The Raven Readers

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 08:00:00 +0000

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles, #0.5
Source: Bought
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: May 1, 2011

Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined...

An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles.

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne is a fantastic prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles. It puts us in the perfect place to learn how Finley ended up in the first household, and to learn more about her parents and such.

I liked the little details that were dropped here and there, such as the colors of the gowns and how much Phoebe looked like Lord Vincent's late wife, etc. I enjoyed getting to know the characters bit by bit-- it appears that Phoebe wears a lot of plum. ;)

I also liked the steampunk elements. I'm a HUGE fan of steampunk, and it's not something that we see in a lot of YA stories, so I gobble it up. I just love the idea of steam powered horses and such. (:

Now we'll move on to the plot of this novella-- it was crazy out there. I never saw half of it coming, and I'm so proud of that. All in all, The Strange Case of Finley Jayne was an awesome start to this series.

-Megan

Flat Out Matt by Jessica Park

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Flat Out Matt by Jessica Park
Series: Flat Out Love, #1
Source: Bought
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: March 25, 2013

Matt is a junior at MIT. He’s geeky, he's witty, he's brilliant.

And he’s also very, very stupid.

When beautiful, cool, insightful Julie moves in with Matt’s family, why (oh why!) does he pretend to be his absent brother Finn for her alleged benefit?

It seems harmless enough until her short-term stay becomes permanent. And until it snowballs into heart-squeezing insanity. And until he falls in love with Julie, and Julie falls in love with Finn.

But … Matt is the right one for her. If only he can make Julie see it. Without telling her the truth, without shattering them all. Particularly his fragile sister Celeste, who may need Julie the most.

You saw Matt through Julie’s eyes in FLAT-OUT LOVE. Now go deeper into Matt’s world in this FLAT-OUT MATT novella. Live his side of the story, break when his heart breaks, and fall for the unlikely hero all over again.

Take an emotional skydive for two prequel chapters and seven Flat-Out Love chapters retold from his perspective, and then land with a brand-new steamy finale chapter from Julie.

Flat Out Matt was, in many ways, a good read. It helped me to better understand Julie and Matt's relationship, and it gave me whole new insight to Matt. But honestly, I wish that there had been more new content. The content that was new was absolutely fantastic-- the two prequel chapters that really make us see how loved and doted upon Finn was, and then the last chapter in Julie's point of view that tells an awesome story? They were the novella for me.

The in-between chapters were pretty much the same. The only time we get to see Matt is when he talks to Julie. Other than that, it's like he doesn't exist in down time of something like that. It's like I said in my review of Flat Out Love. Everything in Matt's story revolves around Julie, but nothing in Julie's story really revolves around him. He was just kind of there.

All in all, Flat Out Matt gave me new insight, but it really wasn't all that I was looking for in the novella category.

~Megan

Swoon Thursday (10)

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 03:58:00 +0000

YA Bound created a spicy meme where every week we’ll highlight what has made us swoon from a book we are currently reading or one we’ve just finished. Basically what got our heart pounding, skin tingling, and stomach fluttering.

Annie's Pick:

Lost and Found by: Nicole Williams

When his mouth covered mine again, it wasn’t so still and soft. It may have started out that way for the shortest moment, but before my eyes closed, Jesse’s lips polished and sucked at mine like nothing I’d yet experienced. In addition to his other forms of divinity, the man was a kissing God. His hand on my neck kneaded the muscles at the base of it as his thumb continued to skim lazy lines just under my collar.

What made y'all swoon this week?!

Stacking the Shelves [16]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

What Angela got this week:

Bought:

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Borrowed:

Thin Space by Jody Casella

You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis

In the mail:

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Thanks Jess @ Gone with the Words!

What did you get this week? (:

Stacking the Shelves [15]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

What Angela got this week:

Bought:

Lengths by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt

Borrowed:

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

I didn't get much this week. There's too much to catch up on. What did you get? (:

Buddy Reads VOTE - Nov 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Kaye) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 07:00:00 +0000

So, every month the Ravens read one book together and we do a mini review on the blog and a spoilerific discussion and have a lot of fun! However, we can't always come up with what to read. So, on the first (or around the first) of each month we will schedule a post and ask for your help on which book should be our next Buddy Read! So, comment and vote please!

Voting starts on October 1st 2013 and ends October 26th 2013

Stacking the Shelves [14]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

What Angela got this week:

Bought:

Terrorscape by Nenia Campbell

Borrowed:

The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

What did you get this week? (:

Top Ten Tuesday [23]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish.

Top Ten Best Sequels Ever

Angela's Picks:
1. Dare You To by Katie McGarry

2. Fire with Fire by Jenny Han

3. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

4. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

5. Middle Ground by Katie Kacvinsky

6. Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

7. Where She Went by Gayle Forman

And that is my "ten." I don't usually find sequels I like.

Review: Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt
Series: Companion to Two-way Street
Source: Borrowed
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: July 9, 2013

Can a road trip repair a romance gone wrong? Find out in this standalone companion to Lauren Barnholdt’s Two-way Street.

Here are Peyton and Jace, meeting on vacation. Click! It’s awesome, it’s easy, it’s romantic. This is the real deal.

Unless it isn’t. Because when you’re in love, you don’t just stop calling one day. And you don’t keep secrets. Or lie. And when your life starts falling apart, you’re supposed to have the other person to lean on.

Here are Peyton and Jace again, broken up but thrown together on a road trip. One of them is lying about the destination. One of them is pretending not to be leaving something behind. And neither of them is prepared for what’s coming on the road ahead…

This isn't Lauren Barnholdt's best, that's for sure.

I enjoyed Two-way Street so I was looking forward to reading this. But it wasn't as good as I hoped it to be. Right of Way is very predictable, and the story line is JUST like the one of the companion novel. And the first paragraph is almost exactly the same too.

Peyton wasn't a great main character; more often than not, I found her to be extremely annoying. The same goes for Jace, although he's not as bad. I liked seeing Courtney, Jordan, B.J. (LOL), and Jocelyn again but it's really different reading them from a different point of view.

