Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Temp missing in action

Moving at last!

I've been packing the last week and a half and I start moving from our tiny apartment into a big new house! I'll be back by Friday! I'll also have all my posts caught up too. Sorry for not being on my game. I can't wait to get moved and have my own little blogging area and book nook. I'll include lots of pictures. Miss you all!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Review: Fathomless

Title - Fathomless
Author - Jackson Pearce
Series - Fairytale Retellings #3
Genre - Fantasy YA Mermaids
Publication - September 4th 2012
Format - Kindle Ebook

Synopsis

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.

Review

The story follows the lives of two very unique girls one the youngest in a set of triplets and one struggling for her humanity after being changed into a water girl. Celia as well as her two sisters each has their own special ability to read people. Nadia/Lo is torn between being the water girl and losing all her human memories, it’s not till she meets Celia does she remember her name. When Celia watches a handsome boy fall into the ocean she springs into action to save him running down to the water but is shocked at what she finds. Lo is out in the water with several other girls when the see the boy fall in the water.

The ocean girls believe if you can get a boy to fall in love with you and you drown him you’ll get your soul back if not you will eventually turn into an angel. When Lo watches Molly trying to force the boy to love her she can’t help but save the boy. She struggles to free him from Molly and get him to shore before it’s too late. When she gets closer to the shore she is joined by Celia and together they get the boy to the sand together they save his life thus changing their lives forever.

Fathomless is a retelling of the little mermaid with its own unique twist. The concept that the author uses for Fathomless is exciting filled with suspense and just a touch of romance.  I think the concept is great it’s my first retelling story and I really enjoyed it. The story flows along smoothly from start to finish creating a story that is easy to get lost in, I know I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to know how it would end. My only complaint was the characters I had a hard time connecting with either girl I’m still not sure what it was I just kind of feel indifferent to them. However even though I didn't like the girls it doesn't change the fact that fathomless has an entertaining story. 
4 out of 5 stars

Monday, February 25, 2013

"Know Me Better"

Know Me Better February 25th 2013

This Weeks Questions
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Favorite Literary Characters?
In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?
Things that bring a smile to your face?
Do you have a favorite saying?

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Newport Oregon, as a kid my family used to vacation either camping or staying in a hotel. I became a instant fan and fell in love with the whole coastal area, all the little towns are fantastic. I dream of having a beach house on the cliffs overlooking the ocean so I can read, be artsy and watch the whales. 

Favorite Literary Characters? Mercy Thompson she has a new book coming out that I'm dying to read. 

In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with? I've always thought I would write a book but I'm very good at writing the first few pages and giving up. I much more enjoy reading over writing. So honestly I'm not sure who I would want to partner with someone who would push me to finish however I can only get past the first page. 

Things that bring a smile to your face? My kids, my hubby, a good book, anything chocolate or coffee. I also have a weakness for sappy movies. 

Do you have a favorite saying? Nah I'm kind of boring. Maybe one day!

How about you?

Blitz: Forged in Grace



Forged in Grace by Jordan E. Rosenfeld 
Publication date: February, 2013 
Genre: Psychological Suspense (Adult w/ YA and NA crossover appeal)
(Goodreads) (Amazon) (Book Trailer)


Grace Jensen survived a horrific fire at age 15. The flames changed her: badly scarred in body and mind, Grace developed an ability to feel other people’s pain. Unable to bear human touch, she has made a small life for herself in Northern California, living with her hoarder mother, tending wounded animals, and falling a little in love with her former doctor. Her safe world explodes when the magnetic Marly Kennet reappears in town; Grace falls right back into the dynamic of their complicated friendship. Marly is the holder of many secrets, including one that has haunted Grace for over a decade: what really happened the night of the fire?


When Marly exhorts Grace to join her in Las Vegas, to make up for the years they have been lost to each other, Grace takes a leap of faith and goes. Although Marly is not entirely honest about her intentions, neither woman anticipates that enlarging Grace’s world will magnify her ability to sense the suffering of others—or that she will begin to heal wounds by swallowing her own pain and laying her hands on the afflicted.

This gift soon turns darker when the truth of Marly’s life—and the real reason she ended her friendship with Grace—pushes the boundaries of loyalty and exposes both women to danger.


BLOG POST
Kinds of Seeing
By Jordan E. Rosenfeld
Author of Forged in Grace

It occurred to me quite by accident one day that my book is as much about forms of seeing/not seeing as it is about other themes like isolation and healing.

The protagonist of my novel, Grace, spent the first half of her life flying under the radar, feeling “plain;” and the second half, after her terrible burn accident, being unwittingly in the spotlight due to her disfigurements. Until she meets a character named Gus, the “tattooed man” who is even stranger to look at than she is, and who photographs her, Grace has never willingly called attention to herself before. Gus gives her a sense of being witnessed, seen and accepted, which she will need to draw on if she is to be in a relationship with the man she loves.

When people ask me which of my two main characters I most identify with, I usually think of Grace first, though I’ve never experienced the kind of agony that she has, nor the disfigurements. What I do relate to is her sense of shame and hiding. It’s such a universally human experience to feel invisible, unseen, or ugly. It was important to me throughout this book to explore the ways we make ourselves smaller, and believe falsely that we are not enough because of how we look on the outside.

And I have the best avenue to explore this in her best friend Marly, who has always been effortlessly, genetically beautiful—drawing attention whether she likes it or not. But important people in Marly’s life do not see or deny seeing terrible things that have happened to her, including her best friend, Grace. Marly understands the power of the presentation, the façade, the image, and lives believing that what you show the world is what you are.

And then there’s the deeper kind of seeing: when someone sees you as flawed and messy but still loves you; when someone sees past the surface, deep into the heart of you. Both of my characters have deep wounds, and their need to be seen is what brings them back together again after a thirteen year hiatus. And yet, they have to explore what they want from each other, because trying to pick up where they left off at age 15 is a deadly proposition.

It’s my hope that my novel can open up a dialogue about what it means about these different kinds of seeing, of being accepted and loved, and how beauty can be a shallow and even dangerous tool for relating to others.


AUTHOR BIO
Jordan E. Rosenfeld learned early on that people prefer a storyteller to a know-it-all. She channeled any Hermione-esque tendencies into a career as a writing coach, editor and freelance journalist and saves the Tall Tales for her novels. She earned her MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars and is the author of the books, Make A Scene: Crafting a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time (Writer’s Digest Books) and Write Free! Attracting the Creative Life with Rebecca Lawton (BeijaFlor Books). Jordan’s essays and articles have appeared in such publications asAlterNet.org, Publisher’s Weekly, The San Francisco Chronicle, The St. Petersburg Times, The Writer and Writer’s Digest magazine. Her book commentaries have appeared on The California Report, a news-magazine produced by NPR-affiliate KQED radio. She lives in Northern California with her Batman-obsessed son and Psychologist husband. www.jordanrosenfeld.net

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 It's Monday! What Are You Reading? February 25th 2013
Welcome to It's Monday! is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at Bookjourney to share with others what you've read the past week and are planning to read the next.

Still chugging through my enormous TBR pile.

Last Week I read:

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (Review)
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen (Review)
Red Madrassa by Terah Edun (Review)
Fathomless by Jackson Pearce (Goodreads) Review to come

Currently Reading 
Just for Fun by Rosalind James (Goodreads)

The rest of the week I've got a great stack of books I've been dying to read. However I'll be honest I'm moving this week so no promises. If not this week I will for sure get them next week. Maybe I'll even listen to at least one of them while I unpack on my kindle got to love the robot voice. 

Dualed by Elsie Chapman (Goodreads)
Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis (Goodreads)
Darklandia by T.S. Welti (Goodreads)
Losers In Space by John Barnes (Goodreads)

What are you reading this week?

 Current Giveaways!

Win a Ecopy of Radiant (Here)
 Win a Ecopy of The Samantha Project (Here)

Cover Reveal: Ghost Light

 Cover Reveal: Ghost Light
Title: Ghost Light
Series: Ivy Granger #2
Author: E.J. Stevens
Imprint: Sacred Oaks Press
Release Date: July 9, 2013
ISBN: 9780984247592
Genre:  Urban Fantasy
Tagline:  Ivy Granger, psychic detective, thought she'd seen it all...until now.

Full Description:

Ivy Granger, psychic detective, thought she'd seen it all...until now.

With a vengeful lamia that only she can see on the city streets, reports of specters walking Harborsmouth cemeteries, and an angry mob of faerie clients at her office door, it's bound to be a long night. Add in an offense against the faerie courts and a few foolish bargains and one thing is clear--Ivy Granger is in some seriously deep trouble.


Ivy Granger is back, gathering clues in the darkest shadows of downtown Harborsmouth. With the lives of multiple clients on the line, she's in a race against time. Ivy finally has a lead to the whereabouts of the one person who can help her control her wisp abilities, but will she put the needs of her clients above her

 own?
If Ivy doesn't find a solution soon, she could wind up a ghost herself.

GHOST LIGHT is the second novel in the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series by E.J. Stevens. 

Giveaway
Prize Pack: An Ivy Granger "Private Eye" Sticker and eye Pendant necklace
Open to US/CA/UK



a Rafflecopter giveaway
                                   
About this author
E.J. Stevens writes poetry, urban fantasy, and young adult paranormal novels. E.J. is the author of the haunting collection of dark poetry FROM THE SHADOWS, the chilling collection of paranormal poetry SHADOWS OF MYTH AND LEGEND, the young adult paranormal SPIRIT GUIDE series (SHE SMELLS THE DEAD, SPIRIT STORM, LEGEND OF WITCHTROT ROAD, BRUSH WITH DEATH) and the IVY GRANGER urban fantasy series (SHADOW SIGHT, BLOOD AND MISTLETOE).

When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles.

E.J. is a graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.




Saturday, February 23, 2013

Review: The Little Mermaid

Project Fairytale
Project Fairytale hosted by Alison @ The Cheap Reader

I'm such a slacker it's been a crazy month plus with prep to move it's been super insane I don't know where the time has gone.

The Little Mermaid
by Hans Christian Andersen
Publication 1837

Synopsis


For as long as she can remember, the little mermaid has yearned for her 15th birthday, when she will finally be old enough to explore the world above the waves. Awash with the evocative colors of the sea, Hans Christian Andersen's bittersweet tale comes to life. 




Review


The little mermaid tells the story of the youngest daughter of the sea king. When her sisters turn sixteen they have their first view of the world above the sea. As her sisters each turn sixteen and return with stories the littlest mermaid can’t wait to explore the above world. On her first visit she comes across the handsome prince who she watches aboard his ship. When the ship is destroyed in the storm the little mermaid helps him to land. After returning to her home in the sea she can’t stop thinking about her prince, and her sisters even take her to his castle. Upon seeing her prince the little mermaid can’t think of nothing but being with him, if he can love her then she will gain an immortal soul which is what she desires. The little mermaid seeks out the sea witch where she trades her voice for a pair of legs.

When she gets to the shore she drinks the potion the witch made for her an imaginary knife cuts through her fin creating a pair of legs. With each step it’s like walking on knives but for her it’s worth it. She instantly connects with the prince even though she can’t speak and has his heart until he meets the princess his parents want him to marry. Upon meeting the princess whom he thinks saved his life he’s instantly in love forgetting his little mermaid. Knowing her hours and limited the little mermaid accepts that on the break of dawn she will become sea foam but her sisters arrive giving her a dagger to kill and save her life.

I've seen the Disney movie a zillion times it’s one of my daughter’s favorite movies so we watch it weekly. I can honestly say I've never read the original before but it’s an intriguing story.  Even though the Disney follows along for most of the story it has a classical happy ever after while the little mermaid in the original story doesn't have a happy ever after. I can honestly say I don’t think I would have enjoyed the little mermaid without a happy ever after. So in this case I preferred the Disney over the original it’s just a little sad and depressing. 

Stacking The Shelves #38

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves February 23rd 2013

Stacking the Shelves is a meme by Tyngas Reviews that let's bloggers share their new books and swag, whether they are physical or virtual. I'll include books I've been sent, emailed, purchased, won and for review.

This was a crazy week for books. I received a huge amount of reviews this week.. Found a ton of amazon freebies and even purchased several ebooks since all my books are in boxes. 

