a career army officer. We moved so often that by the time I was in tenth grade, I was in my thirteenth school. Books were my one constant.

Christmas of 2010, my son gave me a Kindle. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. No longer were piles of books stacked on tables or the floor. My addiction is now hidden. However, to stay solvent, I get an Amazon gift card on the first of the month. That’s supposed to cover my purchases. Ha, I say. If you’re a reader, you can’t get enough books.

So, why did I become a writer? Again, it revolves around reading. We posted at the US Embassy, Berne, Switzerland and there weren’t any bookstores that carried what I loved to read—action adventure, paranormal/urban fantasy, romance, sci-fi, dystopian/post-apocalyptic, and mystery—in English and that were affordable. Once a month trips to the Stars and Strips in Heidelberg, Germany didn’t hack it. That meant, writing stories I wanted to read.

And so began my journey. I write books I love to read, cross genre action adventure/urban fantasy/paranormal romance. Out of this has come the Warriors for Light series, which is about the eternal struggle of good versus evil, made more difficult by not always knowing who is who. To quote Captain Kirk of Star Trek, “Good can triumph over evil, but it must be very, very careful.” I love complex characters, where even the good can step into shades of gray, and the bad will sometimes even surprise themselves.

There are four worlds in the series. The Abyss is the Dark Lord’s domain. hIfreann is the Goddess’ domain and that of her Paladins (the Seraphim—archangels to us norms) and the Saraph—über shapeshifters who can assume any shape but in battle are fire-breathing dragons. Otherworld is where the Fae and most other magickal creatures live. And finally, but not least, is Earth, where human norms unknowingly live beside magicks, some Fae, were-animals, and half-breeds of all the species.

Each world has its own rules and inhabitants. For the most part, they didn’t mingle until the Dark Lord decided he wanted to rule the other three worlds. Now demons roam Earth. Human norm society has been turned on its head. Belief systems are in turmoil. It has become a world where the young Eagle Scout next door just might be a were-eagle, or your favorite running back is a werewolf, or—gasp—your benign-looking Senator is a black magick mage. But worst of all, humans who have always viewed themselves as being at top food chain, suddenly discover themselves prey.

If you stop by my website www.warriorsforlight.com you can read full first chapters of Warrior’s Rise, Dragon Child, and Absolution. There is also a flash fiction/short story Deva’s Promise, which takes place on Deva’s—the heroine of Warrior’s Rise and the leader of the Army for Light—twelfth birthday. This story gives insight into why Deva reacts as she does at the mention of Harpies.

Thanks L.J. for stopping by!

I read anything too. When I was a child, my parents didn't allow books at the table, so I remember reading the same cereal box over and over, every single day, just to have something to read while I had breakfast! Now that I'm in charge, I bring my Nook to the table...

L.J. and Bewitching Book Tours are also giving away a $25 Bookstore Gift Card (winner's choice of store) during the tour. Enter via this FORM and be sure to leave a comment with an unusual place you might stash a book to enter.

Warrior's Rise

For Fae-human half-breed Deva Morgan life as she knows it changes on her thirtieth birthday. One moment she's a barkeep, the next she is a warrior fated to save Earth from the Dark Lord and his demon hoard. Shunned by both her races, she faces a danger-filled quest with few allies. Too bad her powers haven't fully emerged or stabilized.

For Deva it is life or death, on-the-job training with her companion, Padraig Neal, a Fae warrior with a shadowed past. Can he quiet the storm raging inside her, help her harness the growing power within her, and provide a barrier between Deva and a fatal outcome? Will their love be enough to save Deva and stop the Dark Lord's demons from entering Earth?

Dragon Child

A fire-breathing dragon, Moira O'Neal, was exchanged at birth for a Fae princess. Discovering the truth, she escapes the cage of the royal court and joins forces with the sexiest wereleopard on Earthworld. She fights the urge to mate and the trap that comes with it as they race against time to find the missing princess and a master of the black arts who covets her power.

Major Steve Taylor, a wereleopard in the Army for Light, partners with the impetuous Moira in the middle a dangerous mission where failure means all their deaths. Worse, his leopard decides Moira is his mate, leaving the man at war with his cat.

Absolution

He did the unforgivable. Druid Lucan Woods killed his surrogate father and best friend for the greater good. Wracked with guilt, he infiltrates a brotherhood of evil, hoping the mission is one way. Absolution may come from a missing Fae Princess, if he will accept it. Or will he reject her love and use her as a pawn in his drive to destroy the leader of the brotherhood?

Fae Princess Alanna has just learned her twin daughters are alive. She leaves hIfreann to search Earth for them. Only she can touch Luc’s heart. But will he let her? Will he open his stained soul and allow her to enter in time to save them both?

Tour Participation:

Bewitching Book Tours Review: Warrior's Rise by L.J. DeLeon

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:24:00 +0000

Book: WARRIOR'S RISE
Author: L.J. DELEON
Genre: FANTASY/PARANORMAL
Published: March 2011

Series: Warriors For Light #1
Source: Bewitching Book Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
For Fae-human half-breed Deva Morgan life as she knows it changes on her thirtieth birthday. One moment she's a barkeep, the next she is a warrior fated to save Earth from the Dark Lord and his demon hoard. Shunned by both her races, she faces a danger-filled quest with few allies. Too bad her powers haven't fully emerged or stabilized.

For Deva it is life or death, on-the-job training with her companion, Padraig Neal, a Fae warrior with a shadowed past. Can he quiet the storm raging inside her, help her harness the growing power within her, and provide a barrier between Deva and a fatal outcome? Will their love be enough to save Deva and stop the Dark Lord's demons from entering Earth?

My Review:
Talk about starting off with action! WARRIOR'S RISE throws the reader straight into the world of fae, shapeshifters and demons that Deva, the primary female character lives in. Except she doesn't just have to navigate the world, she has the lead the fight against the Dark Lord as the Caidh Arm, a mystical warrior leader. I loved the way that Deva is introduced. Padraig (which, if I'm not mistaken, is pronounced almost identically to Patrick), a warrior in his own right, teams up with her and her shapeshifter guards to take out some bad guys.

Teams up is exactly the right phrase, too. L.J. DeLeon has written a partnership with her hero/heroine duo. Though Deva has always had her shapeshifter protectors (you could say that she was raised by wolves), she is an awesome warrior in her own right. In fact, throughout the book, Deva racks up a pretty impressive demon body count thanks to her training and powers. Padraig is neither too alpha, nor too beta. He's just the right compliment to Deva, not acting the typical "you stay and hide, while I kill the baddies" male paranormal hero.

