I Heart Young Adult Month!!!

Annabell Cadiz and Bridget Strahin over at TeamNerd Reviews HUGE fans of the Young Adult genre and they decided they would like to dedicate an entire month to their obsession with the genre they love and the authors they love to stalk *hehe*


If you are a Young Adult author, whether you are traditionally published, Indie published or Self-Published, they are offering a number of ways to get your work promoted on TeamNerd Reviews! Just fill out the form below and they'll make sure to add you to the schedule!

They're also hosting I HEART Young Adult Nominations where fans can nominate their favorite author, favorite bad boys, heroines, boy next door, kickbutt heroines and more!

They will also be putting together a BIG giveaway and are adding to it as they go along setting everything up! Here are some of the goodies they have so far to giveaway!!


** 3 Ecopies of Lucifer (Sons of Old Trilogy, #1) by Annabell Cadiz


**Signed copy of Monument 14: Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne which also includes 3 wristbands and a tote bag


**Signed copy of Interred by Marilyn Almodovar and an e-copy of Interred also with two Interred magnets and two wristbands for each winner


**Ecopies of Forged by Greed and Forged by Magic by Angela Orlowski-Peart

**Ecopy of Life, Love & Lemons by Magan Vernon


**Ecopy of The Puppet Spell by Emma Adams


**2 ecopies of Fire (Elements of Power Series, #1) by Heather James


**2 ecopies each of Book of Lost Souls and Don't Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto


**Paperback copy of Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey


**Paperback Supernaturally by Kiersten White


**Paperback of Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton


**Paperback of Legacy by Cayla Kluver


**Paperback of Kiss by An Angel (which includes two additional books in the series) by Elizabeth Chandler


**The Trinity Pact by E.M. Shelton


**Paperback copy  of Nightshade and Paperback copy of Wolfsbane by Andrea Creamer


**Paperback copy of Weather Witch by Shannon Delany


**Paperback copies of book 1 and 3 in the Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Kaine


Let the fun and nominations commence!


~Annabell & Bridget

Book Review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Struck
by Elizabeth Norris
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Expected Publication: April 24, 2012
Pages: 464
Age Demographic: Young Adult
Received via: ATW ARC Tours
amazon | b&n

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Unraveling is an incredibly thrilling and highly intelligent sci-fi young adult thriller, full of daring twists and turns, intriguing mysteries that will keep readers guessing at every turn, and an amazing cast of characters that only enhance the story being told. Think X-Files meets young adult, filled with mystifying parallel universes melding with the present and captivating intrigue. Norris fills her novel full of suspense and the right amounts of daring adventure, to keep readers engaged and on the edge of their seats throughout the whole story. She does a phenomenal job in creating realistic events, developing her characters with likable qualities, and keeping readers on their toes guessing. Unraveling is a novel that is completely unpredictable in every way imaginable.

The action starts almost immediately, when Janelle is hit by a truck and then brought back to life by a mysterious new guy. Questions start flying and readers are soon off on a chase to find the answers, along with Janelle. She is a wonderful lead heroine, full of incredible strength, intelligence, and compassion. She's certainly not afraid to give as well as she gets and always manages to roll with the punches somehow. She's not without her issues though, having to do deal with a barely functioning mother who's been diagnosed as bi-polar, tasked with taking care of not only herself but her younger brother as well making sure he has whatever he needs, and discovering a countdown to something infinitely bigger than the world and with the power to cause devastating chaotic peril.

Janelle is incredibly unselfish and knows when she needs help, which are admirable qualities about her that make it easy for readers to connect with her. She soon discovers that this mysterious guy who brought her back to life, Ben Michaels, and his friends may not be who they seem. Later on in the story, she realizes that she was right, they have a secret: they can possibly save the world from ending in chaos and destruction. There are two other major players in the story and they are Ben and Alex. Both guys have quite a bit of chemistry with Janelle and it's easy to see how she could be attracted to and care for them both.

Alex seems to be the other half of Janelle, her childhood best friend that she's grown up with. He seems to be her voice of reason, albeit one that she doesn't necessarily always listens to. He's incredibly supportive and sweet, when it comes to protecting her at all costs and being there for her. Ben, on the other hand, is mysteriously intriguing, and swoon worthy handsome. While he comes across as stoner and slacker, there's definitely more to him below the surface. The closer that Janelle and Ben work together to save the world, the more she feels drawn to him and their connection starts to grow and develop into something more. She starts to let go and fall in love with him. Their chemistry is passionate and full of strength, yet it's just there almost suspended in a sense and leaving readers craving more.

Unraveling possesses a super crazy unpredictable plot twists filled with action and the unraveling of mysteries and more questions leading up to the countdown that readers will never guess. Fans who enjoy mystery thrillers, filled with incredible intense action, a daring sense of suspense, and memorable characters that are well develop and easy to connect with, will definitely enjoy this novel. From the moment it starts, it never stops until readers reach the end, and then it leaves on a cliffhanger that will have them hanging on for more.

To Read, Borrow, or Buy?

I would definitely suggest buying this book when it comes out, because it was such an enjoyable read full of mystery, intrigue, and lots of action. There characters are engaging, the story is cleverly written, and it's just a lot of fun.

Purchase Unraveling: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Shopping Indie: IndieBound | Mysterious Galaxy | Books Of Wonder

Finding Elizabeth Norris: Blog | Twitter | Unraveling Facebook | Goodreads

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, 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.}

Book Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Embrace
by Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Expected Publication: March 6, 2012
Received From: Sourcebooks
amazon | b&n

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

Look for the sequels ENTICED in September 2012 and EMBLAZE in March 2013!

