ANASTASIA FOREVER TRAILER RELEASE TOUR!

You guys! I am so excited to be a part of the exclusive ANASTASIA FOREVER BLOG TOUR! Only a lucky few have the chance to debut this trailer, and I’m beyond thrilled to see where Anne’s dreams lead her in the third and final installment of the DREAMING ANASTASIA Series.

Will she unlock the secrets of the past before they destroy her future?


Soucebooks and Joy Preble are seriously feeding MY paranormal historical thirst like crazy. I am super excited for this book and YOU will be too, once you see the trailer for this epic series conclusion sure to hook YOU instantly!

Here’s the scoop on the DREAMING ANASTASIA Series!

There is so much to love about this series as Joy brilliantly blends Russian history, romance, magic and mythology into an enticing adventure.

In DREAMING ANASTASIA, Anne Michaelson begins to have unusual dreams and discovers that she is the only one who can save the daughter of the last tsar of Russia, Anastasia Romanov. Believed to be dead by the world, Anastasia has been kept captive all these years by the Russian witch Baba Yaga, and only Ethan, a handsome and mysterious 18-year-old, can help Anne free Anastasia.


Anne once again leaves behind her ordinary life in HAUNTED to join forces with the mysterious and gorgeous Ethan as the journey with the Romanov continues. This time she is haunted by classic figures from Russian mythology, a rusalka, , a Russian folklore mermaid with a malevolent streak – and a particular interest in Anne, who tells her that Anastasia is still alive. As she and Ethan team up, Anne’s search for the rusalka’s identity reveals deep and startling secrets - including the true source of Anne’s powers.

Now in ANASTASIA FOREVER, having survived Baba Yaga and the Rusalka, Anne finds herself bound by the witch to undertake a journey into past, present, and future that will determine her destiny - and that of everyone she loves.


Catch a preview of the danger, romance, and magic await Anne in this exciting glimpse ahead of ANASTASIA FOREVER by taking a look at a special sneak peak with the first three chapters here!

ANASTASIA FOREVER comes out this August, be sure to look out for all things Anastasia at Joy’s website joysnovelidea.blogspot.com.

Take a look for yourself!

ABOUT JOY PREBLE

Blog || Twitter || Goodreads

Joy Preble lives in Texas. She is currently writing YA novels (with crazy witches and malevolent Russian mermaids and stoner guardian angels) and loves to eat guacamole. DREAMING ANASTASIA and HAUNTED are out now from Sourcebooks. Book 3 of the trilogy, ANASTASIA FOREVER is slated for Fall 2012. THE SWEET DEAD LIFE will be out in Spring 2013 from Soho Press.

Author information taken from her her blog.

Well, what are you waiting for?! Check this series out NOW!!!

Guest Post: A Bad Day For Voodoo

A Bad Day For Voodoo!
by Jeff Strand
Publisher: Sorcebooks Fire
Expected Publication: June 1, 2012
Pages: 272
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

When your best friend is just a tiny bit psychotic, you should never actually believe him when he says, "Trust me. This is gonna be awesome."

Of course, you probably wouldn't believe a voodoo doll could work either. Or that it could cause someone's leg to blow clean off with one quick prick. But I've seen it. It can happen.

And when there's suddenly a doll of YOU floating around out there—a doll that could be snatched by a Rottweiler and torn to shreds, or a gang of thugs ready to torch it, or any random family of cannibals (really, do you need the danger here spelled out for you?)—well, you know that's just gonna be a really bad day.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

A Bad Day For Voodoo

Promo by Jeff Strand

I'm Tyler Churchill. Not too long ago I had this insane adventure, with car chases and body parts coming off and everything, which I wrote about in the book A Bad Day For Voodoo. It's not my job to say that it's the best book ever written, but I will say that if you don't read it, the following conversation will definitely take place:

[You're walking down the sidewalk, whistling the merry tune of your choice. Up ahead you see a friend.]

YOU: Hi, friend!