WARRIOR'S RISE had a really good combination of elements that had me enjoying different aspects of a paranormal/fantasy novel. Much of the book is Deva, Padraig, and her team on the move, trying to out-run all of the creatures that the Dark Lord and his "minion" Sabina, throw at them. However, what makes it so smart is that there is a good amount of strategic planning, military structure and dialog to balance out the intense action and danger. I thought the inclusion of governmental personnel and diplomatic talk really enhanced the plot.

What DeLeon has done is introduced a more unique adventure novel with paranormal and fantasy aspects. WARRIOR'S RISE does have a nice romance between Deva and Padraig, but it develops organically throughout the book, not all at once at the beginning. And, the focus stays on the action part, which was a big plus, for me.

I could see any reader who loves romantic suspense, military, or action adventure reads, but is a newcomer to either paranormal or fantasy would enjoy this book. While the romance isn't the focus of the book, it should appeal to paranormal romance fans, as well as fantasy readers. Honestly, anyone who enjoys genre fiction should find something in WARRIOR'S RISE to ring their bell.

4.5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 13/15 (4 stars)

Find the author at:
Website | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | Amazon

Available formats: NookBook, epub, pdf, Kindle

Tour Participation:

RAK: February Wishlist

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:46:00 +0000

It's February 1st, which means a new month of RAK. After taking a couple of months off, I'm participating again this month.

Want in on the fun? Here's the rules from lovely RAK hosts Book Soulmates

{Please remember that R.A.K. is not about receiving FREE books! It's about giving as well as receiving. It's about passing on the joy of reading and books with others. If during any given month, you find that you may not be able to give at all, please reconsider signing up for that month. We've found that there have been quite a few people who have received but not given and that may seem unfair to some.}

COMPLETE RULES RE-CAP:

Please read carefully and follow all rules! Thank you!

Please sign-up each month that you can participate (and by participate, we mean give as well as receive).

Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button (code is in the right sidebar).

Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog, etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.

If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger directly for their information.

Once you receive a RAK, send us an our new email to rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com so that we can update the Google Doc. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU SEND EMAILS TO THIS ADDRESS!

E-book participation is limited to files being gifted directly to a person from the e-book store. Amazon's Kindle Store is set up to allow this, as well as the Kobo store and we believe Barnes & Noble with Nook as well.

At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K by making a "RAK Wrap-Up" post. This post should include who you SENT gifts to as well who you RECEIVED gifts from :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE including all our International brethren!
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Easy peezy!!

Here's my Top Five from my wishlist (no particular order):

1. The Renfield Syndrome by J.A. Saare
2. Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake
3. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
4. Harbinger by Sarah Wilson Etienne
5. Liar's Moon by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Lillie's favorite books »

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Bewitching Book Tours Promo: Pride's Run by Cat Kalen

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:43:00 +0000

Read My Mind is participating in the Bewitching Book Tours promotion for PRIDE'S RUN by Cat Kalen today. Thanks to the author for stopping by with an excerpt and giveaway! Check out my review HERE.

About the Author

Cat Kalen is a multi published author in the romance genre under two pen names, Cat is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and watermelon. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Cat can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.

A maritime native and former financial officer, Cat has lived all over Canada but has finally settled down in her childhood hometown with her family.

Find the author at:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

PRIDE'S RUN

California Wine Country
August 23rd, six days until full moon

The click of the lock at the top of the stairwell is my only indication that morning is upon me. My ears perk up and I listen for the coming footfalls. The weight on the stairs combined with the creaking of each wooden step will let me know which handler has come for us this time, which unlucky puppet has drawn the short end of the straw and is stuck with letting the dogs out, or in this case, the werewolves.

Sure, he’ll come sauntering down the stairs sporting a brave face and looking at me with cold, dark eyes meant to intimidate. But the wolf inside me can smell his inner fear. Despite the fact that I’m the one caged, underneath the handler’s cool, superficial shell he’s the one who’s truly afraid.

A long column of light filters down the stairs and I blink my eyes into focus as the bright rays infiltrate the pitch black cellar. I don’t really need to blink. Not with my exceptional vision. But I do it anyway because sometimes I simply like to pretend I’m a normal seventeen year old girl, one who can’t see in the dark. It’s nonsense, I know. I’m not fooling anyone. Least of all myself.

The door yawns wider and before the first heavy boot, soiled with old blood that he’ll pass off as wine stains, hits the top step, my senses go on high alert. I never know what morning will bring—or who will bring it.

A breeze rushes down the stairs ahead of the handler, carrying the aroma of the grand estate with it. I push past the metallic scent of dried blood to catch traces of grape juice in the air, a common smell on the majestic vineyard—that and illegal drugs, the estate’s real source of income. Going beyond those familiar fragrances, I breathe deeper and get hints of fresh bread baking in the upstairs kitchen. It must be Thursday. Mica, the estate’s cook, always bakes on Thursday.

In my human form I roll onto my side and lean toward the smell. Wistfully, my tongue darts out and brushes over my bottom lip. There is something about that scent that always entices me and before I can help it I envision myself eating a warm slice covered in rich creamy butter, crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside.

My nostrils widen, but I know the bread isn’t meant for me and not even one delicious crumb will pass over my dry lips. Not unless Mica sneaks it to me. As much as I’d love to taste her offerings I don’t like it when she takes chances for me. Disobedience is far too risky for the aging housekeeper. Despite that, my stomach growls in response to the aroma and I fight off the cravings. I can’t hope for bread when it’s unlikely that I’ll even be given a scrap of food today, especially if I can’t please him.

My master.

A boot hits the second step—the handlers always descend slowly—and as I stretch my legs out on my dusty mattress I hear the waking groans of Jace and Clover stirring in their own cages beside me. I glance their way, and that’s when my attention falls on the one empty cage in the cellar. My mother’s den. I breathe deep and fight off a pang of sadness that I cannot afford to feel.

I turn away from the empty cage and stare at the gray cement walls. I can’t bear to look at her den any longer. It only reminds me of how they killed her and how all the pups were forced to watch—to learn that disobedience comes with a price. Guilt and sorrow eat at me to think that she’d died trying to free me.

When step number five creaks, I diligently try to shake off the memories. The handler is close which means I can’t think about my mother right now. I push all thoughts of her aside, knowing that right now I have to think about my father and what he taught me before the master killed him. Never let them see your fear.

I harden myself.

Prepare.

Before my master’s puppet even reaches the bottom step, I know it’s the one they call Lawrence, the handler I hate the most. The one with a weak mind, strong back, teeth like baked beans and beady eyes that fit his ugly rat face.