I didn't really understand the love between Peyton and Jace. They've only known each other for a short period, yet they're so attracted to each other. And nothing in their relationship really made much sense (like why they stopped talking, etc.).

And Jace, you're VALEDICTORIAN. Not that I understand how, but go make the stupid speech. Seriously.

The ending felt too abrupt. It ended without much being resolved and everything just left hanging. Peyton and Jace get back together. The end.

Overall, this was an okay read, nothing really special. The characters weren't likeable, the plot predictable, and everything illogical. It was enjoyable at times, but some parts bored me. This is a book I wouldn't recommend if you're looking for a good road trip book.

Stacking the Shelves [13]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

What Angela got this week:

Bought:

Horrorscape by Nenia Campbell
Cloak and Dagger by Nenia Campbell
Armed and Dangerous by Nenia Campbell

Borrowed:

United We Spy by Ally Carter

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick

What did you get this week? (:

Stacking the Shelves [12]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

What Angela got this week:

Bought:

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

Borrowed:

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

What did you get this week?

Buddy Reads VOTE - Oct 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Kaye) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 21:38:00 +0000

Voting starts on September 12th 2013 and ends September 28th 2013

Cover Reveal: Four Seconds To Lose by K.A. Tucker

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 18:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited to help with the cover reveal for K.A. Tucker’s upcoming release, Four Seconds To Lose! I'm currently reading Ten Tiny Breaths and I'm really enjoying it so far!

Four Seconds To Lose

(Ten Tiny Breaths, #3)

Author: K. A. Tucker

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 4, 2013

Publisher: Atria Books

Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Other Retailers

ABOUT FOUR SECONDS TO LOSE:

Owning a strip club isn't the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine year old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn't really exist—and the girl pretending to be her doesn't need to complicate her life with romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

ABOUT K.A. TUCKER:

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Connect with K.A.:

Blog | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The first two books in the series:

Ten Tiny Breaths releases in paperback on September 24, 2013!

Swoon Thursday (10)

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 04:05:00 +0000

Annie's Pick:

Very Bad Things by: Ilsa Madden-Mills

He tugged my face up by my hair. “This is all I think about,” he whispered and pressed his lips to mine. While his hands held my head, his mouth dominated. Wild and raw, his lips sought mine over and over, claiming my mouth desperately, his hot tongue sucking and then dueling with mine. He bit at my lips, and I responded, our tongues in an erotic, open-mouthed tango.

What made you swoon this week?!

Blurb and Giveaway: 15 Minutes by Jill Cooper

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

15 Minutes by Jill Cooper
Publication date: June 15, 2013
Purchase: Amazon

I have 15 minutes to save my mother’s life….
15 minutes is all the Rewind Agency gives you in the past, but for Lara Crane it’s enough time to race through the city, find her mother, and stop her from being killed in a mugging that happened over ten years ago.
But that’s not how it happened. The story she’s been told all her life is a lie and when Lara takes a bullet meant for her mother, her future changes forever.
The love of her life acts like a stranger. Her simple life is replaced with a giant house, glamorous clothes and a new boyfriend.
Except someone knows her secret. And he will try to stop her at every turn as she races against the clock to unravel a dangerous conspiracy.
15 Minutes is an edgy high octane YA thriller that can be described as Back to the Future meets Inception where the people Lara trusts change in an instant. She is in a timeline she doesn't understand, and is about to make one fatal mistake as she faces an enemy so familiar, he’s family.

Book Trailer:

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jill loves to blend horror, comedy, the supernatural, and love, through her novels. A fan of genre blending, her work strives to cross boundaries, but most of all strives to entertain. She loves soft cuddly cats, warm blankets, and paranormal romances. Jill resides in Massachusetts, is constantly renovating her home that she shares with her husband, young daughter, and two skittish cats.

Connect with Jill:

Website | Twitter

Top Ten Tuesday [22]

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish.

Top Ten Books I Would Love To See As A Movie/TV Show (set in a perfect world...in which movies don't butcher the books we love.)

Sarah's Picks:

1. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
2. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
3. The Collector by Victoria Scott
4. Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
5. The Diviners by Libba Bray
6. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
7. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
8. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
9. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
10. Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Angela's Picks:

1. Pivot Point by Kasie West
2. The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
3. Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
4. The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter
5. The Mediator series by Meg Cabot
6. Angelfall by Susan Ee
7. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
8. The Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer
9. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
10. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Stacking the Shelves [11]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

What Angela got this week:

Bought:

Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Dark Promise by Julia Crane
Broken Promise by Julia Crane

Borrowed:

Right of Way by Lauren Barnholdt

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

In the mail:

Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Thank you, Becca!

What did you get this week?

Buddy Reads Discussion [1]

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

*SPOILERS WILL BE HAPPENING. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ SCARLET, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.*

Megan: I gotta start with what I noticed first-- that beautiful cover and hardback! Did anyone else just stroke that pretty royal blue when they first opened it?

Stephanie: Mine is black!?

Sarah: Mine was black too!

Angela: Blue? Mine was black as well!

Stephanie: Megan, are you sure you're looking at the right book? :P I just cannot believe that we have to wait until 2014!!! That is just cruel punishment! I need the next installment NOW! haha. What shall we talk about first? How about the boys?! :D

Sarah: The boys! :D

Angela: I love the boys! Wolf especially!

Megan: AHHHH! Definitely the boys!Wolf was fantastic, seriously! I love that man-- every wrong he ever did is forgiven, even though he totally betrayed Scarlet-- he made up for it. Plus, his teeth are really cool. LOL!

Stephanie: I do love Wolf, really I do. And, I agree, everything he did badly, is forgiven. However, I LOVE Thorne. :]

Megan: It's a good thing that we could never argue about boys, then. *cough*Wolf is better*cough* *clears throat* Anywho, I could see why you like Thorne. He's got that ladies man thing going for him, doesn't he? Also, he's got that slow drippin' honey way of talking. LOL.

