Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Entice Teaser




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


*Grab your current read.
*Let the book fall open to a random page.
*Share with us “teaser” sentences from that page.
*You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Entice by Jessica Shirvington
Book #2 - Violet Eden Chapters series
September 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire
"By the time I reached the front doors of my apartment building, I'd completely forgotten about my appearance an unconsciously but predictably refocused on Lincoln. Sick anticipation crept through me, circulating and intensifying with every breath.
Yeah, I have it bad.
If possible, I had it worse than ever.
There was a time when I thought my love for Lincoln was unrequited, but now...Well, it's more complicated than ever. We had a crazy, wired vibe--two people dancing around each other while simultaneously chomping at the bit to get as close as possible--and it was like hacking through a thicket of raw tension whenever we were near each other." (pg 6-7 ARC)

Monday, August 27, 2012

In My Mailbox


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight the books received for review, swapped, purchased, or checked out from the library!
 

Wake by Amanda Hocking
Book #1 - Watersong series
August 7th 2012 by St. Martin's Press
Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.

Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.


Entice by Jessica Shirvington
Book #2 - Violet Eden Chapters series
September 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Fire
Violet Eden is Grigori - part angel, part human. Her destiny is to protect humans from the vengence of exiled angels.

Knowing who to trust is key but, when Grigori reinforcements arrive, it becomes clear everyone is hiding something. Even Lincoln. The only thing Violet does know: Phoenix's hold over her is more dangerous than ever.
The race to find the one thing that could tilt the balance of power brings them all to the sacred mountains of Jordan, where Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme. And the ultimate betrayal exposed.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: Shades of Earth

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
January 15th 2013 by Razorbill
The final book in the trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis!

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience. But this new Earth isn't the paradise that Amy had been hoping for. Amy and Elder must race to uncover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. But as each new discovery brings more danger, Amy and Elder will have to look inward to the very fabric of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been meaningless
.
Yes, please!!!  January can't you hurry up and get here sooner? Don't you know how eagerly I am awaiting this book? Do you know how much I love this series??? HURRY UP! I need to finish this series!! 

Friday, August 10, 2012

Kissing Shakespeare: Deleted Scene + Giveaway

Kissing Shakespeare
Pamela Mingle
August 14th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Goodreads
A romantic time travel story that's ideal for fans of novels by Meg Cabot and Donna Jo Napoli--and, of course, Shakespeare.

Miranda has Shakespeare in her blood: she hopes one day to become a Shakespearean actor like her famous parents. At least, she does until her disastrous performance in her school's staging of The Taming of the Shrew. Humiliated, Miranda skips the opening-night party. All she wants to do is hide.

Fellow cast member, Stephen Langford, has other plans for Miranda. When he steps out of the backstage shadows and asks if she'd like to meet Shakespeare, Miranda thinks he's a total nutcase. But before she can object, Stephen whisks her back to 16th century England—the world Stephen's really from. He wants Miranda to use her acting talents and modern-day charms on the young Will Shakespeare. Without her help, Stephen claims, the world will lost its greatest playwright.

Miranda isn't convinced she's the girl for the job. Why would Shakespeare care about her? And just who is this infuriating time traveler, Stephen Langford? Reluctantly, she agrees to help, knowing that it's her only chance of getting back to the present and her "real" life. What Miranda doesn't bargain for is finding true love . . . with no acting required.

Today I'm so lucky to have Pamela Mingle here on Book Lagniappe with a deleted scene from her upcoming YA novel, Kissing Shakespeare. This is a novel five years in the making which included two years of research! Gotta love the dedication! I will confess right now: I love pretty much anything to do with Shakespeare. I was an English major in college, and I am a librarian now. For me, there is just something about Shakespeare, and I would love to be in Miranda's shoes for a day and be able to go back in time to 16th century England. Just to be able to walk around and soak it all in would be amazing!

Pamela was nice enough to send me a deleted scene from the novel, which hits shelves August 14th. She also was kind enough to offer a copy of Kissing Shakespeare to one lucky winner!  And, you do know you are lucky, right!?! 