He likes to call me kitten. I have a few choice names that I’d like to call him in return, but I always bite the inside of my cheek to resist the urge. Partly because I’d be whipped and partly because Miss Kara educated me and taught me all about manners. I realize that an educated wolf with manners might sound laughable. In my line of work, however, education and manners are as lethal as a bear trap to those I hunt. That’s how I lure my marks, how I bait my prey. A pretty face and good grace go a long way for a trained killer like me.

My glance wanders to my leg, the one peeking out from beneath my ratty blanket, and my eyes are drawn to the long jagged scar tracking the length of my calf. I grimace. Even with my education and manners, I never forget what I really am. I’m never allowed to.

“Hey kitten,” Lawrence says. Most would think the nickname is a play on my birth name, Pride. But I know it’s the handler’s way of cutting me down, to find control where he feels none. My parents called me Pride because I was their pride and joy. Lions live in a pride and since lions are cats...

He tosses a collar and chain into my cage. “Leash up.”

I take note of the gun in his holster before my glance locks on his. As I give him a good hard stare, he flinches. The movement is slight, but I notice it. Dressed in my knee length nightgown, long hair loose around my shoulders, I might look like an average seventeen year old girl—harmless and innocent—but we all know I’m not.

Thanks so much for that great excerpt, Cat! Now's your chance to enter to win an e-book copy of your own.

Rules:
Must be 13+ to enter
One entry via rafflecopter per person
International entries welcome
Giveaway ends February 8th, 11:59pm

Cat is also giving away 2 print copies of Pride's Run for anyone who enters during the tour (Jan 23rd-Feb 20th). Find the form HERE. Please leave a comment as part of either or both entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Seventeen year old Pride is a tracker—a werewolf with a hunger for blood. Taught to trick and to lure, she is the perfect killing machine.

Kept leashed in the cellar by a master who is as ruthless as he is powerful, Pride dreams of freedom, of living a normal life, but escape from the compound is near impossible and disobedience comes with a price.

When she learns her master intends to breed her she knows she has to run.
But Pride soon learns that if she is to survive in the wild, she must trust in the boy who promises her freedom, the same boy she was sent to hunt.

With life and death hanging in the balance the two find themselves on the run from the Paranormal Task Force—officers who shoot first and ask questions later—as well as her master’s handlers.

Can Pride flee the man who has held her captive since birth and find sanctuary in the arms of a boy who has captured her heart? Or will her master find her first?

Purchase book at:

Smashwords | All Romance E-Books | Amazon

Tour Participation:

Bewitching Book Tour Review: Pride's Run by Cat Kalen

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:36:00 +0000

Book: PRIDE'S RUN
Author: CAT KALEN
Genre: PARANORMAL YA
Published: November 2011

Source: Bewitching Book Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

Seventeen year old Pride is a tracker—a werewolf with a hunger for blood. Taught to trick and to lure, she is the perfect killing machine.

Kept leashed in the cellar by a master who is as ruthless as he is powerful, Pride dreams of freedom, of living a normal life, but escape from the compound is near impossible and disobedience comes with a price.

When she learns her master intends to breed her she knows she has to run.
But Pride soon learns that if she is to survive in the wild, she must trust in the boy who promises her freedom, the same boy she was sent to hunt.

With life and death hanging in the balance the two find themselves on the run from the Paranormal Task Force—officers who shoot first and ask questions later—as well as her master’s handlers.

Can Pride flee the man who has held her captive since birth and find sanctuary in the arms of a boy who has captured her heart? Or will her master find her first?

My Review:
PRIDE'S RUN is a great paranormal YA. I have a fondness for shifter books, but don't actually read that many in the YA category. This book caught my eye with the synopsis right away. Usually shifters are at the top of the food chain in paranormal books. They're faster, more dangerous, and they are only part human. PRIDE'S RUN takes a look at the other side of the coin, where shifters are subjugated and controlled by humans.

In fact, PRIDE'S RUN draws some disturbing parallels to human trafficking and the way that people can be used as property to those rich enough and lacking morality. Pride is a young woman who's been born into captivity and has never known anything other than the brutality and indifference of her master. He uses her as an assassin that his targets never see coming, mostly because of her youth and pretty face.

Cat Kalen's characters are ruthless and lack any kind of childhood, and yet both Pride and her nemesis at her master's compound have a certain vulnerability. Despite the fact that they live in an unconscionable world, Pride has a family in some of the other werewolves held with her. The pace of PRIDE'S RUN is frenetic and intense, taking place in present tense, yet the reader can still get a sense of how Pride has survived for as long as she has, the friends that she has, and the events that have shaped her personality.

What I liked about Kalen's plot, characters and setting was that it combined the best parts of a paranormal coming-of-age with an urban fantasy. PRIDE'S RUN was edgy and dangerous, with disturbing events right from the start. But, that wasn't all of the story. With the romantic bond that forms between Pride and Logan, (which doesn't over take the story, well done) and Pride's initial fear of her fellow werewolf enemy, Stone, which later turns into confusion over some of his actions, this is a well-rounded novel.

Though I do think that PRIDE'S RUN could be inappropriate for younger or less advanced YA readers, anyone who enjoys a paranormal read involving werewolf shifters should not be disappointed.

4.5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 13/15 (4 stars)

Highly Recommend, if you liked:
Phantom Universe by Laura Kreitzer
Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Barnes
The Shifters of 2040 by Ami Blackwelder

Find the author at:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Purchase book at:
Smashwords | All Romance E-Books | Amazon

Available formats: Print (Trade Paperback), Nook Book, epub, pdf, Kindle

Tour Participation:

Under $5 Nook Books Vol. 2 (Jan 28th)

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:39:00 +0000

YA Edition! (Click the price to go to Barnes and Noble book page)

NOOK .99

An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne was content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell cast on her at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable rage and access to magic she thought had been bled from her people years ago. Even her years of secret training in elite hand-to-hand combat and meditation can’t calm the fires raging inside her.

Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she’s always loved and the one who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear itself apart due to rumors surrounding the queen’s alleged affair, who will Lianne protect and who will she destroy?

NOOK .99

Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother's life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she's somehow responsible for her mom's death, Riley is desperate to see her mother's elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn't get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley's falling hard for Ian.

Riley believes her gift could help Ian end the curse that has kept him tied to the land for centuries, but that would mean letting him go forever and she's not sure she is strong enough to do that. As if her life wasn't complicated enough, the spirit of the woman who killed Ian returns and she'll stop at nothing to keep Riley from helping Ian find eternal peace.

NOOK .99

Amongst the wasteland lies the gleaming city of Karm. A Camelot-esque utopia built from the ashes of a dying world.

Seventeen-year-old Fallon is no daughter of Karm.

She's its assassin.

Raised by a secret society of rebels, she's bent on bringing down the king's sham of an existence. But her first mark, one of the king's top knights of the Force, makes her question everything. Even her heart.

