tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85776713262165325572024-03-13T04:32:04.194-04:00Truly BookishTruly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-53378339594531920382013-08-06T18:47:00.001-04:002013-08-06T18:47:43.472-04:00Bad, bad blogger<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ck4PYdTpum4/UgF9CscQGXI/AAAAAAAACE4/8TCaQ28CwcU/s1600-h/i_am_sorry_02%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="i_am_sorry_02" alt="i_am_sorry_02" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sbJRyqLnrks/UgF9DJqZ6ZI/AAAAAAAACFA/FU-xJ2mNDfk/i_am_sorry_02_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="167"></a>Soooo, I have not posted a book review, or anything bookish for awhile and while it would be easy to blame my sweet 7-month-old daughter or my six and three-year-old boys for taking up most of my time, I can’t. This one is all on me. While I’ve been reading, I have not made the time to blog about my books which is sad because I sorely miss blogging and being a part of the wonderful online bookish community. As such, I’m back! I have a few reviews I need to write and I will slowly be making my way back to one of my true loves, book blogging! Looking forward to “chatting” with you guys on a regular basis <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaddRIg4kfIsNd111G181K1Wsk7v0Qf3NIMjNW6bgQH9bp47fjjV7-y8p37_kC_jmDUdaDGxmkzO8aHQnEyJEXCjFRjeCZoL-Z75HUeMHmQkQR5XmmzkiiQV7Dw1Z0ey6KrpyGWWK_ChEI/?imgmax=800"></p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-14657157141587763932013-03-28T20:15:00.000-04:002013-03-28T20:15:03.626-04:00Hoppy Easter Giveaway Hop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-mCYlgomoqwIycYzHHXXpOU0FQARRwWPz6lkmI8l_MInpMWgzFMj-F4semEwOOcgXU-YF9fEci8duCK3YS7_mIXwBeBgmWIcha5HUm6npHq9hjvfwlLY4cJEmWyZ7nNgAXrBipWTBU52/s1600/hoppyeaster2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-mCYlgomoqwIycYzHHXXpOU0FQARRwWPz6lkmI8l_MInpMWgzFMj-F4semEwOOcgXU-YF9fEci8duCK3YS7_mIXwBeBgmWIcha5HUm6npHq9hjvfwlLY4cJEmWyZ7nNgAXrBipWTBU52/s1600/hoppyeaster2013.jpg" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the Hoppy Easter Giveaway Hop hosted by <a href="http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/">I Am A Reader Not A Writer</a> & <a href="http://www.readnowsleeplater.com/">Read Now Sleep Later</a>. This hop runs from March 29 – April 5. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-NKh0BWh1yVHsCdekwB_l5tM6j4os4P1sdmMon-SHojnArUnUJNUi1JqCIEKbCoYermHZcsP8FrijNYJRy08i5ardfkwdgnW1joOerRPCFCiEGCE-1kDkznG5IfBlj-pEZ5aH-s9wi3k/s1600/temptation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-NKh0BWh1yVHsCdekwB_l5tM6j4os4P1sdmMon-SHojnArUnUJNUi1JqCIEKbCoYermHZcsP8FrijNYJRy08i5ardfkwdgnW1joOerRPCFCiEGCE-1kDkznG5IfBlj-pEZ5aH-s9wi3k/s320/temptation.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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For this hop, I’m giving away a finished copy of <em><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12157403-the-temptation?ac=1">The Temptation</a></em> by Alisa Valdes. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck! Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, happy and blessed Easter!<br />
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=182010" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-31411305587776108062013-03-26T16:06:00.001-04:002013-03-26T16:06:55.612-04:00Book Review: Valkyrie Rising<p><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrts8800eI2Y32jdTcCwcqJg-mjUaFn7W4AcmzQ2BCUKU4FefEs4hGE_nZ8gbLWGfLb-injRk3NnWsLDVJ30N9ktEaxTwS0mhzNrmVE8v9HczAClyQfQCbr3IadL2KNtuwWIf_5_fN2QV9/s1600-h/valkyrierising%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="valkyrierising" alt="valkyrierising" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QEEgPFH1vyY/UVH_3grxZFI/AAAAAAAACCA/cnsx1onOigc/valkyrierising_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="132" height="200"></a>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13034113-valkyrie-rising?ac=1">Valkyrie Rising</a> by <a href="http://www.ingridepaulson.com/">Ingrid Paulson</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> HarperTeen<br><strong>Pages:</strong> 404 pages<br><strong>Release Date:</strong> Oct. 9, 2012<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Mythology <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.</p> <p>What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. </p> <p>Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.</p> <p>Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.</p></blockquote> <p>I love mythology and YA books with mythology are a special treat for me. When I read the summary for the <em>Valkyrie Rising</em> and saw the gorgeous cover (don’t you love the way the mountains looks like wings coming out of her back!), I knew I had to read it. This book had so much potential, sadly it falls so short of what I wanted it to be.</p> <p><em>Valkyrie Rising</em> incorporates Norse mythology which is awesome. Unfortunately, the mythology is explained but the book never plunges into it, just skims the surface. The Norwegian setting is good, Paulson does a fine job of describing the country and its beauty. The characters are just fine as well. I really liked Tuck but thought that Ellie found her powers a little too easily.</p> <p>The thing that really frustrates me about the book was the plot. Ellie spends the majority of the book chasing supermodel like characters all over Norway. All the while, I wanted more background about Valkyries, Odin and Valhalla that never came. What should have been a really cool YA book on Norse mythology ended being just an OK one.</p> <p><em>Valkyrie Rising</em> is not a bad book and if you are not really into mythology, you will probably like it more than I did. This is a decent debut novel and while I would read other books from this author, I probably won’t be picking up another book in this series. </p> <p><strong>Content:</strong> Kissing and violence <p><strong>My Rating:</strong> Just OK</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-13565678743822857232013-03-20T13:54:00.001-04:002013-03-20T13:54:47.850-04:00Waiting on Wednesday: These Broken Stars<p>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a> and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is: <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ioL1WpT2Eg0/UUn35HK53GI/AAAAAAAACBM/1gsO1vfUgNg/s1600-h/thesebrokenstars%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="thesebrokenstars" alt="thesebrokenstars" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKdnEUA9XIZJm-82mf9i4ggMbccH5nlFCDBMrwDDYKPFFch5NvGsYVp9fFeLa_Ew8ppFHB2KwkNeCRAmtuGCLd1d-Kri3NuJnIr_YUZa-Y3OoIkHM0olkpMmoX7vjKsqODVyven4RQa6S/?imgmax=800" width="180" height="270"></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13138635-these-broken-stars">These Broken Stars</a> by <a href="http://www.amiekaufman.com/">Amie Kaufman</a> and <a href="http://www.meaganspooner.com/">Meagan Spooner</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Disney Hyperion<br><strong>Publish Date:</strong> Sept. 10, 2013<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Science Fiction <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. </p> <p>Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. </p> <p>Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?