So, take a read at the deleted scene (which reads as if it shouldn't be deleted, at least to me) and sign up for a chance to win Kissing Shakespeare by Pamela Mingle!

Writers despair over the brilliant—at least in their minds—scenes they’ve written that never make it into their books! There are many reasons for excising a scene, paragraph, or line: it doesn’t move the story along, doesn’t help define character, it’s repetitious, and so on. I thought readers of Kissing Shakespeare might enjoy glancing at a scene that took place in an earlier version, but wasn’t included in the final published book.
A brief set-up: If you’ve already read Kissing Shakespeare, some of this may sound familiar. Most of it will be new to you, however. Right before the action begins, Miranda’s been eavesdropping on a conversation taking place in the billiard room involving Will Shakespeare, Stephen Langford, Alexander Hoghton, and Thomas Cook. The subject of the discussion is the religious discord going on in England. Prior to that, she’d attempted, unsuccessfully, to sneak into Thomas Cook’s room.
So…read on, and enjoy! ~ Pamela
I didn't wait around to see if they all agreed, but took off down the passage. The billiard room door clicked shut, and with their longer strides, the men wouldn’t be that far behind me. I flew to the staircase, cursing myself for a fool. I plunged down the steps and almost immediately slipped and fell, tumbling all the way down to the bottom. I couldn’t prevent an unladylike “Oof!” from bursting out when I landed. At least the steps were wood, not marble.
My fall made an ungodly racket, mainly because the candleholder bounced along with me. I lay stunned in a graceless heap, waiting. I was afraid to move.
"What was that?"  Will asked.
"I've no idea.” Stephen’s voice. “God's breath! Someone's fallen down the steps."
The four of them raced to my side. Perfect.
Cries of "Olivia!" and "Niece!" echoed through the empty hall. I moaned and tried to sit up.
"Do not move! Lie still and let me see if you've broken anything," Stephen said. He began to check my feet and ankles, then my calves, knees, and thighs. "Any discomfort?"
"Nay." Not the kind you're talking about, anyway.
Thomas melted into the shadows and I had the distinct impression he was praying for me. I thought I saw him make the sign of the cross. Alexander paced back and forth.
When Stephen carefully pressed my ribs with his fingers, I protested. "Stop it! That tickles."
He ignored me. "Shakespeare, try tilting her head. We must make sure her neck and spine are not injured." Will cautiously moved my head from side to side.
"It does not hurt. Indeed, 'tis only my vanity that has been wounded."
 "I think you've been exceedingly lucky, sister. Now, let's get you up."  Before I could protest, he swept me up into his arms.
"This is not necessary!" I said, placing my arms around his neck nevertheless.
"It is if we want to avoid awkward questions," Stephen hissed. "Would one of you open the doors, pray?"
When we reached the staircase leading to our chambers, Alexander said, "God keep you, niece."
"I shall pray for your prompt recovery," Thomas promised.
A surge of guilt washed over me. "I am fine, and I thank you both for your care. Fare thee well." Will followed us upstairs, leaving us when we arrived at my chamber.
Stephen strode over to the bed. "Jesu, mistress, you're heavier than you look." He laid me down on the bed and said, "Would you care to explain what you were doing?"
I sat up, and with a groan, fell back. "I was seeking information. And lower your voice—Jennet's in her room."
"Explain 'seeking information' if you please."
"My original plan was to search Thomas's chamber, but the door was locked. I re-thought my plan and listened to the conversation in the Billiard Room instead. It was most informative."
"What did you think to gain from searching Thomas's chamber?" He glared ferociously at me, and I dropped my gaze.
"I'm not sure. I thought maybe I'd find some correspondence about Shakespeare, or possibly be able to take a look at whatever it is he's been working on."
"Can you envision what would have happened if you'd been caught? You—we—would have been sent home in disgrace, my father informed, our whole scheme would have been discovered!"
"I didn't actually do it, Stephen, so why don't you calm down? I was only trying to be helpful."
"Promise me you will not try anything so foolish again.”
I rolled my eyes. “All right!”
He lowered himself to the edge of my bed, and in a gentle voice said, “Are you in pain?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll live.” Slowly, I slid my hand across the coverlet so that it curled into his. “I’ll be sore in the morning, but it will remind me not to do something so stupid again.”
Quickly, he raised my hand to his lips before rising. “I shall call for Bess.”
Before I could utter a word, he’d rushed through the servants’ door. Damn. What was the hurry? My hand wrapped in his felt so natural. And undeniably romantic. I absolutely needed to ban all romantic notions concerning Stephen from my mind.

