Blog Tour: Entice by Carrie Jones + Giveaway!

Entice by Carrie Jones 5 of 5 stars.

Have you been pixie kissed?

Zara and Nick were soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back--if they can figure out how to get there. Meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But even if Zara and her friends can find the way to Valhalla, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned pixie. . . she's Astley's queen. (Book blurb)

With Nick gone and creeper pixie king Frank's minions still on the loose, Bedford is awash in danger. Zara is still trying to come to terms with the fact that she is a pixie, the same as the creatures that tore her family apart, the thing her friends hate. But Astley is there beside her, helping her to find herself again, as well as to save Nick from Valhalla. But that proves much harder than anyone expected. Twist, turns, and dead ends in the quest leave behind a string of dead allies and despare in Zara's heart.

As new and old enemies crawl out of the woodwork will peace-loving Zara be able to defeat them and save her love while still dealing with the judgment of her friends and family? Especially since her heart is suddenly confused by the attraction she feels toward Astley, her king?

Entice is a heart-stopping, laugh-out-loud, swoony addition to an already addictive series. Carrie Jones has made me fall in love with the characters all over again in what is probably the most action-packed Need Series book so far! I adored Zara and Astley's adventures as they tried to find the way to Valhalla and dealt with their pasts at the same time. I didn't want to put it down for a second, but I didn't want it to end either!

The added depths to the characters has made me change my opinions about them entirely. I thought the last book was a shocker, but this one was about twice as surprising. I am now, officially, Team Astley. Which I never thought would happen. But it did. And I also have a great deal more respect for Zara. Despite everything, she wasn't willing to give up.

The writing, as always, was amazing. The was Carrie Jones can switch so easily between beautiful description, teenage angst, philosophical observations, and snarkiness cracks me up. I love it. Zara may have grown up, but her voice hasn't changed from book one.

Humor, romance, drama, and suspense are the basis for this spectacular series that I would truly suggest for anyone. If you love your paranormal fantasies original and your heroines hilarious, you will adore the Need Series.





To order Entice from Amazon.com, please click here.
Check out the Need Series facebook page!

Giveaway

Must be a US/Canada resident

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Enter to win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones as well as some awesome Need Series bookmarks! Just fill out the form below

Giveaway ends January 10, 2010 at Midnight EST!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas Advent! Day 24

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Let us all give thanks on this Christmas Eve night to the loving God who sent us His one and only son to be born as a man and suffer a horrible death so that we might have eternal life. Let us also praise the Son on His birthday for giving up his life for our sins.

Christmas Advent! Day 23

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

I've been racking my brain for the past week or so trying to figure out the name of a cute little Christmas movie. I finally figured it out. The movie is The Year without Santa Clause. Its an adorable ABC Christmas cartoon I'm sure you will all remember. They just don't make cartoons like that anymore. This is my favorite song from the movie. So turn up the volume and sing along!! 

Christmas Advent! Day 22

222Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Sorry I haven't been able to post the last couple of days due to this stupid cold and crazy last-minute holiday shopping. I think I am finally set for Christmas! (: Anyway, today I heard an old favorite and thought I would share it with you. Anybody else like The Beach Boys?

Christmas Advent! Day 19

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Christmas shopping. The time when you have to beat off the crazy old women grabbing and snatching at the toy store. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas day when you are afraid to leave your house for fear of being trampled by a stampede of holiday shoppers that could put Santa's most rowdy reindeer to shame.

Giving is great. But to be honest, I would rather undergo hours of terrible Medieval torture than step foot in the mall this time of year. Nevertheless, that's what I'll be doing tomorrow. Looking for presents while gathering around me a swarm of cold germs. Despite the fact that I still kinda-sorta have the sniffle disease. Great...

Now that I have sufficiently Bah Humbugged this post, here is a funny Christmas memory for us all...

Christmas Advent! Day 17

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Everyone's favorite...

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce 5 of 5 stars.

THE WOLF OPENED ITS LONG JAWS, 
ROWS OF TEETH STRETCHING FOR HER.
A THOUGHT LOCKED ITSELF IN 
SCARLETT'S MIND:
I AM THE ONLY ONE LEFT TO FIGHT,
SO NOW I MUST KILL YOU.

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister, Rosie, from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and a blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt that her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Scarlett's only friend, Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax. But does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for? (Book blurb)

Scarlett is ready to sacrifice her life to put an end to the Fenris, to protect the young girls they prey on. She has always been ready. Ever since the day they stole her innocence, her grandmother, and threatened her sister. However, Rosie only fights because it is the only way she knows how to pay Scarlett back for saving her life years ago.

Only now neither one of them are so sure of their convictions. When they go to Atlanta in search of the monsters that have been gathering and slaughtering young women, everything changes. The Fenris are traveling with their packs under close supervision by their Alpha which makes hunting them anything but easy for Scarlett. And living in the close quarters of an apartment with long-time friend and neighbor Silas is anything but easy for Rosie who now has to cope with both her need to repay her sister and her feelings toward him which constantly remind her of her desire to have a normal life.

Dark secrets come to rear a nasty head and threaten not only their purpose, but the threads that hold the three of them together. Can the sisters put their differences of heart aside and work together one last time? Or will the Fenris destroy everything they love?

Sisters Red was the kind of horror story I love. The kind that occasionally have you screaming "Don't do that!" or "That's him, stupid!" but still leave you completely surprised and in love with the ending. The kind where the female characters are strong, but still able to hurt, to bleed. There is no invincibility but there isn't any weakness in the March sisters either.

My favorite parts of the story were the fights with the Fenris. I love a battle anytime, but please, keep your watered-down PG-13 crap away from me. And I always hate it when the MC's never get a scratch on them. Don't think me entirely morbid, but it just makes things so unrealistic. In Sisters Red, though, I couldn't just hear the bones of the Fenris crunching, but I could feel the characters' pain.

I met Jackson Pearce at the Decatur Book Festival, and I can now officially say that she is not just an awesome person but a remarkable writer as well. The plot rolled smoothly and the writing held the perfect amount of suspense. The characters were incredibly well written and full of all of the angst, love, and misgivings that make them "human".

I would suggest Sisters Red to anyone who likes their fairytales dark and their romance magical. It is a perfect book to sit down and read in one setting without any interruptions.

For fans of: Sarwat Chadda, Maggie Stiefvater

To order Sisters Red from Amazon.com, please click here.