NOOK .99

Persephone has been running for her entire life. Running from the humans to keep her immortality a secret. And running from a man who haunts her dreams. Not a man but a god, who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. And what he wants most, is her.

Trapped in the realm of the dead, Persephone plans to return to the land of the living. The underworld is a terrifying place where ghosts roam freely, three headed dogs patrol the gates, and it’s a living grave where the rules of earth and the warmth of the sun no longer apply. But then, something unexpected happens. Persephone finds herself falling for the god who abducted her, the god who has chased her for five thousand years, a god who is none other than death himself, Hades.

Ripped out of the underworld by Zeus, Persephone must find a pomegranate to return to the realm of the dead and to her beloved. Consuming only a seed of the fruit of the dead would bind Persephone to spend her life beneath the earth’s core with Hades. But Zeus has reduced every pomegranate tree in the world to ash. Except one. Persephone must locate that one remaining pomegranate tree, a quest that could ignite a war between the two mightiest of the god’s. A war that could cause Persephone to lose the only family she’s ever known or give up a love that comes only once every five thousand years.

NOOK .99

London, 1889. Victoria is Queen. Charles Darwin’s son is Prime Minister. And steam is the power that runs the world.

At 17, Claire Trevelyan, daughter of Viscount St. Ives, was expected to do nothing more than pour an elegant cup of tea, sew a fine seam, and catch a rich husband. Unfortunately, Claire’s talents lie not in the ballroom, but in the chemistry lab, where things have a regrettable habit of blowing up. When her father gambles the estate on the combustion engine and loses, Claire finds herself down and out on the mean streets of London. But being a young woman of resources and intellect, she turns fortune on its head. It’s not long before a new leader rises in the underworld, known only as the Lady of Devices.

When she meets Andrew Malvern, a member of the Royal Society of Engineers, she realizes her talents may encompass more than the invention of explosive devices. They may help her realize her dreams and his . . . if they can both stay alive long enough to see that sometimes the closest friendships can trigger the greatest betrayals...

NOOK .99

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

NOOK .99

Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.

The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely— something not human?

As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want?

NOOK 2.99

Logan Daniels has always led a sheltered life in sleepy, predictable Lancaster, New Hampshire. But when beautiful Serena suddenly appears at school one day, his comfortable existence becomes anything but as he finds himself falling in love with her. There’s something special about Serena Starr. He realizes what it is when he sees her unleash her spells. Soon, a mysterious and foreboding presence settles over his placid home.

Logan and Serena find themselves battling darkness and evil with an ominous mission: it wants Serena and will stop at nothing to have her. Tearing apart Logan’s town, threatening his friends, even causing harm to his family, the demon will spread its doom over every facet of Logan’s once placid life. Logan matures in ways he could never have imagined as he struggles to protect those he loves, including Serena. But he can't do it alone.

Serena hails from a long line of able and powerful women who will aide in the battle and perhaps settle a score of their own. The strength of the coven and Serena's love will be behind him, but ultimately this is Logan’s fight to win. But, will he?

NOOK 2.99

Ander McNair used to be the favorite son of a great monster-hunting family – until he was bitten by a werewolf and the hunter became the hunted. Now anything that makes his pulse race, even a kiss from his girlfriend Cicely, is enough to turn him into a monster. When he finally has his chance to earn his cure by killing a vampire prince, Ander finds he has to choose between his own past and the future of the girl he loves. Can a guy who’s not even human learn what it means to be a man?

Luke Marianez used to be an immortal vampire prince – until the witch he loved betrayed him and cursed him with the ability to die. Now he lives in the world of vampire blood bars where the waitresses are the drinks, and dreams about killing the last of the witch’s line so he can live forever. But revenge doesn’t just mean breaking the curse. He wants to break the girl's heart, too. Can Luke seduce Cicely without falling in love himself?

Cicely Watson doesn’t believe in werewolves or vampires. She’s not even sure she believes in true love. But she’s about to discover what every werewolf knows:

People change.

NOOK 2.99

Seventeen-year-old Camille Kennecott has finally found true happiness. Her twin sister, Emily, has returned home after years of self-inflicted seclusion within the austere confines of Bethlem Hospital. Nathaniel Strider, the boy who has captured Camille’s heart, has tamed the beast within him and joins her whenever he is not living his dream as a sailor on the open sea. And her guardian, Dr. Bennett, has graciously carved out a space in his scientific laboratory for Camille to spend her day experimenting with herbal remedies.

When Dr. Bennett receives a plea from a colleague to visit Transylvania and help deal with the werewolf problem, Camille is thrilled at the prospect of traveling to this exotic place. But the darkest form of treachery has boarded the ship with them, and it is not long before Camille faces the chilling possibility of losing everyone she’s ever loved.

NOOK 2.99

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

NOOK 3.99

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.

When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

NOOK 4.99

All Airel ever wanted was to be normal, to disappear into the crowd. But bloodlines can produce surprises, like an incredible ability to heal. Then there’s Michael Alexander, the new guy in school, who is impossibly gorgeous…and captivated by her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she can hear the sound of pages turning, and another, older story being written. It is the story of an ancient family, of great warriors, of the Sword of Light, and the struggle against an evil so terrible, so far-reaching, that it threatens everything. Airel knew change would be an inevitable part of life. But can she hold on when murder and darkness begin to close in and take away everything she loves? Will she have what it takes when the truth is finally revealed?

Book Review: The Fallen Queen by Jane Kindred

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:06:00 +0000

Book: THE FALLEN QUEEN
Author: JANE KINDRED
Genre: FANTASY
Published: December 2011, ENTANGLED PUBLISHING

Series: The House of Arkhangel'sk #1 (upcoming series)
Source: Publicist, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Heaven can go to hell.

Until her cousin slaughtered the supernal family, Anazakia’s father ruled the Heavens, governing noble Host and Fallen peasants alike. Now Anazakia is the last grand duchess of the House of Arkhangel’sk, and all she wants is to stay alive.

Hunted by Seraph assassins, Anazakia flees Heaven with two Fallen thieves—fire demon Vasily and air demon Belphagor, each with their own nefarious agenda—who hide her in the world of Man. The line between vice and virtue soon blurs, and when Belphagor is imprisoned, the unexpected passion of Vasily warms her through the Russian winter.

Heaven seems a distant dream, but when Anazakia learns the truth behind the celestial coup, she will have to return to fight for the throne—even if it means saving the man who murdered everyone she loved.

My Review:
All hail fantasy. My roots in genre fiction started with high fantasy. I love reading it, but I don't do it often enough for some reason. I love the world-building, I love the character development, I love the seemingly impossible quest the protags must go on... And when I finish reading a truly good fantasy book, I realize how much I missed the genre. That's exactly what happened to me during and after my reading of THE FALLEN QUEEN.

