Waiting on Wednesday (18)

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that shares the upcoming releases we bloggers are on the edge of our seats about!

For Darkness Shows the Stars

Diana Peterfreund

Release date: June 12, 2012

Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him.

But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—-one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen’s PERSUASION, FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

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Want to pre-order?

What is YOUR WoW pick?

Interview and Giveaway: Carolyn Crane

Joining the pack today is

Carolyn Crane!

The wonderful Carolyn Crane agreed to let me interview her with some totally random questions, and then even offered to give away an e-book copy of her new novella Devil's Luck! Read on, then enter to win on the Rafflecopter form below!

First, some questions about the novella:

Describe Simon in 5 words or less:
Reckless, intense, introspective, driven, intelligent

What made you decide to give Simon a novella?
I created Simon originally as somebody in the gang who could be an enemy to my heroine, Justine, but I ended up becoming sort of fascinated by him, and readers liked him, too. And, I just felt like there was a lot of room to create an interesting story for him.

Will any other Disillusionists get a novella?
I don’t have plans for it at the moment, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Possibly Carter, mister angry.

Now, for some random questions:

What/Who Would You Choose........

….if you could be one of the X-Men?
Emma Frost! Because she used to be a villain. I like the idea of a reformed villain.

…if you could be a Shifter (what kind)? 

Naturally I have given this a great deal of thought in the last few years (I have!) and I have a ready answer: Seagull shifter!

…if you could spend the day with a celebrity crush?
George Clooney

…if you could have any other career?

I know that soap operas are dying now, but I always dreamed of writing on one. Or else a police officer.

…if you could live in any fictional world?
Terre D’Ange, the world in the series beginning with Kushiel’s Dart. It is rich and wild and interesting. Just love that world!!

…if you could meet any fictional man?
Here I would go with Nicholas Brisbane from the Lady Julia Grey series. He is, of course, mysterious and smoldering and anti-social and probably wouldn’t even give me the time of day, but does your fantasy quiz come with the power to make the man be nice to you and all that? I’m pretending that it does!!

…if you could have any Disillusionist ability?
I suppose defensively, you can’t beat filling somebody with fear, which is Justine’s ability. however, on an everyday basis, I’d take Helmut’s ability to fill a person with worry and concern about what is happening in the world around them. I think not enough people are paying attention!

…if you could eat one candy the rest of your life?
Oh, oh, oh…and the answer can’t be TwixButterfingersKitKat? What? No such candy? I’ll go with Kit Kat! Because, you get the chocolate, but also, the cookie.

Hey, thanks so much for having me, Goldilox!

Now the:

Lighting Giveaway! 

You must enter before March 1 at 12:01 AM!

Carolyn is giving away one e-book copy of the Disillusionists novella Devil's Luck, which is about the dark and twisty Simon! This is a Lightning Giveaway, meaning that you only have a little over 24 hours to enter! Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. You must be 13 or older to enter, and this is an international giveaway since the prize is an e-book. 

Good luck!

Paranormal Fantasy Reading Challenge: End of February wrap-up!

Welcome back paranormal lovers! This is the end of February wrap-up for the 2012 Paranormal Fantasy Reading Challenge! For those not yet signed up, you can check out the details HERE!

Link up your reviews separately or all together on the linky below. Then we can all check out your reviews for this challenge so far!!! I've linked up mine already so you can see what I mean.

Cover Reveal: Luminosity

Today I have the pleasure of revealing the cover of a wonderful upcoming YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian:

 Luminosity (Luminosity #1) by Stephanie Thomas

"My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was

immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At

the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings.

And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t

been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the

Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from

everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us

all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling

in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I

think I’ve already helped them win."

And now, the cover!

So, what do you think about the cover? Let me know in the comments below!

Interested in finding out more? Check out Luminosity on Goodreads HERE.

Pre-order here:

In My Mailbox (23)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme to share what we bought, checked out, swapped, or won. IMM is hosted by The Story Siren. 

Here's what I got in my mailbox this week!

FOR REVIEW:

Struck

(Struck #1) 

Jennifer Bosworth

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan)!!!

The Seduction of Phaeton Black
(Paranormal Investigator #1)
Jillian Stone

The Slayer
(The Legend Chronicles #2)
Theresa Meyers

Thank you to Kensington for these two paranormal romances (one tongue-and-cheek historical, one steampunk!). I'm reading Phaeton Black right now.

Summoning the Night

(Arcadia Bell #2)

Jenn Bennett

Thank you SO much to the author, Jenn Bennett, for sending me an e-ARC of this one!

Nightshifted

(Nightshifted #1)

Cassie Alexander

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC of this one!

SWAPPED:

When the Sea is Rising Red
Cat Hellisen

Wings of the Wicked
(Angelfire #2)
Courtney Allison Moulton

Things to Check Out:

Stacia and Stacey Giveaway Hop - Sign Up!

Are you a fan of authors Stacia Kane and/or Stacey Jay? 

Both of their next releases come out on the same day! In honor of their awesomeness, I am helping host a giveaway hop, check it out!

HERE

Join the 2012 Paranormal Fantasy Reading Challenge! 

Check it out and sign up 

HERE

Okay, I showed you mine. Now show me yours! What did you get this week?

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Follow Friday (24)

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

 

I would love it if you guys would join my Linky Followers list. It looks so lonely over there........