Stephanie: And he's funny! I heard he's even better in Cress! :D

Sarah: I like them both. Though I love Wolf a little more. Thorne is totally awesome too. Why must Marissa Meyer create such swoon worthy men? :)

Angela: To the point where you can't decide. ;) But for the record, I'm Wolf all the way!

Megan: I'm totally with Angela here, y'all!! I never saw him betraying Scarlet coming, though. That surprised me so freaking much!

Stephanie: I heard a rumor that Thorne is going to be a love interest for Cress... which if that is true then I hope Marissa creates an amazing guy for Cinder, cause I'm sorry but Kai is not doing it for me. As Jackie has pointed out to me.. "Kai is a little bitch"

Megan: Oooh, really? That would be so cool! LOL, I still don't get what he did wrong! He did exactly what he had to. Maybe he'll redeem himself in y'all's eyes, though! LOL. I love you, Jackie! ;P

Sarah: I really hope Kai will redeem himself. It's just the fact that Cinder risked her life to warn him and then he does the one thing she was trying to save him from. So it's like her life meant nothing to him. That is why I'm so mad at him.

Angela: I agree with Sarah. Kai better improve in Cress. I felt like he wasn't the same person he was in Cinder. And Cinder definitely needs her own swoony guy!

Megan: I feel kind of like arguing for Kai-- here's your options, laid out in front of you. You only have two:

OPTION 1: Do what Cinder tells you too, because she risked her life and you love her. But guess what? EVERYONE else in your kingdom will PERISH because of the Lunar Queen's vendetta against Cinder.

OPTION 2: Marry the queen and be offed, but keeping your kingdomer's alive. Under the rule of Lunars, but alive. Basically, you die they live. Kind of like Braveheart.

OPTION 3: You didn't sign up for this gig. RUN AWAY!

I actually think that he picked a good option. The only one that could seriously be considered-- he forfeits his life for theirs. That's what any good king or emperor should be willing to do. I mean, I hope that he makes some kind of miraculous escape from death, but it sure don't look good. I just felt a little like arguing my point. Yay or nay?

Sarah: No I totally get what you're pointing at. Maybe I am being a little harsh on Kai, but there's also the fact that once she has him out of the way his people will be slaves. And don't forget the end of Scarlet where she never really withdrew her troops even after he agreed to marry her. I don't think it's going to make much of a difference what he does, people are going to die.

Stephanie: Sarah is right. She will make them her slaves or kill them. Regardless people will die. So, then what makes the difference if he didn't agree to marry Levana? Regardless people were going to die. And, honestly, I'm not really sure why Kai is on my shit list. But he is. He just doesn't do it for me. I need Cinder to have a swoon worthy guy and to me... Kai is just not that... I think he is a nimrod for not realizing that Cinder is Princess Selene. He knew the information about Michele Benoit and that she lives in Rieux... then when he finds out that Cinder is in Rieux... why doesn't he put the 2 together? Anyone with an IQ of 60 could do that. Ugh, stupid, stupid men.

Megan: Okay, now I get where you guys are coming from! YES. People will die, but at least he would have made the decision to try to save them. Maybe I'm being a little too soft on Kai? I mean, Steph has a point-- he is a nimrod for not figuring out that Cinder was Princess Selene. And also for thinking that she was kinda sorta evil. Men are so dense.

Sarah: Well, maybe he has some trick up his sleeve that'll make me forgive him and then all will be right with the world :D. I don't know how anybody would willingly want to marry that nasty woman. They're obviously going to save him because Cinder is in love with Kai. Hopefully they take out Queen Levana soon, she annoys me.

Megan: DIANA! ANNIE! JACKIE! Where areee youuuuuu?

Maybe he does. You'll never know if you don't read Cress! Fat chance, right? ;P I don't think that anyone honestly would. Besides Kai, I mean. But we've already decided that he's at the wrong place. LOL. Cinder is TOTALLY in love with Kai, it is so cute. I think he loves her too, but he's just confused. DON'T SAY THAT! I actually really like Queen Levana. She's a really good villain, and I just die every time I read a good villain!

Annie: Hey I'm here! I totally agree about Kai. I think he needs to seriously step it up in Cress or I'm afraid all my hope is lost for him. :(

Sarah: LOL! As far as villain's go she's one of the best, but she's an awful person :D. I hope we get to see more of Wolf, because darn it I love that boy.

Megan: It's so wonderful to know that we all love the same man. Kind of makes it awkward, don't you think? *the rest of the world loves him too*

Sarah: It does make it awkward. There's obviously going to have to be a fight to the death. :D Whoever is left standing gets to keep Wolf!

Annie: Haha I like that idea! But Wolf is MINE!

Stephanie: Honestly, I think Queen Levana is in until the very end of the series. And, you're right, she is one of the best villains I have come across...I just hate the fact that she has auburn hair. Not all of us redheads are bad, ya know. So, obviously I was SO relieved that Marissa made it up with a fiery kickass heroine such as Scarlet. I love her. SO MUCH. I even liked her more than Cinder...

Megan: LOL, Sarah! ;D I think that you're right, Steph. She makes such a good villain that it would be kind of hard to kill her off. And, well, she's doing a good job making the series interesting. *Steph is not evil!* I LOVE Scarlet more than Cinder too. (:

Sarah: Scarlet definitely is better than Cinder. At least she doesn't run off and hide from her problems.

Annie: I totally agree. Scarlet just seemed stronger than Cinder, which is kinda hard because Cinder was awesome. I just connected more with her.

Megan: I feel like I'm sensing a theme...I wonder why we all like Scarlet better? Is it *dunt dunt dah* JOHN GREEN BRAINWASHING? o.O

Angela: LOL, Megan! It's definitely John Green brainwashing! I'm hoping each following book is better than the previous. I don't doubt that'll happen.

Megan: Teehee. I don't doubt that it'll happen either-- we're watching you, Marissa!

Sarah: LOL Megan! John Green XD. I don't doubt it either.

Stephanie: What do you mean by John Green brainwashing? I have yet to read one of his novels. I own Looking for Alaska but I haven't been able to tackle it just yet...

