Berds Fly

Removing Myself From the Blogosphere

2016-07-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

After many months of no posts and almost non-existent internet presence, I’ve decided to close the down the blog. When I started blogging 4+ years ago, I had no clue what would be in store. At the time, the Young Adult book reviewing community was just beginning to blow up and I wanted to join in on the fun.

Along the way in this journey, I’ve met some of the craziest book reviewers, read countless books, and got to know authors and publicists beyond the names printed on the pages. I didn’t realize how much work, blood, and sweat goes into running a successful blog. In conjunction with my growing love of new adult and adult books, my interest in young adult books began to wane.

Although YA fantasy will always have a spot in my heart, I simply don’t have the time to constantly review books anymore. Instead of this blog being an outlet for me to express myself and share my love of literature, it became a chore to consistently think of new, interesting topics for my followers.

I’m grateful for the opportunities both indie authors and big publishing house agents have given me via NetGalley. I’m thankful to those who have followed my journey and to those who have included me in the warm world of book review blogging. For now, the next adventure awaits for me in the real world and it’s time for my virtual self to retire.

FYI: www.berdsfly.com will no longer be active by September 2016

Peace Out,

Angeline

Moving!

2014-09-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

I've moved the blog to here!

Top Ten Worlds I'd Never Want To Live In

2014-01-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's topic....Top Ten Worlds I'd Never Want To Live In. Well you know what that means. Time to crack open all the dysoptian books that make me shudder with its doom and gloom. These are the worlds I'd be too scared out of my pants to live in or just utterly disgusted.

Musing Monday: Pen Names

2014-01-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday everyone! (Notice the fake cheer because Mondays are rarely happy). Today we'll be discussing pen names. Pen names or pseudonyms have been used by great authors such as Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) or the Bell brothers (Brontë sisters) in order to create an alter ego and ultimately express their ideas freely without social stigma or to liberate themselves from their everyday identities.

If you haven't heard, last year J.K. Rowling (Joanne Rowling) decided to write a mystery novel ("The Cuckoo's Calling") under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith in order to receive raw, unbiased criticism (aka to see if she still has super writing powers without the HP name attached). As expected, the new book took the literary world by storm. The novel garnered interest from literary critics as the year's new bestseller and a promising debut. Well some people couldn't be trusted with a secret and eventually Rowling's law firm let the cat out of the bag.

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But unlike the days where women were discouraged to write (Louisa May Alcott) or politicians had to hide their identities (Voltaire), is there really a use for pen names anymore? Here are some reasons why an author would use a pen name or nom de plume:

Protect their identity: Let's say you work as a teacher at a high school. Would you really want your students to know that you're Sheila Johnson hardcore adult romance writer rather than Bethany Smith a normal Calculus instructor (no offense to any Sheila Johnsons or Bethany Smiths)? Authors who have other jobs and write on the side might not want their books to affect the way people see them in their normal working environments. It's like when superheroes use alter egos so that they can lead normal lives.
Escape expectations: Like Rowling, authors want to distance their new works from their old works in order to get real criticism rather than biases based on name alone. Stephen King used the pseudonym Richard Bachman in order to see if people were buying his books because they were good or because "Stephen King" wrote them. Pseudonyms can be a way for authors to free themselves from the pressures of being themselves (does that make sense?).

Role play: Not the kind of role playing you were thinking. Authors will take on pen names in order to get into character. Using exotic or foreign names allows them to feel more connected to their stories. For example, Daniel Handler used the name "Lemony Snicket" to write his "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series. He got into character to add this aura of mystery and tragedy surrounding his books.
Try new genres: Not all authors are happy writing only fantasy novels or only thrillers. So to see if their books will do well in other genres without compromising the name they've already established, authors will do a test trial publishing their book under a different name. By using different names, the same author can protect the works they've already written while still keeping their fan base. Of course there are still awesome authors who are able to write fantastic books in any genre and use just one name.

What nom de plume would you choose if you wrote a book?

Review: Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally

2014-01-25T20:01:00.001-08:00

Publication Date: December 3, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Barnes and Noble
Pages: 304
Format: Ebook
Author URL: http://mirandakenneally.com/

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

Is it just me or does every book in this series continue to suck as you go down the line? It's obvious that Kenneally knows how to write. Emotions, actions, dialogue are done with skill in some moments, but fall apart in the majority of the book. Plot has never been a strong point for Kenneally and this book is no exception. The synopsis and basis for the story is appealing, but it's a total cliche. Rich boy/girl meets poor boy/girl and drama ensues. Like I haven't heard that one before. Don't get me wrong; I love to read stories like that, but the difference is the story has to be original with a certain level of quirk to make it interesting. The spotty plot and inconsistent characterization leaves me both disappointed and confused. This is a matter of quantity over quality. I'd rather have a story with quality that took time to come out rather than 4 books released consecutively with loose ends and cliches. Not every author has the skill to pop out an awesome book every year and that's okay.

I will say that Savannah has the same admirable qualities that Jordan ("Catching Jordan") has. She's responsible, loyal and selfless. Savannah is portrayed accurately as a teenage girl. Kudos to Kenneally for the accurate emotions and realistic picture of teen angst. But at the same time it's Savannah's naivety that gets her into loads of trouble when it comes to Jack (who is a total jerk). I still think that some of Savannah's actions are stupid and foolhardy like the kind that real teens would do (ex. drinking, doing drugs).