-------------------------------------->>>>>>

Here is this week's question:

Activity!!! Take a picture or describe where you love to read the most…

Ooooooh, funzies!!! Well, I spend most of my time reading on either the couch or in bed. But what's important is my little reading buddy:

(This first one is her right now)

Some others of my little reading partner in crime on our couch:

Recent Reviews:

Harbinger

Firelight (Darkest London #1)

Check out what's going on:

Are you a fan of authors Stacia Kane and/or Stacey Jay? 

Both of their next releases come out on the same day! 

In honor of their awesomeness, I am helping host a giveaway hop, check it out:

Stacia and Stacey Giveaway Hop: Sign-up!

Also, check out my reading challenge for 2012 and join:

2012 Paranormal Fantasy Reading Challenge Sign Up

Happy Friday everyone!

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Waiting on Wednesday (17)

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that shares the upcoming releases we bloggers are on the edge of our seats about!

Once Burned

(Night Prince #1)

Jeaniene Frost

Release date: June 26, 2012

She’s a mortal with dark powers...

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude... until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire...

He’s the Prince of Night...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all — but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him – a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

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WOOT! A few more months and we'll finally have it - the start of the highly anticipated Night Prince series starring VLAD!!! I always loved Vlad, ever since he was first introduced in the Night Huntress series. And if you know me, you know that I LOVE me some Cat and Bones. I am hoping, praying, begging that this book is as great as those first NH books were!!!

Want to pre-order?
(Print version; Kindle version)

      

What is YOUR WoW pick?

Two New Excerpts!

So, this afternoon I was delighted to discover that two of my FAVORITE authors posted excerpts from their upcoming sequels on their blogs! I just new I had to share these with you all!

So, the first excerpt is actually from book two in the McKenzie Lewis series, written by Sandy Williams, titled The Shattered Dark. But since it doesn't have a cover or synopsis yet, I've put a picture of the first book here. This was one of the best urban fantasy romances I've ever read and surprised the heck out of me when I read it! 

Here is the excerpt from book two, from Sandy's blog. You can read it here: 

Hey Look, It's an Update! And an Excerpt!

If you missed my review of this one, you can find it HERE.

The second excerpt is from the wonderful Stacey Jay. Her Annabelle Lee series is a dark urban fantasy that I ADORE! I have actually already read this sequel (and given it five strong, flashing, sparkling stars!) but my review won't be up for another couple of weeks.

Here is the excerpt from Blood on the Bayou, which is book two in this series and releases on March 27th. You can read it on Stacey's blog here:

Blood on the Bayou, A Wee Teaser........


If you missed my review of book one, Dead on the Delta, you can find it HERE.

Blog Tour and Guest Post: Until Next Time

Until Next Time
(The Angel Chronicles #1)
Amy Lignor
Tribute Books
Released: February 1, 2012

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.

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Amy Lignor, author of Until Next Time, is joining us today to give us her take on why angels have become so popular in the YA world! 

Read on:

The Ethereal Escape

It comes as no big shock whatsoever that the world of the paranormal has become the most sought-after genre in the world.  Reality - no offense - is not exactly at its ‘brightest’ right now.  From war to unemployment to poverty to crime and the bullying that’s taking over the headlines, it’s actually healthy to pick up a book and get lost in a different world for a while.

Whether you’re headed to a ‘regular’ town that just happens to have angels or vampires living there, or you head into the future - to a dystopian world that is actually a calming influence because in some cases it’s way worse than present-day - being somewhere else for a while makes real life a whole lot easier to deal with. 

I even love the debate that’s occurring between the ‘winged ones’ versus the ‘fanged ones’ right now.  There was certainly a vampire takeover for a while.  As a full-time book reviewer, I swear to you I’ve read about vampires that are everything from gardeners to CIA agents to circus performers.  But as they begin to fade just a tad, the ‘winged ones’ are taking over.  Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, Cassandra Clare, Kami Garcia and a slew of others, have brought angels back to life. 

I like to think of this literary movement as the Ethereal Escape.  Whether you are a fan of vamps, werewolves, witches, or angels - they bring us into a new dimension.  We can experience battles that go well beyond the human experience; we can fall in love, feel the desperation of two characters from completely different times, and route for the hero or heroine.  These eternal beings give us hope.  They also spur the imagination to the point where a great deal of people are sitting down in front of their computers to tell a tale.  It’s like the ‘divine’ button has been pushed, allowing people who didn’t believe they could write to take a chance because of the passion they feel for these eternal characters. 

I always wondered if a ‘new’ angel would even want to come down here and protect, defend, save, judge, forgive, and all that other good stuff.  I wondered if once they were in this environment if the human emotions would tear them apart, seeing as that a ‘fresh’ angel right off the line would have to put up with the ‘darkness’ that’s down here.  That’s why I created Matt and Emily.  I really wanted readers to see a true team that was going through what we were going through, and how they handled keeping their faith and love in each other in a world filled with brand new things - good and bad.

I hope this new eternal partnership will entice, thrill, and excite all readers, and allow Matt and Emily to become your new ‘divine’ friends.  In my mind, they are a true set who bring a whole lot of light and faith into a sometimes dark and difficult reality. 

Until Next Time, Everybody.

Amy

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Want to check out Until Next Time for yourself?
(Print version; Kindle version)

      

Check out Amy and Until Next Time here:


The Angel Chronicles web site:
http://www.the-angel-chronicles.com

The Angel Chronicles Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Angel-Chronicles/168932393209654

Amy Lignor's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/alignor

Amy Lignor's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/HelloWritersAmy

Amy Lignor's Website:
http://www.thewritecompanion.com/

Amy Lignor's Blog:
http://hellowriters.wordpress.com/

Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com