Christmas Advent! Day 16

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

This has to be one of my all-time favorite versions of "The Little Drummer Boy". Enjoy!

Christmas Advent! Day 14 - Secret Santa (Movie)

Rebecca Chandler, the young reporter with a rocky love life is sent to a small town to uncover the mysterious man known as "Secret Santa". Every year he does something unbelievably generous for his neighbors. Of course, everyone has their theories about who Secret Santa is, but Rebecca had no idea it would be so difficult to find the truth.

Secret Santa is a wonderful holiday movie. Amazing actors, a unique and quite unpredictable story-line, and a lot of heart. While I can't say that it is one of my "favorite" holiday movies it is definitely worth watching.

Christmas Advent! Day 13 - Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage

Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage 5 of 5 stars.

When young Thomas Kinkade's mother Maryann isn't able to come up with the payments on their cottage, Thom realizes just how much the place means to him. In a desperate effort to come up with the money, Thom takes on a job painting a mural of the town and in the process learns more about himself and his painting than he could ever imagine.

Christmas Cottage is a simply beautiful movie, but what would you expect from something about Thomas Kinkade? I don't know much about the artist's life, but whether the story was accurate or not, it was eloquent and sweet.

Thomas's aging mentor, Glen, is played by the wonderful Peter O'Toole. His acting in the movie was amazing, his character's struggle against Alzheimer's bringing me close to tears several times throughout the movie.

Overall, I would suggest this movie to anyone. Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage is a tale of hope, determination, and more than anything else, love. It is sure to bring laughter and tears into your home on this holiday season.

To order Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage from Amazon.com, please click here.

Christmas Advent! Day 12

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

I was thinking today about "Christmases Past" and couldn't help but let my mind wander to a cute little Christmas site I used to spend hours on during the holiday season. And then after I outgrew it spent hours playing with my younger cousins. I hope you'll all check it out, either for yourself or any little ones you are around. There are cookie recipes, game, ecards, and more!

Check out Northpole.com!

Blog Tour: Threads and Flames - Esther Friesner Guest Post

In honor of the Threads and Flames blog tour, I am hosting a guest post by Esther Friesner! Enjoy, and please leave a comment for Esther!



"Feminism is a very important part of my life.  Unfortunately, like many sociopolitical movements, it’s become a question of whose definition of Feminism you support.  This leads to a dreadful quantity of CommitteeSpeak and finger-pointing, with too many people declaring “You can’t call yourself a Feminist because my way is the One True Feminism and anyone who says otherwise is obviously wrong,wrong, WRONG!  And probably a closet agent of the Evil Patriarchy.  And you stink.”  Then they take their toys and go home.
 
 It would be funny, but in the meanwhile, the energy and invective they’ve spent on trying to force everyone be on their team could have been used for—Oh, I don’t know, maybe changing a world where women still don’t get the same pay for the same work?  Or where some women can’t get an education without risking their lives?  Or where women get belabored into believing the message that being in any relationship, including an abusive one, is the only basis of their self-worth?
 
I believe Feminism is about giving women choices and the freedom to access those choices.  Those choices should also be our own choices, not the choices someone else tells us they should be, even if that someone else is also calling herself a Feminist.  A bully is a bully, even when s/he’s claiming to be on your side.
 
I was fortunate to have been raised in a family where Feminism (Well, Feminism as I understand the term) was practiced without being labeled as such.  My grandparents’ neighbors wanted to know why they were bothering to send their daughter to college along with their sons.  Wasn’t it a waste to give a girl a college education?  The neighbors were duly informed that my mother was at least as smart if not smarter than her brothers, so why shouldn’t she get a college education?  I do hope that shut them up.
 
Both of my parents were teachers in the New York City public school system for decades.  My father always shared the housework—he did all the laundry and all the vacuuming, to name just two chores.  When I asked him why, he said “Your mother has a full-time job.  It’s only fair.”  There was no nit-picking negotiation over how to divide domestic tasks; he just did it, without fuss, protest, or speechifying.
 
Because it was only fair.
 
 If we can make fairness an intrinsic part of Feminism, we’ll be on the right road.  And if we have to send the CommitteeSpeakers and the bullies packing in order to make room for it?  Bonus. " -Esther Friesner





Thank you so much, Esther! 

To read my review of Threads and Flames click here.

To order Threads and Flames from Amazon.com, please click here.

To check out all of the other awesome stops on the Threads and Flames blog tour click here.

Christmas Advent! Day 10

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Today, I've got a vlog by one of my all-time favorite people, Jackson Pearce. She's hilarious and brilliant and so is this video. Enjoy!

Blog Tour: Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner

Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner 5 of 5 stars.

Hardship,
Romance,
Hope.

It's 1910, and Raisa has just traveled alone from a small Polish shtetl all the way to New York City. It's overwhelming, awe-inspiring, and even dangerous, especially when she discovers that her sister has disappeared and she must now fend for herself. How do you survive in a foreign land without a job, a place to live, or a command of the native language?

Perseverance and the kindness of handsome young Gavrel leads Raisa to work in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory sewing bodices on the popular shirtwaists. . . until 1911 dawns, and one March day a spark ignites in the factory. Fabric and thread and life catch fire. And the flames burn hot enough to change Raisa--and the entire city--forever. (Book blurb)

Raisa is a strong and determined young Jewish woman who is ready to leave the home and people she loves to go after her sister in The Golden Land. After fighting down a sickness that left her with ridiculously short hair and an even stronger view on what she is capable of she finally has enough money to go.

On the way to this strange new world, Raisa is left caring for a little girl whose mother died on the voyage. When Raisa finds herself alone in New York City with no way of finding her sister and little to no skills at a sewing machine all she can think about is how she will be able to support them both. But Raisa's strength, courage, and determination save her time and again as she tries to create a stable life for herself and little Brina while still looking for her sister.

However, nothing could have prepared her for what was to come. . .

Threads and Flames is a beautiful and gripping tale of hope, love, and persistence. Esther Friesner's beautiful storytelling and character creation bring life to a tragic event in our countries history. She gives us a solid way to connect and sympathize with the helpless victims of the Triangle Factory Fire.

Esther Friesner has been one of my favorite historical fiction writers for years. She brings solid realism to stories shrouded in the dust of time, and brings a fantastical air to the simplest of things. Normally, reading a story about a girl going on a voyage and trying to find her way in a new place would be interesting to me, but ultimately rather boring. Threads and Flames wasn't like that. I hung on the author's every word as I followed Raisa through the story. Her personality and voice kept me interested the whole time. The story's other characters where just as amazing. From spunky, little Brina to the hilariously adorable Gavrel there wasn't a dull moment in the whole story.