Like in every Kenneally book, there are parental issues namely between Savannah and her parents (Dad and Stepmom). 1. They're poor. 2. They're having a baby. 3. It was unplanned and Savannah tires to help them even though they're idiots. Jack has trouble even confronting his parents and as a result of his lack of confidence he keeps Savannah hidden like a dirty secret. To my frustration, yet again the issues underlying are never really addressed or resolved. All of a sudden the parents are okay with their relationship and are all one big happy family. It's "finished" with a neat little bow in the magical land where everything is right again.

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Jack is my least favorite leading male in any of Kenneally's books. He's cowardly, entitled, and self-centered. His actions are unbelievable and his character lacks any depth (or brains apparently). I'd like to imagine that their lives after the book end up with a) Savannah leaving him b) them living in a loveless marriage. But I can totally picture Jack leaving Savannah for another girl because he's just that big of a douche. Their love was the epitome of insta! and I continued to dislike Jack more and more because he never put Savannah's needs before his own. But then again what teen would? It seems like he cares more about his horses and his role as the next in line at the farm than his relationship with Savannah. I hate that Savannah gives him all she has and willingly follows all his stupid plans. She should have avoided him like the plague or dumped his butt in a heartbeat.

The aspect of horses and racing adds a nice touch to the story, but lacks a strong role. The book has a trouble of balancing the romance and the racing part, so I'm left with a blob that doesn't know what it wants to be. The romance and horse theme are never fully developed or are smooth/tight-knit. Holes and leaps are everywhere in this book.

As always, I enjoyed the book's mention of characters past and how everyone is connected somehow. I still wish there would be more interactions between the past and present main characters instead of fleeting glances or brief meetings. Jordan, Parker, and Kate are all mentioned, but kept distant from the plot and each other.

Overall: The emotions may be realistic, but the plot and characters in this book leaves me in disbelief. Very unlikely events and a lot of inconsistencies. "Catching Jordan" still remains as my favorite book and it's a shame none of the last three books have impressed me.

Ugly Princess: Snow White

2014-01-25T18:42:00.001-08:00

A lot of YA stories are based off of or use elements from classic fairy tales. In case you didn't know, Cress by Marissa Meyer is the third book of the Lunar Chronicles series and will be released February 4th. The Lunar Chronicles incorporates elements from Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and (I think) Snow White. Like any other little girl, I was first introduced to fairy tales from watching every Disney movie known to mankind (which I still have in VHS)! But after I read their original/real versions of these stories, I realized that my childhood was a lie.

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The evil step-Queen in the Disney version was the star of my first nightmare. The hag version scared me so much, I used to only take showers with the door open and sleep with the light on buried under mountains of blankets. In the nice Disney spin, she conveniently falls off a cliff and is never seen again while Snow White rides into the sunset with her Prince Charming and seven dwarves.

In the original (as told by the Grimm brothers): the Queen demands the huntsman gets her the lungs and liver of Snow White and ends up eating the dupes the huntsman brings back. The Queen attempts to kill Snow White two times before the apple: by tightening the offered bodice too tight and by combing Snow Whites hair with a poisoned comb (both times the dwarves save her). Snow White isn't saved by "true love's kiss". When the prince is carrying her coffin, the horses get jostled and the apple is dislodged from Snow White's mouth. The Queen attends Snow White and Prince Charming's wedding where she is then captured and forced to dance to her death in red-hot iron shoes.

And in case you haven't yet, go watch Disney's "Frozen" now!! The soundtrack has become my winter jam!

Fun Friday #24

2013-12-20T21:12:00.001-08:00

Feature and Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel @Parajunkee (read the rules before joining) and Alison @Alison Can Read! Be sure to check out this week's featured blogs: Words with Sarah and The Storybook Kingdom.

I'm finally free~ For the next two weeks, I'm going to be enjoying my break with lots of family and definitely lots of food. This December has been really hectic and it's going to be even more crazy as my college application deadline looms closer and closer. But for now, I'm just going to enjoy my Friday and hopefully I'll be well-rested when school comes around again. Have a happy holiday everyone!~

Question: Pick a book in your favorite genre that you’d recommend to a reluctant reader.

Answer: Haha. This sounds like a question my friend (who is insanely in love with dystopians) would probably answer with Divergent when trying to get me to read sci-fi/dystopian. My absolute favorite genre is fantasy. It's basically fantastic and ecstasy all in one word. As to why someone wouldn't like fantasy beats me. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was probably my first serious chapter book read. I would probably recommend reading any of Neil Gaiman's work. Phenomenal stuff and his writing draws you in so immediately and subtly that you'd never see it coming.

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Stacking the Shelves #15

2013-12-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where bloggers showcase their newest additions to their library!

These past few months have been kind of slow, but was still able to grab some great new release books!

Giveaway: Beyond (Beyond) by S.P. van der Lee

2013-12-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

Beyond (Beyond)

by S.P. van der Lee

Release date: November 25th 2013

Summary from Goodreads:
Sixteen-year-old Raven desperately wants to fit in, but after using a Ouija Board, her already overwhelming hallucinations take a turn for the worse. A ghostly figure named Sam begins to haunt Raven and seems eager to kill her.
She’s saved by a reclusive biker named Damian who goes to the same school and appears to have an interest in her. Raven can’t help but feel drawn to him. Determined to uncover Damian’s connection to the ghost, Raven sets out to discover his secret and the reason Sam started haunting her. However, there’s more at stake than just her reputation. Raven’s choice between unveiling Damian’s true intentions, and living a normal life will put everyone she cares about at risk. To save them, she'll have to go beyond.