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Embrace is a gripping emotionally intense blend of fantasy and paranormal. Shirvington's twist on angel mythology is cleverly unique and full of originality, that sets it apart from most young adult angel-based books adorning the shelves today. It is a world full of wonderful drama and beautiful heart stopping romance, filled with hidden secrets and painful deception, and ties bound by blood. It is a world where angels seek out vengeance and humans find themselves warriors. The battle between the two is centuries old and brilliantly developed.

The mythology that Shirvington creates is not only intriguing, but beautifully written and entrancing. Readers will find themselves drawn into a world that will keep them captivated while stretching their imaginations to its limits. Her characters are bold, daring, and wonderfully developed full of interesting personality facets, amazing back stories that have purpose and meaning to the plot and are interwoven amazingly well.

Violet is such an amazing kickass strong and resilient female heroine. She doesn't give up no matter the cost and she's incredibly determined to uncover the answers to the questions she seeks, even though she may not be prepared for what she finds. While control may be very important to her, she seems to be battling with keeping control of it and dealing with some tough issues of her own. The disturbing dreams are beginning to leave her with actual injuries that she has to deal with; meanwhile a strange tattoo is crawling up her arm that wasn't there previously. She finds herself being tested over and over again, but somehow always manages to follow her heart. She isn't perfect, which makes her even more realistic and likable.

Lincoln is an intriguing character and a bit of a mystery all his own. While he's Eden's best friend and voice of reason, he's also got a secret of his own. He's Grigori, half angel and half human. The surprise is that he's not the only one. Eden is, as well, even though she doesn't find that out until later. Lincoln is the kind of guy that any girl would normally find themselves wanting, so it's no surprise that he's the guy that Eden has strong feelings for, she just wishes that he felt the same for her. He's also the guy who broke her heart. Phoenix is a whirlwind of fire breaking all the rules and slowly weaving his way into Eden's heart. He's full of mysterious intrigue and bad boy attitude, but he's such a fun character. The love triangle is set-up in such a way that it's hard to pick just one of the boys for her, because they both work so well for various different reasons. It's written and implemented into the story quite well.

Embrace touches on issues such as love conquering all things, good or evil, and the darkness within tempered against the light. It pushes the limits of what one would do in an effort to protect the one's they care for - the lengths they will go to and shows that for every choice made there is a consequence. It is an action packed, intense, richly compelling new and unique take on angels with interesting twists and turns that will leave readers breathless and craving more. I personally found it to be emotionally engaging and captivating. It will hook readers and keep them on the edge of their seats, for what's to come next.

{Small Note: This book was received from Sourcebooks, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided in a timely manner. No money exchanged hands. I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.}

Book Review: The Other Life by Susanne Winnacker

The Other Life
by Susanne Winnacker
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Childrens Books
Expected Publication: May 1, 2012
Pages: 256
Age Demographic: Young Adult
Received via: ATW ARC Tours
amazon | b&n

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life. 98,409,602 seconds since the heavy, steel door had fallen shut and sealed us off from the world.

Sherry and her family have lived sealed in a bunker in the garden since things went wrong up above. Her grandfather has been in the freezer for the last three months, her parents are at each other’s throats and two minutes ago they ran out of food.

Sherry and her father leave the safety of the bunker and find a devastated and empty LA, smashed to pieces by bombs and haunted by ‘Weepers’ - rabid humans infected with a weaponized rabies virus.

While searching for food in a supermarket, Sherry’s father disappears and Sherry is saved by Joshua, a boy-hunter. He takes her to Safe-haven, a tumble-down vineyard in the hills outside LA, where a handful of other survivors are picking up the pieces of their ‘other lives’. As she falls in love for the first time, Sherry must save her father, stay alive and keep Joshua safe when his desire for vengeance threatens them all.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

The Other Life is not your ordinary dystopian thriller. It's incredibly action packed, fast paced, and cleverly written with wonderful originality. Winnacker paints a world so hopeless that readers will never know what's going to happen next, as she fills the pages with incredible survival, dangerous twists and turns, and intriguing arcs. The story she tells is unimaginably realistic and terrifyingly stunning, filled with stark imagery depicting the gritty and garishly haunting events happening. Readers will be clamoring for more, yet left with many answered and unanswered questions at every turn.

There is a world of total chaos and devastation going on outside the bunker that Sherry and her family has sealed themselves into for the last three years. It's filled with savage genetically mutated killers described as Weepers. They have become infected by a virus that has caused them to mutate into rabid humans that represent Zombie-like creatures who absolutely cannot be reasoned with and are extremely dangerous. They're hell bent on causing destruction and chaos with whatever they come into contact with. Avengers are determined to destroy the Weepers, in order to survive living in this post-apocalyptic environment.

Winnacker's characters are wonderfully engaging and incredibly brave, full of survival skills, and determination to stop at nothing to protect those they love. Sherry is a wonderful example of this, such a strong, determined, and brave heroine in all of her attempts to find her father, save her family, and keep Joshua safe as well. She endures a lot, yet she has the tenacity and strength for reaching deep inside herself and pulling as much grit and determination to do what she knows is the right thing - protecting those she loves at all costs. Joshua is the Avenger that finds her and manages to rescue her. Readers learn that he has absolutely nothing to and no one to lose. He is also fighting for his survival and is fueled by one thing, kill as many of the Weepers that get in his way, as possible. The romance that slowly blossoms between Sherry and Joshua is very well balanced and developed. It's protective and filled with heart aching passion. It doesn't over shadow the main plot of the book, which is definitely a refreshing element.