The novel brought me both laughter and tears, but most importantly, it left me feeling good after reading it. There aren't many good books that leave you satisfied, without wishing there was something more. This one did, though I do wish there could be a movie based on this book. I know it would be gorgeous.

Whether you like realistic fiction, historical fiction, or pretty much anything else if you can appreciate strong characters and beautiful storytelling you will adore this novel! I highly suggest it to everyone.

To order Threads and Flames from Amazon.com, please click here.

Check out the rest of the stops on the Threads and Flames blog tour by clicking here.

Christmas Advent! Day 9

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. Today my creativity is running dry so I searched youtube for some cute Christmas slide shows, and I love this one! The music is some of my favorite as well. Enjoy!

Christmas Advent! Day 8

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Christmas trees! Gah! Every year I think how much I want one, how the aggravation is worth it. And every year I end up realizing what an idiot I am. Especially this year. I suggested a live Christmas tree because we haven't had one in years. I didn't remember all the sticky, icky, irritating mess that went along with it. Now, the trees is up, the lights are on, and we keep having trouble with our decorations. Its back to the store tomorrow to look for different color ribbon.

How are your Christmas trees going?

Christmas Advent! Day 7

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. Today I found a really beautiful video of one of my favorite Christmas songs, "What Child is This?" So, enjoy and let's not forget the reason for the season!

Christmas Advent! Day 6

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to "elf" people! It is sooo much fun!! If you haven't heard of the Elf Yourself thing put out by OfficeMax then you have DEFINITELY been missing out. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Click here to Elf Yourself!

Christmas Advent! Day 5

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. In honor of my Christmas special, I'm going to share my sorrows with you today. Usually by about this time (actually, way sooner!) Hallmark has been playing marathons of my FAVORITE movie series The Love Saga based on the books by Janet Oak (all of which are wonderful as well, you should definitely check them out!), but so far either I have missed them or they haven't played them. So, here's the trailer for the first movie Love Comes Softly, it is absolutely wonderful and the one that is most like the book in my opinion. It also happens to be the movie that made me begin READING the books. Enjoy!

In My Mailbox!

Yes, In My Mailbox is a meme started by the Story Siren! <--- Check it out!

This week I didn't get much in the mail. Heaven knows I don't need to get much in the mail as far as books go, but I couldn't help doing a little happy dance when this came in! 




That's right! Its the third in the Need Series by Carrie Jones!! I can't wait to read it. Entice will be released in hardcover by BloomsburyUSA on December 14th. Sounds like a pretty awesome Christmas gift to me!

"Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out.
 

For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla?
 

And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned. She's Astley's queen." -Goodreads.com

Thanks Bloomsbury for the review copy!

To pre-order your copy from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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Christmas Advent! Day 4

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. In honor of the decorations going on in my own home I'm giving you some "Deck the Halls" music!

Christmas Advent! Day 3

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. For today I have a clip from one of my favorite Christmas movies, The Ultimate Christmas Present! Enjoy!

Wildwing by Emily Whitman

Wildwing by Emily Whitman 5 of 5 stars.

Addy knows there's so much more to life than what she has. She must be destined for more than being a maid to an eccentric elderly man. And so when she finds a mysterious contraption in the gentleman's study, of course she steps inside. Of course she bumps into the wrong button. Suddenly Addy is in medieval England, mistaken for the young woman betrothed to the lord of the nearby manor. It's destiny. But is it home? And will she ever find her way back to her own time? Will she want to, once she's met the shy, handsome falconer's apprentice? (Book blurb)

Addy is tired of being ridiculed, tired of listening to the other girls calling her a bastard for a mistake her mother made years ago. More than anything she is tired of swallowing her pride and apologizing for losing her temper when it was never her fault to begin with. When her mother takes her out of school and forces her to get started working as a maid for a "crazy" old man who has been grieving for the last sixteen years, it is that same quick wit and daring behavior that saves her time and again.

Working for Mr. Greenwood is better than Addy could have ever expected. She has easy hours, good company, and a library full of books. But something is missing. When after stumbling across one of Crazy Mr. Greenwood's "inventions" and taking a walk in the past, Addy's mother decides its time to send her away as a live-in.  The thought is almost too much to bear, but when Addy decided to go back in time to medieval England in hope of living a better life she didn't quite know what she was getting herself into.

Wildwing is a coming-of-age story full of love and hardship, joy and grief. Emily Whitman's writing flies off the page drawing us all into both Victorian times as well as the Middle Ages. The story follows a young girl hoping to break away from a life without the bonds of servitude and submission but soon finds herself becoming much more entangled in far heavier chains.

Addy was one of those characters I couldn't decide whether to love or hate. In the beginning she seemed like a fiery young woman who was tired of being put down by girls who thought she was better than them. Shortly after, all I saw in her was greed and selfishness. But I guess that's what made the book so satisfying in the end. I got to watch her grow and be shaped by the things happening around her.

The plot is well shaped with equal parts predictability and surprise. The smaller side characters in the story were probably my favorites. And the romance between Addy and Will was adorable. In the end I found myself close to tears.

The story was well-written for the most part, though some places in the book were better than others. My favorite scenes though (as far as writing goes) where the ones where Addy was hawking. Emily Whitman described it beautifully, and I truly wish I could see it myself.

Overall, Wildwing was an enjoyable read, perfect for curling up with on a cold winter day. I've seen plenty of not-so-great reviews on this book, so I suggest you check a few more out before deciding whether you want to read it or not. But if you like medieval/Victorian fairytale-type stories I think you would like it just as much as I did.

Many thanks to HarperTEEN for sending me a copy to review!

To order Wildwing from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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Christmas Advent! Day 2

Good morning, everyone! Do you remember I told you that I had something cool planned for December? Well, I completely forgot yesterday. So, starting today everyday up until Christmas I'm going to have an "advent" post. What I'll do is post cool little Christmas stuff like videos, songs, movie reviews, etc.

For today I've got one of the cutest holiday songs ever!

Prisoners in the Palace Giveaway Winner!!

 

How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel.

London, 1836. Seventeen-year-old Liza's dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. Alone and penniless, she accepts the positions of lady's maid to the young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servants' world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the opportunity to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future Queen? (Book Blurb)

The winner of this absolutely gorgeous book is... Nevey from La Vanity Victorienne! Congratulations!