Megan: Well, it's an inside joke of me and Sarah's. Basically, we read The Fault in Our Stars together, which you know is like hugely popular, and we weren't big fans. So we decided that John Green is brainwashing everyone, because everyone of his books is BIG. Like, super big. And we're not great big fans. Dumb joke, but it's ours. ;)

Stephanie: haha, well, anywho. Back to the discussion at hand. :] What do you think or hope will happen in Cress? Personally, I would love some more Thorne action! I love him so much! :]

Megan: I don't know, actually. I've been thinking about the names of the first two, Cinder and Scarlet, which each turned out being main character names. Now I'm completely curious...why a name like Cress?

Sarah: I was wondering the same thing Megan! But guys, I was just on Goodreads and the release date is apparently February 4, 2014 O_O so far away. I really can't wait to see how she does a Rapunzel story though :)

Megan: OMG, Rapunzel? YOU'RE FREAKING JOSHING ME. That's awesome!! *fangirling is da BOMB*

Sarah: Nope, definitely not kidding. Go look on Goodreads.

Annie: Why does it have to be so far away? :( It makes me so sad, but usually waiting forever makes the book even better. (Example: Clockwork Princess!)

Stephanie: Cress, I think is short for Crescent Moon. At least, that's what I HEARD. It could be wrong. And yes, Cress is about Rapunzel! lol.

Megan: *looks* WHAT KIND OF A TERRIBLE PERSON CALLS THAT A SYNOPSIS? lol, I can't wait to read it! :D

Stephanie: I know, right? It's completely vague!! So what do you guys think will happen in the next book?

Megan: I'm not sure-- I don't think that I even really want to guess about it-- nothing I come up with will be as awesome as the real thing, right? ;P

Angela: Cress is the computer hacker that works for Queen Levana. She's stuck in a satellite orbiting Earth rather than a tower. It's sounds amazing already, doesn't it? :D

Sarah: Definitely! I want it right now :D.

Annie: Well, all I can say is that Marissa is a genius. I can't wait to see how Cress connects with everyone in Cinder and Scarlet. And hopefully we get a new boy for Cress! <3

Stephanie: I agree, I can't wait until 2014! This book is definitely at the top of the list to get as soon as it gets released!!!! Let's see when is that... February 4... UGH SO FAR AWAY!!!!

Megan: Strangely, I think we may be all talked out about Scarlet. o.O

Sarah: I think so. O.O

Angela: Agreed.

Megan: *starts maniacally humming It's the end of the World as we know it*

Buddy Reads Reviews +Interview [1]

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Kaye) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Buddy Reads-Mini-Reviews

Each month the 7 of us will be participating in a buddy reads. Where we will all read the same book for that month. You can help us by choosing the next one in the posts that we will highlight on the sidebar. To check out other buddy reads go HERE

April's buddy read was: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Stephanie's mini review:
I absolutely loved Scarlet! It was a definitely 5 star book in my opinion! I loved Thorne so much! And I was SO happy that Iko was back even though it wasn't her original form :] There was so much in it and I cannot wait to read Cress when it comes out next February!

Click here for a look at my entire review

Megan's mini review:
I loved Scarlet just like Steph did-- five stars, which is really rare for me. But it was completely worth it. Scarlet was a totally kick-butt character that surpassed Cinder in my opinion, and I couldn't help but swoon over her boy, Wolf. That is a beautiful man-- and an especially interesting twist. Hopefully, Cress will be better. (Oh, gosh, can you imagine my fangirling?)

Read my full review here, and check out an audioclip sampling here.

Sarah's mini review:
Scarlet was amazing. Like Megan I thought Scarlet far surpassed Cinder. She was completely awesome. And Wolf, seriously I didn't see that coming with him but I love him anyway. I can't wait for Cress, it's way too far away!

My full review can be found here.

Angela's mini review:
Scarlet was not a 5-star book for me. Almost, but not quite. I liked it much more than Cinder, but like the first book, it was lacking. The characters from Cinder that reappeared in Scarlet were completely different from how I saw them in the first (talking about Kai here). Nonetheless, this was a great book. Marissa Meyer creates totally swoon-worthy boys. I only hope Cress exceeds my expectations. I don't doubt it.

Read my full review here.

We had the amazing pleasure of interviewing Marissa Meyer during our Buddy Reads month when we read Scarlet. It was such an awesome and exciting event for us. So, without further ado, here is the interview with the talented, brilliant Marissa Meyer!

1. How do you think you relate to Scarlet? There must be some way that you’re alike, right?

I think every writer has to put a little bit of themselves into their characters, even if it’s just a tiny thing! With Scarlet, I think we both have a very deep appreciation of home, and a desire to live a pretty simple, uncluttered life. Even though Scarlet is whisked away on an adventure, all she really wants is to get back to her farm and be with the people she loves, and I can relate to that a lot. (Even though I don’t live on a farm…)

2. What made you want to do a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood?

I love LRRH because it’s a tale that everyone is familiar with, and yet it hasn’t been retold to death like some other tales have (like, er… Cinderella.) On top of that, when I started brainstorming different ways I could futurize some of my favorite tales, I loved the idea of the “Big Bad Wolf” being a genetically-mutated creature akin to a paranormal werewolf, but… you know, more scientific. So that’s really where the idea started.

3. What was the hardest part in writing Scarlet?

Definitely striking a good balance between the two storylines – Cinder’s and Scarlet’s – and making sure that both plotlines had good momentum and engaged the reader’s interest. I was concerned that readers would be so in love with one story they would want to completely ignore the other, so I did a lot of finagling to try to make each of them very different from each other, while still being interesting and exciting in their own ways.

4. What books or authors have influenced you the most in life?

The Lord of the Rings was huge – they were the first books that showed me that writers could create entirely new universes and we didn’t have to be stuck with our normal time and existence. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld was also really inspiration for this series in particular, because it was doing really in a time pre-Hunger Games, when a lot of people thought teens weren’t interested in science fiction. So seeing the success of that series encouraged me to pursue this crazy sci-fi fairy tales idea I had.