Kindred has put a twist on angel lore in a new and captivating way. Angels and Demons are still at odds, but they both reside in Heaven. Fallen refers to those that have step foot upon the human earthly plane. Heaven echoes earth. Or is it the other way around? Kindred's plot and characters were utterly engrossing. They took me on a ride of danger, violence, sex, redemption, mystery, and cultural immersion that I have yet to come down from.

The central plotline revolved around Anazakia and her flight from heaven after her family is murdered. However, this puts her in the hands of Belphagor and Vasily, two demons and complex characters in their own right, whose relationship with each other and their pasts are explored throughout the novel. The earthly setting is in Russia, and Kindred infuses Vasily, Belphagor and Anazakia's interactions with the Russian language and culture of the time. Though there is plenty of strange-looking vocabulary from both the Russian and Arkhangel'sk languages, it lends authenticity and I enjoyed the inclusion.

THE FALLEN QUEEN is not fantasy lite, where a fantasy setting falls to the background of a romance or love triangle. This is fantasy at its best, where the intricacies of the world are spun out amidst angel court intrigue, three people on the run from a mad queen and her bespelled pawn, sacrifice and discovery.

5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14/15 (4.5 stars)

Must Read, if you liked:
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
The Keepers of Sulbreth by Susan Gourley
October Daye (series) by Seanan McGuire

Find the author at:
Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Amazon

Available formats: Print (Trade Paperback), Nook Book, Kindle,

ARC Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Book: INCARNATE
Author: JODI MEADOWS
Genre: YA FANTASY
Published: January 2012, KATHERINE TEGAN

Series: Newsoul #1 (upcoming series)
Source: Around The World ARC Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

My Review:
INCARNATE caught my eye with its amazingly beautiful cover. I hoped that the story contained in the pages would impress me as much as the cover art. In some ways I really loved the story and the characters. Ana is an anomoly in her society. She's the first new soul; the first soul to have not been reincarnated from the 1000 souls that have existed for generations. Meadows starts off with Ana leaving the home where she was raised. I use this word with a huge dose of sarcasm, because Ana basically raised herself. While her mother treats her with disdain, the rest of her society treats her with indifference.

It was interesting to see the way that Meadows shaped Ana as a character and her personality with this type of upbringing. In fact, I liked how Meadows shaped all of her characters. Sam was thoughtful and modest (considering his talent) and other ancillary characters that became friends (or at least friendly) with Ana seemed to enrich the plot, not only in terms of how each soul seemed to have their own talent or personality that made them interesting, but also that each soul somehow contributed to the overall enrichment of the community.

The plot itself of INCARNATE had some issues for me. The world initially seemed very similar to a human world, even with the idea that each person living in it had been reincarnated, retaining the memories and connections from past lives. However, the meeting of Sam and Ana was precipitated by Ana being attacked by a sylph, a creature that is mentioned as the attack happens. Very convenient. So too were the dragon attacks that randomly come during certain times, where they served to put someone in danger.

I wasn't necessarily pulled out of the story during these times, but I did feel the introduction of the sylphs and dragons were incongruous with the rest of what was going on at the time. What did it serve for me to read about these events? How did it advance the plot while I was reading? I could see how some readers would find an added danger and heightened mystery about this fantasy world here, but I could also see how some readers might be confused about its relevancy, and even other readers might be put off.

The bottom line: I enjoyed INCARNATE. Perhaps I didn't love it quite as much as I expected, and perhaps I might have found some parts to be odd, but I liked it. I liked the premise of a whole society, save for one, that is solely reincarnated souls. I liked Meadows writing and her characters. For a reader looking for a less complex fantasy story, with a little self-discovery, a little romance and some heart-stopping moments, INCARNATE is the book you want to read.

3/5 for plot
4/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 11/15 (3 stars) Recommend

Appeal For Help To Fellow Blogger

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:26:00 +0000

Late Friday, January 20th, a fire struck the home of Once Upon A Twilight blog founder, Yara Santos. Then earlier Saturday morning, a second fire devastated the house, and though no one was hurt, Yara and her family have lost virtually everything.

Yara is a personal friend and a really great blogger, who will now have to face starting over. TwilightMOMS, an organization that counts Yara as one of their members, has set up a Paypal donation fund that you can access HERE.

100% of the donations will go directly to Yara and her family. Please keep Yara, her husband, and her children in your thoughts and prayers. Please consider donating if you can.

*Photos courtesy of Montgomery County Police Reporter

New Read My Mind Weekly Feature! Under $5 Nook Books

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:20:00 +0000

Paranormal Romance

A Taste of Midnight by Laura Adrian

1.99 (Click on price to be redirected to purchase page at Barnes and Noble)
A shimmering holiday gala lights up an ancient castle in the Scottish Highlands, but beautiful widowed Breedmate Danika MacConn feels alone in the crowd. Even among the friends and festivity of the Darkhaven celebration, she can’t forget her lost love, a fallen warrior of the Order. Her brief return to her mate’s homeland has become treacherous after rejecting the advances of a dangerous Edinburgh crime boss with a taste for blood sport. As Danika seeks to expose the vampire and his dark trade, she discovers an unexpected ally in his forbidding, enigmatic henchman, Brannoc, a man who exudes heat, danger, and dark menace—and seems somehow achingly familiar. Bran has his own reasons for wanting to keep Dani out of his employer’s business . . . and his own secrets he means to keep buried. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a woman who tempts the wildest part of his Breed nature—especially when that woman is Danika MacConn, the one woman capable of bringing him to his knees.

Bodyguard by Jennifer Ashley

.99
Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed robber by a giant Kodiak bear who shifts into a large, well-muscled, and fully naked human male. But when it's revealed that the robber is the brother of a dangerous criminal, Elizabeth finds herself the target of a vendetta.

Ronan, the Bear Shifter, takes her to Shiftertown for safety, where Elizabeth learns that the mateless Ronan, alone in the world, takes care of Shifters who have also been left on their own. Having grown up in foster care, Elizabeth can only admire how protective Ronan is.

But Ronan will only let Elizabeth leave the confines of Shiftertown if he becomes her 24/7 bodyguard. Elizabeth chafes at the restriction, but agrees. The trouble is, the sassy human Elizabeth is triggering Ronan's long-buried need to find himself a mate.

Be Witched by H.P. Mallory

.99
While the undead wage a brutal civil war, Rand Balfour has only one thing on his mind: protecting his true love, Jolie Wilkins, the savvy and spirited witch whose powers have made her the toast—and target—of the new Underworld order.