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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Wake Trailer

Wake by Amanda Hocking
Book #1 - Watersong series
August 7th 2012 by St. Martin's Press

 
 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday: The Last Dragonslayer

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
Book #1 - The Last Dragonslayer series
 September 4th 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
In the good old days, magic was indispensable—it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians—but it’s hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world’s last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic.
I love Jasper Fforde's different series: Thurdsday Next, Nursery Crime, and Shades of Grey. All of them. I am so excited to see a YA series for this author!!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Rise of Nine Teaser




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


*Grab your current read.
*Let the book fall open to a random page.
*Share with us “teaser” sentences from that page.
*You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore
Book #3 - Lorien Legacies series
August 21st 2012 by HarperCollins
"Marina proved herself to be a strong ally with amazing Legacies on the battlefield yesterday. She can breathe underwater, see in the dark and heal the sick and wounded. Like all Garde, she also has telekinesis. And because we're so close in order -- I'm Number Six and she's Number Seven -- our bond is special. When the charm still held and we had to be killed in order, the Mogadorians would have had to get through me before they could get to her. And they never would have gotten through me." (pgs. 8-9 ARC)

Something Strange and Deadly Review


July 24th 2012 by HarperTeen
Goodreads
The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.
Something Strange and Deadly is such a grand adventure!  The whirlwind begins from the very beginning because Eleanor knows something is wrong when her brother, Elijah, doesn't return to Philadelphia as expected. Her family is struggling through hard times, and Eleanor and her mother are both counting on her brother to come home and help. In Susan Dennard's supernatural mystery, Something Strange and Deadly a missing brother and lack of funds are the least of Eleanor's worries, but are the just start of them.  Someone is building an army out of the newly risen Dead, and Eleanor fears her brother's disappearance is somehow mixed up in with this. What's a girl to do? Hopefully, survive!

Eleanor is willing to defy her strict and proper mother and go where no "lady" should go to look for help, because she is determined to figure out where her brother is and who is behind this new army of the Dead. Lucky for her, help comes from a group called the Spirit-Hunters who seem to have tools built and powers harnessed specifically for dealing with the Dead. As the reader, you will be taken on a journey from when the bodies rise from the dead to the nifty tools used to by the Spirit-Hunters to put them pack in the ground to the actual members of the Spirit-Hunters themselves - everything is strange and deadly!  You will not want to put this book down! You will be pulled into Eleanor's world, from the dirty back alleys to the posh theater of Philadelphia.

I was so enchanted by the world Dennard had built and all the possibilities within it.  The characters were amazing, (I think they make the book) and the action is nonstop! The mystery to figure out who is behind raising the Dead is one you will want to figure out soon! You will not want to put this book down. I loved how Eleanor has to deal with escaping her mother who wants to play matchmaker and marry her off, avoiding death at every corner, and hopefully find her brother somewhere in the middle of all this chaos.  I can't wait to read the sequel!

Lagniappe

Want some swag? Check out Susan's site where you can get signed bookplates, bookmarks, and character cards!  All you need to do is fill out the info required and then send a SASE to:
Attn: Susan Dennard, New Leaf Literary
110 West 40th St., Suite 410
New York, NY 10018

You could score awesome autographed swag, such as: a bookplate, a b