Lives are ruined.
Hearts are shattered.
Death lurks at every corner.

Available from:

Check out the trailer here!

"I loved the premise of the book & I loved the characters. The ending left me wanting more..." ~ Lisa W.

“Finally this ends my dry spell of unsatisfying fantasy novels! I loved the plot! I can't help but get hooked into it as the story unfolds.” ~ Poecilia from Goodreads

“The book is very good. It has really good mystery in it and a cliffhanger in the end that leaves you screaming for the second book.” ~ Katie from Goodreads

Excerpt

Never before have I felt such fear, suffocating and unrelenting. If my heart continues to beat the way it is, I might die. My hallucinations have never taken the form of a humanlike figure before. Just thinking about the smoke he emitted makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

The only things I’ve ever seen were items being moved around or floating lights, which made people think I was nuts. But just now, at the party, I saw a real shady figure, and he moved the wooden arrow.
I pedal as fast as I can. I can’t look back, because I’m afraid I might see something that will make my heart stop. I have to get out of here.
Simon and Emma are yelling at me from Lillian’s home, but I’m not listening to what they’re saying. I just tell myself that everything has been a fantasy, even though it still bothers me. Hallucinations should only affect me, not my surroundings. They’re not supposed to be able to touch a Ouija board.
Calm down, Raven. Maybe my pills will work.
I pull the brakes and come to a stop so quick that I have to put both feet on the ground so I don’t fall over. I grab my bag and rummage through it, looking for the bottle. The pills that reduce the intensity of my hallucinations should be in there. My mom always makes me take them along wherever I go.
But they’re not in my bag. How could I have forgotten them? How could I have been so stupid? In my haste to get to the party I must’ve forgotten to pack them. What do I do without my meds?
I throw my bag on the ground and exhale a few times before picking it up again. I snort and brush away the sweat from my forehead. Well, nothing I can do about it now. I’ll have to get home as quick as I can.
I hop on my mountain bike again and force myself to pedal. It isn’t real. My head is playing tricks. I’m me, not my delusions.
They’re all fake.
I bike across the road and swallow a couple of times. Maybe the anxiety will go away then. I check my surroundings to assure myself that everything I see is beyond a doubt there and not all in my head.
Then I see them, a group of figures in the cemetery.
Only they aren’t just figures. Shadows are watching me.
Their faces are smooth and unwavering. Their eyes are hollow. Surrounding them is a black and white mist-like fog. The people all look different, but with one similarity; I can see right through them.
I shriek and peddle as hard as my feet will allow me, past the cemetery. I’m going nuts. I see things that aren’t really there. Delusions that are so terrifying I feel like I’m going to faint again. This isn’t real. It can´t be! I’m trying to convince myself.
Tears roll down my face, and my lungs burn. The warmth of my overheated body makes my soaking wet clothes prickle against my skin. I’m heaving, totally out of breath.
In the forest beside me, I spot the shades again. They’re everywhere. At least, I think, but they don’t look like just shadows anymore. They look like real people.
Am I hallucinating about ghosts? Their black and white glow is as clear as daylight in the darkness. The lampposts light the cement path. At first I think the entities are staring into nothing, but then they chase after me.
I bike even harder, but my thighs burn. I’m already past my limit. I steal a glimpse, and the floating ghosts are still following me, floating.
“Stop! Stop it!” I scream and close my eyes, hoping they will disappear, but when I open them again they’re still there.
One of the ghosts drifts closer. It moves so fast, I’m unable to spot it until it’s in my face with its mouth open.
I shriek and flap my hands, hoping to push the attacker away, but it doesn’t work. It’s already gone. The shadow went right through me.
I’m wobbling so much I lose my balance and fall off my bike. My head hits the asphalt, surging burning pain to the side of my skull. I’m dizzy, and everything around me fades to black.

About the Author

I am a writer and reader of YA Paranormal Romance novels and aspire to be a well known author. I love reading the same genre, as well as Dystopian and an occasional fantasy book. In my spare time, when I'm not reading books, I like to play games such as RPG's.

I have a bachelor in Digital Communication and enjoy pretty much anything that has to do with technology :)

BEYOND will be published on November 25th 2013. I'm currently available for Promos, spotlights, reviews, interviews, guest posts, you name it! Just send me a message :)

Author Links:

5 signed E-book copies of Beyond (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Giveaway: Debut Author Giveaway Hop 2013

2013-12-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

As the 2013 year comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the hits and misses of this year. There have been a few promising authors to look for future references and it's because of these awesome debut authors that we readers get to read more awesome books. The lovely BookHounds and I Am a Reader Not a Writer have graciously arranged this giveaway hop, so be sure to check out the rest of the other blogs here.