For Rand, keeping Jolie safe means guarding against allies and enemies alike. First there’s Sinjin Sinclair, a dangerously seductive vampire who has his fangs set on Jolie, and who Rand suspects of harboring a sinister agenda. Then there are the factions of supernatural creatures causing chaos at every turn. But most shocking is Rand himself, whose wild desire for Jolie may put her very life at risk. Torn between his duty and his passion, Rand must summon all his strength to withstand temptation, even if it costs him the one woman he cannot bear to lose.

True Colors by Thea Harrison

2.87
Meeting your soulmate? Great. Preventing your possible murder? Even better.

Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she’s just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime—and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.

But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.

Historical Romance

And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke

.99
Supremely sensible Emmaline Dove wishes to share her etiquette expertise with London's readers, and as secretary to Viscount Marlowe, Emma knows she's in the perfect position to make her dream come true. Marlowe might be a rake with a preference for can-can dancers and an aversion to matrimony, but he is also the city's leading publisher, and Emma is convinced he's her best chance to see her work in print...until she discovers the lying scoundrel has been rejecting her manuscripts without ever reading a single page!

As a publisher, Harry finds reading etiquette books akin to slow, painful torture. Besides, he can't believe his proper secretary has the passion to write anything worth reading. Then she has the nerve to call him a liar, and even resigns without notice, leaving his business in an uproar and his honor in question. Harry decides it's time to teach Miss Dove a few things that aren't proper. But when he kisses her, he discovers that his former secretary has more passion and fire than he'd ever imagined, for one luscious taste of her lips only leaves him hungry for more.

Sins Of A Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan

1.99
One would think the last place a beauty like Fallon O'Rourke could keep her virtue was in the Mayfair mansion of London's most licentious duke, the notorious Dominic Hale. Yet Fallon—who's endured nothing but lecherous advances since her father's tragic death—is perfectly safe there . . . disguised as a footman! Beneath the notice of the dark-haired devil with his smoldering blue eyes and sinful smile, Fallon never imagines her secret will be discovered. But how long can her deception last when she begins to wish she is one of the many women traipsing in and out of the sinful rogue's bedchamber?

Most men envy the duke, never suspecting his pleasure-loving ways are a desperate attempt to escape, however briefly, the pain of a past that's left him with a heart of stone. Only one woman can break down his defenses. Only one woman can win his love . . . if she reveals her secret and succumbs to the sins of the wicked duke.

Contemporary Romance

Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr

4.89
Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.

Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He's got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she's pretty busy "ignoring" the chemistry between them.

According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they're done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!

Wanted By Her Lost Love by Maya Banks

3.19
Despite his fiancée's chilling betrayal, developer Ryan Beardsley provided for Kelly Christian when he sent her packing. So he's livid to find her working in a dingy Houston diner, desperate and pregnant. Regardless of whether the baby is his—or his brother's—Ryan demands that Kelly return to New York with him. Now. For the baby's sake. Or maybe because the woman's as irresistible as ever...

Urban Fantasy

Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake

.99
For centuries Mira has been a nightwalker—an unstoppable enforcer for a mysterious organization that manipulates earth-shaking events from the darkest shadows. But elemental mastery over fire sets her apart from others of her night-prowling breed . . . and may be all that prevents her doom.

The foe she now faces is human: the vampire hunter called Danaus, who has already destroyed so many undead. For Mira, the time has come to hunt... or be hunted.

Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

2.99
In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now.

This time, it's personal.

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

.99
THE DEPARTED HAVE ARRIVED.

The world is not the way it was. The dead have risen, and the living are under attack. The powerful Church of Real Truth, in charge since the government fell, has sworn to reimburse citizens being harassed by the deceased. Enter Chess Putnam, a fully tattooed witch and freewheeling ghost hunter. She’s got a real talent for banishing the wicked dead. But Chess is keeping a dark secret: She owes a lot of money to a murderous drug lord named Bump, who wants immediate payback in the form of a dangerous job that involves black magic, human sacrifice, a nefarious demonic creature, and enough wicked energy to wipe out a city of souls. Toss in lust for a rival gang leader and a dangerous attraction to Bump’s ruthless enforcer, and Chess begins to wonder if the rush is really worth it. Hell, yeah.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb

1.99
For years, the Trader cities valiantly battled their enemies, the Chalcedeans. But they could not have staved off invasion without the powerful dragon Tintaglia. In return, the Traders promised to help her serpents migrate up the Rain Wild River after a long exile at sea—to find a safe haven and, Tintaglia hopes, to restore her species. But too much time has passed, and the newly hatched dragons are damaged and weak, and many die. The few who survive cannot use their wings; earthbound, they are powerless to hunt and vulnerable to human predators willing to kill them for the fabled healing powers of dragon flesh.

But Tintaglia has vanished and the Traders are weary of the labor and expense of tending useless dragons. The Trader leadership fears that if it stops providing for the young dragons, the hungry and neglected creatures will rampage—or die along the river's acidic muddy banks. To avert catastrophe, the dragons decree a move even farther up the treacherous river to Kelsingra, their ancient, mythical homeland whose mysterious location is locked deep within the dragons' uncertain ancestral memories.

To ensure their safe passage, the Traders recruit a disparate group of young people to care for the damaged creatures and escort them to their new home. Among them is Thymara, an unschooled forest girl of sixteen, and Alise, a wealthy Trader's wife trapped in a loveless marriage, who attaches herself to the expedition as a dragon expert. The two women share a deep kinship with the dragons: Thymara can instinctively communicate with them, and Alise, captivated by their beauty and majesty, has devoted her life to studying them.

Embarking on an arduous journey that holds no promise of return, the band of humans and dragons must make their way along the toxic and inhospitable Rain Wild River—an extraordinary odyssey that will teach them lessons about themselves and one another, as they experience hardships, betrayals, and joys beyond their wildest dreams.

Paranormal YA

After Eden by Katherine Pine

.99
Devi knows she shouldn't trust the new employee at her favorite used bookstore. Sure, he's funny, smart and hands down the sexiest guy she's ever met, but something dark lurks behind his unassuming smile and sinful green eyes.

Still, a girl can't always afford to be picky. When an angel abducts your twin brother it should come as no surprise that the one person who can help you get him back is a demon--and only if you're willing to pay his price

Brightest Kind Of Darkness by P.T. Michelle

.99
Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.