The Other Life is wildly gripping and filled with incredible daring suspense and dangerous chaos. It leaves off on a major cliff hanger that will have readers craving more. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark and gritty dystopian novels or post-apocalyptic story arcs. Fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, or Article 5 would definitely enjoy this highly suspenseful, intense, and intriguing novel.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, 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.}

The Watchword: Question and Answer with Julie Kagawa

The Watchword: Featuring Julie Kagawa

 The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

I received an ARC of this book for review through Media Masters Publicity via the publishers. Thanks, so much Harlequin Teen!

About The Book:

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

A Q&A with New York Times Best Selling Author Julie Kagawa

After writing the Iron Fey series for so many years, how difficult was it to immerse yourself in a futuristic world filled with vampires, rabids and an enslaved human race?

It was...very different. I think the hardest thing for me was the fact that this story does take place in the real world -- a futuristic, vampire-infested world, but the real world nonetheless. Things had to make sense, for example: how far can a large group walk in a single day if there were no roads, they were going through thick woods, and there were children in the group? I had to have logical reasons for everything; I couldn't just make something work "because of faery magic," lol.

Just like Meghan Chase in the Iron Fey series, the main character in The Immortal Rules, Allison Sekemoto, is a “take charge and kick butt” kind of girl. Is this intentional? What woman – real or fictional, alive or deceased – do you look up to or admire?

Yes, Allison comes from a very different world than Meghan Chase. Meghan's upbringing was pretty normal; Allison grew up among vampires and monsters, where every day was a fight to live, so she couldn't afford to be weak. While Meghan had to learn to "take charge and kick butt," Allison's first impulse is stab first, talk later.

As for female role models, the first that comes to mind--when it comes to kicking vampire butt, anyway -- is Buffy Summers. Thank you, Joss Whedon, for making me love feisty, snarky, heroines who can dust all sorts of nasties but who also look good in a cheerleading outfit. ;)

You mention in your acknowledgements in The Immortal Rules that at the beginning of your writing career you promised yourself you wouldn’t write a vampire book. What changed your mind?

Well, there were already so many really good books about our favorite bloodsuckers, so many stories and ideas, I thought I didn't have anything new to add to the masses. I was actually toying with a post-apocalyptic YA novel when my agent mentioned I might want to try writing a vampire series. I wasn't intrigued with the idea at first, but then I thought about combining vampires with the post-apocalyptic novel and then rest sort of fell into place.

Allison claims she hates vampires and believes they are monsters yet when faced with a choice of die or become one, she becomes a vampire. Would you have made that same decision?

Me personally? No. I'm like Zeke in the belief that there is something better waiting for me beyond this life, and I just have to do my best until it’s time for me to go. Besides, I love pizza and Mountain Dew too much to give it up.

Who do you think the most complex character is in The Immortal Rules?

Probably Kanin, Allie's sire. He's a vampire who has made his peace about being a monster, yet chooses to live by his own set of moral rules. He warns Allison about getting too close to humans, yet he does not kill unless he absolutely has to. He is tormented about something in his past that he refuses to share with anyone. He is certainly the most mysterious of all the characters, if not the most complex.

How many books will be in the Blood of Eden series? When will the next book be coming out?

At the moment, there are three books planned, with the second coming out sometime next spring, after the release of the new Iron Fey series this fall.

Before you starting writing full time you were a professional dog trainer. Do the professions share any similarities?

Lol, well you have to think on your feet a lot. And some of the small dogs could be compared to tiny snapping goblins, but writing requires less dodging skills, though perhaps the same amount of creativity and problem solving.

When starting a new series, like Blood of Eden, do you have the entire series mapped out in detail or do you let the story develop book by book?

I have a high point that I write toward in each story; I know this and this has to happen, but getting from point A to point B usually develops as I go along.

And for the speed round: What book have you read and re-read, and read yet again?

Any of the Harry Potter books.

Favorite song to play when writing a fight scene?

My "favorites" change daily. Right now its "Awake and Alive" by Skillet.

Worst job?

Working a kiosk in the mall during Christmas. It sold glass figurines, and the maneuvering space around the hundreds of very breakable merchandise was quite small. I was like a bull in a china shop.

Best vacation spot?

Walt Disney World

Sweets or salty?

Sweet.

One thing most people don’t know about you – and would never guess!

I used to play the flute when I was a kid. I was really good at it too, but my instructor stopped teaching to have a family, and I never went back to it.

About Julie Kagawa

Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine, she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish and the odd eel.

When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dog trainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.

Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks is at an all-time low. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyperactive papillon. She is the bestselling author of the Iron Fey series.

GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!

#27 Follow & Feature: Judging A Book By Its Cover

Happy Follow and Feature, everyone! The long and short of it, life is crazy and reading is my life, basically. Go visit Parajunkee's View or Allison Can Read, to get the details on how to follow and have fun with everyone else. It's all about meeting new people, finding new blogs to follow, and basically just having a lot of fun.

This week the two awesome features are Hesperia Loves Books and Novel DaysThese two girls are just as awesomesauce as their blogs, so definitely show them some love! :D

THE QUESTION OF THE WEEK

"Have you ever looked at book’s cover and thought, This is going to horrible? But, was instead pleasantly surprised? Show us the cover and tell us about the book."

Oh, wow! This isn't an easy question for me, because I actually have to think. At first glance, I would probably say that it would have to be The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. That's simply because I've never been the biggest fan of zombies or anything such as books, movies, etc. to do with them. Within the last year, that's sort of shifted a little bit as far as books go, as I've tried to reach out and push against the walls of my comfort zone. But, the cover and the synopsis of the book itself, at first glance just didn't immediately draw me in. I am planning at some point to read at least the first book in this series, if not the whole entire series because I've heard some pretty amazing things about it.

The Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr, is another good example of this. While the covers are absolutely gorgeous, breath-taking, and incredibly eye-catching I just wasn't necessarily feeling the whole "rich dark and compelling world of the fae." It seemed like it took me forever to get through the first book in the series, but once I got it read I found it much easier and enjoyable to read the next two books in the series. I have actually really enjoyed Ink Exchange the best, I think. I still need to read the next two books though and I think I will at some point, this year.

I can't really think of any other books off-hand, but I'm pretty sure there are some out there. I hate to be one of those types of people who judges a book by it's cover, but well you know what they say about "first impressions" and the cover of the book is the first thing you see before you read the inside flap or the back for the summary. So, it's kind of hard not to be a little cover judgemental, sometimes.

I think I answered this question backwards and all wrong. :/

❝Hopping Through?!❞

The Watchword featuring an Interview and Excerpt with Eve Marie Mont

So, a little something about me that you might not already know, I love anything to do with Jane Eyre. It has always been a book at the top of my very favorites list. I enjoy the mini-series, the movies, the book itself, and the new and interesting modern spins on it in literature. That's why, I was extremely ecstatic when I found out that Eve Marie Mont was releasing her modernized version of it in the form of a young adult novel called, Breath of Eyre. From the moment I read the summary on Goodreads and realized later that it was also one of the books featured in the Class of 2k12 I went nuts sort of fangirling this book and telling everyone that I came into contact about it, that they wouldn't want to miss it, even sent in a request to Kensington for an ARC of it and actually received one.

The cover of this book is so pretty and purple, the summary looks like it's going to be an amazingly clever and richly compelling (passionate) modern take on a classic that I simply adore, and it involves time travel. It seriously had me from hello, I want to visit those beautiful Gothic mansions with Emma and experience falling in love for the first time with just a "breath of Eyre." Besides, the author is super sweet too. I will definitely be featuring her later as we get closer to the release date in a "book spot" for Class of 2k12, so be on the look out for that. She graciously answered a couple of questions that I had and I'll be posting those along with some other goodies, hopefully. But, for now, I have a mini-interview and a small excerpt from the book that she was awesome enough to share with us.

❝The Watchword Featuring❞

Eve Marie Mont

Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming book, without giving too much away?

Emma Townsend is a scholarship student at an exclusive all-girls prep school, but she’s never really fit in. She finds solace in the novels she reads in which the heroes are always brooding and handsome like Edward Fairfax Rochester in Jane Eyre. On a fateful Halloween day, Emma has an embarrassing encounter with her childhood crush. Humiliated, she wishes she could just disappear. Fate steps in to help. Transported during a lightning storm, Emma finds herself living in the world of Jane Eyre, working as a governess for the mysterious Mr. Rochester, and falling in love for the first time. But then she discovers a secret that makes it impossible for her to stay. As she travels back and forth between worlds, torn between two different identities and lives, Emma struggles to find her place, her voice, and ultimately her own destiny.

Why did you choose Jane Eyre as the book Emma gets lost in?

Ever since I first read Jane Eyre in eleventh grade, it has remained my favorite book, one I return to again and again and that never loses its fascination for me. I’ve never found another story with such a restrained yet passionate romance. Jane is the ultimate heroine: strong, intelligent, moral, and unafraid to speak her mind. I knew I wanted my protagonist, Emma, to step into her shoes as she awakens to first love and discovers her own strength of character. Thornfield and the rugged moors beyond provide the perfect backdrop, and then, of course, there’s Rochester. Need I say more?

What's your current favorite book and your favorite childhood book?

As a current favorite, I’d have to say Jandy Nelson’s The Sky is Everywhere. The writing is gorgeous, more poetry than prose, and the characters are so real and lovely and broken. I want to live in Lennie’s quirky country home, sit on that breezy front porch with Gram, have breakfast with Uncle Big, lie in that beautiful rose garden, sleep in the forest bedroom, and kiss Joe Fontaine. The most miraculous thing is that a book about love and death could be so funny. My favorite childhood book is The Secret Garden. I love Burnett’s moody descriptions of the moors, the Gothic house Mary is banished to, the garden that transforms from an overgrown reminder of loss to a healing place of love. The characters are all so rich and rounded. I love watching Mary and Colin grow as the garden transforms around them.

Can you share a brief excerpt from A Breath of Eyre?

Sure! Here’s a teaser in which my protagonist, Emma, discusses her research paper on Jane Eyre with her English teacher. If it’s not obvious, she has a huge crush on him.

❝Excerpt from A Breath of Eyre❞ I sat down across from Gallagher, catching a faint whiff of his evergreen cologne. My palms began to sweat, and my tongue dried up. “Jane Eyre,” he said, a sigh in his voice. “Did you know it was one of my favorites?” His eyes were hooded, lovely and deep. My chest grew tight. “It’s achingly romantic, isn’t it?” All I could do was nod. The book was achingly romantic. I got a pang in my chest just thinking about it. Briefly I recalled the scenes in which Jane and Rochester get to know each other, their chemistry palpable, their dialogue sizzling. But as I stared across at Mr. Gallagher, willing my tongue to speak, I couldn’t think of a single thing to say, let alone something witty and charming that would make him love me forever. But what if he saw beyond my awkwardness and knew what was in my heart? What if our age difference didn’t matter to him? Nor the fact that he was my teacher? Rochester had been Jane’s employer, and that hadn’t kept them apart. What if Mr. Gallagher returned my feelings but couldn’t express them because… well, because it was illegal? God, I was such an idiot.

Thanks so much for the interview, Susan!