YOUR FRIEND: Hi, you! Crazy party last night, huh? I've never seen anybody eat that many pretzels without getting a drink of water!

YOU: And who brought the rhinoceros? I kept thinking "Whoa, somebody is gonna get tusked!" but nobody did, which is good because it would have been funny at the moment of impact, but not so funny once we got into the screaming and bleeding and ambulances.

YOUR FRIEND: Were you there for the ritual?

YOU: What ritual?

YOUR FRIEND: You'll find out. [His or her expression darkens, and he/she gives you a wicked smile.] Oh, yes, you'll find out.

YOU: Seriously, what ritual? There was a ritual? Where was I?

YOUR FRIEND: When the time is right, all will be revealed.

YOU: C'mon, tell me what the ritual was! You can't just throw something like that out into the conversation and then not give answers! Tell me! I need resolution! Resolution!

YOUR FRIEND: I was just kidding. We were all sitting around playing Words With Friends on our phones. Somebody played "rhinoceros" on a triple-word score, which was pretty ironic. Actually, I played "rhino" first and they added "ceros." So what did you think of A Bad Day For Voodoo?

YOU: That new book? I didn't read it.

[Several onlookers gasp.]

YOUR FRIEND: Excuse me?

YOU: I said I haven't read it.

YOUR FRIEND: You...you...you haven't read A Bad Day For Voodoo?

YOU: No. That's okay, isn't it?

YOUR FRIEND: Okay? Okay? Don't you understand what this means? It means that you're not cool!

YOU: But that's not possible! I do cool things all the time!

YOUR FRIEND: It doesn't matter! This is the book that will define our generation! If you're ever on a game show and the host says "For twenty thousand dollars, please give us the definition of your generation," you could hold up A Bad Day For Voodoo and win the twenty thousand dollars!

YOU: But...but...but...but...but...but...but...I thought it was just a silly book!

[Your friend shakes his or her head and sighs.]

YOUR FRIEND: No. It is not.

SOME GUY WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE IN THE AREA AND IS EAVESDROPPING ON THE CONVERSATION: You really haven't read A Bad Day For Voodoo? Wow. I heard that those people existed, but I never thought I'd see one outside of a zoo.

YOU: You don't have to be a jerk about it.

YOUR FRIEND: Yes, he does.

YOU: Oh.

YOUR FRIEND: I never knew you were so uncool. It's like our whole friendship was a lie.
YOU: You're making too big of a deal out of this.

YOUR FRIEND: Do you see all of those weird-looking colorful waves that are coming out of people's eyes?

YOU: Ack! Yes! What are those?

YOUR FRIEND: Those are waves of judgment. Everybody is judging you. This will follow you around for the rest of your life.

YOU: No! I don't believe you!

[You get hit by a car.]

YOU: Ow! Ow!

YOUR FRIEND: That's what happens when you don't read A Bad Day For Voodoo. Bad luck follows you everywhere. Watch out for that circular saw blade.

YOU [quickly ducking]: Aaah! That circular saw blade almost took my head off!

YOUR FRIEND: And you'll need your head to read A Bad Day For Voodoo! Do you understand now?

[A monkey jumps out of a tree and starts punching you in the neck.]

YOU: I understand! I understand!

YOUR FRIEND: Your coolness meter is running out quickly, but there is still time to replenish it! Run to a bookstore or an internet and buy A Bad Day For Voodoo! Hurry, before it's too--

[The earth begins to crumble around your feet.]

YOUR FRIEND: Oh no! It's too late! The world needed your coolness! It's the only thing that kept us from being all dystopian and stuff!

[Zombies--fast or slow, your choice--show up and start eating people.]

PEOPLE CURRENTLY BEING EATEN [in unison]: Nooooooo!

YOU: What have I done? What have I--

[Suddenly you wake up screaming.]

YOU: It was all a dream! Only a terrible, terrible dream! In fact, the book A Bad Day For Voodoo doesn't even really exist!