~Da Rules~

12 winners will be chosen in the spirit of December
a winner will get to choose 1 ebook from the list
This giveaway is international (as long as you're able to read books in English)
I can provide the books in these formats: EPUB and MOBI for some of the books not all so please specify which books and what FORMAT you want it in if you win.
Make sure you check your email in case you win!
This giveaway ends December 11
Winners will be announced December 13 (oooh Friday the 13th)
I have the right to erase entries
Must be 13 years or older (sorry kiddies)
These Ebooks are personally purchased
Click on covers to read their synopses

~Book List~

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Giveaway: Bitter Fruits by Sarah Daltry

2013-11-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Official Book Blast for Bitter Fruits by Sarah Daltry

For fans of dark urban fantasy comes a novel that questions why forbidden fruit is always the most tempting…
A vampire-themed masquerade party isn’t really her scene, but Nora is sick of frat parties and bars. When she meets Alec, the appeal suddenly becomes clear. It’s obvious that they’ve been struck by the same intense mutual attraction, but Alec keeps his distance. Intrigued despite herself, Nora pushes a little deeper — and discovers Alec’s unimaginable secret…
Nora is not afraid of following Alec into the darkness, but the choice is soon taken from her. Someone is hunting her — someone tied to the secret and desperate to see it play out. But when Nora finally meets her aggressor, she finds herself hopelessly drawn to him. She needs to make a choice between the two men, but can she save them both, knowing one is destined to die?

Pick up BITTER FRUITS now, for only $3.99!

Praise For Bitter Fruits:

“Sarah Daltry writes with a stunning fluidity that draws the reader into her world and holds the reader willing hostage there with her until the novel ends. This book is exceptionally well-written, with characters that are riveting, and a story line that is a refreshing change from the run-of-the-mill vampire novels of society’s norm.” – Michelle Williams

“Sarah has a way of drawing you into a story that is powerful, intriguing and leaves you wanting to know what is around the corner.” – Brandy, Romance Bookworm’s Reviews

About the Author:

Sarah Daltry writes about the regular people who populate our lives. She’s written works in various genres – romance, erotica, fantasy, horror. Genre isn’t as important as telling a story about people and how their lives unfold. Sarah tends to focus on YA/NA characters but she’s been known to shake it up. Most of her stories are about relationships – romantic, familial, friendly – because love and empathy are the foundation of life. It doesn’t matter if the story is set in contemporary NY, historical Britain, or a fantasy world in the future – human beings are most interesting in the ways they interact with others. This is the principle behind all of Sarah’s stories.

Sarah has spent most of her life in school, from her BA and MA in English and writing to teaching both at the high school and college level. She also loves studying art history and really anything because learning is fun.

When Sarah isn’t writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.

Visit Sarah online at:

Website: http://sarahdaltry.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahDaltryErotica
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahDaltry
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sarahdaltry/boards/
Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/sarahdaltry

Website

GIVEAWAY

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Fun Friday #23

2013-11-29T20:20:00.004-08:00

Feature and Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel @Parajunkee (read the rules before joining) and Alison @Alison Can Read! Be sure to check out this week's featured blogs: Ericka @Highway-Y.A. and Twin Spin

Question: What’s your favorite Thanksgiving Day food? If you’re not American or Canadian, what is your favorite holiday food?

Answer: Thanksgiving is probably the one holiday out of the entire year where my extended family cooks actual American food (corn, mash potato and gravy, turkey, and the occasional cranberry sauce) instead of our traditional Vietnamese foods. Although, my uncle managed to sneak in some homemade passion fruit tea somehow.

My favorite Thanksgiving Day food is definitely the pumpkin pie. Homemade or store bought, I don't care. I love to eat pumpkin anything during this time of the year (spice lattes included). Any other time just doesn't feel right to me. Any type of pie makes me happy, but my ultimate favorite pie is probably banana cream pie. They're just so delicious~

Giveaway: Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis, #1) by Kelsey Ketch

2013-11-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis, #1)

by Kelsey Ketch

Release Date: 10/26/13

Cover Designed by: Steven Novak

Summary from Goodreads:

“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”

Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.

The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.

Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.

*Note: Content for Upper YA*

Available from:

Excerpt

“Natti, you need to relax,” Seth finally said.

She froze in her place and looked at him. “Relax! Are you mental? My best friend was drugged!”

Seth stood up from the long, ratty sofa, peeled apart her hands, and took them into his. “You don’t know that for sure.” He brushed his thumbs over her skin in soft, smooth strokes. “Just let the doctors worry about it.”

The calm, soft tingle of his touch seeped through her skin, coursing lightly over her nerves and releasing their tension. Her mind and body began to calm down, making her realize how badly every muscle had been physically shaking. Slowly, layer upon layer of fear and stress simply vanished until she felt nothing at all. She looked up at Seth’s eyes, drawn to their warmth and comfort.

“Okay . . .” Natti spoke, almost breathless. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?” Seth’s voice was seductive as he leaned his forehead against hers. His scent of spice cologne, myrrh, and sandalwood consumed her senses, and his eyes captured her soul.

“This,” she pressed. “The sensations of your touch. I’ve been feeling it all night and even before. Ever since we met. And don’t try to lie. I know you’re doing it, but how?”

Seth smirked at her question, his eyes turning their focus to her hands. “It’s nothing.”

Natti couldn’t help smile as more of the tingling sensation slipped over her skin. “Oh, it’s something. What is it?”

His beautiful full lips tempted her with a smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

Silence fell between them while he seemed to think it over, meanwhile massaging her hands with his thumbs and fingers. The pressure, the release, each movement slowly pulling her thoughts and focus onto his hands. “Touch is a magical thing, Natti,” he explained. “It can comfort.” He raised one hand and stroked her cheek, soft and gentle. “It can entice.” His thumb moved along her jaw and applied pressure as it traveled down her neck, causing her to shiver with delight. “And it can hurt. Whatever the intensions, it brings two people together. It makes a certain . . . connection.”