❝Watch The Trailer❞

Eve Marie Montlives with her husband, Ken, and her shelter dog, Maggie, in suburban Philadelphia, where she teaches high school English and creative writing. Her debut women’s fiction novel, Free To A Good Home, was published by Berkley Books in 2010.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Definitely don't miss out on this amazing book and please be on the look out for my review coming soon. I'm actually waiting to post it, until closer to the release date, which won't be too long from now. I'm thinking it's April 1st, if I'm correct in my assumptions.

Book Review: Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Struck
by Jennifer Bosworth
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
Expected Publication: May 8, 2012
Pages: 384
Age Demographic: Young Adult
Received via: ATW ARC Tours
amazon | b&n

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Struck is a highly enjoyable compelling read, full of many twists and turns, that is sure to keep readers engaged and wanting more. Mia, the story's main heroine, is currently living in virtual chaos and danger brought on by a massive earthquake that many believe has an even worse storm looming on the horizon. Everyone seems to have their reasons for why and how the world is about to end and at the center of them, they are attached to the quake. It is believed by two different cults that Mia may somehow possibly be the "key" as to the why or how the earthquake happened. Mia, on the other hand, has many things that she has to deal with in her personal life and having to come to terms with unleashing the full extent of her strength in an effort to save the people that she loves or risk losing them all.

Mia Price, is a heroine that I have personally come to love a great deal. She is incredibly strong, intelligent, caring, and above all else a survivor. Yet, Bosworth does an amazing job of portraying her in such a realistic light, and giving her some pretty fantastic character flaws. This is a character that has this uncanny way of following her own heart where it tends to lead her, no matter the risk. She often gets a bit confused in deciding between head and heart, yet she is determined to decide her own future. At this point, Mia has managed to survive countless lightening strikes, yet for some strange reason she finds herself craving the connection to the energy in the storms. This is where her flaws seem to come in, because she not only tends to put her life in danger but also other lives as well. It's not necessarily Mia's fault that other's may get hurt as a result of the lightning strikes or the energy in them that she feels such a strong connection to, but none-the-less they often seem to happen and she's left to deal with the guilt and the fall out in her own way. Bosworth does an enormously amazing job at developing her character in such a way that she's not only a strong willed survivor, but also sympathetic to readers as well.

Along the way, she comes into contact with a variety of colorful characters, each with their own beliefs and agenda's it seems but definitely interesting. It seems both Rachel and Katrina are on opposing sides of the viewpoint and each spend quite a bit of time trying to convince Mia that their side is the "good" and "right" side. Then there's Jeremy, whom Mia is attracted to and the mysterious guy that she sort of falls for. Jeremy seems to be dark, alluring, and full of mysterious intrigue. He's also caring and extremely protective of Mia, as well. Yet, Mia isn't sure if she can trust him or not, and he's not even sure he is who he thinks is. Their connection is extremely intense, full of passion and power that will keep readers enthralled and wanting more.

Bosworth has written a cleverly intense, fast-paced, action packed novel that is sure to keep readers entertained. Her gritty images of the destitute and chaos that Mia and the other's live in, are stark and hauntingly realistic. It's as if they are living in a virtual Doomsday waiting for the end to come, with various fantastical beliefs swirling around them. She has also filled her pages with some pretty amazingly witty dialogue, a great sarcastic sense of humor, and some compelling characters. I personally enjoyed the intriguing concept, it was a bit different and unique, but very entertaining and thrilling up until the end which came together very well. It's such a daring post apocalyptic novel that anyone who enjoys action, mystery, interesting takes on the end of the world, would really enjoy this book.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, 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.}

Book Review: Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz

Spellcaster
by Cara Lynn Shultz
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Expected Publication: March 27, 2012
Received via Publishers: target="_blank">Netgalley
amazon | b&n

Finding your eternal soulmate - easy.

Stopping a true-love-hungry evil - not so much…

After breaking a centuries-old romantic curse, Emma Connor is (almost) glad to get back to normal problems. Although...it's not easy dealing with the jealous cliques and gossip that rule her exclusive Upper East Side prep, even for a sixteen-year-old newbie witch. Having the most-wanted boy in school as her eternal soul mate sure helps ease the pain-especially since wealthy, rocker-hot Brendan Salinger is very good at staying irresistibly close....

But something dark and hungry is using Emma and Brendan's deepest fears to reveal damaging secrets and destroy their trust in each other. And Emma's crash course in über-spells may not be enough to keep them safe…or to stop an inhuman force bent on making their unsuspected power its own.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Spellcaster is a spellbinding intensely action packed magical tale of suspense, danger, and love at its inner most core. It is dark and hungry, filled with primal urges, impending danger, hidden secrets, and evil forces hell bent on taking unsuspected powers for their own. In the center of the story, is the sweet and engrossing tale of two soulmates - Emma and Brendan - who are incredibly amazing enough not to take their relationship at face value, as they delve more into the nature of their history. Shultz does a wonderfully brilliant job of evoking such deep seeded fears, the unveiling of innermost secrets that could harm, and threats to damage the trust these two have placed in one another. There are so many incredibly amazing twists and turns throughout this story that are enough to keep readers guessing and craving the answers.

Shultz writing style is focused on all of the right elements that it should be. It's a perfect balance, between attention to detail, story arcs, and character development. Emma is such an endearing character, who seems to have grown stronger and a bit more brave than she was in Spellbound, which has a way of making her even more likable. She's just as independent, caring, and loyal as she always has been, but with even more depth and courage. Brendan, on the other hand, is still just as mysteriously handsome and brave as he was before, but he's also a bit more secretive and cryptic and a little bolder. I personally enjoyed the few intense moments that both Emma and Brendan shared and the fact that they actually had to work at making their relationship work and creating a deeper meaningful connection.

Spellcaster features an interesting and cleverly written take on reincarnation and soulmate mythology, that seems to give it a more modern edge. The story arc was beautifully fleshed out and the imagery was well written. The execution of certain moments, scenes, and powerful forces at work was off the charts amazing. There were also many interesting supporting characters that managed to bring their own unique quirks and facets to the story. It has this way of asking; just how far one person would go in terms of faith and loyalty, for another.

Throughout the story, both Emma and Brendan's strength of courage, loyalty to one another, and faith are tested over and over. It's enough to leave readers entranced and wanting more. Spellcaster is a richly compelling novel that will hook readers even more as they delve further into the story. It is phenomenally gripping; action packed, and filled with incredibly tension and sweet romance. It is a virtual thrill ride that is full of action, danger, and an interesting and unique take on reincarnation and the love of two soulmates. Vastly clever and highly suspenseful, fans of Shultz first novel Spellbound will fall even more in love with Spellcaster.

{Small Note: This book was received from Harlequin Teen via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided in a timely manner. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.}

Book Review: Perception by Kim Harrington

Perception
by Kim Harrington
Publisher: Point
Expected Publication: March 1, 2012
Received via: ATW ARC Tours
amazon | b&n

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Perception is a wonderful blend of mystery and paranormal, that is sure to get readers blood pumping. It defines stalker in a whole new way and is filled with terrifying creepy vibes. Cleverly written and filled with interesting twists and turns, Harringtong sets the stage through brilliant imagery and fills in the gaps with fun witty banter and cynical snark between her character's. It's wonderfully fast-paced, filled with action, and filled with spine-tingling chills. Perception will hook readers until they reach an ending they won't see coming.

Clarity is such a realistic likable character that readers can identify with. She possesses a few unique qualities of her own. She's incredibly intelligent, compassionate, and strong. Her willingness to help other's by putting herself in danger, has a way of making her endearing and sympathetic to readers. The close familial bond she shares with her brother, was personally one of my favorite qualities about her. Once dubbed the "town freak," she shows that she'd rather not be the center of attention. Her psychic gifts are not to be played with, she takes them seriously and shows this through grit and spirit of her own.

I personally found myself enjoying the love triangle between Clarity, Justin, and Gabriel. Where Justin was trying and succeding at redeeming himself a little bit, Gabriel was just right amount of mysterious and alluringly handsome. The magnetic chemistry between Gabriel and Clarity was intense and incredibly enjoyable to read. Yet, the re-building of a friendship once broken, was equally as gratifying. At times, Harrington made it hard to root for just one of them, because it's easy to see how both of the guys could be good for Clarity in different ways for different reasons.

Perception is the perfect balance of paranormal and mysterious intrigue combined, with action, danger, and a tinge of romance. It's uniquely clever and full of powerful suspence. There's a variety of of wonderfully developed character's with interesting quirks and habits of their own. Clairty is an amazingly strong female heroine, whom readers will fall in love with. Incredibly interesting story arc's are fleshed out, with brilliant plot details that leave just enough to get the readers imagination flowing. Perception is such a comepelling story that it will leave readers reeling from an unexpected twist and craving more.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, 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.}

Book Review: The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell

The Springsweet
by Saundra Mitchell
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Expected Publication: April 17, 2012
Received via: ATW ARC Tours
amazon | b&n

It’s a long way from Baltimore to Oklahoma Territory. But Zora Stewart will go any distance to put the tragic events of her sixteenth summer behind her. So this city girl heads to the tiny frontier town of West Glory to help her young widowed aunt keep her homestead going.

When another Baltimorean shows up in West Glory, Zora couldn’t be more surprised. Theo de la Croix made the long trip out west hoping to court Zora, whom he has long admired from afar.
But Zora has developed an attraction to a rather less respectable fellow: Emerson Birch, a rough-mannered young “sooner” whose fertile land is coveted.

As Zora begins to suspect that there may be more than luck behind Emerson’s good land, she discovers an extraordinary, astonishing power of her own: the ability to sense water under the parched earth. When her aunt hires her out as a “springsweet” to advise other settlers where to dig their wells, Zora feels the burden of holding the key to something so essential to survival in this unforgiving land.

Even more, she finds herself longing for love the way the prairie thirsts for water. Maybe, in the wildness of the territories, Zora can finally move beyond simply surviving and start living.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

The Springsweet is beautiful blend of paranormal and historical elements that will leave readers breathless. Mitchell writes with such intense emotional fervor and lyrical prose, that readers will find the imagery alluring and entrancing. It picks up a short while after The Vespertine left off, bringing Zora and her adventures to Oklahoma to spend a season with her cousin. Michell's characters possess such strength of heart and grit that it's hard not to fall in love with them. Like The Vespertine, The Springsweet is phenomenally gripping, action packed, and filled with overwhelming emotion.

Zora has recently experienced a personal tragedy of her own and spends a great deal of the book trying to come to terms with her loss. Mitchell gives readers incredible insight into the Zora, when faced with the task of moving on and learning to live again or staying mired down in the past because that's what she secretly longs for. She does a brilliant job of painting a heart achingly beautiful portrait of grief and choosing between heart and head. Zora is filled with so much strength and courage; readers can't help but marvel at her audacity and come to love her flaws and all. She's such a bright and realistic image of strength and grace, that's incredibly interesting to get to know.