The book will be sent out by Chronicle Books in honor of their Prisoners in the Palace blog tour.

For those of you who didn't win, you can still buy the book from Amazon.com by clicking here.

Thank you to all those who entered!


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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie 5 of 5 stars.

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE.
THE ULTIMATE LOVE.

For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain's Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.

Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers San Francisco is now a vampire stronghold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated--and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.

Then Jen is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she has held as true. (Book blurb)

The hunters of Salamanca are an unlikely band of warriors, mix-matched in more ways than they could have ever thought possible. Some joined the team in hopes of finding their place in a topsy-turvy world, some casting their lot for the new Holy Crusade. But most--are in it for revenge.

As vampires take over nation after nation, spilling innocent blood, there are few who are willing to stand up for what is right. And fewer still who have the skills to do it. Those few would be the Hunters, banded together and trained hard in the art of killing vampires. Armed with holy water, wooden stakes, and crosses they wage a shadow war against the enemy of humanity. Even against their own countries.

Crusade is a bloody thriller. Action and suspense combine with mysterious and complex characters to set the stage for an amazing novel. Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie have done it again creating a magically written story that will keep the best of us flipping pages late into the night.

The interesting thing about Crusade is that it could almost be a sequel. The training is over, the relationships are already formed, and the battle is on. The way it is written informs you of all you need to know in order to follow the story, while still keeping you guessing. The first half of the book seemed to shine a suspicious light on almost all of the characters. I wasn't sure who I could trust and who I couldn't. Through changes in point of view and a series of flashbacks from the different characters, the pictures became clearer toward the end. These characters can't be called anything if not complex.

The writing is the perfectly paced and characterized voice of experienced authors who know how to tell a story. They bring light to several dark time periods (including their fictional one) with the use of well-made and greatly varied characters. One of my favorite parts, strangely, was Aurora's flashbacks. She has such an atmosphere of evil around her it was interesting to see how hard she tried to resist it all during the Inquisition when she was imprisoned as a Jew. She reminded me a bit of Katherine from the Vampire Diaries, one of those complex characters that really make you think.

The religious aspect in the book was also very nice to me. It wasn't just Catholicism, but so many other religions stewed together within the story. They all served to add even more depth to an already winding plot.

Overall, Crusade is an amazing book. If you like prissy, sparkling vampires it might not be for you. But if you like a fast-paced story full of action and an incredibly complex plot... You would love it! This is definitely one of my most suggested books of 2010.

For fans of: Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

Many thanks to the publicist for sending me a copy for review!

To order from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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News + Fantasy Reading Challenge SUCCESS!

Hello fellow bookworms! I am back more steadily in the blogosphere, I hope. And, yes, I know I say that alot. But I've finally finished off these courses and am hoping to have a break at least through December and January.

Anyway, I have exciting news. I have FINISHED the Fantasy Reading Challenge 2010 at the Obsessed level hosted by Royal Reviews! The exact date of completion was October 29, 2010. I'm sure I will have several more between now and the end date. You can see my reads here.

Also, I have a cool plan for an Advent thing in December. (You'll have to wait to find out what it is!) And, of course, I'm going to have some awesome giveaways for the holidays. --Check out the one I've got going on now! ^^ You can win a hardcover copy of Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl!

I really hate I missed out on all of the book blogger Secret Santa things. I did last year too, so I'm kind of upset about it. If anyone knows of one that I can still sign up for PLEASE let me know!

I hope all of my fellow Americans had an AMAZING Thanksgiving!

Best of wishes,

Arya

Guest Post: Author Christine Schulze on Self-Publitwshing and Christian Fantasy!

"Hullo, and thanks so much to Arya for having me here today! My name is Christine E. Schulze, and I am a new, starving author of YA and middle grade fantasy and Christian fantasy.

One topic Arya thought my readers might be interested is why I have chosen to self-publish. Self-publishing can have a bad wrap, but do not think I am not very serious about my craft. Quite the opposite, and though I do hope to get into a major publishing house, I am glad for the self-publishing experience, which has taught me loads.

My publishing experience started when I was a freshman in college. I was working at the Success Center at Southwestern Illinois College as an English tutor. My mom came in one evening with this excellent letter of acceptance for my YA novel, The Prism of Ashlei, from Tate Publishing. I was so elated! Until I learned they wanted me to pay a fee to do so; though they promised to return the cash once I sold 5,000 copies of my book, the fee was a lot of money to me as a new college student.

Now, I am a stubborn person and SO wanted to be published, so needless to say, I really wanted to give in. It wasn’t others’ advice, warning, and common sense which changed my mind though. It was the fact that, if I gave in and paid such an exorbitant amount—which I didn’t really have, by the way, unless I gave up college—I was basically saying to myself and all the world that I wasn’t good enough to make it to a real publishing house. A serious author should never have to pay money to get published. I don’t fault those who do, but it wasn’t for me. (I’m quite glad I didn’t pay also because I’m learning how hard it is selling your first copy, let alone 5,000!)

Now, the same could be argued for self-publishing; wasn’t I saying I couldn’t make it in the real publishing world? Well, first off, not long after I turned down Tate, which left me really bummed out, I received an offer for a contract with Writers-Exchange e-publishing for another YA novel of mine, Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress. Though I really wanted to see my work in print, I was up for getting my name out there with a few ebooks. The ebook released earlier this year, and I am really glad I decided to work with this e-publisher. Through working with Laura Shinn, Sandy Cummins, and Jenna, all brilliant editors, I learned much about how to polish my own work. They guided me through the first chapter, and I did the rest. I must have caught on quickly too, because they didn’t make many changes to the rest of the book once I’d edited.

Well, at some point, I discovered Createspace, a self-publishing company affiliated with Amazon. They are great because you don’t have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars. You actually don’t pay a thing, except to order a proof copy of each book before it officially goes to print. I was intrigued by the idea of getting to make my own cover art, design the interior of my books, etc. Laura Shinn helped me learn about creating PDF files and made a template for me, as well as assisting me in the art of making cover art files. Without her help, I could not have self-published, so God bless you, Laura, for that.