After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

Beautiful Demons by Sarra Cannon

.99
Harper Madison isn't like other girls. She has extraordinary powers, but her inability to control them has gotten her kicked from so many foster homes she's lost count. Shadowford Home is her last chance, and she hopes Peachville High will be the fresh start she needs. But when evidence ties her to the gruesome murder of a Demons cheerleader, Harper discovers this small town has a big secret.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy YA

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

.99
When Clara Gardner learns she’s part angel, her entire life changes. She now has a purpose, a specific task she was put on this earth to accomplish, except she doesn’t know what it is. Her visions of a raging forest fire and a mysterious boy lead her to a new high school in a new town but provide no clear instruction. As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she’d have to make—between the boy in her vision and the boy in her life, between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. . . . When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

4.99
Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Mesmerized by Julia Crane and Talia Jager

2.99
Seventeen-year-old succubus Lily Anderson can’t have a normal life: She isn't allowed a boyfriend, she has no friends, and school is just one mess-up after another.

Lily’s parents send her away to the prestigious Emerson Academy. It doesn’t appear to be any different from the others. That is, until she meets her roommate, Hannah, and a blue-eyed boy named Jake.

Lily makes an almost deadly mistake, and Jake has a mysterious past that has come back to haunt him. Together, they must go on the run from things neither of them understand in order to save the people they love—and each other. But, Jake’s foe is more dangerous than they realized, and it will take the help of friends and family to save the man Lily loves.

She must learn to use her powers for good before it’s too late.

Contemporary YA

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mylnowski

.99
2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery
to them.

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

.99
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

ARC Review: Dead To You by Lisa McMann

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:31:00 +0000

Book: DEAD TO YOU
Author: LISA MCMANN
Genre: CONTEMPORARY YA
Published: February 2012, SIMON PULSE

Series: none
Source: Around The World ARC Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

My Review:
DEAD TO YOU is the second novel that I have read by Lisa McMann, the first being CRYER'S CROSS, and both which the words "haunting and emotional" are my thoughts post read. DEAD TO YOU seems like a simpler book than it turned out to be. A boy, having been kidnapped years ago, is returned to his rightful family, and must now adjust to being where he is supposed to be.

The narrator Ethan is fantastic in expressing the emotions that he is going through. The memories he's lost, the animosity from his brother, his confusion and re-integration into his family and neighborhood. All of this serves to muddy the waters of that "simple" story. McMann is genius at setting up the relationships that will be explored throughout the book, and I thought the juxtaposition of his brother's reaction with his parents shows the utter complexities that exist in a situation like Ethan's.

When I read CRYER'S CROSS, I was struck by how much McMann's writing appealed to me. There's not so much flowery description or world-building, but her prose is arresting and intriguing. Even with a vastly different subject in DEAD TO YOU, that style is still evident, and I'm not afraid to admit that it's one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book, without even really knowing what it was about initially. I wasn't disappointed by the journey.

Not surprisingly, I find myself at a bit of a loss organizing my thoughts about DEAD TO YOU. Of course, it was a great book for me. Other than advocating that any one who liked McMann's previous work go out and buy this, read this, it almost feels like my feelings are too private, too intricately part of me to really express how DEAD TO YOU impacted my senses. It's not often that an author or book can affect me this way. I'll go back to saying that DEAD TO YOU was a haunting and emotional rollercoaster that explored the loss of a family, the loss of childhood, and the endurance and sometimes blindness, of hope.

4.5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
5/5 for language

My Rating: 14.5/15 (5 stars) Must Read

Find the author at:
Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Say No to SOPA and PIPA

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:39:00 +0000

Read My Mind is participating in the blackout to protest SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) on January 18th, from 8AM-8PM.

Why? Under the laws, the government has the ability to regulate material on the internet in a bid to stop widespread internet piracy.

Doesn't sound so bad? I'm against illegal copyright infringement and piracy BUT these laws give too much power to the government to arbitrarily decide what constitutes infringement.

That Teaser Tuesday or Friday 56 excerpt from a book I post on my blog? Subject to SOPA or PIPA.

That link I made to another blog or site, which may or may not be violating SOPA or PIPA makes ME vulnerable to being shut down.

I can't and won't support an act that would seek to punish those of us who just wish to interact online. I can't and won't support an act that would take away personal freedom to this degree, while not showing whether it really can curtail ILLEGAL AND HURTFUL piracy.

If you feel the same, please take action here by contacting your congressional representative.

You can see the two posts that I promised as part of a blog tour (posted just after midnight):

Book Review: Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr
Q&A With Robyn Carr

But other than that, Read My Mind will be inactive from 8AM-8PM to support the anti-SOPA/anti-PIPA cause.

Thank You.

Book Review: Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:45:00 +0000

Book: HIDDEN SUMMIT
Author: ROBYN CARR
Genre: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Published: December 2011, MIRA (HARLEQUIN)

Series: VIRGIN RIVER #17
Source: Little Bird Publicity, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.

Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He's got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she's pretty busy "ignoring" the chemistry between them.

According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they're done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!

My Review:
Despite the plethora of books Robyn Carr has published, HIDDEN SUMMIT was my first read by her. This of course, means that I have never been introduced to her Virgin River world, which has flourished since the first book. There are many relationships and characters that have probably grown throughout the series, and I haven't had a chance to immerse myself in their world before now. If I had any reservations about this, they were swiftly put to rest as I read through the first few chapters.

Conner Danson is a great character. He's not flawless by any means. When I first started reading, I definitely understood the chip on his shoulder about the circumstances that led him to Virgin River. By being the type of man that does the right thing, he is forced to leave his old life behind. I really liked that the first sight of each other (Leslie Petruso and himself) is done through his eyes.

It was refreshing to experience a male point-of-view that was quite normal and ordinary. Conner Danson seems like a real guy. His personality and persona jumped off the page, not because he was overbearingly alpha or so breathtakingly sexy, but because Carr wrote his character as a man that I could meet in the real world. As too was Leslie. The dual perspective was enriching and gave me a chance to enjoy both characters equally.

In fact, one of the best parts of HIDDEN SUMMIT is the pace in which the characters meet, are attracted to each other, become friends, and then more. It's just as real as the characters. Sometimes I watch old BBC miniseries', and when I compare them to their slicker, newer Hollywood 2-hour movie, I realize that I miss the older version. For all of its length, I don't feel as if I am being denied any important details. Not everything has to be instant and double time. That more relaxed feeling permeated throughout my reading of the book.

Even with a dash of suspense and danger, HIDDEN SUMMIT was a comfort read for me. This is a book that I will re-read when I need a break. It's my zen, my yoga, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Virgin River.

4.5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 13/15 (4 stars) Highly Recommend

Find the author at:
Website | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | Harlequin | IndieBound | Books-A-Million | Amazon | Audible

Available formats: Print (Mass Market Paperback), NookBook, ePub, Kindle, Audiobook

Q&A with Robyn Carr (Hidden Summit)

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:01:00 +0000

I'd like to welcome Robyn Carr to Read My Mind today. She answered a few questions for myself and my lovely readers as part of a blog tour to promote her newest release, HIDDEN SUMMIT. Be sure to check out my review in the following post!