I personally loved how bold and daring Zora showed herself to be when she made her choice regarding the two men. It wasn't so much a love triangle that Mitchell was painting, but rather stoking the fires between Emerson and Zora to slow burn. It was intriguing and quite enjoyable to see Zora get as good as she gave, as far as these two were concerned. Emerson Birch is about as strong and steady as they come; a bit rough around the edges, with some flaws of his own that makes him just as loveable. He's riddled with his own past imperfections, but they seem to have this way of elevating him more, adding in more depth and layers, to make his character more likeable and sympathetic to readers.

The Springsweet is a beautifully written, fast-paced novel, filled with the dusty imagery of how Oklahoma was from a historical view point. Readers will not see the ending coming and will be genuinely surprised. It will leave them craving the next book to follow. The twist at the end is wonderfully written and brilliantly executed. Anyone who enjoys historical novels and the writing style of Anna Godbersen or Jillian Larkin is sure to enjoy The Springsweet.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, 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.}

Book Review: A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

A Temptation of Angels
By Michelle Zink
Publisher: Dial
Publish Date: March 20, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 448
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

A Temptation of Angels is a beautifully written blend of historical fantasy and paranormal. Its heart-pounding tale of epic romance and betrayal is sure to keep readers enthralled as they continue to flip the pages. Zink masterfully pens such an emotionally powerful and deeply moving novel filled with strength of character, incredible bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, danger, and stunning imagery.

With the Keepers being murdered, it is up to the three remaining angelic decendents to figure out who is comitting them and stop them before the world finds itself in dangerous peril.

Mistakes are made by almost anyone it seems, even angels aren't exempt from them. Zink's spin on this is not only cleverly written, but incredibly intriguing as well. It almost makes them seem a little more human. Her characters are wonderfully developed and deeply engaging to read. Helen is incredibly strong in of the tragedy of losing her parents and gaining the knowledge that she is one of three remain angelic decendants that is tasked to protect the world's past, future, and present. At sixteen, Helen proves herself to be capable of accepting the responsibilities that she's been tasked with far better than than most. She's fiercely independent and incredibly strong-willed, yet flawed in all of the right ways which makes her very likable heroine.

The romance in this novel that slowly begins to grow between Griffin and Helen is beautifully written and incredibly sweet. The hints of a love triangle developing along the way, is what really made it even more real, heartbreaking, and sad. Usually, I don't particularly care for the over-use of love triangles, but in A Temptation of Angels it works and I actually found myself enjoying the push and pull of it.

The mythology Zink introduces to readers in A Temptation of Angels is unique and definitely compelling enough to keep readers interested and turning pages. The scenery is beautiful, as the story takes place mostly in underground London, and has a way of pulling readers right into the story. The perfect balance of paranormal blended with historical fantasy and the unique but interesting characters, make it an enjoyable read. It's fast-paced, filled with a lot of action, danger, and twists and turns that will keep readers on edge and their stomach tied up in knots. The characters are extremely memorable (even the minor ones) and possess wonderful flavors of personality.

A Temptation of Angels is a wildly gripping and beautifully written tempting piece of fiction.

{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, 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.}

Book Review: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

Scarlet
By A.C. Gaughen
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Publish Date: February 14, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Scarlet is an amazingly well written, action packed, captivating debut novel from author, A.C. Gaughen. It's a cleverly written modernized spin on a beloved classic legend handed down for centuries. Sometimes dark and gritty, yet full of so much hope and compassion Scarlet will leave readers breathless with anticipation. It's chalked full of wonder and love and redemption and the social injustices of what's right and wrong. Gaughen puts readers right into the story with her beautiful scenery and brilliant descritptions.

The character development is magnificent. Scarlet is an incredibly fearless young herione that readers will fall in love with. She's strong, loyal and determined, but also comes with a mysterious past filled with secrets of her own. In this classic modern day re-telling of a fairytale classic, she is simply a breath of fresh air. She's agile and quick-witted as she helps the people of Nottingham out-manuver their corrupt sheriff. There's a bit of an edge to this darker re-telling than most, that poses the question of whether Robin Hood's sidekick was actually a girl, instead of a quick-witted male. History books have nothing on this wonderful re-telling of a classic legend.

One of the things that I enjoyed immensely regarding this novel, is how Scarlet focused on the task of helping the people of Nottingham, more than she did the feelings of affection brewing from both Robin and John. Gaughen showed great care in keeping to the history of the legend, but also giving her own personal spin which makes even more fascinating, as well. This time, love and the affections of a potential significant other didn't seem to get in the way of the main goal of the protagonist. Scarlet has a moral conscience all her own and she deals with guilty feelings and battles with doubts of ever being redeemed. This is where some of the darkness seems to filter in and cover the light.

Wildly gripping, Scarlet is full of so much daring action and adventure, pocketfulls of hidden secrets, and underlying hints of budding romance that is enough to fulfill any reader. The story that Gaughen sets out to tell, entails beautiful imagery and heart-pounding heroism that is incredibly thrilling. It is a lively tale that is filled with dark and alluring characters, social injustices that come in more forms than one, and and wonderfully developed characters hidden conflicts of their own and intriguing depth. Fans of wonderful fairytale re-tellings such as the seven dancing princesses, Snow White, or the beautiful writing style of Jessica Day George, Heather Dixon, or Wendy Delsol will absolutely fall in love with A.C. Gaughen's debut, Scarlet.

{Small Note: This book was received from Walker Books For Young Readers via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided in a timely manner. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.}

Book Review: Goddess Interrupted (The Goddess Test, #2) by Aimee Carter

Goddess Interrupted
By Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publish Date: March 27, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Kate Winters has won immortality.