Though there was no heaviness of a lie, she chuckled at his response. “You’re right. I don’t believe you. Touch is just a sense. A tool the human body uses.”

“Yes, and it’s a powerful tool when used the right way.” His honey voice teasing her, tempting her. “Now come sit with me and relax. Wanda will be all right.”

About the Author

During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.Daughter of Isis is her debut novel.
For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.

***Author Links***

GIVEAWAY:

One winner will receive an Anubis Plush Toy and a Tyet Necklace (INT)

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Vampire Academy Movie

2013-11-28T00:15:00.001-08:00

"Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead is one of the many young adult books that are being converted to movies. The movie is going to be released February 14, 2014 (what a nice movie to watch for Valentine's Day with all it's blood and gore).

I'm really excited for the movie, but by the trailer I can already tell it's not going to live up to the feel of the books. Most of the casting is a hit for me, although I wish they found a different Dimitri. Yea he seems older and he is actually Russian, but I always imagined Dimitri as having an edgier, more dangerous type of feel. This guy looks way too nice guy in the trailer, but who knows maybe they'll show it in the full-length movie. Trust me, I tried to find the most fitting picture of Danila Kozlovsky.

Cast

for full listing go here

Zoey Deutch as Rose

Lucy Fry as Lissa

Danila Kozlovsky as Dimitri

Dominic Sherwood as Christian

Sami Gayle as Mia

Sarah Hyland as Natalie

Claire Foy as Ms. Karp

Gabriel Byrne as Victor

Trailer

Also check out "The Fiery Heart" from Richelle Mead that was just released last week! It's the fourth book in her Bloodlines series.

Review: The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

2013-11-27T23:27:00.001-08:00

Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: NetGalley
Pages: 439 (hardcover)
Format: Ebook
Author URL: http://maggiestiefvater.com/the-raven-boys/

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.

Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life.

Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

Stiefvater steps up her game in this sequel to "The Raven Boys". We meet again the quirky Blue, curious Gansey, prideful Adam, and dangerous Ronan. But, this sequel doesn't focus on our lovely Blue as much as it does on Ronan and his (shall we say) "unique" ability. Although Stiefvater's poetic and figurative writing style continues to confuse us (in a good way I assure you), the fact that the main heroine takes a backseat in this book is both a refreshing and daring move on Stiefvater's part. Can't say I complain. In this book, we see varying degrees of personal growth for each character and the mystery around the ley lines both clarifies and thickens. Be warned that this review may have little tidbits of spoilers because it's difficult to explain any of the intriguing parts without doing so.

Ronan

There's no question that Ronan is star of this show and as Stiefvater peels his rough layers, we begin to understand the complexity of his background. We see that all the money in the world cannot polish this rough diamond and his sordid past. Ronan has the ability to create solid, tangible objects from his dreams. These impossible objects that seem otherworldly stem from his dreams, whether or not he can control it is another question. Unfortunately, his ability attracts not only the attention of the other members of this motley crew, but the unwanted pursuit of very unsavory characters. We see in this book an exploration of Ronan and his family (including his two other brothers) while getting a very deep understanding of Ronan's distant nature.

Blue

Alas, the love triangle between Blue, Gansey, and Adam continue and although Blue's main dilema, her curse, was the center of book 1, it's not so focused on in this book. I can't tell you exactly how Blue's feeling towards these two guys individually, but I can tell you that there are a couple (almost), angst-filled kiss scenes. Because, Blue is more of a side character, the relationship between Adam and Gansey truly shines. Adam's need to escape from Henrietta, their hick-filled home, through his own methods (aka broke and poor, while studying hard 24/7) comes in conflict with Gansey's inability to understand Adam's "stubbornness" and need to support his friend. There are a few instances, where Adam seems to lose it, because of external factors (money, ley lines, Blue) and internal factors (pride, his past).

Adam

These two boys are no longer the bosom buddies of book 1 and we see how their separate lifestyles and personalities rub each other the wrong way once they're no longer on the same page (pun unintended). Gansey, especially, seems to understand that he's human instead of some god-like creature with loads of money. But this path to reality is one of late-nights with Ronan, who as we all know doesn't hang out with the best crowds.

Gansey

This book also seems to have two villains: Gray Man and Kavinsky, although Gray Man becomes an ally later on (he has a huge crush on Blue's mom, Maura). When I try to imagine the Gray Man, who's a bounty hunter affiliated with evil people, I imagined him looking like a character from "Men in Black" or like The Observer from "Fringe". Very unassuming, but deadly at the same time. I found his shyness and banter with Maura to be extremely cute. Gray Man vs Blue is like watching a polite smack down, no punches but all wit.

source

I think Kavinsky's importance in the beginning of the book is really downplayed, so when he does become a big deal at the end, the transition is not as smooth as I would like. His involvement seems like a spur of the moment kind of thing, sort of like the ending of this book, very rushed and cleaned up nice and tidy. His importance is subtly hinted at initially, with most of the plot focusing on the Gray Man. But unlike the consistency of Gray Man as a character, Kavinsky falls really short of my expectations, fading in and out of suit Steifvater's purposes.

Overall: I enjoyed this sequel more than "The Raven Boys" because it made more sense to me. It's hard for me to get into Stiefvater's writing because normally most of the plot and writing is all over the place because she tries to incorporate too many things at one time. I'm glad she decided to reveal more than conceal in this book because I was actually able to follow it this time. I wonder what's in store for us the in the next book to come. I suspect it has something to do with Noah, our little ghost friend, because a lot of weird things have been happening to him in book 2 and I feel like it's hinting at something important with the ley lines.