5. What made you change the personalities of Scarlet and her grandmother from the original story?

One of the great things about retelling stories is you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it! I’m not so interested in protagonists that wander around without a purpose or let themselves get gobbled up by wolves without a fight, so I chose to write about female characters who are strong-willed and courageous instead. Of course, I believe that strength and empowerment comes through in different ways, so I hope my female characters will demonstrate that throughout the series.

6. How did you come up with the dynamic between Scarlet and Wolf?

It was pretty clear early on that Wolf was going to fit the “bad boy” archetype (he does have that big, bad wolf thing going for him, after all), but real people aren’t archetypes. They have eccentricities and contradictions that make them human and interesting. So with Wolf, I started to question who he was and how he came to be in this role that he’s in, and I realized that he would probably have some really awkward, shy tendencies… especially when it comes to Scarlet, who is about as frank and brash as they come. So it became a lot of fun to throw them together and see how they react.

7. How do you create such swoon worthy guys and can we expect even more in the upcoming books?

Thank you, I’m so glad you think so! I’m not really sure that there’s a trick to it - I just write about male leads that *I* swoon over, and hope that my readers will too! There is one more hero that readers have yet to be introduced to in this series, so I hope you’ll adore him as well.

Thank you so much Marissa for letting us interview you! You have been such a great inspiration for us here at The Raven Readers and we CANNOT wait to see what you create for the rest of this series and for future books!

If you read Scarlet, let us know what you thought in the comments!

Book Blitz and Giveaway: All In by Marta Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 07:00:00 +0000

All In by Marta Brown
Publication date: June 7, 2013
Purchase: Amazon

On the picturesque island of Martha's Vineyard, there are two kinds of residents. Locals and Stays.
Local boy, Lane McCarthy, plans on spending his summer working at the country club to save money for college in the fall, while summer stay, Ashley Whitmore, and her elite group of friends are only there to play.
As the summer heat goes up on the island, so does the ante, when both Lane and Ashley must decide what they’re willing to wager in order to follow their dreams… and their hearts.
With stakes as high as the surf, and hopes as high as the midday sun, will they risk everything and go all in?

Excerpt:

Ashley

When we step outside of the ice cream parlor, Lane reaches over and wraps his hand around mine, making me feel warm all over, despite the cool breeze coming off the ocean.

We walk down the boardwalk hand in hand, our arms swinging between us, and I can’t stop my blush each time I catch Lane staring at me, and then giggle each time he catches me sneaking a glance at him too. Both of us with silly grins on our faces.

As we turn the corner, at the edge of the boardwalk, right in front of us is a perfectly preserved turn of the century carousel.

I gasp at its beauty. How have I never been here before? Although, a community carousel is the last place that my parents would ever think to bring us. A ride on a schooner is more their speed.

The carousel is covered in small bulbous lights that cast a warm glow over the richly colored horses, each with a different face and intricate carvings on their saddles. The sounds of children and parents laughing intertwine with the carnival style music coming from the ride, and I can’t stop myself from hopping up and down on the tips of my toes like a child.

Lane chuckles, gripping my hand tightly, as we watch the ornate horses spin around and around and up and down until he points at a big brass ring when it spins by. “If you can grab the ring the ride’s free. Come on.” He gives me a smile and like a couple of kids we run along the side of the carousel until we both grab hold of the ring and hoist ourselves up and onto the ride, laughing and out of breath.

I move to a stationary white horse wearing a deep red saddle and without saying a word Lane lifts me up, in one swift motion, and sets me down so I’m face to face with him riding sidesaddle. He grips the horse’s gold post with one hand, and I can’t help but admire his sinewy arms, lean and strong.

“You are so beautiful,” he says, looking into my eyes as he brushes his thumb against my cheek with his other hand. His sincerity takes my breath away.

I wrap my arms around his neck drawing him closer until he’s standing between my legs. His soft smile fades into a smolder as he leans forward, causing my breath to hitch with the anticipation of his lips on mine.

I close my eyes as he closes the short distance between us achingly slow. My heart skips a beat when I finally feel the warmth of his lips press against mine. He tastes like ice cream and smells like summertime, and I suddenly wonder if the swirling I feel is from the ride or from his kiss.

He pulls away slightly before wrapping his hand around the base of my neck and pulling me into his lips again, making me certain of one thing.

I’m swirling, and it’s definitely from his kisses.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marta Brown grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was a teenager when Doc Martens, Pearl Jam and flannel were the norm and Dylan loved Kelly forever. (Beverly Hills 90210 shout out)
She still lives just outside Seattle, now with her husband and cat, and loves the rain.
When she’s not writing about cute boys, first kisses and the magic and wonder of being seventeen, she’s watching The CW. And she sleeps in. Late.

Connect with Marta:

Website | Twitter

Stacking the Shelves [10]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

What Angela got this week:

Recieved for review:

Addicted to You by Krista Ritchie and Becca Ritchie

Bought:

Love and Skate by Lila Felix

Untouched by Melody Grace

Borrowed:

A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

In the mail:

The Fury by Alexander Gordon Smith
Thank you, Jess @ Gone with the Words!

What did you get this week?

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Don't Make Me Beautiful by Elle Casey

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Don't Make Me Beautiful by Elle Casey
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: August 31, 2013
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVEL. No one knew a woman lived there or that she even existed. A monster, living in darkness...

At twenty-six, Nicole doesn't even look human anymore. The beast made sure of that. So she hides. A monster consigned to a life of fear and solitude. This is all she deserves, she is quite sure of that.
And then one day out of the blue, the autographed baseball caught by Brian Jensen at the latest Marlins game enters her prison and manages to turn her world completely upside down.
Temptation comes in the form of pity at first, and then perhaps something more.
Does she dare to believe the things she's told, that this is not the life she was meant to live? That being a monster is not her forever-fate? And will she be willing to risk everything, to reach out and accept the helping hands around her? She knows only too well that hands can hurt. Finding out whether they can also heal is a risky proposition, especially when the beast is still out there. Looking for her.