But if she wants a life in the Underworld with Henry, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry’s first wife, Persephone.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

Goddess Interrupted is a deeply rich and wonderfully dark tale that is sure to captivate readers. Carter gives a beautiful nod to Greek mythology and pays extraordinary homage to Hades, Persephone, the King of the Titans, and the Underworld itself. It's wildly dark and dangerous, filled with heart-pounding twists and turns sure to keep readers on edge, while still possessing the tender vulnerability of love and longing. Carter's re-imaginings of the many Greek gods and goddesses are a bit unique and cleverly different than other's I've personally read, which makes the world she's building even more fantastical. She somehow manages to give it just enough modern edge to make it stand apart from most young adult books that incorporate Greek mythos into their novels.

Kate is ever still the strong charismatic heroine that readers were introduced to in The Goddess Test, filled with such wonderful realistic flaws like her insecurities that often play up and a tendency for being a bit reckless. All of which make her incredibly relatable, yet she still finds herself a bit isolate in a way by the distance and secrets kept from her on Henry's part. Somehow, he just manages to keep her at arm’s length in such a way, that it feeds into her insecurities and she doubts whether or not he loves her and whether she made the wrong decision. Thankfully, none of that deters her when she makes the decision to do what she has to do, which is save Henry who is such a mysteriously intense presence in this story. Like Kate does, he comes along with his own underlying faults that he has to work through, as well. He has a habit of putting distance and space between the two of them and hiding things from her that she really should be privy to.

Together, Kate and Henry share such a heart-wrenching deeply honest and beautiful relationship that will have readers aching for them. At times it is conflicting and filled with distance and secrets, doubts and insecurities, yet when they're really working on their flaws together they are incredibly sweet. It makes it hard for readers to not want them to work out their issues and end up together. The introduction of Persephone, which I was personally waiting for, was probably the most interesting aspect of this novel. It makes for an incredibly intense predicament, discovering that not only is she Kate's sister, but also Henry's ex. In a way, it seems as if it presents reader's with a bit more background into Henry's keeping Kate at arm’s length, and maybe a bit of a love triangle by adding a little more flavor and depth to the story.

Goddess Interrupted is chalk full of so many twists and turns that readers will not want to put it down for fear they might miss something important. It's a fast-paced wildly gripping novel that will definitely hook anyone who enjoys Greek mythology and love stories involving dangerous peril and sacrifice. There is so much incredible danger and adventure tempered against heart-pounding love and overwhelming determination that makes this book such a thrilling and captivating read. Carter puts readers into the story along with all of the characters through brilliant imagery and wonderful storytelling abilities, and ultimately leaves them with an image they will not see coming. I would suggest this book to anyone who has enjoyed Meg Cabot's Abandon, Gwen Hayes Falling Under, or Brodi Ashton's Everneath.

{Small Note: This book was received from Harlequin Teen via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided in a timely manner. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain.}

Guest Post: Class of 2k12 features A.C. Gaughen and Scarlet

In April of 2011, I was contacted by Caroline Rose about participating in the Class of 2k12. At that particular time my blog was less than three month's old, however, I was thrilled with the opportunity nonetheless. So, I set to work compiling a list of questions that would be circulated between 20 different new upcoming debut author's for 2012 and 15 of them generously responded by picking between two or three of the questions and wrote their own little guest post to be posted here on my book blog, on the day their books release. The goal is to create as much buzz for these upcoming debut author's and their amazing books as bloggers can, by passing along the information and blogging about them.

A.C. Gaughen's Website |A.C. Gaughen's Twitter
A.C. Gaughen's Facebook | Scarlet's Facebook
A.C. Gaughen's Goodreads | A.C. Gaughen's Youtube

Today, I am lucky enough to have the wonderful and amazingly talented A.C. Gaughen here at my blog featuring her new debut young adult novel, Scarlet, with us which is releasing today and if I were you I would definitely pick up a copy and check it out. Okay, so I have to tell you guys, that I am extremely excited for this book to be released, because I've been dying to read it. I love ALL THINGS Robin Hood related and the premise of this book and the herione that A.C. Gaughen promises looks like it's going to be an amazing, thrilling, action-packed undeniably compelling read. Please, help me welcome the lovely and incredibly gifted A.C. Gaughen to my blog.

❝The Watchword Featuring❞

A.C. Gaughen

What type of writing environment or space do you typically do most of your writing in?

I love to write at Panera. People think I’m a little crazy, but the perfect recipe always involves a ton of stuff going on around me with my music cranked loud and my head phones in. It’s only when I have so much distraction around me that I can drown it all out and focus. And the refillable beverages don’t hurt either!

Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming book, without giving too much away?

Absolutely! SCARLET is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend, but with my own special twist. I was always fascinated with the character of Will Scarlet, this totally mysterious side kick of Robin Hood’s that Robin seems to trust completely. I wondered what his secret could be...and then I thought, what if he was a girl? There’s no way the history books would have let that fly--through the ballads and the passing of the story, no one would have let Scarlet stay a girl. Which I thought was actually a really interesting story--what if history forgot Will Scarlet was a girl named Scarlet? What would her story have been?

So I wrote that--and trust me, there are a few more things that history left out!

Scarlet
By A.C. Gaughen
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Publish Date: February 14, 2012
Format: Hardback, pp 304
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

*Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝Watch The Trailer❞



❝To Purchase a Copy❞

Amazon | Barnes&Noble
BooksAMillion | Book Depository

Thank you, so much A.C. Gaughen for stopping by the blog and for sharing this wonderful guest post with the rest of us. I wish you a ton of success with Scarlet as it looks like it's definitely going to be a new and super interesting take on an old classic tale of Robin Hood and his band of merry men (and women too!), and I absolutely cannot wait to read it. To the rest of my fellow bloggers, I urge all of you to definitely pick up a copy of this book and read it and encourage other's to read it as well.