About The Author

Now that Robyn Carr has earned the #1 slot on the New York Times list, the creator of the wildly popular Virgin River series laughs when someone refers to her as an overnight success.

“The truth is, I was first published in 1978, and it took me thirty years to make it to The New York Times Bestseller List,” she pointed out.

But once Robyn became that popular, she stayed that popular. And, when Bring Me Home for Christmas, the 16th Virgin River novel, was released in November 2011, it debuted in the #1 slot not just on The New York Times roster, but also on the Barnes and Noble, and Publishers Weekly lists as well.

Clearly, Robyn’s series about men of honor who build a town in northern California’s redwood forests for the women they love has launched her into the publishing stratosphere and earned her a broad and loyal following. The first book in the series, Virgin River, was published in 2007. The next year Robyn got the call from her editor that A Virgin River Christmas had landed on the Times list.

Robyn and her husband enjoy traveling, often taking research trips together. Their son and daughter are grown. Robyn says that, in addition to reading her novels and making snide remarks about how she’s used family scenarios to her advantage, they have made her a happy grandmother.

Q: How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories? Do you ever use real people as inspiration for your characters?

A: As inspiration—yes. But as actual characters, no. Real people don’t usually come off well in fiction. I take traits and experiences and emotional reactions from people I’ve met or read about and blend them into composite characters. But experiences and bits of dialogue from my life sneak in—happily. In Virgin River Jack’s sisters are remembering when Jack and his best friend hung their dolls by the neck—mean big brother stuff. My son and his best friend did that to my daughter’s cabbage patch dolls. Don’t worry, they’re all fine…. Well, I’m not sure about the dolls, but my son, his best friend and my daughter have persevered.

Q: Have you noticed your writer’s voice has changed over the years due to experience? If so, how?

A: Undoubtedly I’ve both matured and relaxed. I’ve gained experience both in life and writing and I’ve relaxed into telling stories my way, the way that is natural to me. Both things help.

Q: What is the underlying message you want women to take away from this new Virgin River trilogy—Hidden Summit, Redwood Bend, and Sunrise Point?

As in all Virgin River novels, it’s never too late to create your own happy ending. You are the heroine of your own life and you never never never settle for less than the most optimal experience, the most perfect partner. Men and women thrive when they find positive, mutually respectful relationships.

Thanks so much Robyn, for giving some insight into your inspiration and the newest VIRGIN RIVER TRILOGY!

Hidden Summit

Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.

Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He's got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she's pretty busy "ignoring" the chemistry between them.

According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they're done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!

Destiny's Fire Blog Tour: Trisha Wolfe Guest Post

noreply@blogger.com (Lillie (AliseOnLife)) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I am very happy to welcome Trisha Wolf here today to talk a little about her newest release, DESTINY'S FIRE.

About The Author:
Trisha Wolfe is an avid reader and writer of Young Adult fiction. Her debut novel DESTINY'S FIRE will be published by Omnific Publishing in early 2012. Her short stories have appeared in Young Adult literary journals and fantasy magazines.

She's a proud member and co-founder of Kappa Delta Writer for up and coming YA authors, and a member of the SCWW and YALITCHAT.ORG

Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Genre Mesh-up

I’ve had some people ask about the exact genre of DESTINY’S FIRE, wanting to know what it’s classified as. I’ll be honest; I’m not quite sure myself. When an idea hits, and characters start forming and coming to life, I don’t sit down and say, “Okay, I’m going to write a Paranormal.” I don’t really think about the genre at all. Well, except Young Adult. Before anything, that always comes first, and I try very hard to make it real for teens and young women. And, older-ish women, as I never stopped reading YA myself. I even take into account that a lot of guys like to read the YA genre, and I want it to appeal to them also.

That being said, I did know that I loved the idea of Steampunk and I wanted to write it. I had only read a few books, but I fell in love with the world, with the concept. But, there were certain aspects that didn’t appeal to me. I wanted to create a steam-powered world that girls could enjoy, and I wanted it to be different than other Steampunk books at the same time. I developed the characters first, wrote some scenes, and then formed the world around them. So really, the paranormal aspect came first. But I was sort of bored with writing about vampires and the sort. Oh yes, I have written not one but TWO vamp books. And one of them had were/shifters in there, too. I love them, but I wanted something original.

I sat down with pen and paper and thought of things that interested me. I love the Egyptian culture. It was one of the first civilizations, and so many ideas can be formed around ancient Egyptian knowledge and beliefs. I created a new breed of shape-shifters that stemmed from Egyptian guardians to the gods. But instead of gods, I focused on Pharaohs. After that, I started listing all the things that could mesh within this world. It wasn’t until I created the Narcolym that the Steampunk world came alive. Steam needs heat. BAM. A world fashioned by fire wielding shape-shifters. It fell into place after that. I started from the top and then Dez took over. She brought all the elements together. She connected the gaps, and her voice told the story. I plan to delve deeper into their Egyptian heritage and the powers connecting it in the next book as Dez discovers more about it herself.

I’ve heard people refer to DF as Dystopia, also. I never really considered it Dystopia, but I guess in a sense, some Dystopian elements are there, too. I read and love so many genres that I don’t think I could ever write for just one. So there is probably a little of everything laced throughout. But I can’t classify DF as any one genre other than YA. YA is where my focus is. The novel I recently finished is a mesh-up between Dystopia and Historical. I didn’t intend for it to be that way, it just happened after the characters were developed and I started creating the world around them. I’m not sure if I’ll continue to genre mesh, if all my books will have this theme. It’s not purposely done. But I won’t purposely try not to do it if that’s where the characters feel right—if that’s the setting and world where they belong.

Thank you so much Trisha for stopping by!

Destiny's Fire

It’s the year 2040, and sixteen-year-old Dez Harkly is one of the last of her kind—part of a nearly extinct race of shape-shifters descended from guardians to the Egyptian pharaohs. Her home and her secret are threatened when the Council lowers the barrier, allowing the enemy race to enter the Shythe haven.

As the Narcolym airships approach, Dez and her friends rebel against their Council and secretly train for battle. Not only is Dez wary of war and her growing affection for her best friend Jace, but she fears the change her birthday will bring. When Dez’s newfound power rockets out of control, it’s a Narcolym who could change her fate… if she can trust him.

Dez’s guarded world crumbles when she discovers why the Narcos have really come to Haven Falls, and she's forced to choose between the race who raised her and the enemy she's feared her whole life.

Barnes and Noble | Omnific Publishing | All Romance E-Books | Amazon

NookBook, ePub, PDF, Kindle

Check back later today for my review of this genre mixing, action packed debut!