**This story was inspired by true events. If you liked the movie "Sleeping With the Enemy", then you might like this story too. CONTENT WARNING: Violence, foul language, and adult situations. Not meant for younger readers.**

Excerpt:

Liam’s mother reverses out of the driveway, their young son strapped into the back seat and waving like a maniac out his window. “Bye, Dad! See ya later!”

“Bye, Li-Li! See ya Wednesday!”

“I’ll bring him back before school,” his ex-wife says. “I have early meetings.”

“Sounds good,” says Brian, still waving to his son. He waits until he’s out of Liam’s sight before he puts his hand down. It’s nice to be alone for a few days, but he already feels the pangs of missing his child creeping in.

Standing in the driveway, Brian considers his next move. There’s an antique armoire in his workshop that needs a final coat of stain and then some clear-coat to protect it. It took a week to repair and refinish, but he scheduled two. He could do something else if he wanted to…

It can wait. The issue of the monster lady is weighing too heavily on his mind to let it go. Ignoring the warning bells going off in his head, he walks to the bottom of the driveway and turns left to go down the street.

“What am I doing?” he mumbles under his breath. “The guy obviously doesn’t like visitors.” The fact that the guy also looks like a Bantam rooster spoiling for a fight is not making Brian’s misgivings any fewer.

“Hey there, Brian. Going for a walk on this fine morning?” Ethel, his next-door neighbor is out trimming her bushes again. They don’t need trimming; they’re just a prop to give her a reason to be standing outside, waiting for passersby.

Brian waves. “Yep. Just getting some fresh air, I guess. Seemed like a good idea.”

“Little Liam gone for the week?”

She must have seen him drive by. She sees everything that happens on this street. “Just for a few days. He’ll be back on Wednesday.” Brian keeps walking, although slower. If he stops, he’ll be stuck there for an hour and probably end up in her kitchen having an iced tea. She’s the nicest, most talkative neighbor he’s ever had. He doesn’t usually mind it; in fact, he’s happy to indulge in a neighborly chat now and again - it’s why he moved to this area - but today, he’s on a mission and he doesn’t have time for gossip or an hour-long discussion about the upcoming weather and whether Mrs. Grandston down the street will ever start recycling.

“Tell him to stop by and see me when he gets home,” she says, poking her clippers vaguely in Brian’s direction. “I bought some new cookies at the store and I think he’s going to like them. He’s my official cookie taster.”

“I’ll tell him. He’ll be really happy to hear that.”

She waves with a gloved hand as he reaches the far side of her property line, and he waves back.

Maybe I should ask Ethel about the guy around the corner. Brian’s not sure that Ethel knows anything beyond the business of those living on Lodi Street. She stays pretty close to home, taking care of her husband who’s slowly going downhill with dementia. Brian’s not looking forward to the day she’ll have to put him in a nursing home. He has a feeling it will take the spark from her, and she’s fun just the way she is, even if she is a little nosy.

The house comes into view. As he gets closer, he sees that the window is still broken, but now there’s a piece of cardboard taped over it. The house is still, with no sign that anyone’s home. The large black truck that was in the driveway last night isn’t there. Maybe it’s in the garage.

Brian walks up to the porch, taking the steps slowly as he looks around. He’s not sure what he’s looking for, but everything seems to be in order.

“What the hell am I doing here?” he whispers to himself. What am I going to say if that guy comes to the door again? I’ll ask him for the bill, that’s it. Tell him I want to pay right away. Be a good neighbor. Brian shakes his head at his ridiculous thoughts. He already told the guy to leave the bill in his box. Showing up again and ringing the bell when the sign on it says not to feels almost like harassment. He looks at the sign again, reading the heavy scrawl.

DO NOT RING BELL. DO NOT KNOCK. WE DON’T TAKE VISITORS.

Brian frowns. He can’t get past the feeling that it’s just a weird thing to do, to put a sign up like that warning people away. It’s like something he would have done as a kid on a clubhouse to keep other kids from discovering his secret hiding place. It’s so ridiculous it almost begs people to discover whatever it is he’s keeping inside.

Brian laughs nervously at himself. Don’t be stupid. You’re a grown man and so is he. This is his house. If you trespass he can shoot your stupid ass.

Brian steps back away from the door, prepared to leave and never come back. But then the sound of his son’s voice and the vision of him standing on their own front porch the night before comes back to him. “She’s not sick, Dad. She’s just really ugly.”

Brian doesn’t want to see a really ugly woman. That’s not what’s motivating him to stand her on this porch and risk pissing off this neighbor. It’s just that … he’s a math guy. Brian has always been strong in math, from the time he was Liam’s age. He uses it every day with his work at restoring furniture, both in the actual hands-on stuff and the figuring he has to do later when he does his billing. Everything always has to add up in his world, and this situation with the monster lady? It wasn’t adding up.

Brian glances over at the cardboard covering the hole. Maybe I’ll just take a look at the damage and make a call to a glass company myself. Then I can go get some cash out of the bank and be ready to pay the guy when he gives me the bill.

Brian takes a few tentative steps down the porch towards the front window. A car comes down the street and he freezes, waiting until it’s a few doors down before continuing. Once in front of the window, he looks around the neighborhood. No one is outside, and he sees no faces in any other windows. These people need an Ethel.

Turning to look at the cardboard, he notices it’s stuck to the still intact frame with duct tape. “That’s going to be a problem when the sun melts that adhesive onto the PVC,” he says out loud. He runs his finger along the edge, hoping he can find a loose spot so he can pry up the cardboard a little to see the actual damage. It’s stuck on too tight, though.

His eyes roam up. A set of white, gauzy curtains are right in front of him, obscuring his view of the house’s interior. This house has the same basic layout as his, so he knows there’s a large living room of sorts on the other side of the glass. He wonders what the woman was doing when the ball came through her window. Was she sitting in the living room reading a book? Was she in the kitchen making cookies?