I think I originally intended just to self-publish a few books, sort of as an experiment to see if I could help spread my name that way, and partially just as something I did for myself because I wanted to. Maybe I got a little carried away, self-publishing three of my favorite and best series. However, someday, when I get renowned through a traditional publisher, those books will be out there, waiting for my fans to delve into. I definitely don’t regret the experience or all I learned, though I hope those books too are someday picked by a traditional published. The best part was designing everything and making both the paperback and ebooks available at really reasonable prices to my readers. For my favorite series, The Gailean Quartet, I actually came up with two separate book covers for each book, front and back. The back cover is like a surprise, containing some of my original, hand-drawn illustrations of the characters; which ones depends on which version of the book you buy. I realize I’ve done things a little backwards—creating collectors’ items and THEN trying to be famous. But, like I said, it was a fun experience, and the stuff is out there when readers want it.

That said, I’ve since worked with smaller presses like Old Line Publishing, who did Bloodmaiden, as well as Victory Tales Press; I’m involved in several of their anthologies, and my anthology Bloodmaiden: a fantasy anthology, was actually one of their first releases. I learned much from Rebecca Vickery, the editor there as well.

So, in the end, I am applying all I’ve learned over these past couple of years to perfect a manuscript, a middle grade fantasy called The Last Star. I feel a lot more confident now in its being polished to send to agents and editors. My boyfriend has also taught me much on query letters and helped me perfect my own for the book (he was also my photographer for Bloodmaiden’s cover, which is one of my best; thanks, sweetie!). When I’m ready to start submitting the manuscript in a few months, well, pray and cross your fingers! That will be the start of a whole new adventure.

Another topic Arya said her readers might be interested in is why I write not only fantasy, but Christian fantasy as well. I think the best way to sum that up is to use a reply I used in another interview, so without further ado:

I have always loved fantasy. I love being able to create new worlds, peoples, characters. I just can’t write realistic fiction because it limits me too much. Plus, I really love how almost all of my books—all thirty-plus of them—connect in some way, shape, or form.

The “Christian” aspect comes in because, as a Christian, I feel I should give something back to the God who blessed me with talents of writing. That said, most of my work is NOT preachy; I try to incorporate any Christian aspects so that they flow naturally with the characters and story, instead of seeming awkward. In the words of Briana from The Book Pixie, another young lady who reviewed Bloodmaiden:

“Another thing I loved was the incorporation of religious elements. They were subtly done so that a Christian like me would pick up on them; however, they weren't blatantly obvious enough to detract from the story for those non-religious readers out there.”

This is exactly what I aim for, so I was glad to here it from another reader. Many of my books simply contain Christian virtues like the importance of friendship, forgiveness, love, redemption, or self-sacrifice. Others do talk about God, but mostly in an allegorical sense, like Aslan from Narnia. For those looking for a more obviously Christian read, my short book, The Pirates of Meleeon, does refer to God directly, and salvation is a big part of that book. For the most part though, my books will still appeal to as wide an audience as regular fantasy. I do plan to wrap up all my books with a final book, Carousel in the Clouds, which draws on the book of Revelation to bring an end to all worlds. Though the book is already finished, I have much else to do before it too is published.

Well, that about wraps things up. Thanks so much to Arya for having me here, and I hope you all get the chance to sometime read Bloodmaiden or other of my works for yourself.

God bless and happy reading!

P.S. Arya, your name is beautiful; look for it in a book someday!"

Thank you so much, Christine, for taking to time to share some about yourself and your books with my readers! 

To find out more about Christine you can check out her Goodreads page and blog by following the links below.

Goodreads
Blog 

Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot - CSN Stores!

Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot 4 of 5 stars.
CSN Stores 4 of 5 stars.

The Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot is definitely beyond beautiful! It is very elegant and glimmers in the light. However, it is much smaller than I expected. I might should have looked more closely at the measurements online, but I assumed it was a full sized tea pot. It holds about 3 small (6oz.) cups of tea without the strainer in. The lid feels a little wobbly when I put it on as well. It does make a great cup of tea though! Another thing that bothers me about it is that it is hard to clean the spout. I may have to buy something especially tiny to clean it with. After a couple of uses it started to look tea-dingy around the end.

The people at CSN Stores are terribly nice and the selection is amazing. But there was a bit of trouble with the shipping. The billing address and the shipping address were different. The billing was to my grandmother's house and the shipping was to me. Anyway, on my birthday my grandmother gave me a mixed up tea set. The tea pot looked just like this one, and I had shown it to her before. I asked her about it, and she said that she had ordered it off ebay. It turned out later that she hadn't ordered a tea pot and the tea pot was sent to the billing address. I was a bit uncomfortable that the item was shipped to the wrong place, but I'm not exactly sure if that was the store's fault or FedEx.

I wouldn't hesitate to work with CSN Stores again, though. As for the tea pot I do think it is adorable. If you are only going to be making tea for yourself and maybe one other person, it should work fine for you. The rose detailing is precious and the tea it makes is delectable.

To order the Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot from CSNStores.com, please click here.

Blog Tour: Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

Today is devoted to Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl. You can read my review of the beautiful novel, read a guest post by the amazing author, and enter to win a copy of this absolutely stunning hardcover book.  Find out more about the book and the blog tour here. Don't forget to enter the giveaway and leave Michaela a comment!


Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl 5 of 5 stars.

How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel.

London, 1836. Seventeen-year-old Liza's dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. Alone and penniless, she accepts the positions of lady's maid to the young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servants' world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the opportunity to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future Queen? (Book Blurb)


Elizabeth Hastings's life is turned completely upside down when after her parents death she is forced to go to work as Liza the maid. But Liza didn't know what she was getting into when she applied for the job of maid in Princess Victoria's household-the dilapidated Kensington Palace. As Liza sees the people of the palace all trying to buy her loyalty, she realizes that there is more than one conspiracy going on in the palace. It soon become obvious that Liza is needed to help keep Victoria's throne safe from the greedy hands of those around her. However, Liza couldn't do it alone. A young princess like Victoria needs more than one ally in the world. But what could a former maid, newspaperman, and a street urchin (minus the street) possibly do to tilt the scales of power in this game of intrigue?

Prisoners in the Palace is a lush Victorian novel that waltzes us through the the life and hardships of the Princess Victoria as she fights for her crown before she even learns the importance of it. With engaging writing and beautiful scenery, it is a must for any true Victorian era fan. Romance, intrigue, and dangerous secrets lurking in the shadows. What more could a girl want?

The first thing I have to say is that Chronicle Books deserves some sort of award for the amazing cover they put together for this book. It has a brilliant foil outer cover with a beautifully patterned hard-cover. Even the inside pages of the book are to die for. I would definitely suggest buying this book if for nothing more than a collectors piece. But it is must more than just a pretty book.

Michaela MacColl's writing truly draws you into the time period and setting. I could honestly hear the English accents and see the beautiful dresses and gardens coming alive before me. The story is a fun twist on history that leaves you with a good feeling after reading it. Although I admit that I was a bit annoyed by the way some of the characters were portrayed in the beginning. After recently watching The Young Victoria (and falling madly in love with it, mind you) I wasn't expecting to see Victoria betrayed as such a brat, even in the start. For a while it seemed like the only character with half a brain was the main, Liza. The story did change, however, as the author introduced us to the complexities of it and the various other characters. Victoria's courage grew and she soon became the feisty young queen I imagined her to be.

Over all, the book was truly enjoyable, and I adored many of the characters. I would suggest this book to any lover of a good Victorian novel.

To order this book from Amazon.com, please click here.







Michaela's Guest Post:

"Arya, thank you so much for sharing your lovely readers for this stop on the Prisoners in the Palace Blog Tour.

One of the best things about writing historical fiction is doing the research on site.  Even if I didn’t love to travel, it’s critical if the book is to have that extra zing that convinces readers that they are in the scene.

I went to London with a close friend to visit Kensington Palace, Fleet Street and Windsor Palace. 

While I was writing the first draft, I had been frustrated whenever I tried to figure out the floorplan for Victoria’s rooms. I found plans for 50 years earlier and then for the way it is now… What happened in between?  A helpful docent explained it for me. Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent, didn’t get along with her brother in law, the King.  He allowed her to stay in Kensington Palace, the dumping ground for his poor relations. She was always complaining that the rooms were inadequate for the heir to the throne. He refused to give her any more space. The Duchess, not being known for her tact, just took them. (When the King found out, he was furious. He threw a fit at his birthday party – but that’s another story and a deleted scene in the novel). Since the Duchess took the rooms without permission, there weren’t any plans. So I’m out of luck unless I go and walk the halls. I’m so glad I did.

The other thing that happens when you visit your locations is that you find details that create sub-plots and minor characters. Once I saw the little guard house, I realized that I needed to add a drunken porter who never was awake to open the door.  There’s a stone circular kitchen where I just had to place Simon the the footman, sitting on a bench with his sleeves rolled up, tossing back an ale.  And I was lucky to see a recreated bedroom of the Duchess and Victoria (they shared a room until Victoria was eighteen). The crystal bowl of bon bons gave me a whole story about stolen candy and false accusations.

I recently went to Italy with my daughters. We went on a New Moon tour in Volterra. The guide was a local and she showed us all the places described in the book. Then she brought us to a spring in the lower part of the city and told us how her grandmother used to do her laundry there. And where the water spills out of the cisterns, there’s a hidden entrance. She used to climb through into tunnels that led up through the cliffs to the upper city. My daughter asked why the author of New Moon didn’t use that in her books. The guide laughed and said that Stephanie Meyer never came to the city. Not once. I think she missed a great detail!

For more details about Prisoners in the Palace visit my website, www.michaelamaccoll.com. Thanks for listening!"

Isn't she awesome!? Which is why you need to enter the giveaway to win a copy of Prisoners in the Palace! 



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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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Anna Levine Tour: Freefall Giveaway Winner!

The winner of an awesome copy of Freefall by Anna Levine is... Carla from Library Mosaic! Congrats, Carla! I know you are going to love it! Freefall is one of my favorite books of the year.


Aggie is eighteen and getting ready to do her service for the Israeli Army. She could get a cushy assignment--maybe pushing paper somewhere--or she could just take her chances. Only, Aggie isn't like that. Despite her small size and the fact that she needs to gain weight to even make the grade, and despite the total disbelief of her entire family (except her grandmother, who is an old freedom fighter and don't you forget it), Aggie is trying out for an elite combat unit.

Ben--Aggie's crush of the moment--isn't at all convinced that she's making the right choice. Shira, Aggie's best friend forever, is bewildered (and perhaps a bit too interested in Ben). Then there's Noah. And the serendipitous snow. And a good-bye kiss that turns into, well, a real kiss.

Luckily for Aggie, her backbreaking, sand-in-mouth, completely-lost-in-the-desert training produces an unlikely dividend: friends. The kind she never imagined she could have. The kind you'd go to war with--and for. (Book blurb)

Blog Tour: Author Interview with Anna Levine + Giveaway

 Good morning, all! Today I would like to introduce you to one of my new favorite authors. Meet Anna Levine, author of Freefall one of the best books released this year. Her book honestly blew me away! Its been a couple of weeks since I read it and scenes are still randomly playing through my mind. Its been a while since I've read a book that good. Enjoy!




1. What is Freefall about?
Freefall is a story about an eighteen-year-old Israeli girl, Abigail Jacobs. As Aggie’s mandatory military service approaches, she decides she wants to try out for a combat unit. She’s under weight, but that doesn’t hold her back. She gains the weight and faces the grueling physical, emotional and mental challenges of pre-army training. Her family, her friends and her then boyfriend think she’s out of her mind. She proves them wrong. Freefall is about what it’s like growing up in Israel from the challenging family relationships, changing friendships, mandatory army service and the experience of falling in love for the very first time. This is my third book set in Israel. All my stories feature strong female protagonists who are told that they can’t, no way, impossible. Then they set out to prove everyone wrong.

2. Who was your favorite character (aside from the main!) and why?
Noah! Noah’s got a sensitivity about him that I just love. I admire his strength of character and the way he tries to adapt himself to the situations he finds himself in.

3. Which sparks your interest and imagination most: Heroes, villains, or anti-heroes?
Villains are the hardest. I mean, a good story needs a really nasty villain with lots of personality somebody you love to hate. I always ‘wrestle’ with my villainous characters. I think a good villain is someone who makes you doubt yourself. In the bus scene, when the guy next to Aggie puts his arm around she is both flattered and excited by the idea of him being attracted to her but at the same time is appalled that he thinks he can just take whatever he wants and that she, for a second, wanted it!

4. What is your favorite quote and why?
My favorite quote: “There are moments in life when you have to jump.”
I love this idea. I think you have to be ready to take chances in life, and especially as a writer you need to be willing to jump and be daring. One of the hardest things about being a writer (and this includes the last question

5. Any advice for struggling writers? Is being able to free yourself from what other people may think of you because of what you’ve written. I think the thing which holds back most writers is the fear of being honest. Go for it! Don’t hold back. Your readers will respect you for it.  

Thank you so much, Anna!
To order Freefall from Amazon.com, please click here.
Read my review of Freefall here.
Check out Anna Levine's website here.
Follow the Freefall blog tour  here.


Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Freefall by Anna Levine all you have to do is fill out this form.
+1 entry if you comment on this post
+1 entry if you comment on the review

This giveaway IS international.
13+ years of age to enter!

Deadline is November 14, 2010 @ 12:00am EST!

Happy Halloween + Spooky Swap!!!

Hi, everyone! I hope you are all having an awesome Halloween!! Halloween is probably one of my FAVORITE holidays. Free candy, a legitimate reason to walk around in costume, and of course... scary stories! This year I wasn't able to do much for Halloween, but I did participate in the Spooky Swap hosted by Travis at Inked Books and Jessica at A Fanatics Book Blog. Below is a picture of the awesome stuff I received from Julie at A Tale of Many Review. A special thanks to Julie for sending my this absolutely awesome stuff!! I adored the Emergency Chocolate. It read:
"For immediate relief of: Halloween mayhem, fake Frankensteins, plastic spiders and fake blood.
Directions of use: Snap off into single pieces and throw at suspects from the nearest window. Break into bigger pieces and throw if suspect returns with big brother or a large wooden object. If truly desperate hand over entire bar to these extortionists and retire." Hehe... LOVE IT!

 

The Emerald Flame by Frewin Jones

The Emerald Flame by Frewin Jones 5 of 5 stars.
Book Three of the Warrior Princess Series

Branwen has finally accepted that the Shining Ones have chosen her to save her country from the Saxon invaders. But the next stage in her journey includes a seemingly impossible missions, and the path before her is filled with darkness and danger. Branwen is pushed to the brink of disaster, and with each step she takes, she is being pulled farther from the life she knew--the life she still desperately misses.

Guided by the spirits, with both her fearless friend Rhodri and the dashing, sometimes maddening Iwan by her side, Branwen must overcome terrifying odds if she is to succeed in her quest. But a true Warrior Princess won't back down. . . even when an old enemy returns.

The Chosen One of the Shining Ones, Branwen ap Griffith, continues the journey toward her destiny alongside her loyal followers. However, Branwen's plans to join the people of her homelands in their war against the Saxon invaders has once again been put on hold. The Shining Ones have a new task for Branwen: find the relic holding the wind god Caradoc prisoner and return it to Merion of the Stones. As if rescuing a god isn't hard enough, Caradoc's prison is in the very heart of the Saxon's main camp.

Branwen and her friends face fierce beasts and terrible foes as they continue their quest. Old friends and old enemies rise up around Branwen, and she is once again left wondering if the path she has chosen is the right one. Stalwart determination and the support of her followers give the Warrior Princess the faith to carry on in this never-ending saga of destiny, death, and magic.

The Emerald Flame is a beautiful and exiting installment in the Warrior Princess series that will leave readers craving the next one. Girls will look up to Branwen whose courage, strength, and sheer will power put her in a league of her own among the MG and YA heroines.

Frewin Jones's writing is, as always, wonderful. His way of sweeping you into mystic lands and dropping you among vivid characters keeps all of us reading. The Emerald Flame was no exception. The narration is flawless in capturing the mood and feel of the land as well as the characters. I also love the voice of the characters in their dialogue. Sometimes I feel a sort of echo between this and Lord of the Rings. 

The third book of the Warrior Princess series is more about character development than the campaign of Branwen's people. While there is still enough action to keep you flipping the pages, I feel like we see Branwen grow up even more in this books than in the others. I also see how much she has changed since we were first were introduced to her.

In short, this book is wonderful with beautiful characters, scenery, and themes. Fans of high-fantasy or historical fiction would adore this novel. I must suggest reading the first two books before you get to this one, though. That way you can better understand Branwen's struggles and her opinions.


For fans of: Frewin Jones, Lord of the Rings, The Inheritance Cycle

To order this book from Amazon.com, please click here.
Check out the Frewin Jones fan site here!

Blog Tour: Split by Swati Avasthi

Split by Swati Avasthi 5 of 5 stars.

Sixteen-year-old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother, Christian, with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father), $3.84, and a secret.

He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can't make him forget what he left behind.

His mother is still trapped with his dad. And his ex-girlfriend is keeping his secret--for now.

Turns out there are some things you can't just walk away from. (Book blurb)

A lost temper and a split second decision leave Jace Witherspoon with a busted up face and a one way ticket out of town. Jace knew what was coming as soon as he decided to throw a punch at dear old dad, but that doesn't stop him from worrying about the consequences his decision will have on both his mother and himself.

Now Jace is living with his estranged and paranoid brother, walking on eggshells in an attempt to not open any old wounds and to get his life back on track. The problem is, he doesn't even know what that means. With secrets in his heart and his mother left behind, Jace has to come to terms with what it means to be out of the house he grew up in, the house were so much blood was spilled.

Split is a beautiful and gripping tale of domestic abuse and the strength it takes to break away from it. Swati Avasthi has shed new light on something many people can't even fathom. She's walked us through what it means to be afraid for your family's life, and to look at violence as a trivial, every day fact of life.

When I read the synopsis and signed up for this blog tour, I thought I new what to expect. I was expecting a tear-jerker sort of story that would leave me surrounded in balled up tissues, but that's not what I got. Jace's voice drew me in and lulled me into a state where I saw through his eyes. I felt his anger and his grief. Something about the way he told his story left me dry eyed and constantly flipping the pages. The tone of his character rang in my mind long after I put the book down.

Swati Avasthi definitely has a gift for story telling. Her characters were well written and easy to relate to, while her writing was nuanced and compelling. Nothing was what it seemed as I continued to read. The plot was fairly predictable, but not in the kind of way that just annoys you as you read. There was simply enough foreshadowing to give me a pretty clear picture of what was coming.

Overall, Split was a wonderful read with character I will remember for quite a while. If you enjoy realistic fiction, there is no way you wouldn't like this book. You may even enjoy it if you don't.

To order a copy of Split by Swati Avasthi from Amazon.com, please click here.


To honor National Domestic Violence Awareness month, author Swati Avasthi has combined a blog tour for her debut novel, Split, with a charity auction. Over 40 authors, agents and editors have donated manuscript critiques, personalized books, and more to an online auction that anyone –reader, writer, booklover -- can bid on and buy. All proceeds go to the Family Violence Prevention Fund. In addition to the auction, Avasthi is donating $1/comment on her 26-stop, month-long blog tour, coordinated by Kari Olson at Teen Book Scene. If she reaches her goal and cap of $250, she will double the donation. Follow the tour, get stuff you want, and make a difference.