SOMEBODY (YOU'RE NOT SURE WHO): Yes, it does. It's just not out yet. But it will be in June 2012. And you'd better buy it, or the next time you wake up screaming, Effie Trinket will be drawing your name for tribute.

YOU: Then I shall mark my calendar, or better yet, pre-order a copy of A Bad Day For Voodoo right now!

See? You may think I made all of that up, but I assure you that my only concern is for the safety of the world. And even if you don't care about the world, you should read about the time that my history teacher Mr. Click falsely accused me of cheating on a test, and my friend Adam got a voodoo doll of him, and I jabbed it with a pin during class, and things went wrong, wrong, wrong!

My girlfriend Kelley, who is smarter than both of us combined, also got caught up in the whole thing, and you will not believe the kind of stuff that happened. It's crazy! I mean, we ran into this one family who...well, you don't want spoilers, but it was one messed-up family.

Oh, the book is my completely true story, but the publisher put the name "Jeff Strand" on the cover, because of some sort of ransom demand. Just ignore that.

Okay, so, you know what to do, right? Awesome. See you in June.

Want to pre-order a

copy of A Bad Day For

Voodoo by Jeff Strand?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want.

ABOUT ANDREW FUKUDA

Author of a bunch of demented books, including GRAVEROBBERS WANTED (NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY), SINGLE WHITE PSYCHOPATH SEEKS SAME, CASKET FOR SALE (ONLY USED ONCE), HOW TO RESCUE A DEAD PRINCESS, and THE SINISTER MR. CORPSE. The mass market edition of my novel PRESSURE will be in bookstores May 26th from Leisure Books."

Author information taken from his Goodreads.

Guest Post & Giveaway: While He Was Away by Karen Schreck

I was lucky enough to get to be a part of the SUMMER LOVIN' BOOK BLOG TOUR through Sourcebooks and I'm very excited to have some fun things going on - on the blog today that include a guest post featuring why ya rocks Karen Schreck's world, an awesome giveaway for a copy of While He Was Away and review for the book. So, guys...help me make Karen Schreck feel right at home on A Soul Unsung.

While He Was Away
by Karen Schreck
Publisher: Soucebooks Fire
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Pages: 256
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

"This is just something I have to do, okay?" I hear David say. "The right thing."

He cradles my face in his hands. He kisses me hard. Then he lets go of me. His eyes dart from me to whatever's next.

All she wants is for him to stay. She's been doing pretty well, pretending he doesn't have to go. But one day, after one last night to remember, she wakes up and there's no denying it anymore. He's gone.

When Penna Weaver's boyfriend goes off to Iraq, she's left facing life without him. As summer sets in, Penna tries to distract herself with work and her art, but the not knowing is slowly driving her crazy. Especially when David stops writing.

She knows in her heart he will come home. But will he be the same boy she fell in love with?

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Karen Schreck pens a poingnant and inspiring story of love and war, trials and tribulations, and finding oneself. While He Was Away is brimming with a storm of conflicting emotions wide enough to open the flood gates of fear, pride, sadness, and love so deep and beautiful that it will leave reader's breathless. The vibrant cast of characters with their own unique personalities and fascets are sure to tug at their heart strings.

Penna was a delightful character to read about. She was both strong and fearful for David in her love and unwavering support, as he made what he thought was the right decision to serve his country by enlisting in the Army and going to Iraq. There was an overwhelming surge of pride that rose up inside of me, when she finally stood up to ber mother enough to find out more of her family's history. It was endearing to see Penna pick up and choose to have a relationship with her grandmother after all this time not really knowing her at all or much about her.

The love and stability of Penna and David's relationship was breath taking and beautiful to see unfold. Their level of trust, committment, and support despite the short amount of interaction or communication they were given was absolutely awe inspiring. These two truly share a love that is rare to younger couples where most young adult fiction is concerned. They have such a shared sense of understanding between the two, that it's nice to see how real and honest their relationship was. There were moments that I wanted to cry, because it was so beautiful.