He blinks his eyes a few times as they adjust to looking through the white curtain. There’s a couch in the center of the wall facing him with side chairs on its left and right, its dark, burry contours getting clearer the longer he stares. A small coffee table rests in the middle of the conversation area. His eyes roam the walls, wondering what the pictures in frames look like. It’s too difficult to see. He steps back and stands straighter, embarrassed when he realizes he’s being worse than Ethel, staring into people’s houses like this.

It’s then that something inside the house catches his eye. Brian stops moving for a moment as he focuses his attention on the dark shape on the floor. He steps closer to the window, going so far as to press his face up against the glass and cup his hands around his eyes, trying to see better. What is that? A carpet on the floor? No. It’s not a carpet. It’s too bulky. It looks like…

He bends down, a sense of urgency overtaking his good sense. He scratches desperately at the edge of the duct tape, finally getting a corner of it to peel away from the window frame. He draws it down, careful not to let it tear. Once it’s free on one side, he grabs the cardboard and pushes it sideways, like opening the cover of the book.

What the hell am I doing? This is nuts… He ignores his own concerns, needing more than anything else right now to just confirm that what he thinks he’s seeing on that floor is not what he’s seeing.

The hole in the window is finally revealed, and it’s big enough for his hand to fit through. Thank you, Liam. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he’d thank his son for breaking someone’s window.

Brian reaches through and grabs the curtains on the other side, using both hands to pull the bottom of them out through the hole. As soon as he has the entire bottom seam through the broken window, he lifts it up and looks into the small space that’s remaining. Now there are no curtains in the way and he can see into the living room as clear as if he were standing inside the house.

“Holy Mary mother of Jesus,” he whispers. He raises his voice. “Ma’am … ! Miss … ! Are you okay?”

There’s what he assumes to be a woman lying on the floor in the middle of the room. All he can see is the back of her head and blood on her one exposed hand. “Ma’am! Are you okay?!”

No response.

“Fuck!” he yells, hurriedly shoving the curtain back through the hole and pushing the cardboard into place. He cuts the back of his hand on the glass, but he ignores the blood, the pain, and everything else as he struggles to get his cell phone out of his front pocket.

“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

“Hello, this is Brian Jensen and I’m standing on the front porch of …” He leans out and looks at the number on the front of the house near the door, “…thirty-two Fresno Street, and there’s a woman inside her house who’s passed out and there’s blood. She needs an ambulance.”

“Are you the homeowner, sir?”

“No, I’m a neighbor. Can you please send someone quick? I’m afraid she might be … dead. I’m not sure. She’s not moving.”

“Can you check for a pulse?”

“No, I’m outside. But just wait a minute. I’m going in.”

“Sir, is there anyone else at the home?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Hold the line while I call the house,” the operator says.

Brian’s at the front door when the woman comes back on the line. “They don’t appear to have a home phone on record. Have you tried the doorbell?”

“No.” Brian realizes how ridiculous it is that he hasn’t bothered to do that first. Surely the guy who lives here needs to know his wife is passed out on the floor. She’s obviously sick. Maybe she hit her head or something when she fell.

Brian rings the doorbell several times and bangs on the door with his fist. “Is anyone home?!” he yells.

No one answers.

“I don’t think anyone’s home but her,” Brian says to the operator. He tries the handle, but the door is locked. “I’m going to see if they have another open door somewhere.”

“Sir, I don’t recommend you break into the home.”

“I hear ya, but I’m doing it anyway.”

Brian runs around to the back and tries the door he finds there. It’s locked up tight as well. “The back door’s locked too. I’m going back to the front.”

“The ambulance is on its way along with a police officer. Can you stay on scene until they arrive?”

“Of course.”

“Do you want me to stay on the line with you?”

“No. Thanks for your help.” Brian hangs up without waiting for a response.

Going back to the front, he scrambles to pull the cardboard off and the curtain through the hole again. He leaves blood on the curtains in his attempts to see inside.

“Ma’am, an ambulance is on its way, okay? Ma’am, can you hear me?”

He’s about to look away when he sees her first finger move. It’s just the slightest twitch, but he’s sure he saw it. “I see you moving! I know you’re alive! They’re coming, okay! They’re coming!”

A low moan comes from inside the house, from the woman. Brian’s breath catches in his throat as her hand moves again, this time to slide out across the carpet. It leaves a smear of blood behind.

She moans again, this time an agonizing sound that makes Brian’s skin crawl. “You’re going to be okay. I called nine-one-one.”

Her moaning turns to a strange keening, like a growl and a sob blended together into something almost animalistic. The sounds of a siren in the distance reach Brian’s ears. He’s frozen in place, holding up the curtains and peering inside, as her head slowly turns.

The ambulance turns into the driveway as her face comes into view. Brian needs only one second to take in the sight of the horror before him before the blood in his veins goes cold and the words fall out of his mouth unbidden.

“Oh my god … what happened to your face?”

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New York Times Best-Selling author Elle Casey is an American girl living in southern France with her husband, three children, and several furry creatures. She writes in a variety of genre including YA Fantasy, YA Action/Adventure, New Adult Romance, and Adult Contemporary Romance. She's a little on the wild side, usually busy making people laugh, and always in the mood for adventure. There's not much in this world that she loves more than reader interaction, so feel free to drop her a line.

Connect with Elle:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Wattpad

Interview with Cornelia Funke

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 07:00:00 +0000

A Little About Cornelia:
Cornelia Caroline Funke is a multiple award-winning German author of children's and YA fiction. She is best known for her Inkheart trilogy. The Inkheart books have gained a variety of attention, and critics have praised Funke as the "German J. K. Rowling". Her books are very popular in her native country, and many have now been translated into English. Her work fits mainly into the fantasy and adventure genres. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California.

Connect with her:
Website || Goodreads || Twitter || Facebook

*Interview* I adored your Inkheart series when I was younger, because I loved the idea that Meg could just read things from books into being. How did you come up with Meg and Mo’s abilities?
I always wanted to write a story where characters come out of a book. Every book eater knows the feeling that they sometimes feel even more real than our closest friends. But I didn't know how. Until I thought of my own enchantment when I hear a good reader. Only a human voice brings printed words back to the life they own - we so easily forget that they are sound. From there it was all easy:)

Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook. I need more than just a few words:)

What qualities/quirks do you share with Meg?
I am a book eater like her and I think I was as shy with boys as she is at the beginning although I was always very good friends with them.