</p> <p>Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.</p> <p>The first in a sweeping science fiction trilogy, <em>These Broken Stars</em> is a timeless love story about hope and survival in the face of unthinkable odds.</p></blockquote> <p>I have been waiting on a cover for this forever and now that I see it, it is fabulous! Also, did this always have a December 2013 publishing date? I know I’ve been MIA recently (only because I’m a new mommy to one of the best babies ever) but I thought this was coming out sooner. Regardless of the publishing date, I am dying to read this book. What books are you waiting on?</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-59657721458793614282013-03-14T23:51:00.001-04:002013-03-14T23:51:53.547-04:00Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzmjC3f-vGW4NOCzcuSBcbtPzr37Fu2XM47034Xfxvq39gOM0__GNpXA50oNJDBslFn6ExhBx_p3Yxaf9uLXK4L1DkjwBw8W64itQ3hJ4dKZ4B9Lxc4EyFxZizJOA5vGnSrFylxUyKiJ7/s1600/luckylep2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzmjC3f-vGW4NOCzcuSBcbtPzr37Fu2XM47034Xfxvq39gOM0__GNpXA50oNJDBslFn6ExhBx_p3Yxaf9uLXK4L1DkjwBw8W64itQ3hJ4dKZ4B9Lxc4EyFxZizJOA5vGnSrFylxUyKiJ7/s1600/luckylep2013.jpg" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop hosted by <a href="http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/">I Am A Reader Not A Writer</a> and Co-hosted by <a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/">Books Complete Me</a> & <a href="http://cindythomasbooks.blogspot.com/">Author Cindy Thomas</a>. This hop runs from March 15-22. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_zWxWW9onChvoLJq_GD928_nZDSbPsvGv4dDC9VfezAomSB3PoWBSVXyntPo7s_3AXFoKCSepMH7ziT7DUApZlpRWOUiDmcHOSmoodcGFJbBneO2TZQwit-vdK93JshcPeBwMk8-JAKa/s1600/darknessbeforedawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_zWxWW9onChvoLJq_GD928_nZDSbPsvGv4dDC9VfezAomSB3PoWBSVXyntPo7s_3AXFoKCSepMH7ziT7DUApZlpRWOUiDmcHOSmoodcGFJbBneO2TZQwit-vdK93JshcPeBwMk8-JAKa/s200/darknessbeforedawn.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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For this hop, I’m giving away a finished copy of <em><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12872080-darkness-before-dawn">Darkness Before Dawn</a></em> by J.A. London. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!<br />
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=182003" type="text/javascript" ></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-51843623881313546072013-03-14T17:02:00.001-04:002013-03-14T17:02:34.449-04:00Book Review: Splintered<p><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DPz5Qop9YGc/UUI65wa3PcI/AAAAAAAACAY/d0exq2uqI54/s1600-h/splintered%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="splintered" alt="splintered" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GsuKWFk95ss/UUI66SOsqiI/AAAAAAAACAg/wNavarNneIs/splintered_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="200"></a>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12558285-splintered">Splintered</a> by <a href="http://www.aghoward.com/">A.G. Howard</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Amulet Books<br><strong>Pages:</strong> 371 pages<br><strong>Release Date:</strong> Jan. 1, 2012<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Fantasy <br><strong>Source:</strong> From the publisher through Netgalley <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s <em>Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland</em>. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.</p> <p>When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.</p></blockquote> <p><em>Splintered</em> is the second <em>Alice in Wonderland</em> inspired book that I have recently, and it is by far the better one. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most entertaining books I have read in a while!</p> <p>I love the characters in <em>Splintered</em>, especially Morpheus! He is not the book boy that I usually go for but the character is so well written, you can’t help but love him! I also liked Alyssa and Jeb a lot. Alyssa is not perfect, but she is smart and grows a lot throughout the story. Jeb is very cool but not the typical YA leading man, I think that’s why I liked him so much.</p> <p>While the characters are great, the world building and plot of this book are amazing! The story completely immerses you in Wonderland and let me tell you, it’s not all pretty and fairytale like. It’s dark, crazy, twisted and absolutely perfect, exactly what Wonderland should be! The plot is also really well done and kept me reading well into the night. I love how this story parallels <em>Alice</em> but still stays completely original.</p> <p><em>Splintered</em> is a great debut and an awesome novel. A.G. Howard has my full attention and I am excited to read whatever else she writes. </p> <p><strong>Content:</strong> Kissing, some violence</p> <p><strong>Rating:</strong> The Best!</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-6777092757319316432013-02-21T19:53:00.001-05:002013-02-21T19:53:43.426-05:00Book Review: Alice in Zombieland<p><strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nYD904xhIfI/USbBklrrdVI/AAAAAAAAB_w/nBzZGZgC60k/s1600-h/aliceinzombieland%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="aliceinzombieland" alt="aliceinzombieland" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xv08V0zCAbs/USbBlbtdlDI/AAAAAAAAB_4/-KmRPJOQYhA/aliceinzombieland_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="135" height="200"></a>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11300302-alice-in-zombieland">Alice in Zombieland</a> by Gena Showalter<br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Harlequin Teen<br><strong>Pages:</strong> 404 pages<br><strong>Release Date:</strong> Sept. 25, 2012<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Horror <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.</p> <p>Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.</p> <p>Her father was right. The monsters are real….</p> <p>To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….</p></blockquote> <p>I haven’t read any of Gena Showalter’s adult books but since I read rave reviews about her writing, I was really looking forward to <em>Alice in Zombieland</em>. The idea behind the book is brilliant but the execution was just so so.