General Store

Featured Lots:

A 20 page critique by author Heidi Ayarbe here.



A personalized, signed copy ofFreeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe here.


A toy rocking sheep here.


Toy soldiers here.


A readable miniature book here.


A miniature version of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis here.

A miniature version of Split by Swati Avasthi here

All of the minis above are handcrafted!

Now... Start commenting! You'll be helping people like Jace who need your support!

Blog Tour: Freefall by Anna Levine

Freefall by Anna Levine 5 of 5 stars.

What would your life be like if military service was compulsory, not voluntary?

Aggie is eighteen and getting ready to do her service for the Israeli Army. She could get a cushy assignment--maybe pushing paper somewhere--or she could just take her chances. Only, Aggie isn't like that. Despite her small size and the fact that she needs to gain weight to even make the grade, and despite the total disbelief of her entire family (except her grandmother, who is an old freedom fighter and don't you forget it), Aggie is trying out for an elite combat unit.

Ben--Aggie's crush of the moment--isn't at all convinced that she's making the right choice. Shira, Aggie's best friend forever, is bewildered (and perhaps a bit too interested in Ben). Then there's Noah. And the serendipitous snow. And a good-bye kiss that turns into, well, a real kiss.

Luckily for Aggie, her backbreaking, sand-in-mouth, completely-lost-in-the-desert training produces an unlikely dividend: friends. The kind she never imagined she could have. The kind you'd go to war with--and for. (Book blurb)

Military presence is a very strong factor for young Israelis. Brothers, sisters, boyfriends, and besties are pulled into compulsory service as soon as they finish high school. But not everyone has to be a fighter. Aggie's mother would have her doing something in an office, cool and safe, but Aggie, a dancer, isn't sure she wants to spend the next two years of her life doing paperwork. The only person who encourages Aggie is her bestfriend Shira's brother Noah. As Aggie's feelings change for Noah, her heart is faced with even more decisions. 

Aggie soon finds herself in the middle of the desert toting sand bags alongside a group of other girls. Blood, sweat, and tears form strong, unbreakable friendships. Later, when one of those friends is in trouble, Aggie realizes that she has to make her own choices. Nobody can do that for her.

Freefall is a beautifully written, heartfelt novel that left me smiling through tears. There are stories that you enjoy, and then there are stories that leave a permanent mark in your heart. Sometimes there are characters that you feel a real, solid connection to. This was one of those books.

Anna Levine is a truly brilliant writer. Her characters hardly seemed fictional at all. They were real, living breathing people. Alot of times I say characters were believable but that isn't the case here. These characters are real. I almost expect to see pictures of them all in the back of the book. Aggie, her grandmother, Noah, and Lily were probably my favorites. I don't think I will ever forget them.

The only problem I have with this novel is that its too short! Its one of those books that you can't stand to put down, but you cringe as you see the stack of pages to the right getting smaller and smaller. I seriously think I could have picked it up and read it all over again as soon as I finished. It doesn't really matters what kind of novel you like, there is no way you could not love this book.

Find out more about the Anna Levine Freefall blog tour by clicking here.
To order a copy of Freefall by Anna Levine from Amazon.com, please click here.

Author Interview with Julie Berry!

Today, I would like to introduce you all to one of my favorite fantasy authors, Julie Berry. Her latest book Secondhand Charm was released October 12th.



1. What was writing The Amaranth Enchantment like for you?

Writing The Amaranth Enchantment was a lot of fun, though there were many moments when I wondered if there was any merit at all in what I was writing. The more you stare at words for months, and puzzle over this verb or that verb, the more the words lose all meaning. It’s very hard to be objective about your own work.

2. Was there ever a time when you were afraid you might not finish it?

I knew I would not rest until it was finished, however, I did wonder sometimes if it was finish-able. Would I be able to craft an ending that resolved all I’d started? Heaven only knew!

3. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

I think so, though I think I kept it on the back burner in my life plans for a lot of years. Since my books have come out, though, many friends have said, “I remember you talking about wanting to be an author back when we were kids together.” It surprises me to hear this. Maybe I wasn’t as mum about my hopes as I’d like to think I was.

4. Do you have any particular writing "quirks", thing you seem to do differently than others?

I don’t think so. My busy schedule and large family force me to be flexible about where, when, and how I write. I don’t have the luxury of special rituals. I need to be able to move my story forward in whatever snatches of time I have, and wherever I am.

5. What was your publication journey like?

Mine was fairly straightforward. I started writing essays for a local paper, then after a couple years of doing that, I applied for graduate school and pursued an MFA in writing for children and young adults, eventually graduating from Vermont College of the Fine Arts. While in school, I wrote three novels. I submitted the second one to an agent shortly before graduation, and she offered me a contract. She sent the manuscript out to several publishers, and I was fortunate that Bloomsbury wanted to buy The Amaranth Enchantment.

6. How do you get ideas?

If you’re awake and alive, your mind is always noticing things, observing ironies, laughing at what’s funny, pondering what baffles you or breaks your heart. The more you write, the more you learn to sift through that stream of thoughts to find and file away the ones that have story potential. When I want to start something new, I just think of whatever interests me at the moment, ask a lot of what-if questions, and let the new story bubble to the surface.

7. What drew you to writing for MG-YA rather than adult?

Writing fiction for adults was never my goal. I always wanted to write children’s books. I write other things for adults, such as essays and commentary, and perhaps one day I’ll write a book for an adult audience, but my heart lies in the kids’ book section.

8. What's your favorite quote?


I don’t have a favorite quote, but I do have one pasted next to my computer at work: “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” This is attributed to Henry Van Dyke.

9. Do you have any advice for young writers?

Read, read, read. Take advantage of the fact that you don’t need to pay all the bills and just read, read, read, in whatever pockets of time you have. Then, write! Keeping a journal is a great way to limber up writing muscles. So is writing stories and poems. Write whatever comes easily and brings you joy. It will all feed the muscles that help you write terrific stories down the road.

Thank you so much for doing this, Julie!

Julie Berry's Website
My review of Secondhand Charm
My review of The Amaranth Enchantment

To order Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry from Amazon.com, please click here.
To order The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry from Amazon.com, please click here.

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