While He Was Away is a beautiful tale of love that will take reader's on a journey through the highs and lows along with the difficulties of maintaning a long distance relationship. It isn't an easy thing to do, but sometimes if you truly love something then you're presented with the difficult task of letting that something go. It is a story that does a brilliant job of illustrating that sometimes bits and pieces of life cannot be wrapped up so neatly all nice and pretty. Life and relationships are just not that containable. They are messy, complicated, complex, and filled with so many overwhelming emotions that are raw and burn to the core.

It is a wonderful book full of self-discovery, love, and sacrifice that I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoy's contemporaries. This isn't your happily ever after, but sometimes the greatest love stories of all don't have happy endings.

Guest Post: Why YA Rocks My World
by Karen Schreck

YA is hot.

As in steamy, sultry, blazing, scathing, illuminating, fiery, incendiary, spicy, enlightening, searing, scorching. A wildfire. A prairie burn. An inferno of characters, settings, plots. A refiner’s fire that draws out pure gold.

YA can also be cold.

As in chill, bitter, harsh, blustery, caustic, shivery, biting, hard-edged, cool. A frigid wind that dips below zero. A blizzardy drift of ideas and images. One snowflake never like the next. And once all hell freezes over, than YA can be the sharp-edged ax that breaks through the ice of your soul.

YA lit—good YA lit—is never, ever lukewarm.

Not in terms of content—the fearless stories told, the layers of meaning revealed.

Not in terms of character—these people live on the pages, and like most adolescents (or the adolescent in all of us, who lives on and on and on) their motivation frequently cuts to the quick: they are desperately trying to figure out just who in God’s name they are.

And YA lit is never, ever lukewarm or tepid in terms of voice—which is so driven by character, setting, and plot, and which defines each YA novel—that distinct, one-of-a-kind voice that speaks a book into existence, that prods and goads and compels a writer—me—to tell the story.

This is just a little bit of why YA rocks my world—why I love writing and reading books for teens. Or, supposedly for teens, since most street smart and literary savvy adults worth their salt know that Young Adult Fiction is among the best literature out and about today.

Want to win a copy of While He Was Away by Karen Schreck?

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Karen Schreck, I have one copy of While He Was Away to be added to the top of your summer to-be-read book pile. You'll laugh, cry, and really enjoy this beautiful tale of love, letting go, and embracing yourself. The only rules are that you at least be 13 years or older, from US or Canada only, fill out the Rafflecopter below, and then reply to the email notifying the winner if you are chosen within 48 hours.

That's it, easy-peasy. You want that book now, dontcha?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to purchase a copy of While He Was Away by Karen Schreck?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of While He Was Away. I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT KAREN SCHRECK

Blog || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

Karen Schreck is the author of the young adult novel WHILE HE WAS AWAY (Sourcebooks Fire, May 2012), as well as the novel DREAM JOURNAL, which was a 2006 Young Adult BookSense Pick, and the award-winning children's book, LUCY'S FAMILY TREE. The recipient of a Pushcart Prize and an Illinois State Arts Council Grant, Karen received her doctorate in English and Creative Writing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She writes and teaches for a living, and she loves visiting schools and other gatherings of readers and writers to talk about her books the writing process.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was/wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such.}

Bloggers of the Deep: Vicious Deep Review, Character Interview, & Giveaway!!!

I was lucky enough to get to be a part of the BLOGGERS OF THE DEEP (VICIOUS DEEP) BLOG TOUR through Sourcebooks and I'm very excited to have some fun things going on - on the blog today that include a guest interview with Tristan from The Vicious Deep, an awesome giveaway for a copy of The Vicious Deep and review for the book. So, guys...help me make Tristan feel right at home on A Soul Unsung.