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what’s you favorite genre?
Yes, while I write I love to listen to the music that fits the world I am writing about. So Baroque music for the Inkworld, Schubert and Nutcracker for MirrorWorld:) in the car I listen to Coldplay , Adele and Regina Spector

What is your favorite word?
zaertlichkeit - it's the German word for Tenderness

Dustfinger and Farad were the best sidekicks (can I call them sidekicks?) ever. Did you base them off of anyone that you knew?
Dustfinger resembles in some ways my late husband but not in every aspect. he just stepped into my imagination and was wild and wonderful and in some ways my own male alter ego ( or let's say as free and wild as I would like to be:)

I remember when the movie {Inkheart} first came out. Were you disappointed at all with how it turned out?
Yes, quite disappointed. Especially as the shooting had been absolutely magical and everyone had been so passionate about it. But movies are strange beasts - so many things can go wrong. I also think that novels are in general to complex for a two hour film. that's why I didn't allow MirrorWorld to be filmed so far.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to read?
Sherlock Holmes, Neil Gaiman, poetry, non fiction...another printed dish every day

Can you tell us a little about your next project?

I am working on the second draft of The Golden Yarn, the third book in my MirrorWorld series. I am lost in Russian fairy tales and behind the Mirror with Jacob and Fox:)

Check out her Books---

Interview with Helene Boudreau

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 07:00:00 +0000

A Little About the Author:
Hélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. She is also a compulsive walker, a chicklet wrangler and a lover of cheese and cheap chocolate.

Her tween novel REAL MERMAIDS DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS is a 2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award Finalist.

Connect with Helene:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

*Interview*

I just recently read your Real Mermaids series, where Jade (our main character) finds out that she’s a mermaid. In such a delicate part of her life, how do you think that you relate to her?

I was a very late bloomer so I can definitely relate to Jade in that sense. It’s hard when you feel left behind by your peers in a physical and/or emotional sense. Jade has even bigger problems, though, in that she’s now stuck with a shiny new tail.

My own daughters are at the precipice of entering those uncertain years of raging hormones and topsy-turvy emotions. I really wanted to write a fun story for them (and girls like them) to ease them into the land of zits, training bras and smelly armpits. The upside being that—no matter how hard puberty might get—at least they don’t have TAILS!

At first, Jade and Luke’s relationship is just so awkward and sweet. How did you make it feel authentic?

I’m glad you think their relationship rings true. When I was first ‘pursuing’ my husband it took forever for him to figure out I was actually into him and wasn’t particularly a huge hockey fan—the arena was just close to where he lived. I wanted to capture that same dense but adorable quality in Jade. I think obliviousness is a charming quality. ;-)

I remember loving Jade’s attitude and her spunk. Did you base her off of an acquaintance?

Jade is not based on anyone in particular but I like to think she’s a bit like me except that I would need a full 24 hours of deep thinking to come up with some of the things she thinks or says. Actually, that’s probably why I stare at my computer screen a lot when I’m writing these books!

Facebook or Twitter?

Definitely Facebook! Twitter is too fast-moving for me and once something disappears from my stream, it’s like it’s gone forever. I like Facebook because it’s a lot more visual and appeals to my sense of order. So much of my life gets planned on Facebook. This week, I organized a lunch with a bunch of friends, shared cute music videos with my sister, and tracked my walking progress with my walking buddies! That said—it is really distracting.

I just recently became a big reader of MG as a genre-- and I feel like there’s a pressure to always have an adventure. How do you feel about that?

The middle grade age (from 9-12) is a time when kids’ worlds open up in exciting but sometimes scary ways. They’re given more responsibilities and freedoms and their stratospheres expand exponentially. At the same time, our society has become sometimes quite protective (sometimes for good reasons) so books are a way for young people to explore new worlds, characters, and situations they may not encounter in real life. And yes, those themes can definitely have an adventurous tone to them.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Hm. Lemon? I mean, I like both chocolate and vanilla but for baked goods I’m a huge lemon fan.

In a town that’s full of mer-transfers, Jade fits in with all of her quirks. Was the mermaid town just a random idea, or was it your intention from the beginning?

Jade’s town of Port Toulouse is actually based on a town called St. Peter’s near where I grew up. It has a boat canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to a fresh water lake just like in the book. My childhood village also had so many interesting characters at the local wharf, the bingo hall, or the post office—it was easy to draw inspiration from them!

What do you like to read when you're not writing? Feel free to name drop! (:

I’m loving Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s illustrative work in I’m Bored and am excited to see her new book with Michael Ian Black called Naked. For middle grade, Karen Rivers’ The Encyclopedia of Me is a HUGE hit in this house.

What do you have in store for us after the Real Mermaids series?

I’m actually working on the fourth book in the Real Mermaids series at the moment. It’s called Real Mermaids Don’t Sell Sea Shells and it will be out this fall! In Book #4, Jade, Cori, Luke and Trey and their families head off for a tropical vacation in the Bahamas. Jade soon finds out that sun, surf and tropical breezes are no ‘day at the beach’ because being a teenage mermaid never takes a vacation.

After that, I’m ready to explore new territory—possibly with a new series, a stand-alone, or a new picture book. I’m working on all three possibilities at the moment so we shall see!

Check out her books--

Top Ten Tuesday [21]

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 07:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish.

Top Ten Most Memorable Secondary Characters

Angela's Picks:

1. Chris, Lacy, Logan, Mark, Scott from Dare You To by Katie McGarry
2. Xander and Mason from The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
3. Roux from Also Known As by Robin Benway
4. Everyone from Slammed by Colleen Hoover
5. Breckin from Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
6. George Garrett from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
7. Missy from Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire
8. Iko from Cinder and Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
9. Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
10. Curtis Schwenk from Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock