Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Guest Post: Her Sweetest Downfall, by Rebecca Hamilton

Her Sweetest Downfall 
Author: Rebecca Hamilton
Bonus Novella from The Forever Girl Series  
Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Release Date: July 2012




Ophelia’s been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.

When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her worries. She’s destined to don a new mask—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.

What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man she loves.
Set in an alternate Regency England, “”Her Sweetest Downfall”" is a standalone novella in the “”Forever Girl”" series, written as a gift to fans of the Forever Girl series.

HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, fantasy, and vampire fiction.


About the Author

Rebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently.



Guest Post: Food in Fiction

I love food. It probably shows in my writing, too, as many people who read my books tell me certain scenes made them hungry, or that I must be an amazing cook (I’m not. I’m awful. I’m an amazing eater, though!) I try to keep the foods my characters eat appropriate them, though. For example, in one book I am working on (or rather, is sitting in my drawer waiting for me to return to…) my character is big into baking and comfort food. One of the most memorable scenes in the book, so I’m told by my beta readers, is toward the beginning, when she is baking a rhubarb pie. Have you ever HAD rhubarb pie? Oh, you need to.

Oddly, my recent work in progress (Book 2 of the Forever Girl Series: Come, the Dark) doesn’t have my usual “food” touches. I blame pregnancy. I’m too busy eating food to think about it. But still, there are a few mentions. Fruit and bread, mostly, the occasional stew. What is it about food that I can’t seem to leave it out of my books?

I think food is one of those things everyone can relate to. You might not like the same foods as a character, but you can relate to liking foods and needing food to survive. Surely many people have even bonded over a shared favorite dish. It’s only human for characters to eat . . . though I guess it really depends what they are eating.

Years ago (I think I was 16, so I guess I should say over a decade ago…) I would visit my friend at work. She worked at Wendy’s at the time. She used to make these double fried crispy chicken sandwiches with cheese, which I still eat to this day, and I still think of her every time I eat one. Well, one day while I was visiting her, I noticed an elderly couple on the other side of the restaurant both eating burgers. The man took the onion off his burger and gave it to his wife (leaving her with extra onion) and the woman gave the man her tomato (leaving him with extra tomato) and I remember thinking right then, that’s what love is.

Sounds silly, right? How could love be onions and tomatoes? Or food at all for that matter. But it was about more than food. It was about how opposites attract and about how liking different things can sometimes work out in everyone’s best interest. It was about being different parts of the same puzzle, and how a puzzle can’t make a picture if all the shapes are the same.

So I think food in books is like that, too. Food is a part of life for all of us and at the same time, unique to all of us. I always read social media advice articles saying, “Stop tweeting about what you had for lunch. No one cares,” when actually, the opposite is true. People like talking about food, and food brings people together.

Some of my favorite foods are tacos and pie. What about you?

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Liebster Blog Award


The rules of the Liebster Award are as follows:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you;

2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees;

3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen. (No tag backs)

4. Copy and Paste the blog award on your blog.

Some Random Facts:

1. It has always been my dream to have a British/Australian accent.
2. My name, Summer, actually means "evening conversation" in Arabic.
3. I have a Harry Potter scar on my forehead.
4. I strongly believe sarcasm is a vital component of my daily life.
5. Ironically, my favorite season is winter.
6. I love chocolate and Mexican food.
7. I get distracted very easily and can't stay in one spot for a long time (exception: reading). As I wrote this post, I have gotten up at least 10 times, for very random reasons.
8. When I'm bored, I find it entertaining to start lip-syncing my favorite songs (even in public...)
9. Even if its obvious that I am losing in an argument, I still like to continue with it, just for the fun of it.
10. I hate being confined to schedules and don't like everyday activities.
11. Obviously, I love reading, but when forced to read a book for school, it is near impossible for me to enjoy it.

A million thanks to Laetitia from My Flurried Thoughts for nominating for this award!

Questions from the Nominator
What is your favourite book of all time and why?
My favorite book is always changing. Currently, my favorite book is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Would you go to your favourite place in the world alone or stay at home with your best friends?
Stay at home. I don't think I would be able to go somewhere alone, or else it would be extremely boring.

What books can you see getting made into movies?
- Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
- Legend by Marie Lu
- Entwined (I want to see all the dancing!)
- Across the Universe
- Darkest Minds

Who are your top three book boyfriends?
Ren from the Tiger Saga, Daemon from Lux series, and Percy Jackson.

If you were to write a book what would be your main characters' names?
I love those exotic-sounding names, like a Spanish or Arabic name. Maybe Anatalya, Isabella, or Amira.

Print or eBook?
It is much easier for me to get an ebook, but I prefer print.

What's your favourite passtime apart from reading and reviewing?
Eating! And sleeping. Since those can't be considered "pastimes", I like writing stories, playing soccer, and debating.

Samsung Galaxy or Iphone 5?
I don't know, I guess Iphone 5, but just because it isn't as large (as in size) as the Samsung Galaxy. That's a pretty lame reason, but to tell you the truth, I think the only difference is their size.

What got you into blogging?
On Goodreads, pretty much EVERYONE has a blog. So I was like, "Hey, if they can do it, then I probably can." And since I don't know anyone that actually cares about books in real life, I decided to turn to the Internet.

What book character can you relate to?
Kat from Heist Society, and Meghan from the Iron King. Both of them are very stubborn, and like to take matters into their own hands, which is exactly how I am.

Oreos in milk: To dip or not to dip?
Dip!


Katharina from The Word Ship also nominated me for an award. Thank you so much!

Questions from the Nominator:

When did you first start blogging and what motivated you to do so?
I first started blogging 3 months ago, so I am a newbie. I became motivated when I saw all these book blogs, and the bloggers looked like they had a lot of fun with it.

How is your book shelf organized?
Organized? I don't really bother to organize it, as all my books are scattered throughout my room.

Chain bookstore, indie bookstore, online or thrift store: where do you buy your books?
Mostly, I go to Barnes and Noble to buy my books.

Do you write in/highlight your books or do you keep them clean?
It depends. If the book is really old, I probably would highlight my favorite quotes. But if it is new, I like to keep it clean.

Which do you consider the best read from your high school English classes?
We just finished reading the Alchemist in school, and I loved it. It was just so full of wisdom, and it made me feel like I can do whatever the heck I want to if I put my mind to it.

Do you own an e-reader?
Yes, I have a Nook Color, which I got 2 years ago. Without it, I most likely wouldn't have the obsession of books I currently have.

Judge a book by its cover: yes or no?
I am kind of ashamed of this, but yes, I do. I cannot count how many times I became totally psyched up about a book just because of how awesome the cover looks, then being disappointed. And vice versa.

What is your favourite genre of books?
I am crazy for YA historical fiction (like Grave Mercy). I also love anything with mythology or anything paranormal. 

Do you ever skip ahead when reading (e.g. read the last page or sentence of a book)?
I always am tempted to do this, but mostly, I stop myself from doing this. However, the few times that I do do this, it usually means I am super excited to see what happens.

What do you use as a bookmark?
I bought this cute little bookmark from a Turkish festival, which I always use. When I am reading more than one book at a time, I use receipts or pretty much anything I find on my bedroom floor.

Is there a book everyone should read at least once in their lifetime? If so, which one?
The Giver is a spectacular book. If you haven't read it, you should at least once.

AND Rashika from Rashika the Book Owl nominated me as well. I feel so honored...

Questions from the Nominator: 

Why do you blog?
I blog because I want to share my opinion of books with other book-bloggers, and I enjoy interacting with them.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookies and Cream and strawberry.

If you could have 3 wishes what would they be?
- To have one of those huge libraries in my house that have all of the books in the world, like you see in movies.
- To travel the world (preferably to Turkey, Morocco, Spain, and Italy.)
- Have a British accent.

Star Trek or Star Wars? (I’ve always wanted to ask that question)
I have never watched Star Trek, but I am obsessed with Star Wars. George Lucas is just a genius. 

What’s your favorite day dream?
Usually, I imagine myself as the main character in a book I really like. I daydream about what it would be like to live in a paranormal world.

What’s your pet peeve?
When people chew loud or walk slow. Gets on my nerves.

What’s your favorite book and why?
The Book Thief. It is so emotional and deep.

If you had a million dollars what would you do?
Build an amusement park in Africa. And also has free admission! (I don't think a million dollars will cover all the costs, but whatevs...) 

If you could, would you travel to the past to fix mistakes or travel to the future to prevent ones that could be made?
Actually, I believe that everything happens for a reason, so I would not want to alter the past or future.

Do you think it’s possible to hate someone?
That is possible. In the fifteen years that I have existed, I haven't really disliked someone to the point of hating them, but I really do think that it is possible. 

What are three words you would use to describe yourself
Emotional, stubborn, adventurous. 

I Nominate:
Jessica from Read My Breath Away
Anastasia from Another World of Books
Georgia from Book Nerd
Halee from Confessions of a Book Addict
Luoqi Immerse in a World of Fiction
Patricia from Night Readings
Kezia from Pansycake Reader
Roberta from Offbeat YA
Maggie from Raindrop Reads
Gaby from Queen Ella Bee Reads
Tara from The Library Haunt

Question for my Nominees:

1. Is there a particular book blog that motivated you to start your own blog?
2. What’s your favorite jelly bean flavor?
3. If you could have 3 wishes what would they be?
4. What’s your favorite day dream?
5. What’s your pet peeve?
6. What’s your favorite book and why?
7. If you had a million dollars what would you do?
8. Science Fiction or Romance?
9. Who are your top 3 book boyfriends?
10. What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
11. Favorite book read in high school English class?

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Promo & Giveaway: Fractured Light & Fractured Soul, by Rachel McClellan



Fractured Light

Author: Rachel McClellan
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication Date: February 8th, 2012

Fractured Light (Fractured Light, #1)

I’m dying, I thought. This was unexpected and not at all how I envisioned my death. I was supposed to die gardening in a flowerbed as a hundred-year-old woman, not as a seventeen-year-old trapped in a lake beneath inches of ice.

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. She can’t take any chances. But when she starts to make friends for the first time in her life, she gets careless and lets her guard down. Big mistake.

As an Aura, Llona can manipulate light and harness its energy. But if she wants to survive, Llona will have to defy the Auran Council and learn to use her power as a weapon against the Vyken whose sole desire is to take her light. Now she’s caught in something even bigger than she can understand, with a power she can’t wield, and no one she can trust, except, just maybe, a mysterious stranger.

In this breathtaking and romantic adventure, Rachel McClellan delivers a truly mesmerizing story that will keep you guessing to the very end.

Fractured Soul
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Fractured Soul (Fractured Light #2)



Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her new found friends and home, but the dark plot that is threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!



Author Information:

Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...




Social Media links:



Twitter: @RachelMcClellan


Purchase links:

Fractured Soul-

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Blog Tour: Seeds of Discovery, by Breeana Puttroff Review & Giveaway

Title: Seeds of Discovery (Dusk Gate Chronicles #1)
Author: Breeana Puttroff
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publication Date: September 16, 2011

Quinn Robbins' life was everything she thought a teenager's should be. She has good friends, a family that she loves, good grades, and an after-school job she enjoys. And, she's just been asked out by Zander Cunningham, a popular football player and great guy. But one day when driving home after picking up her little sister from the baby-sitter's, she nearly hits a boy who, after running blindly into the street, mysteriously disappears.
The mystery only deepens as she figures out who the boy is; William Rose, a reclusive, awkward boy from school who always has his nose in a pile of books.
As she becomes more aware of his behavior it becomes more obvious how out of the ordinary William is and how hard he deliberately tries to blend into the background. This only intrigues her more and she finds herself working to find out more about him, and exactly where he keeps disappearing to.
On a whim one night she follows him and suddenly finds herself in a new world. One where William is a prince, literally, and she is treated like a princess. She also discovers that she is stuck; the gate back to her own world isn't always open.
Quinn finds herself smack in the middle of a modern-day fairy tale, on a course that will change her life forever.



Rating: 4 stars

I will be completely honest when I say this; there wasn't anything particularly notable about this book. 

Why did I give this book 4/5 stars, you ask?

Well, I loved the simplicity of this story. It was not complicated at all; it had a very simple story-line, which even action-lovers like me like to read once in a while. I was immediately hooked. 

This story follows an ordinary girl, Quinn, who ends up in another world. A girl with no supernatural qualities, just a girl in high school. Most of the books I have read have these chicks with all these perfect qualities; there is something special about them, they are loved by all, are not afraid of anything, and to top it all off, they're strikingly beautiful. Now how are us readers supposed to relate to these kinds of characters? Quinn is so relatable, which made her likable from the start.

Quinn was a very sensible girl, and, unlike other heroines, is smart and has common sense. I like the way the author starts off the book with Quinn, like other normal teenagers, worrying about normal teenage issues. It makes, the readers, take an immediate liking to her. 

Another aspect I loved: There was no "love at first sight" crap that most YA these days have.

I have to admit, my inner 5-year-old self squealed when I found out that there was going to be princes, princesses, kings, and queens. However, I wish the author described the setting more. The castles or the world in general weren't explained much. It would have gave this story more of a "fantasy" feel to it.

Most of the secondary characters were a bit flat. They weren't very unique; to me, they all seemed to have the same personality. That being said, Thomas and William were very well-written characters, and both three-dimensional.

I think that this series has plenty of room to grow into a captivating fantasy. There was just so many questions left unanswered, which naturally pikes my curiosity. For sure, I will be reading the rest of this series.


Monday, February 18, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday #2: Top Ten Favorite Characters In YA

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Here are my ten favorite characters in the YA genre:

1. Puck from The Iron Fey series
Hilarious! My favorite trickster.
The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1)
2. Zuzanna from Days of Blood & Starlight
She is the character that brings sunshine in this otherwise depressing 2nd novel.
Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2)
3. Adrian from Bloodlines/ Vampire Academy
I will admit, I used to hate Adrian. But over time, I began to grow very fond of him.
Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1)

4. Katarina Bishop from Heist Society
I bet all of us are jealous of this teen thief.
Heist Society (Heist Society, #1)

5. Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars
His outlook on life, his poetic statements, his humor; qualities of Gus that make us all love him.
The Fault in Our Stars

6. Alex Rider from the Alex Rider series
Alex reminds me of Katarina; he is just so clever.
Stormbreaker (Alex Rider, #1)

7. Karou from Daughter of Smoke & Bone
She is one of the few heroines in the YA genre that does not give up all that she believes in just to be with a guy. ( I won't say more; I don't want to spoil it for everyone who hasn't already read it).
Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)

8. Morpheus from Splintered
Love him!
Splintered

9. Liam from the Darkest Minds
In this book, Liam's heroism is considered a "bad" thing by some of the characters. I totally disagree.
The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1)

10. Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief
*Sobs*
The Book Thief

Friday, February 15, 2013

Blog Tour: Stitch by Samantha Durante Review & Giveaway



"Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa's body screams at her to run... but yet she's powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees - and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell - Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.

Because what Alessa hasn't figured out yet is that she's not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university's idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface...

The opening installment in a twist-laden trilogy, Stitch spans the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results." -Goodreads

This is probably one of the best sci-fi/ paranormal books I have read in a while. I can't get over how awesome it was.

I don't know how the author managed to do it. She mixed science fiction with paranormal and somehow, someway, bottled it up into an intricately written YA book. The author definitely has got plenty of talent.

One of the qualities of this book that really made it shine was the super complex plot. It was just so brilliant and unlike any other sci-fi/paranormal/YA book I have read. I never felt any sort of disinterest, and found it difficult to stop reading for more than a few seconds. Due to my immense need to know what occurred next, my eyes were constantly glued to the page.

The characters were alright. They were all pretty likable, and the character development was good, but I didn't care much for some of the characters. I did feel somewhat of a connection to the main character, and I do like her, but occasionally she was just a tad bit boring. This didn't have a huge impact on what I felt for the book, though.

I loved the sense of mystery that oozed off each page. It pushed me to keep reading, and currently leaves me craving the next installment. This book was very well-written, and showed that Samantha Durante is a very talented writer.

Stitch was an awesome read that combined the elements of mystery, suspense, and complexity into one very well-written novel. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.

If you are looking for a book with nonstop action and a blend of paranormal and science fiction, then you need to read this book. Now! 

Rating: 4/5 stars


I'm Back!

So... It has been about a month since I have updated my blog.  Life has just been so hectic lately, and finals are finally over (thank goodness). I am so glad to be back, and am ready to get this thing going!

A major change for this blog: I will no longer be accepting books directly from author. Sure, I will be participating in blog tours, but mostly I will be reviewing books by obtaining it myself. Sorry, authors, but even I, like so many other book lovers, cannot handle too much of an overload of books.

Anyhow, I am super excited to be back on my blog, and am looking forward to reviewing books and interacting with all you bloggers out there!