Noah

Giveaway: Fighting for the Edge (Edge #3) by Jennifer Comeaux

2013-11-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

Fighting for the Edge (Edge #3)
by Jennifer Comeaux
Release Date: 11/05/13

Summary from Goodreads:
Two friends. Two dreams. One night that changes everything…

Ice dancer Aubrey London scoffs at romance. She’s focused on winning a medal at the upcoming Olympics and uses that as her excuse to avoid serious relationships. But when she and longtime friend Chris Grayden are thrown together by unforeseen circumstances, Aubrey finds herself questioning everything she's ever known about love, complicating her life both on and off the ice.

Pairs skater Emily Petrov embraces romance. She and her husband Sergei still act like honeymooners two years after their wedding. As Emily’s coach, Sergei provides constant support while she prepares to challenge for gold at the Olympics. But Sergei’s support might not be enough to help Emily overcome the one challenge she never saw coming.

With the Games only weeks away, Emily and Aubrey are on the verge of realizing their dreams. But one snowy, stormy night sets in motion a series of events that will test them in ways they never imagined, giving them more to fight for than Olympic medals.

Available from:

LIFE ON THE EDGE (Edge #1) and EDGE OF THE PAST(Edge #2) are currently on sale for $0.99!

"Jennifer Comeaux puts you in the action, makes you smell the ice and hear the roar of the crowd during the nail-biting competitions, and she's a master at creating first love jitters in your stomach from the steamy scenes that are so hot without being explicit." - Christina Jean Michaels, author of Epiphany

“Both touching and suspenseful, Fighting for the Edge is a game changer that will have fans of the series giving both the characters and the author a standing ovation once they've turned the very last page. If I could pass out medals, Jennifer would earn gold for writing my favorite romance of all time.” – Jenna at Jenna Does Books

About the Author
Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is travelling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers! Visit jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com for contact information and to learn more about her books.

Author Links:

***GIVEAWAY***

$10 Amazon gift card (INT); 2 signed Edge series cards (US)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz hosted by:

Fun Friday #22

2013-11-22T00:07:00.000-08:00

Feature and Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel @Parajunkee (read the rules before joining) and Alison @Alison Can Read! Be sure to check out this week's featured blogs: Jessica +Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile and Melissa @Stalked!

Q: You Are It! We are playing #FF tag this week. Comment on as many blogs as you can, even if they aren’t participating in #FF. Just say Happy #FF! At the end of your comment. Keep a running total if you want and update your post with it. The bigger the number the more impressed we will be!

A: Ooooh! Nice word play on "tagging". Hope you guys have a fantastic Friday and I can't wait to get into my holiday spirit this week. If you really want to randomize your blog-reaching, close your eyes, pick a number and tag away~ Let the #tagging begin! Have fun!

Giveaway: Ready To Go by Stephanie Mann

2013-11-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

Ready To Go

by Stephanie Mann

Release Date: 11/12/13

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

Daniel is sick of his wonderfully boring and predictable life. He dutifully gets up every morning, goes to class, goes to work, and it never changes. He does, says and even wears exactly what others expect of him. He's so predictable that he barely notices just how unhappy he truly is.

One afternoon, everything changes when David meets a girl on the run from her own demons. She doesn't need Daniel's help, but he offers and she accepts--setting a course for an adventure neither will soon forget.

Together, on an impromptu road trip, two strangers become friends and a bit more, all while facing money problems, car problems, and tourist traps and the naked truth: they can't run forever.

Will they finally stop running long enough to discover true and lasting love?

About the Author

Stephanie Mann lives in Massachusetts. Besides writing, she spends her free time working with fan conventions. She loves to travel, and has visited many tourist traps along the way.

READY TO GO is Stephanie Mann's first novel.

Author Links:

***GIVEAWAY***

1 - $10 Starbucks gift card & ebook of Ready To Go (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Giveaway: Impossibly Love (Impossibly #1) by Shane Morgan

2013-11-20T21:00:00.000-08:00

Impossibly Love (Impossibly #1)

by Shane Morgan

Release Date: 10/29/13

Summary from Goodreads:

All Moya Douglas wants to do is study hard, maintain her scholarship, and make her mother proud while attending college. She doesn't have time for a boyfriend or going on dates arranged by her best friend. Moya doesn't believe in love. And she has no intention of ever finding it.

Branden McCarthy is determined to change her views.
A selfless romantic who's had his heart broken in the past, Branden is fascinated with Moya's personality and hopes to develop something real with her—a connection so strong it'll open her heart. But just when things start to work between the two, Branden’s secret threatens to get in the way.

Will Moya finally do the impossible and give love a chance with Branden, or will fear keep them apart?

New Adult novel about finding love and oneself.

Available from:

About the Author

Shane Morgan is a lover of "interesting" books. Her imagination is always running wild so it's best to collect and organize them into separate stories.

Shane's love for writing started the moment she picked up a Nancy Drew book. At a young age, she began writing short stories, delving into a variety of genres: from comedy and drama, to horror and contemporary romance. Shane's quite intrigued by the otherworldly or things otherwise deemed "impossible." Well, in her opinion, people never really grow up, do they?

Author Links:

***GIVEAWAY***

$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz hosted by:

"Waiting on Wednesday": What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

2013-11-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @Breaking the Spine where we feature books that we're just dying to get our hands on.

I didn't particularly enjoy "My Life Next Door", mostly because the plot structure didn't feel right to me, but I'm willing to give Fitzpatrick another chance. I just can't resist the gorgeous cover. It's so pretty~

Release Date: April 15, 2014

From the author of My Life Next Door comes a swoony summertime romance full of expectation and regret, humor and hard questions.

Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is.

Giveaway: Clan by Realm Lovejoy

2013-11-19T17:18:00.000-08:00

Clan
by Realm Lovejoy
Release Date: 11/12/13

Summary from Goodreads:
Clans are Unity.

No variation. No deviation.

On Clades, to be a Clan is to be an exact copy.
A perfect society cloning themselves to survive, even as the zombielike Frags threaten to overrun them on an unforgiving planet.

Clan 1672 (privately known as Twain) was never supposed to survive the Incubation Tank.
But he did. Illegally.
He is different from the other Clans.

A secret that could destroy him.

Kirkus Reviews: "In this fast-paced novel, Lovejoy uses economical prose while developing the story’s characters and setting in detail. She also meets the challenge of creating memorable characters in a world of identical people..." (Read more here!)

Available from:

About the Author
Realm Lovejoy is a writer and an artist. She was raised in Washington State and the alps of Nagano, Japan. Her father is a Japanese ex-monk and her mother an English teacher from Rhode Island. Her art is influenced by both the East and the West.

Realm aspires to tell stories through her writing and art.
She is agented by Jessica Regel.

Her upcoming YA sci-fi novel is titled CLAN, due 2013.
Author Links:

***GIVEAWAY***

1 Signed Paperback + CLAN Button + Signed Illustration from Paperback (6x8) (US only)

6 Paperbacks of CLAN (US only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz hosted by:

Bookish News: Barbara Park Passes Away

2013-11-18T23:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Mrs. Park,

I remember the first time I held one of your books in my hands. I was in first grade and my mom bought me a box set of "Junie. B Jones" from the Scholastic catalogues they always send home every month.

The first book I read was "Junie B. Jones and the Stupid, Smelly Bus". From the minute, I read "'B' stands for Beatrice. Except I don't like Beatrice", I was hooked. Even now, about 12 years later, my little brother is learning how to read using my old box sets of Junie's tales. This girl seemed to embody everything I was in my elementary days: sassy, stubborn, and fun-loving. These are just some of the things, I've learned from her:

Don't eat candy from the ground.
Don't try to give away your younger siblings.
Political correctness and grammar rules ruin all the fun. I can name things Yellowy, Brownie, and Blackie if I want to.
I'm not the only one who doesn't like their name.
Boys are stupid.
Glasses aren't lame.
There will be teachers you like and those you don't.
You can actually win stuff during cake walks...and you probably can't finish eating them either.
Not everyone can appreciate your fabulous-ness or sense of humor.
It's okay not to know what you want to do in life.

You will be missed, Mrs. Park. But I'll never forget the funny stories you've produced over the years. Junie's been a constant companion for me since we've been the same age and her wacky personality will continue to delight me to no end. Thanks for sharing your hilarious books. RIP.

Sincerely,

Angeline

Musing Monday: Cultural Revolution or Temporary Fad?

2013-11-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that I hold a reluctance against dystopian YA books, but that doesn't stop me from noticing it's almost super-star-like rise in the YA trend. Nowadays a new dystopian series or book is popping up on the market left and right. Four years ago it was about vampires and werewolves, four years before that it was about wizards and witches, and now it's about a group of innocent, determined people against a corrupted society. I'm not a "hater" of the dystopian/sci-fi genre. In fact, I am a fan of dystopian books, that is, classic dystopian books and I love Star Trek almost as much as I love Lord of the Rings.

Source

In YA literature, the meaning of dystopian has mutated from the intent of the classics, such as "Fahrenheit 451" or "1984". Today, YA dystopian has become a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and cringing romances. The idea that a society has become corrupted used to represent the actual struggles of authors and their political values, admist real-world wars. Now, authors write about corruption with a child-like wonder, like a spectator in an amateur rendition of the real thing, hoping to sell their books using this wave of dystopian-craze. The unfortunate effect of this "sell what the readers want" scheme is that plotlines, characters, and settings are regurgated over and over like the same chocolate being wrapped with a new and shiny coating. Nothing original and nothing extraordinary.

Unlike fantasy or paranormal writers, who can make up just about anything they want, dystopian authors are confined because of the theme they have to present: a failing society. Fantasy and paranormal books can talk about corruption if they so choose, but because dystopian books are limited to this concept, their ultimate plotlines always revolve around political chaos, leaving little room for tangents in overall plot structure. Ultimately, dystopian books are left to always deal with the same issues as every other dystopian book. I will acknowledge that romance books can also be redundant, but the elements of dystopian books have been overdone to death.

To put it simply, it takes a lot for me to be impressed or entertained by a dystopian book since they are redundant. The mystique about dystopian books used to be that talking about the future was a new concept, back when computers and smartphones were the thing of advanced aliens. But, the technology of the modern world has made it almost impossible for dystopian books to impress with new ideas and gadgets. Fantasy books allow readers the means of "escaping the real world", while paranormal books still hold the potential for possibilities.