</p> <p>The easiest way for me to review <em>Alice in Zombieland</em> is to let you what I liked about the book and what I did not. </p> <p><strong><u>What I Liked</u></strong><br><strong>Spirituality:</strong> <em>Alice In Zombieland</em> is spiritually deeper that most YA novels out there. I would not go as far as calling it a Christian novel, but kudos to Gena Showalter for including some depth in this book.</p> <p><strong>Original and cool concept:</strong> The book is not a retelling of <em>Alice in Wonderland</em> but more about a girl who finds herself in strange version of reality where zombies are real and she was born to fight them. The concept is original and Showalter’s zombies are much different than the usual. </p> <p><strong>Characters:</strong> Ali’s pain over her loss is very well told and I liked her as a character. Cole has really mature moments and when he did, I liked him a lot. In those shining moments, he reads more like a guy in his 20’s than an 18 year old and I was OK with that.</p> <p><strong><u>What I Did Not Like</u></strong><br><strong>Cole:</strong> Yes, I loved how mature he was at times but hated how possessive he was of Ali at other times. Cole gets insanely jealous when other boys even look at Ali and would want to fight them. It did not make him sexy, just a bully. The only reason that I am not flaming Cole’s jealous behavior is because Ali’s character did not play into it and was independent regardless of how Cole was acting.</p> <p><strong>The big showdown at the end of the book:</strong> This is not a spoiler, there’s always a big showdown at the end. This one was rushed and I really feel like Showalter was tired and just wanted to hurry up and end the book. It was a let down.</p> <p><strong>Characters instantly and supernaturally drawn to each other:</strong> Immediate attraction is fine but the instant supernatural connection between two characters is getting old. Enough already.</p> <p><strong>Sex:</strong> There is no sex in the story but the characters talk about it quite a bit. Honestly, I was more interested in the supernatural aspects of the story than with the main characters making out and deciding if they would or would not have sex. </p> <p>Overall, <em>Alice in Zombieland</em> isn’t bad, it’s just not as good as I think it should have been. I am, however, curious to see where Showalter takes the story and may just pick up the sequel to see what happens.</p> <p><strong>Content:</strong> Kissing, discussions about sex and some profanity. <p><strong>My Rating:</strong> Just OK</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-77129983390190807612013-01-31T12:14:00.001-05:002013-01-31T12:14:02.129-05:00Book to Big Screen: Cloud Atlas<p><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u0Rcciy-h_n5tLdvg1RVkpzvkzioOlUJkaxJw9cwe-MjaTvrVPrsXASGK8jfbZAhFNj_0Vvy0XvP2SdEeX6w64c7lECsk0fDpqpXAlMtOdyHP_QNCb-KUdPcS04O1zdCRvVS97rpg_28/s1600-h/cloudatlas%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="cloudatlas" alt="cloudatlas" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--H6qIm1XoeM/UQqmWb4XW-I/AAAAAAAAB_Q/kTkrxhCrBew/cloudatlas_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="127" height="200"></a>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49628.Cloud_Atlas">Cloud Atlas</a> by David Mitchell <br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Random House<br>Pages: 509 pages<br>Release Date: Aug. 17, 2004<br>Genre: Science Fiction <blockquote> <p>Goodreads Summary: A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinery server” on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilization—the narrators of <em>Cloud Atlas</em> hear each other’s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small.</p> <p>In his captivating third novel, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of language, genre and time to offer a meditation on humanity’s dangerous will to power, and where it may lead us. </p></blockquote> <p><em>Cloud Atlas</em> is not type of book that I’m usually interested in reading. However, the movie trailer looked really interesting so when I was offered the opportunity to review the book professionally, I jumped at the chance to see what it was all about. Sadly, it was not the book for me. <p><em>Cloud Atlas</em> is a set of six short stories that are interconnected. The stories span several centuries, beginning in the nineteenth century and going to a post apocalyptic future. The stories are told in a non-linear fashion (with the exception of the story in the middle), each stopping at a critical point only to be concluded later in the novel. <p>Without a doubt, Mitchell is a talented writer. His ability to give the main characters in six separate stories a unique voice while tying them all together is awesome. I found the middle story to be very difficult to read (the characters use a lot of slang) but I understand why Mitchell wrote it the way he did. <p>As creative as the writing is however, there is a reason that I usually stick to YA novels. I found a few things in the book extremely disturbing such as *spoiler alert, please highlight to read* <font color="#ffffff">a </font><font color="#ffffff">young boy being gang raped by adult men, a teenage boy committing suicide because he was continuously raped by men he worked for and humans being slaughtered and their body parts used for food.</font> No way could I have finished this book if I were reading it recreationally. <p>Also, this book is extremely long and with my issues of deciphering the slang in some of the stories, I felt like this book took me forever to read. <p>I have not seen the movie version of <em>Cloud Atlas</em> and I’m not sure if I want to. Parts of this book made me feel ill and while I doubt the movie would depict such graphic scenes, I just want to forget the whole thing. Have you read <em>Cloud Atlas</em> or did you see the movie? What are your thoughts on either? Let me know in the comments! <p><strong>My Rating:</strong> Disappointing <p><strong>Content:</strong> Kissing, heavy violence, heavy gore, heavy profanity, sex, child rape.</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-11077986003664672752013-01-02T17:14:00.001-05:002013-01-02T17:14:41.139-05:00Waiting on Wednesday: Antigoddess<p>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a> and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is: <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn11bAFo7Dt9U1K0Yyamaoc_kEdu2vAZaRPBRuYDOmlZXS8LLOZPDSINDc2GFHlwCwuJTiBBW5YXdp8YdAOWyZOFjPoscOXbdgJgO2fUwNQ0Wg6DalAe1LplXQ-3Pvsxr7JzOuJUvp6tc/s1600-h/antigoddess%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="antigoddess" alt="antigoddess" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BHXpJolleKM/UOSxT5EhHMI/AAAAAAAAB-k/UHnyI6-66kU/antigoddess_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="188" height="270"></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13246736-antigoddess">Antigoddess</a> by <a href="http://www.kendareblake.com/">Kendare Blake</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Tor Teen<br><strong>Publish Date:</strong> Sept. 10, 2013<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Fantasy, Mythology <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> Old Gods never die…</p> <p>Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.