The Vicious Deep
by Zoraida Cordova
Publisher: Soucebooks Fire
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Pages: 384
Age Demographic: Young Adult
amazon | b&n

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

The Vicious Deep is a wonderfully action packed fish-out-of-water tale, that will captivate readers with its unexpected twisty-plot and hilarious yet sometimes sensitive male protagonist. It's full of wonder, creative narrative, and awesome moments of wow sure to get any readers blood pumping! Zoraida Cordova pens a delicious blend of humor, danger, and excitement. She manages to accomplish telling a brilliant mer-tale, by doing things a little differently than most mermaid books. Tristan is actually the sea creature, thrust into a situation that he knew absolutely nothing about and more than a little freaked about it. He is a wonderful character to get to know and readers will find him extremely likable, with his laid back ways and approach to dealing with things.

The vicious deep world that Zoraida Cordova builds, is simply breath taking and hauntingly beautiful. It feels as if readers are plunged into a world full of darkness and wonder, yet teaming with suspenseful murky secrets hidden in its depths. The characters are well developed and likable, the writing is strong and intriguing, and the story itself is highly engaging. The Vicious Deep is a fast paced enjoyable mer-tale that will have readers on the edge of their seats, craving the next installment. It's definitely an "at the top of the pile" to-be-read book for anyone who enjoys sparkling tales of underwater fantasy.

This isn't your typical mer-tale, what doesn't seem to work so much in other's, definitely works well in this one. It's sort of what sets it apart and makes it such an amazing debut novel. Readers will appreciate the lightness and witty humor that it provides, along with the dangers and the thrills beyond the sea. The romance is sweet and understated, never taking over from the main plot which is refreshing in so many ways. The Vicious Deep is a delightful novel that readers will not want to put down.

Character Interview With: Tristan
From The Vicious Deep

Hi Tristan, thanks for stopping by the blog today. Do you mind introducing yourself to us?

Hey everyone. I'm Tristan Hart, merdude extraordinaire.

If there was one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

Driven.

What's the current song playing on your iPod?

Judith - A Perfect Circle.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take three thngs with you, what would those three things be and why?

A pocket knife.
Bacon.
Goggles.

You and Layla have been childhood friends forever, has there ever been a moment when you thought you might be attracted to her?

I'm not sure. It just sort of…happened.

What was your first thought when you met Layla for the first time?

I don't remember. It was when we were kids. I'm sure it was good, otherwise we wouldn't be friends now.

What's your best memory of Coney Island?

July 4th Freshman year. My friends and I copped the BEST fireworks.

How did you feel when you found out that you're heir to a kingdom that you never even knew existed?

Freaked. But at the same time, like I finally found something I could be good at.

Speed Round with a little This or That?

The Immortals or Underworld: Awakening? The Immortals.
Favorite Hobby? Sun bathing.
Album that describes your life? Don't have one.
Favorite Food? Meat.
Jennifer Lawrence or Kristin Stewart? *searches google* Jennifer Lawrence.

What's the strangest, most unpredictable thing that's ever happened to you?

You do know I'm a merman, right?

If you could take the TARDIS (sorry HUGE Doctor Who fangirl here!) back in time, would you? Where would you visit or what would you change?

*googles TARDIS* I think I'd visit Ancient Greece. I'd like to see what was really up with these Greek gods.

Want to win a copy of The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova?

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Zoraida Cordova, I have one copy of The Vicious Deep up for giveaway to one lucky follower. You seriously don't want to miss out on this amazingly awesome "viciously deep" summer splashin' top of the to-be-read book pile. You'll laugh, cry, and really enjoy this sparkling mer-tale of wonder. The only rules are that you at least be 13 years or older, from US or Canada only, fill out the Rafflecopter below, and then reply to the email notifying the winner if you are chosen within 48 hours.

That's it, easy-peasy. You want that book now, dontcha?!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to purchase a copy of The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of Shattered Dreams. I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT ZORAIDA CORDOVA

Blog || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

Zoraida Córdova was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She made her way up north and now works in the glittering New York City nightlife. She likes shiny things like Christmas, merdudes, and the skyline at night. She's currently working on book #2.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was/wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such.}