Source

Which brings me back to the idea: Are dystopian YA bools really worth all the hype? The other day I read an article that the makers of "The Hunger Games" movie were thinking about opening two "Hunger Games" theme parks. The first thing I thought was: Has this book series really reached the godly-status of the "Harry Potter" series? The idea of comparing these two is like comparing Target with Louis Vuitton. This leads me to believe that with all the new YA movies that have been released and all the movie-book deals signed, with "Twilight" probably being the most gimmicky franchaise, Hollywood has hopped onto the teen-crazy bandwagon.

Source

I'm not blaming authors for producing watered-downed, generic work. Some of these authors are crazy talented and can write fantastically, but the big publishing houses aren't looking for the most "out-of-the-box" books, they're looking for the next bestsellers. Gimmick after gimmick is going to keep being manufactured by these story-making machines as long as they are able to tap into the latest fads and depend on their money-making plot formulas. One super-special likable girl, X, added with a super-hot and bad boy guy, Y, with a dash of love triangle with nice guy, Z, and a pinch of genre-gimmick, equals next cash cow for the next three years or so.

Who knows? Maybe the next genre-boost in YA literature will be mystery. It's time we had some new mystery YA books worth reading and hopefully it won't be the obvious senile butler or paranoid ex-boyfriend who did it.

Giveaway: Forty Days (Neima's Ark #1) by Stephanie Parent

2013-11-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Forty Days (Neima's Ark #1)

by Stephanie Parent

Release Date: 02/10/13

Summary from Goodreads:

The entire village knows Neima’s grandfather is a madman. For years the old man has prophesied that a great flood is coming, a flood disastrous enough to blot out the entire earth. He’s even built an enormous ark that he claims will allow his family to survive the deluge. But no one believes the ravings of a lunatic…

…until the rain starts. And doesn’t stop. Soon sixteen-year-old Neima finds her entire world transformed, her life and those of the people she loves in peril. Trapped on the ark with her grandfather Noah, the rest of her family, and a noisy, filthy, and hungry assortment of wild animals, will Neima find a way to survive?

With lions, tigers, and bears oh my, elephants and flamingos too, along with rivalries and betrayals, a mysterious stowaway, and perhaps even an unexpected romance, FORTY DAYS is not your grandfather’s Noah’s Ark story.

FORTY DAYS is approximately 45000 words, the length of a shorter novel, and is the first installment in a two-part epic story. It does contain a cliffhanger ending.

Readers looking for a traditional, religiously oriented version of the Noah’s Ark story should be warned that FORTY DAYS may not appeal to them. The novel will, however, appeal to lovers of apocalyptic fiction, historical fiction, and romance, as well as anyone who’s ever dreamed of having a baby elephant as a pet.

Get your copy free:

Forty Nights (Neima's Ark #2)

by Stephanie Parent

Release Date: September 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

Neima, her family, and her grandfather Noah have found themselves trapped aboard an ark as a great flood destroys all life in the world. As their time aboard the ark lengthens, food begins to run out, wild animals grow restless, and family tensions become as much of a threat as the flood outside. In the second and final installment of Neima’s Ark, the stakes are higher, the conflicts are greater, and Neima finds herself facing a choice as impossible as the destruction all around her.

Forty Nights is a continuation of the story begun in Forty Days, and it’s recommended that you read Forty Days first for the best experience. Forty Nights does, however, contain a character guide to refresh readers’ memories. The Neima’s Ark series is a historical, feminist reimagining of the story of Noah’s Ark rather than a religiously oriented one, and the novels are best suited for readers who are comfortable with new interpretations of biblical stories.

Available from:

PRAISE FOR THE NEIMA’S ARK SERIES:

“Stephanie Parent takes a story I would have immediately shrugged off and turned it into a story with a surprising amount of reality and despite being religious based is not at all religious. Stephanie somehow created a paradox… When I think of a word to describe this story I think, layers. The tension is extremely layered. We get internal tension among the characters, tension relating to the animals, and tension from the storming raging outside. It’s not even supernatural elements, it’s all practical points like food and animal needs. The characters are also well defined and fleshed out.”

--Michelle, In Libris Veritas

The romance is slow and imperfect, but it's realistic and believable. I can honestly say that this love story is one of if not the best one I've read so far…a very thrilling read full of some great twists…[the ending] was everything I could have asked for and more, it was a perfect ending to an imperfectly perfect story.

--Zachary Flye, Zach’s YA Reviews

About the Author

Stephanie Parent is a graduate of the Master of Professional Writing program at USC and attended the Baltimore School for the Arts as a piano major. She moved to Los Angeles because of Francesca Lia Block's WEETZIE BAT books, which might give you some idea of how much books mean to her. She also loves dogs, books about dogs, and sugary coffee drinks both hot and cold.

***Author Links***

*GIVEAWAY*

1- ebook of Forty Nights & $10 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

2- ebook copies of Forty Nights (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz hosted by:

Fun Friday #21

2013-11-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

Feature and Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel @Parajunkee (read the rules before joining) and Alison @Alison Can Read! Be sure to check out this week's featured blogs: Lacie @Rainy Dayz Reviewz and Bibliotaph's Reviews.

Question: Are there any book to movie adaptations where you think the movie is better than the book?

Answer: I've never encountered a movie where the actual movie was better than the book. For this to happen it'll probably have to take a pretty awful book for the movie to be much better. I do think that there are movies out there that have done their book counterparts justice:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Notebook

Polar Express

LORD OF THE RINGS!!

Can't wait for this to come out!

Have a good weekend everyone! It's almost time for the holiday season to start and I'm definitely going to try to hit up some Black Friday sales.