</p> <p>Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.<br>These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.</p> <p>Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.</p> <p>Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.</p> <p>The Goddess War is about to begin.</p></blockquote> <p>Why am I waiting on <em>Antigoddess</em>? I love Greek mythology and Kendare Blake has proven that she can write. Her debut novel, <em>Anna Dressed in Blood</em>, scared the mess out of me but it was still well written. I’m really excited about <em>Antigoddess</em> but September seems so far away… What books are you waiting on?</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-15037882698728583172013-01-02T16:58:00.001-05:002013-01-02T16:58:53.533-05:00Happy New Year!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-witvuAcZi8Q/UOStmFJfryI/AAAAAAAAB94/BNe9b92fQYM/s1600-h/2013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="2013" alt="2013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Ig2PR98270/UOStnAoCqmI/AAAAAAAAB-A/UpfAqVnxr_Y/2013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="138"></a></p> <p>Hope everyone had a happy and safe new year’s day! 2012 was an awesome year for our family. We were blessed with a new addition and preparing for our little girl really dominated the latter part of the year. Unfortunately, my reading a blogging took a hit and the hubs and I are still adjusting to having three children. I am now very slowly starting to read and blog again.</p> <p>As such, I’m only making one bookish new year’s resolution: to get back into reading and blogging. I have so many great books to catch up on from 2012 and so many more awesome ones are being released this year. What about you? Have you made any bookish resolutions for the new year? Let me know in the comments.</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-80718759821976400662012-12-31T23:27:00.001-05:002012-12-31T23:27:21.738-05:00Multi-Cultural Book Challenge Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4hAnm1lDOSXU09UQaB_1ay1InmsfcLr9SsAzwJ9Ubg1VNRZDGzKyX1MY6h0X6vMA72qdqR5rBPmYh_9hxgD7MMgWopQ8udZv-L0RTQBAnta7OFP7ahFFMyruUpq8kAYbYYSqcmgGpSnZ/s1600/mc_book_challenge_button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4hAnm1lDOSXU09UQaB_1ay1InmsfcLr9SsAzwJ9Ubg1VNRZDGzKyX1MY6h0X6vMA72qdqR5rBPmYh_9hxgD7MMgWopQ8udZv-L0RTQBAnta7OFP7ahFFMyruUpq8kAYbYYSqcmgGpSnZ/s200/mc_book_challenge_button.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
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To wrap up the <a href="http://trulybookish.blogspot.com/p/2012-multi-cultural-book-challenge.html">2012 Multi-Cultural Book Challenge</a>, I am giving away two sets of books to two different winners. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9Fi4Z6aCtlc8e0-2i8DXtX_Fheli34Ii6rXWJYz5MUqEOpdxDJfpnUU9-crHKPV7P6apieLY8ASEDRMGEa2Y1aN1esh820idNKDzDn2kAEkvFGS3JjHFUZHmAxb14gENKOGIdEHqvC1f/s1600/winner1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9Fi4Z6aCtlc8e0-2i8DXtX_Fheli34Ii6rXWJYz5MUqEOpdxDJfpnUU9-crHKPV7P6apieLY8ASEDRMGEa2Y1aN1esh820idNKDzDn2kAEkvFGS3JjHFUZHmAxb14gENKOGIdEHqvC1f/s320/winner1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPRAXFD2lLWmHSotRmN5HC74kBemN-dat3dHDzLOnpjCL2MQXteS8mS-MQSSB4fb7RbEUpN7c-JPXzLu38MoWRmprN45X4xug1_ix1vuAQthbYfH__G0J_bI3K6t885PiEZdwj2_0P0xk/s1600/winner2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPRAXFD2lLWmHSotRmN5HC74kBemN-dat3dHDzLOnpjCL2MQXteS8mS-MQSSB4fb7RbEUpN7c-JPXzLu38MoWRmprN45X4xug1_ix1vuAQthbYfH__G0J_bI3K6t885PiEZdwj2_0P0xk/s320/winner2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first winner will get advanced reader copies of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13400296-time-to-shine"><em>Time to Shine</em></a> by Nikki Carter and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13493441-crazy-love"><em>Crazy Love</em></a> by Amir Abrams. The second winner will get advanced reader copies of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13585580-charly-s-epic-fiascos"><em>Charly’s Epic Fiasco</em></a> by Kelli London and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13588273-no-boyz-allowed"><em>No Boyz Allowed</em></a> by Ni-Ni Simone. If you take part in the challenge, you will have more entries in the giveaway. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!<br />
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Special thanks to K-Teen/Dafina for the books!Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-20439548821127171142012-12-26T19:54:00.000-05:002012-12-26T19:54:50.524-05:00Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLoZG2DBJzQta9KKZjLYPjs6gAkNhgrISFyalY7_QaOFiCUmmY6irdT1LHC3B5GoGA400qhu8M7XmN0yW_ChqOgFAf11hEN-Tmd9fx_xYvtDM8_SuDIadWWfnf8B1-Aud2djvx9rK9zC6/s1600/bestof2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLoZG2DBJzQta9KKZjLYPjs6gAkNhgrISFyalY7_QaOFiCUmmY6irdT1LHC3B5GoGA400qhu8M7XmN0yW_ChqOgFAf11hEN-Tmd9fx_xYvtDM8_SuDIadWWfnf8B1-Aud2djvx9rK9zC6/s1600/bestof2012.jpg" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop hosted by <a href="http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/">I Am A Reader Not A Writer</a>. This hop runs from Dec. 27-31. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaoIIicHnXjARvrp55nJvffJU_0UMQ_HXrHB1KtYn3QKXSDmjy11iaPOfZSd63T2QgdQjzRbbxfXVIa7LRAxZGpuo0ASwIpBittZ9YTIW99uymtE5W0ATMujNZj57ABg0ZtZ9NRtdlVau/s1600/pandemonium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaoIIicHnXjARvrp55nJvffJU_0UMQ_HXrHB1KtYn3QKXSDmjy11iaPOfZSd63T2QgdQjzRbbxfXVIa7LRAxZGpuo0ASwIpBittZ9YTIW99uymtE5W0ATMujNZj57ABg0ZtZ9NRtdlVau/s200/pandemonium.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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For this hop, I’m giving away a finished copy of <em>Pandemonium</em> signed by Lauren Oliver herself. I listened to the audio version of this book and loved it. You can read my review <a href="http://trulybookish.blogspot.com/search/label/Lauren%20Oliver">here</a>. I also had the pleasure of meeting Lauren when she visited South Florida earlier this year and she is really cool! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck! Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, happy and blessed holiday season!
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=169384" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script --><br />Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-12860066118303116452012-12-26T18:38:00.001-05:002012-12-26T18:38:30.760-05:00Season’s Greetings!<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EVo6RfJvDws/UNuKc_2kbfI/AAAAAAAAB6I/1OJC-wPjL1I/s1600-h/seasonsgreetings%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="seasonsgreetings" border="0" alt="seasonsgreetings" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yqOWfiukLzM/UNuKdSpE_VI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/o0ewg_7ToTI/seasonsgreetings_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="200"></a></p> <p>Hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas Day yesterday. While I have not been blogging much lately, I have a good reason. Our family of four is now a family of five with Sophia Rachel joining her big brothers Noah and Jonah on December 18! Needless to say, she is the best early Christmas present that we could ever ask for!</p> <p>I have some giveaways to do in the next few days and will start reviewing books again in the next few weeks. I’m looking forward to another happy, healthy and bookish year in 2013!</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-11522837789241024162012-11-14T23:39:00.001-05:002012-11-14T23:42:49.881-05:00Gratitude Giveaway Hop!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6n7rUtvKxoc/UKRyCUuWI7I/AAAAAAAAB4s/EDxUSyi2yBI/s1600-h/gratitudegiveaway12%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gratitudegiveaway12" height="166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vo9U4SCnvMo/UKRyDWUQ8YI/AAAAAAAAB40/woICAdLVMOg/gratitudegiveaway12_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="gratitudegiveaway12" width="221" /></a> Welcome to the Gratitude Giveaway Hop hosted by <a href="http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/">I Am A Reader Not A Writer</a>. This hop runs from Nov. 15-25. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuM0KympMr4_wIqGi0t8Dp1FslZXYSXSLK0cmtomNeDvdKYx_ytsjgohAQIs-khKP37ywd1QauXREeIlsrg9bmgcpFmmDLCBLHhLAXS_AW8b8FS5G9oaVJWupzDlZ9HmjYpBJgf7nciG3/s1600-h/mythos%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mythos" height="150" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z3fplf-Eoqk/UKRyE5KBzBI/AAAAAAAAB5E/qlqaSucYu28/mythos_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="mythos" width="200" /></a> For this hop, I’m giving away the first three books in Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy series, <em>Touch of Frost</em>, <em>Kiss of Frost</em> and an ARC of <em>Dark Frost</em>. These books are full of mythology and action and since the next book in the series (<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13130275-crimson-frost"><em>Crimson Frost</em></a>) comes out on December 24, this is a great time to get caught up on the series! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck. Also, have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones!<br />
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<!-- start LinkyTools script --><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=164599" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end LinkyTools script -->Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-42148623427225249752012-11-14T23:12:00.001-05:002012-11-14T23:12:52.157-05:00Waiting on Wednesday: Spirit<p>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a> and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is: <p><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mSQgMWAQgOGQ4tH64N2fD5VDCzCMAP4zrmTwHK5NK8ocQf7mLjs850nHAb4YghbWRfSW-y0ijQciudWyAUz9fXn_C8c-GRLXxm_NLS2CGXMiG4h1b9BtQn2OIvXyveR1ypftpTkpucxn/s1600-h/spirit%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="spirit" alt="spirit" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXcm_ckQ9oeEjTe6dDFTdAwQuXf2tX4mK2oGxgZ9b-IzXZmiYDahaVGX14f3yxvX591e7e1uSio6vfSxPPDG4-AIuHPfl_T69dFGfzZEm1s4DJWVTqRmZ2bpGw7GPgB0_WEy5prOpzU78/?imgmax=800" width="180" height="270"></a>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13494365-spirit">Spirit</a> by <a href="http://www.brigidkemmerer.com/">Brigid Kemmerer</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> KTeen/Kensington<br><strong>Publish Date:</strong> May 2013<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Paranormal <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> With power comes enemies. Lots of them.</p> <p>Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.</p> <p>He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.</p> <p>Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.<br>With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…</p></blockquote> <p>Why am I waiting on <em>Spirit</em>? The first book (<em>Storm</em>) in this Elemental series was good, the second (<em>Spark</em>) was even better! Seriously guys, if you have not read these books, you have to get them! Love this series and can’t wait to read the next installment. What books are you waiting on?</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-4659408306391050632012-11-13T11:52:00.004-05:002012-11-13T11:52:28.344-05:00Interview + Giveaway with J.A. Souders, Author of Renegade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi1w88qWId3t0nPS5amy24H4pExcf7T5AAC3CP3IQ9dmmUnCz9TUHyuu4wCv_3QijkdCfoNCeW1aMaKl263ZCphtljWLIe4xKyDs3_RUovLoV0ro9Zz-xc1vdUhv-ATJlcDBHCQ64PoDA/s1600/JASouders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi1w88qWId3t0nPS5amy24H4pExcf7T5AAC3CP3IQ9dmmUnCz9TUHyuu4wCv_3QijkdCfoNCeW1aMaKl263ZCphtljWLIe4xKyDs3_RUovLoV0ro9Zz-xc1vdUhv-ATJlcDBHCQ64PoDA/s1600/JASouders.jpg" /></a>I am thrilled to welcome J.A. Souders, debut author of the new YA novel, <em>Renegade</em>. Welcome J.A.!</div>
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<strong>Me: In the spirit of Twitter, tell us about <em>Renegade</em> in 140 characters or less.</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> It's BioShock meets the <em>Bourne Identity</em> for teens. Features assassins, brainwashing, and homicidal mothers.<br />
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<strong>Me: How did you come up with the idea for Renegade?</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> I’ve always wanted to live in an underwater city. I went to school to become a marine biologist and even joined the Navy in the hopes of either starting or living in one. But, well, I never did find that key to Atlantis, so I decided to make one a better way. I’d make it up and write a story around it. After years of scrubbing a ton of manuscripts that just weren’t right because an underwater city would be my version of a utopian society, it finally hit me. I was half watching my son play the video game BIOSHOCK and half watching a documentary on the world’s fascination with perfection. It all meshed in my head and the story was born.<br />
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<strong>Me: Why do you write fantasy novels for and how did you get started?</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> I've always loved the outrageousness of fantasy. Almost anything can and usually does happen. <br />
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<strong>Me: Where did you get the inspiration for the characters?</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> There really wasn't any inspiration behind them. They were just there, telling me there story, but for looks I used Taylor Swift for Evie and Matt Lanter for Gavin.<br />
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<strong>Me: Which character from the book is your favorite?</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> Gavin. He's the perfect guy in my mind. He's strong and stoic, enough of an alpha male to be interesting, but smart enough to let a girl take the lead when she obviously knows more about the situation and how to get out of it then him.<br />
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<strong>Me: Can you tell us a little about your road to publication?</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> My road was fairly simple and fast, and I’m so grateful for it, but it still seems like it’s all a dream. Basically, I wrote a book (a really crappy book) and queried it just knowing it was the next best-seller. Not surprisingly it was rejected. A lot. So I wrote another. This is when I found my first crit partner. She helped me make it shine and taught me so much about writing. I queried it, got a few bites, then decided it just wasn’t what I wanted to debut with. Then I wrote yet another story. Shined it to perfection and queried it. I found Natalie through Absolute Write and got a little buzz, so I sent her a query. About a month later, she asked for a full, and after a short “beauty contest” she became my agent. Unfortunately, that book hasn’t found a home yet, but Natalie didn’t give up on me and I kept writing. I wrote a second book, but the market was too glutted with angel stories for it to sell. Finally, my third book sold to Mel Frain at Tor Teen after about five weeks on sub.<br />
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<strong>Me: Do you read the same genre as you write? What are you currently reading?</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> I'm fairly eclectic when it comes to reading, so yes. I do read in the same genre. I'm currently not reading anything, but I just finished. Like an hour ago. <em>The Lost Prince</em> by Julie Kagawa.<br />
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<strong>Me: What other projects are you working on at this time?</strong><br />
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<strong>J.A.:</strong> I'm working on the 3rd book in the series and a super sekrit project that I'm really excited about. :)<br />
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<strong>Me: Thank you, J.A.!</strong><br />
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<strong>About the book:</strong> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPF7m5eI9i5fdAsHba3WZCy8gX26MfOLQN9U1KjU71IploYkEtx-_m0S8mtlGB2vNa3biz71ky2JkIOeVA9NNg7th08haEzeXzPk_fCmb9YDspEu3nrtFan1kdB4NYRmQ1h7hXiT-l8o7_/s1600/Renegade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPF7m5eI9i5fdAsHba3WZCy8gX26MfOLQN9U1KjU71IploYkEtx-_m0S8mtlGB2vNa3biz71ky2JkIOeVA9NNg7th08haEzeXzPk_fCmb9YDspEu3nrtFan1kdB4NYRmQ1h7hXiT-l8o7_/s1600/Renegade.jpg" /></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468074-renegade">Renegade</a> by <a href="http://www.jasouders.com/">J.A. Souders</a></div>
<strong>Release Date:</strong> Nov. 13, 2012<br />
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Tor Teen<br />
<strong>Pages:</strong> 364 pages <br />
<strong>Genre:</strong> Fantasy <br />
<strong>Buy:</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Elysium-Chronicles-J-A-Souders/dp/0765332450/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333666962&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/renegade-ja-souders/1109152281?ean=9780765332455&itm=1&usri=j.a.souders">B&N</a>, <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Renegade-Souders/9780765332455">The Book Depository</a><br />
<strong>Contact the author:</strong> <a href="http://www.jasouders.com/">Website</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jasouders">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/jasouders2012/">Pinterest</a><br />
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<strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.<br />
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But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. <br />
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Her memories have been altered. <br />
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Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. <br />
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And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.<br />
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Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all</blockquote>
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<strong>Giveaway!</strong></div>
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And now for the giveaway. Tor Teen was wonderful enough to offer a finished copy of <em>Renegade</em> for giveaway. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!<br />
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-61219057364384149002012-11-13T11:16:00.001-05:002012-11-13T11:16:49.501-05:00Winner!<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-klgLnWYty_w/UKJybKyulRI/AAAAAAAAB1U/UNp3KFi3F_Y/s1600-h/confetti%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="confetti" alt="confetti" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EL8xXmNfTno/UKJybjdjjLI/AAAAAAAAB1c/4_mmDlbBYIs/confetti_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="181"></a></p> <p>Congrats to Sherry, the winner of the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! The winner was chosen by Random.org and has been contacted. Thank you to everyone who participated! </p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-71610818525920478392012-11-12T23:14:00.001-05:002012-11-12T23:14:32.643-05:00Book Review: Starling<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oKPzAP5G9fA/UKHJJCPSC7I/AAAAAAAAB0w/eElOGIHkoc4/s1600-h/starling3.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="starling" alt="starling" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSU1sohRnhP7B1NzOXhW1glCXxUtcLT-vkDb9Fb1w407JCOE1FhocGeIL0opbCqwXXENpHByYpYLtmGe-Blqe5XyB5-HKGPGDU0fjxOTvluGww1v7p6qEmrahEtP6cN0pJSNPDc0GeFCy/?imgmax=800" width="133" height="200"></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9248345-starling">Starling</a> by Lesley Livingston<br><strong>Publisher:</strong> HarperTeen<br><strong>Pages:</strong> 352 pages<br><strong>Release Date:</strong> Aug. 28, 2012<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Mythology, Fantasy <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> Mason Starling is a champion fencer on the Gosforth Academy team, but she's never had to fight for her life. Not until the night a ferocious, otherworldly storm rips through Manhattan, trapping Mason and her teammates inside the school. </p> <p>Mason is besieged by nightmarish creatures more terrifying than the thunder and lightning as the raging tempest also brings a dangerous stranger into her life: a young man who remembers nothing but his name--the Fennrys Wolf. His arrival tears Mason's world apart, even as she feels an undeniable connection to him. Together, they seek to unravel the secrets of Fenn's identity as strange and supernatural forces gather around them. </p> <p>When they discover Mason's family--with its dark allegiance to ancient Norse gods--is at the heart of the mystery, Fennrys and Mason are suddenly faced with a terrifying future.</p> <p>Set against the gritty, shadowed back-drop of New York City, this first novel in award-winning author Lesley Livingston's epic Starling Saga is an intoxicating blend of sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action.</p></blockquote> <p>I really liked Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange series and the Fennrys Wolf was one of my favorite characters in the books. I was not a fan of Fenn’s fate at the end of the series so I was really excited when I found out that Livingston’s new series was going to be about him and Norse mythology. I love myth in any form and since there are not enough YA books around with Norse myth, I really wanted this one to be good and it is!</p> <p>I’m a very character driven reader and <em>Starling</em> is a very plot driven book. Regardless, I still enjoyed it. Mason is a great character: a girl who knows how to fight but is not overly or unrealistically kick-buttish. She is a great love interest for Fenn who is even more likable in this book than he was in <em>Wondrous Strange</em>. </p> <p>As much as I liked the characters, the plot is really the highlight of this book. Livingston takes not so well known (for me anyway) Norse mythology and combines it with myth from other cultures, including Egyptian, and creates a really cool story.</p> <p>I love the start of this series and am looking forward to the next book which will hopefully be coming out next year.If you love mythology like I do, this is definitely a book you should pick up. </p> <p><strong>Content:</strong> Kissing, some profanity. <p><strong>My Rating:</strong> Really Good! </p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-6546995943466616592012-11-07T22:04:00.001-05:002012-11-07T22:04:23.962-05:00Waiting on Wednesday: Born of Illusion<p>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a> and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is: <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5wnsJ-oJYlI/UJshMtQ4yZI/AAAAAAAAB0M/ULDO597ZasQ/s1600-h/bornofillusion%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="bornofillusion" border="0" alt="bornofillusion" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jOJel6wwZRNAoIYv5iPrd-Sr4aCKnnGfKArYk_0ej2wXt0cgMzK1miUqJ4HbycVGNj6F1tv3EUEpJ41yCGLI5lvCrM86bHOUvuAhWcvfdmUvuMfCY848kZhPQgGZgz7DeZShClVWQnj-/?imgmax=800" width="182" height="274"></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13000748-born-of-illusion">Born of Illusion</a> by <a href="http://www.teribrownwrites.com/">Teri Brown</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Balzer & Bray<br><strong>Publish Date:</strong> June 11, 2013<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Historical <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> Anna Van Housen is thirteen the first time she breaks her mother out of jail. By sixteen she’s street smart and savvy, assisting her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, and easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums and mentalists in 1920’s New York City. </p> <p>Handcuffs and sleight of hand illusions have never been much of a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother, who will stop at nothing to gain her ambition of becoming the most famous medium who ever lived. But when a strange, serious young man moves into the flat downstairs, introducing her to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, he threatens to reveal the secrets Anna has fought so hard to keep, forcing her to face the truth about her past. Could the stories her mother has told her really be true? Could she really be the illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician of all? </p> <p>Born of Illusion is the first book in a new series. Each book in the series will introduce a new historical figure, whose legend is shrouded in magic, along with the young woman whose fate is irrevocably tied to his. The through line in each of the books will be The Ghost Club, the real life secret society that was founded in 1862 by the likes of Charles Dickens, Sir Conan Doyle, and W. B. Yeats to advance mankind’s knowledge of the paranormal. The first three books in the series will deal with Houdini, Aleister Crowley and Rasputin.</p></blockquote> <p>Why am I waiting on <i>Born of Illusion</i>? I love historical novels and have never read a YA historical about Houdini. Throw in the touch of paranormal and this is a must read for me! What books are you waiting on?</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-82463927363904031492012-10-29T00:58:00.003-04:002012-11-13T11:26:38.684-05:00Review + Giveaway: The Lost Prince<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwtiulP5Zo63ky7ZZ3MaFyohl-TQ00NyjmDp_hQQrTIez85BD4ti7nGnSfM8Mjs3RwDLWZ1JhO1MA0kuk_fPd_X28_wHS-f4X86JG1wVrwIYOgnWheOFVS31hBar-6pnu-FnWV1Z5mYgn/s1600/lostprince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwtiulP5Zo63ky7ZZ3MaFyohl-TQ00NyjmDp_hQQrTIez85BD4ti7nGnSfM8Mjs3RwDLWZ1JhO1MA0kuk_fPd_X28_wHS-f4X86JG1wVrwIYOgnWheOFVS31hBar-6pnu-FnWV1Z5mYgn/s200/lostprince.jpg" width="135" /></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12614410-the-lost-prince">The Lost Prince</a> by Julie Kagawa </div>
<strong>Publisher:</strong> Harlequin Teen<br />
<strong>Pages:</strong> 378 pages<br />
<strong>Release Date:</strong> Oct. 23, 2012<br />
<strong>Genre:</strong> Fantasy<br />
<strong>Links:</strong> <a href="http://www.theironfey.com/">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheIronFey">Facebook</a><br />
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<strong>Summary:</strong> Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them. That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.<br />
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Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.</blockquote>
I was so sad when The Iron Fey series ended. Julie Kagawa is a brilliant world builder and after I read the last book in the series, I felt like I was saying goodbye to well loved characters. Oh how I love Ms. Kagawa for bringing them back!!!<br />
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<em>The Lost Prince</em> picks up several years after the last Iron Fey novel and we meet Ethan Chase as a teenage boy with a lot of issues, all stemming from the fact that he has ‘the Sight,’ the ability to see the fey. Ethan is a really great character and despite his tough exterior, I liked him right away. While <em>The Lost Prince</em> is solidly Ethan’s story, we do run into our favorites from the Iron Fey series and the familiar characters make the story so much better! It is really cool to see Ethan all grown up and taking on the fey that almost killed him and who make his life miserable. New characters such as Kenzie and Keirran are also very well written and well developed. I look forward to reading more about them in upcoming books in this series.<br />
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Even though I’m a character driven reader, it’s Kagawa’s world building that always impresses me and it is fantastic in <em>The Lost Prince</em>! I really enjoyed going back to the twisted world of the Nevernever and I can’t wait to get back there again.<br />
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If you read the Iron Fey series, you will slip right into the story of <em>The Lost Prince</em> but even if this is your first novel by Julie Kagawa, it will be very easy to understand Ethan’s back story and enjoy this book. <em>The Lost Prince</em> is very well written, has a great plot, tons of action and a sweet romance. This is definitely a new series for me to love and I highly recommend it. The second book in the Call of the Forgotten trilogy will be released in Nov. 2013 and I cannot wait!<br />
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<strong>My Rating:</strong> Really Good! <br />
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<strong>Content:</strong> Kissing, violence and mild profanity<br />
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<strong>Giveaway!</strong></div>
Want to win a finished copy of The Lost Prince? Simply fill out the Rafflecopter entry below. Two lucky winners will be chosen by Random.org so good luck! Special thanks to Big Honcho Media for providing the review copy and giveaways!<br />
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-63180551824334987492012-10-24T23:48:00.001-04:002012-10-24T23:48:30.029-04:00Waiting on Wednesday: Ashes on the Waves<p>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a> and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is: <p><strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hXhI8dv29EY/UIi2inTcDyI/AAAAAAAAByk/gjkFIZLF6aU/s1600-h/ashesonwaves_thumb%25255B2%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="ashesonwaves_thumb[2]" alt="ashesonwaves_thumb[2]" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0I7lFdpu9vwJea5YaBMcn7KXkO-HMRnh08Lbdj87rMmIHxCk9CECNUv3vBABI9Kl8k64Wd0cfKsZVbI7ooxWsxmq3SNUzEaIExGBhJyKeZAtb3o4FM1Y3xlAoPtEHxiEhlO_HTIPyyd7i/?imgmax=800" width="178" height="270"></a>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12368123-ashes-on-the-waves">Ashes on the Waves</a> by <a href="http://www.marylindsey.com/">Mary Lindsey</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Philomel/Penguin<br><strong>Publish Date:</strong> June 27, 2013<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Horror <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> Liam MacGregor is cursed. Haunted by the wails of fantastical Bean Sidhes and labeled a demon by the villagers of Dòchas, Liam has accepted that things will never get better for him—until a wealthy heiress named Annabel Leighton arrives on the island and Liam’s fate is changed forever.</p> <p>With Anna, Liam finally finds the happiness he has always been denied; but, the violent, mythical Otherworlders, who inhabit the island and the sea around it, have other plans. They make a wager on the couple’s love, testing its strength through a series of cruel obstacles. But the tragedies draw Liam and Anna even closer. Frustrated, the creatures put the couple through one last trial—and this time it’s not only their love that’s in danger of being destroyed.</p> <p>Based on Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling poem Annabel Lee, Mary Lindsey creates a frighteningly beautiful gothic novel that glorifies the power of true love.</p></blockquote> <p>Why am I waiting on <em>Ashes on the Waves</em>? Lately, I’ve become a bit fascinated by YA books based on stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe and this sounds like a good one. What books are you waiting on?</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-79938888861937987882012-10-23T19:16:00.002-04:002012-10-23T19:16:27.961-04:00Spooktacular Giveaway Hop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBZGx4hSl9JDthxFl6tLmZsS4C-0j9d1tnTarsqqIIxbH2BGCdmHTlW8hXDqIQErx86JuRWFhuNhDGPbxF0OGV3S6yPeJlAZacVLknBwkcQpuMqziT3Wf5vWL010TNjIM4jiqfSsV42bo/s1600/Spooktacular2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBZGx4hSl9JDthxFl6tLmZsS4C-0j9d1tnTarsqqIIxbH2BGCdmHTlW8hXDqIQErx86JuRWFhuNhDGPbxF0OGV3S6yPeJlAZacVLknBwkcQpuMqziT3Wf5vWL010TNjIM4jiqfSsV42bo/s200/Spooktacular2012.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by <a href="http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/">I Am A Reader Not A Writer</a> and <a href="http://www.linkytools.com/click_linky.aspx?entryid=4879328">The Diary of a Bookworm</a>. This hop runs from Oct. 24-31. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXHumy-yQ38EMT5UGKOLklyntdgADI6HcncdWkQI-jMGFrvpP0zcE_WDuwEhKrGrclbsULD_Zp77-de2wGcYgA_iJCNz96fllo2FDQ5vv2hZXnZxcRNW1McYz_712ubC5E_yNk7GnIpTa/s1600/cursed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXHumy-yQ38EMT5UGKOLklyntdgADI6HcncdWkQI-jMGFrvpP0zcE_WDuwEhKrGrclbsULD_Zp77-de2wGcYgA_iJCNz96fllo2FDQ5vv2hZXnZxcRNW1McYz_712ubC5E_yNk7GnIpTa/s200/cursed.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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For this hop, I’m giving away an ARC of <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11945589-cursed"><em>Cursed</em></a> by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I’m a huge Armentrout fan and can’t think of a better Halloween giveaway than a story about a girl who has been brought back from the dead AND who kills everything she touches! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below and good luck!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1fd45250/" id="rc-1fd45250" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<!-- end LinkyTools script -->Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-35367197466030955622012-10-23T18:57:00.001-04:002012-10-23T18:57:17.172-04:00Winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZarRzDUU6-KeWVgRVH93zf-u7lONqFnyID77OfADAEElxKgGa8QCvoI7ihQLyO8l5S-0fM9Z1lIjUWdEhabZWRgqNjeYmxpR7rfg3YR9A0uu7vYupUoSS4tZgPmG9UW4adRVb61roVk2X/s1600/confetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZarRzDUU6-KeWVgRVH93zf-u7lONqFnyID77OfADAEElxKgGa8QCvoI7ihQLyO8l5S-0fM9Z1lIjUWdEhabZWRgqNjeYmxpR7rfg3YR9A0uu7vYupUoSS4tZgPmG9UW4adRVb61roVk2X/s1600/confetti.jpg" /></a></div>
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Congrats to Marie Haney, the winner of the Happily Ever After
Giveaway Hop! The winner was chosen by Random.org and has been contacted. Thank
you to everyone who participated! Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-84682523197782200602012-10-17T14:15:00.001-04:002012-10-17T14:15:25.525-04:00Waiting on Wednesday: Black City<p>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a> and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is: <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXbr73nvjzj3dPJ9d6w9mxT2Sr8R1NXpkbJRHpxs7AjhjP-AOIeXhHWJUVzE_uCjJkNO_IfJXr2IX8IotN6WvocfG503-r9H7cf-DgeEgvJIcSI5HMSQcQCZzmsor-lPn2CE72HdWZ_B9/s1600-h/blackcity%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="blackcity" alt="blackcity" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ABI_g_fEXyna-pgt2QOaMdVTjwShAR9FAddvct84mCBEaGwboL9O8OuozNSIpHOgO-oNiwlUjx37U1aueJep6HzGRWOZiyqmMD0tteRyUw5GpZXkB9aVnl1DXltioufoKQ6UKcJ51CYC/?imgmax=800" width="180" height="270"></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12568505-black-city">Black City</a> by <a href="http://theredpenofdoom.wordpress.com/">Elizabeth Richards</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> G.P. Putnam<br><strong>Publish Date:</strong> Nov. 13, 2012<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Dystopia, Paranormal</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> <em>A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.</em></p> <p>In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. </p> <p>Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.</p> <p>When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.</p></blockquote> <p>Why am I waiting on <em>Black City</em>? 2012 seems to be the year for the dystopian/post apocalyptic vampire novel and I am loving it! Plus, the boy’s name is Ash and I cannot resist a YA novel with a boy named Ash :-). What books are you waiting on?</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8577671326216532557.post-67659490623720798562012-10-10T17:29:00.001-04:002012-10-10T17:29:14.247-04:00Waiting on Wednesday: Ink<p>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a> and spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is: <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sD-ydvDFcGI/UHXopaeRGPI/AAAAAAAABvg/bW7muRhzwAc/s1600-h/Ink%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="Ink" alt="Ink" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vma8aoqnQwg/UHXoqIgSR7I/AAAAAAAABvo/NEc_E51xDio/Ink_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="178" height="270"></a><strong>Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13423346-ink">Ink</a> by <a href="http://www.amandasunbooks.com/">Amanda Sun</a><br><strong>Publisher:</strong> Harlequin Teen<br><strong>Publish Date:</strong> June 5, 2013<br><strong>Genre:</strong> Mythology, Fantasy <blockquote> <p><strong>Goodreads Summary:</strong> <em>I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.</em></p> <p><em>Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of girl lying on a bench.</em></p> <p><em>A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.</em></p> <p><em>And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.</em></p> <p>On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.</p> <p>Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.</p> <p>Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.</p></blockquote> <p>Why am I waiting on <i>Ink</i>? You guys know that I love mythology and there isn’t nearly enough Japanese mythology in YA books these days. This book sounds awesome and I am VERY excited about it. What books are you waiting on?</p> Truly Bookishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743732410468229012noreply@blogger.com5