Review

The Huaca by Marcia Mickelson (Goodreads) For Review from the author
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead (Goodreads) For review from Dutton via Edelweiss
The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise (Goodreads) For review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss
You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle (GoodreadsFor review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss

Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike (Goodreads) For review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss
Parallel by Lauren Miller (GoodreadsFor review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss
Born of Illusion by Teri Brown (GoodreadsFor review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss
Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn (GoodreadsFor review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss


Chloe and the Half-World by Neon May (Goodreads) For review from author via Librarything
Night School by C.J. Daugherty (Goodreads) For review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss
Reboot by Amy Tintera (GoodreadsFor review from HarperCollins via Edelweiss
Playing the Maestro by Aubrie Dionne (Goodreads) For review from Publisher Entangled Publishing


Requiem for Blood by Alexandra Hope (Goodreads) For review from author via Librarything
Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer (Goodreads) For review from the author
Dead Embers by T.G. Ayer (Goodreads) For review from the author
Won
Enders Gameby Orson Scott Card (Goodreads) from Kindle Obsessed Blind Date!

Purchases

Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens (Goodreads)
Recalled by Cambria Hebert (Goodreads)
Between the Lines by Tammara Webber (Goodreads)
Pride and Popularity by Jenni James (Goodreads)

Freebies

Beginnings End by Heather Linn (Goodreads)
Crossroads by J.J. Bonds (Goodreads)
Eternity by Maggie Shayne (Goodreads)
Lauren by Julia Crane (Goodreads

What did you get this week?

Also check out my current giveaways all Ebooks 

Win a Ecopy of Forty Days (Here)

Win a Ecopy of Sweetest Taboo (Here)


Win a Ecopy of Radiant (Here)


Win a Ecopy of Boys of Summer (Here)

Win a Ecopy of The Samantha Project (Here)




Friday, February 22, 2013

Blog Tour/ Author Interview: Terah Edun

Tour Schedule


Red Madrassa by Terah Edun

A magical accident threw them together. But when Fate holds all the cards, it can be impossible to tell the difference between pure chance and Destiny...

The Madrassa, a magical school for mage practitioners, is the stuff of legend. With selective entrance exams and quotas for only the most advanced of mage children, it's almost impossible to attend.

When Allorna, a guardian trainee for the royal family, ends up on the doorstep of the citadel on the eve of the final day of a recruitment ceremony, she decides it must be fate.

She was sure she knew the path her life would take before she enrolled. But sometimes life has a way of throwing in magical curveballs and strange friends, just to see if you’ll trip up.

Oh, and one of those friends is a mage accused of murder, another is a slightly psychotic dragon, the third a healer facing an existential crisis, and the last is a female storm-caller with more hidden secrets than a thief lord.

Do they all belong at the new school they call home?


Today I'm super excited to share a fantastic interview with the author of the exciting new Algardis Series.


Mandy - Where did you get your inspiration?
Terah - From the books I loved to read as child. Authors like Mercedes Lackey, Tamora Pierce and Margaret Weis continue to inspire me twenty years later.

Mandy - Where did you get the idea for the Algardis Series?
Terah - I’ve been carrying these characters around in my head since high school. They slowly came to piece by piece as a I read more books.

Mandy - Do you see yourself in your characters?
Terah - I see some of my qualities and actions in each character. But I wouldn't say there’s one particular character who is me down to a T.

Mandy - What kind of atmosphere do you prefer when you write?
Terah - A quiet room where I can get up and move and I can listen to music without interruption.

Mandy - Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Terah - No, absolutely not.

Mandy - If you had to be character in a book who would you be and why?
Terah - Hmm, probably Queen Selenay from Mercedes Lackey’s Arrows of the Queen series. She’s a good, strong Queen with a moral compass and compassion for her people.

Mandy - Who is your favorite Muppet?
Terah - I don’t have one. Is that bad?

Mandy - What five things do you never leave the house with?
Terah - My credit card, my iPhone, chapstick, keys & a notebook

Mandy - Do you prefer physical books or ebooks?
Terah Ebooks but that’s because I travel a lot. I can download a ebook anywhere I am in the world.

Mandy - What is your guilty pleasure?
Terah Chocolate.

Mandy - Anything you want to say to our readers?
Terah - Thanks for taking the time to read my interview! Catch up with me on teedun.com


Author Terah Edun

Terah Edun is a young adult  fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

She prefers tales of adventure, magic, fellowship and courtship – in other words high fantasy. But she’s not adverse to the occasional contemporary fantasy coming her way. Sometimes you’ll see cloaks, daggers, independent and strong girls, independent and strong guys, sweet and soft spoken girls, sweet and soft spoken guys, markets, cute guys, sparkly magic and irritatingly know-it-all boys. The book she’s currently working on is SWORN TO RAISE,  the first in the Courtlight series.

Outside of writing, she’s a international development professional with a penchant for Starbucks.


Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card & Red Madrassa Ebook
5 Ebooks of Red Madrassa

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour/ Review: Red Madrassa

Tour Schedule


Red Madrassa by Terah Edun

A magical accident threw them together. But when Fate holds all the cards, it can be impossible to tell the difference between pure chance and Destiny...

The Madrassa, a magical school for mage practitioners, is the stuff of legend. With selective entrance exams and quotas for only the most advanced of mage children, it's almost impossible to attend.

When Allorna, a guardian trainee for the royal family, ends up on the doorstep of the citadel on the eve of the final day of a recruitment ceremony, she decides it must be fate.

She was sure she knew the path her life would take before she enrolled. But sometimes life has a way of throwing in magical curveballs and strange friends, just to see if you’ll trip up.

Oh, and one of those friends is a mage accused of murder, another is a slightly psychotic dragon, the third a healer facing an existential crisis, and the last is a female storm-caller with more hidden secrets than a thief lord.

Do they all belong at the new school they call home?
Amazon * Amazon Kindle 

Review

I received Red Madrassa as part of the tour hosted by Kathy@ Book Blast and Blog Tours in return for an honest review.. Five very different people are tossed together as they all arrive at the Madrassa for the last day of recruitment. All are given a unique test specific to who they are. They all pass their tests, and then assigned to live together at the Gatehouse because they weren’t expected. Allorna is a guardian in training but with the help of her best friend Sidimo they free Maride whose accused murder. They also are rooming with Vedaris who’s a dragon but without a dragon form who’s been outcast from his kind. Then there is Sitara whose a water being with a connection to the wind who’s had her own issues.

They all have their own class lists to choose from each catered to their own craft. I found Sitara’s adventures in school the most interesting, learning about the air, she even is assigned to a pegasi who’s a bit of a diva but who wouldn’t want to work with a pegasi. My heart went out to Vedaris for his story before arriving at the Madrassa he’s not had an easy life being a dragon without a dragon form can’t be easy. As the group live together they start to form friendships even connecting. They all are looking for something more, even hiding from the past, and sometimes the past catches up with you.

Red Madrassa reminds me a lot of Harry Potter but with a lord of the rings twist which makes the story unique and entertaining. I love how the author created a little group of characters who we get to know really well, even connecting with several of them. It’s almost as if the characters are created so that everyone would be able to connect with at least one of them.  I really enjoyed reading about all their adventures at school, and the mystery that surrounds the characters. I found the concept captivating it was hard to put down, I had to know what was going to happen next. I like that it’s a clean book that teens as well as adults will enjoy plus the foundation isn't about typical YA romance. The Red Madrassa is a true fantasy book in every meaning of the word. I look forward to reading more in the series it’s a great start to what I see will be fantastic series. 

 4 out of 5 Stars

Author Terah Edun


Terah Edun is a young adult  fantasy writer born and raised in the Atlanta metropolitan area, who transplanted to the Northeast region for college, and now lives in South Sudan. She writes the stories that she always loved to read as a young girl.

She prefers tales of adventure, magic, fellowship and courtship – in other words high fantasy. But she’s not adverse to the occasional contemporary fantasy coming her way. Sometimes you’ll see cloaks, daggers, independent and strong girls, independent and strong guys, sweet and soft spoken girls, sweet and soft spoken guys, markets, cute guys, sparkly magic and irritatingly know-it-all boys. The book she’s currently working on is SWORN TO RAISE,  the first in the Courtlight series.

Outside of writing, she’s a international development professional with a penchant for Starbucks.


Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card & Red Madrassa Ebook
5 Ebooks of Red Madrassa

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway