Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Perfect Place to Read

It's Tuesday morning and I'm stuck at work like every day. Not that I'm complaining. I love my job for many reasons - like being occupied for about 5% of my work time. It allows me to write and read and study, and my boss is awesome and doesn't say a thing. This has been going on for the past 6 years now I think :DD

Anyway, so I was wondering, if I weren't at work, what I would be doing and 'reading' was the first thing that came to mind. Which led me to wondering where I would be reading, and hence today's topic.

I'm a nature lover and as such, reading outside is how I see myself. The best possible thing would be lying or sitting on a comfortable garden swing with a great book in my hands. Something like this

but with me on it. Nice, eh? Unfortunately, with all that snow outside, I'm much rather feeling like taking my time in front of a fireplace. Imagine the fire crackling, a box of delicious chocolates on the table in front of you, a yellow Lab in your feet or on your lap.... The perfect picture of harmony and bliss :))

Some people have weird reading habits. Like this....


 .... or this ...


... or even this...






.... which made me wonder What's your favorite place to read???

Monday, January 30, 2012

Top of the Pile on Monday Morning #5

It's Monday again, and the organization freak - a.k.a. me - is struggling with the dilemma which books to read this week. And trust me when I say that I MUST PICK THE TITLES BEFOREHAND, or I'll end up falling behind on reviews and such. Good thing my phone calendar is working alongside, letting me know what is due when. :)) If you have the same troubles, come join me in the Top of the Pile MEME that I host.

Before I post my titles for the week however, let me give you a couple of links:






REVIEW OF REVEALING EDEN by Victoria Foyt
REVIEW OF THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER by Melanie Dickerson
REVIEW OF SHADES OF TRUTH by Naomi Kinsman
 


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"Top of the Pile on Monday Morning" is a weekly MEME hosted by Vanya D. here on YA Story Teller. It features up to three books that I plan to read for the week.


I am hosting this new MEME, featured every Monday. If you want to participate, you need to do the following things:

1. Either grab the button or paste the MEME in your post;
2. Tell us about the books you're planning to read this week. Include a picture of them. A blurb (or summary) is not necessary, though if you feel like it, you may certainly share it. Please make this a realistic choice, as we wouldn't want to see repeating titles.
3. Let us know why you chose those books exactly.
4. Follow your host, and register in the links below this post.
 Thanks!!!

The choices for this week are:

Book #1:
Title: Enchantment
Series: The Channie Series
Author: Charlotte Abel

Summary: Sixteen year old Channie Kerns leads an idyllic life of seclusion and magic deep in the Ozark Mountains ... until her family is forced to flee for their lives.

They leave everything and everyone behind to start over in Louisville, Colorado. Magic is forbidden while they are in hiding, but Channie can't resist the temptation to enchant a group of local boys. When her overbearing parents catch her flirting with these "sex-crazed, non-magical delinquints,” they slap a chastity spell on her to protect her virtue.
The spell is triggered by lust, so just navigating the halls at her new school is an ordeal. She can't even touch a boy she's attracted to without blasting him with a jolt of magical energy that feels like a taser.

When Channie falls in love with Josh Abrim, a BMX racer with dangerous secrets of his own, she rebels against her parents and turns to dark and forbidden magic to break the chastity spell ... with disastrous results.


Why I want to read it: Because I heard very good things about it. I'm already 10% in and truly - it's amazing :)

Book#2:
Title: Invasion
Series: C.H.A.O.S
Author: Jon S. Lewis


Summary: He didn't ask for the job, but now all that stands between us and chaos... is Colt

Colt McAlister was having the summer of his life. He spent his days surfing and his nights playing guitar on the beach with friends. He even met a girl and got his first car. But everything changes when his parents are killed in a freak accident.

He's forced to leave his old life behind and move to Arizona with his grandfather. The only person he knows at the new high school is a childhood friend named Dani. And Oz, a guy he's sure he's never met but who is strangely familiar.

But what if his parents' death wasn't an accident? His mother, an investigative reporter, was going to expose a secret mind-control program run by one of the world's largest companies. Before she could release the story, what if agents from Trident Biotech made sure she couldn't go public?

Vowing to uncover the truth, Colt gets drawn into a secret world of aliens, shape shifters, flying motorcycles, and invisible gateways.

The Invasion has begun. 


Why I want to read it: I had no idea that "Alienation" was the second book to this series, so I got it from Netgalley. And well, I had to get book one before book 2, so there you go. That's my reason. Besides - it sounds cool. Flying motorcycles, eh? Give 'em to me!! :))

Book#3:
Title: Alienation
Series: C.H.A.O.S
Author: Jon S. Lewis


Summary: After his parents were killed in a car accident, Colt McAllister was drawn into a world he thought only existed in comic books-one where mind control, jet packs, and flying motorcycles don't even scratch the surface.
Along with his best friends Oz and Danielle, Colt is now training at the secret Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural academy. But strange accidents seem to follow him. . . even with the security of the school grounds. What first seems random soon turns deadly. But who is targeting Colt?

As the alien invasions increase in frequency and force, C.H.A.O.S resources are taxed to the limit and they're forced to utilize the new recruits. In the midst of battle, Colt will discover some startling revelations . . . about himself, his friendship with Oz, and why he has been chosen to defeat this alien attack against earth.

Why I want to read it: I loved the cover and summary and had to request it from Netgalley. Well - I got it, and it's time I read it :)

How about you? What titles are you planning to read this week??


Saturday, January 28, 2012

E-book readers



Hello my dearest stalkers!!! I never thought I'd like being stalked but there, I do :)
I am extremely happy of my growing list and wanted to thank you for following me! I might have to think about organizing a giveaway sometime soon :))) I will definitely let you know what my precious brain came up with LOL

Now, I know that many of you have some sort of an e-reader and I wanted to do a little poll about what kind of reader you have. Mine is a Kindle, and I love it. So, I'd be grateful if you could vote on the poll at the top right hand corner of the home page of this blog. If you voted "Other" please let me know in a comment what kind of reader you have. Thank you!!!!
Also, I wanted to share with you a post of one friend of mine concerning the pros and cons of e-readers and hard copy books. If you want to read more and take part of the discussion, please go to a daydreamer's thoughts . She would love your comments :))

Aaand one more thing before I leave you to your thoughts and readings. I wanted to remind you about the two remaining stops of the Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon blog tour.

January 30th - Taneesha @ A Diary of a Book Addict

January 31st - HD Gordon

Don't forget to post a comment for a signed copy of Blood Warrior!!!

Have fun! And enjoy your weekend!!!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Follow Friday #3

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Follow Me Friday is a book meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. #FF is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort
between bloggers. In order to join in the fun, all you need is well . . . A book blog :)

And this week's question is (drum roll):

Which book genre do you avoid at all costs and why?

A: I know how most of you are open minded to all sorts of genres, but I pretty much draw the line on erotica and horror. I do enjoy the occasional sex scene in romance (para-romance) stories, but a strait out erotica is just not my thing. That would be like watching XXL or something. I just feel it's wrong. And horrors scare me. In fact, horror books scare me more than horror movies. I think the reason has something to do with having the mind imagine the horror pictures for itself, and then it remembers them permanently. *shudders* Nope, definitely not my thing.

You got my answer, what's yours??

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Happy Snowy Thursday & Review: Revealing Eden

Good morning, my dear stalkers!! :))
Thank you for increasing your numbers every day. It thrills me to know that I have come to 70+ followers in under two months :)) All of you are so precious to me!!
Aaand, since you guys make me extremely happy, I'm going to share with you a photo from outside my office window.  We're in a one-story building, and the back yard has several small trees (plum and cherry) that are now snowy trees :))


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It snowed almost all night and it's still snowing now. We have like 20 cm of nice fluffy snow cover :)) I can't wait for lunch break LOL

Anyways, I also wanted to let you know that my review of Victoria Foyt's "Revealing Eden" is now available here.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #5

How is everyone doing in the middle of the week? I myself am pretty well, thank God :)) Anyway, let's plunge into this week's



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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.



And I'm sure you're all wondering about my book choices... Well, here they are!!!

Title: The Last Echo
Series: The Body Finder
Author: Kimberly Derting
Expected publication date: April 17th, 2012

Summary:  Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice.

When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye...


Why I want to read it:  Because I simply love this series. It's got thrill, mystery and romance. How much better could it get really?


and


Title: Waiting for Mercy
Series: Mercy Moore
Author: Shannon Dermott
Expected Publication Date: 


Summary: With all that Mercy has learned about who and what she is, will it help her overcome even a promise her mother made? Or will that promise keep her life in constant danger? With turmoul in her life, how can she handle the consequences about how a love life will affect her future? Mercy will be faced with many things. What will she do? Who can she trust? And will her choices make the decision of who she really loves known to all? Or will it matter at all in the end?

Why I want to read it: Because I fell completely and utterly in love with book 1 and every single character in it!! I can't wait to see more Flynn, Luke, Sebastian and Mercy!! And, boy am I curious to know what that promise is!!!!

How about you? What are you waiting on this Wednesday??

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Quote me Tuesday #3 & Blog Tour reminder

You guys know that I hosted one of the Blood Warrior blog tour stops last Friday. So, since I think about you all so much, I just wanted to remind you that the blog tour continues, and if you're interested in a signed and personalized paperback copy of the novel, you should join in the fun and stop by the remaining touring blogs :))

And here are the dates and places:

January 24th - Tt @ Never Ending Stories

January 25th - Maghon @ Happy Tails and Tales

January 26th - Erica @ Ink Spots and Roses

January 27th - Lissa @ The Book Nut

January 30th - Taneesha @ A Diary of a Book Addict

January 31st - HD Gordon

*Remember that if you stop by all of the blogs and leave a comment you will be entered to win a Signed & personalized paperback copy of Blood Warrior!!










Quote me Tuesday is a weekly MEME hosted by Lacey @ LaceyShoeLaces


My random quote comes from "Revealing Eden" by Victoria Foyt.

"Each time she lost sight of them, she panicked. The jungle closed in around her. Anything might happen."

And my picture to go with it:

Enjoy your day!!!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Top of the Pile on Monday Morning #4

Hello everybody! Be blessed on a nice Monday morning :))

I wanted to say a HUUUUUUUGE thank you to all of you who followed me on Friday :)) It was amazing to see my stalker list grow to 68!! I might have to think of a 100 giveaway!!! :)))

Well, anyway, I wanted to let you all know, that I completed my reading goal from last week's top of the pile. Isn't that cool?? Well, cooler is that I even exceeded it!!

Check this out:






REVIEW OF BEG FOR MERCY by Shannon Dermott
REVIEW OF SOMETHING WITCHY THIS WAY COMES by Veronica Blade
REVIEW OF OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout
REVIEW OF ALIAS DRAGONFLY by Jane Singer


And let's get in the fun for this week's Top of the Pile!!!


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"Top of the Pile on Monday Morning" is a weekly MEME hosted by Vanya D. here on YA Story Teller. It features up to three books that I plan to read for the week.


I am hosting this new MEME, featured every Monday. If you want to participate, you need to do the following things:

1. Either grab the button or paste the MEME in your post;
2. Tell us about the books you're planning to read this week. Include a picture of them. A blurb (or summary) is not necessary, though if you feel like it, you may certainly share it. Please make this a realistic choice, as we wouldn't want to see repeating titles.
3. Let us know why you chose those books exactly.
4. Follow your host, and register in the links below this post.
 Thanks!!!

And here are my choices for this week:
Book #1:

Title:
Author: Victoria Foyt
Series: Save the Pearls


Summary: Eden Newman must mate before her 18th birthday in six months or she'll be left outside to die in a burning world. But who will pick up her mate-option when she's cursed with white skin and a tragically low mate-rate of 15%? In a post-apocalyptic, totalitarian, underground world where class and beauty are defined by resistance to an overheated environment, Eden's coloring brands her as a member of the lowest class, a weak and ugly Pearl. If only she can mate with a dark-skinned Coal from the ruling class, she'll be safe. Just maybe one Coal sees the Real Eden and will be her salvation her co-worker Jamal has begun secretly dating her. But when Eden unwittingly compromises her father's secret biological experiment, she finds herself in the eye of a storm and thrown into the last area of rainforest, a strange and dangerous land. Eden must fight to save her father, who may be humanity's last hope, while standing up to a powerful beast-man she believes is her enemy, despite her overwhelming attraction. Eden must change to survive but only if she can redefine her ideas of beauty and of love, along with a little help from her "adopted aunt" Emily Dickinson.


Why I want to read it: Two reasons - I requested it from NetGalley a week or so ago, and have to get on with my reviewing; secondly, I heard some really nice things about this book, and want to see if they're true.


Book #2:


Title: The Merchant's Daughter
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Series: none


Summary: An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice.Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

Why I want to read it: Firstly, I liked the cover on NetGalley; second - I need to read historical fiction for a GoodReads group challenge.


Book #3:


Title: Shades of Truth
Author: Naomi Kinsman
Series: From Sadie's Sketchbook


Summary: It's Going to Be a Bear of a Year
Sadie thought she'd have a perfect fresh start when she moved to Eagle's Nest, Michigan, but finding her place in her new school proves harder than she expected. In this divided town, Sadie's father's job mediating between bear hunters and researchers doesn't help her social life. Sadie's art instructor encourages her to explore her beliefs and express herself through her sketchbook, and things improve after Sadie befriends a kind girl from school and a researcher's son---but she can't stop worrying about the bears. As everything swirls around her, Sadie must learn what it means to have faith when you don't have all the answers.

Why I want to read it: Well, it looks like a pretty light read, and I might need just that kind of thing at the end of the week :)

So, what are you planning to read this week???

Friday, January 20, 2012

Blog Tour - Blood Warrior/Half-Black Soul by H.D. Gordon

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Dear me! It's Friday the 20th - my day of the Blood Warrior/Half-black Soul blog tour!!! I'm soo excited!!!

Anyways, since I read this book in the beginning of the month, and my review of it is already up on my blog, I'll just ask you to click here to read it :)))

My exclusive feature though, is an author interview with H.D. Gordon!!! Please continue reading to find out more about the author and her work!! Thanks!!

Hello Heather, it's so nice to have you join me here @ YA Story Teller today. What made you write this book in particular?

I think that as a writer, it would be impossible to write something that I wasn’t personally interested in. In honesty, when I began this book it didn’t even cross my mind that I would publish it when it was complete. I just got fed up with reading crappy vampire novels that I felt were written for the wrong reasons, and it became a personal challenge to see if I could do better. See, I had knocked out most of the good novels in the genre, and no matter how much I read it was never enough. I read like a writer, and that meant that I recognized what I wanted out of these books and what I didn’t want. So, really, what I’m saying is that I wrote this book for me. I was happy with it, and that was all that mattered. It still baffles me that a few other people seem to like it too.

Where did you get your inspiration from?

Oh, inspiration is a funny thing. You never know what will spark it. I get ideas for stories all the time, and if they stick in my head long enough I usually end up trying to get them on paper so they will leave me the heck alone. With Blood Warrior, I simply wanted a story that I could let myself live in; to tell a tale that I could use as a personal escape. I was going through a really rough spot in my life when I started it, and it managed to help keep me sane. I just started out with a few pages and ended up with an entire book five weeks later.

Do any of your characters represent a person you know from real life?

Nelly, the mc’s sister was taken from my little sister, Muriel. Mostly, I used my love for her to dictate Alexa’s actions. Her hazel eyes, pretty face and usually calm demeanor were what I used to build Nelly. Many of Alexa’s traits belong to me. I’m pretty sure they are the weaker and more annoying ones, but as I said, this story was really just for me in the beginning, so I imagined myself as Alexa and used that to dictate her actions as well.

If you could enter your imaginary world like a character, which one would you like to be?

Well, I suppose I would want to be a Warrior, like Alexa, as my previous answers probably indicated. I mean, I don’t know if I would be able to handle all the things she goes through quite as well, but I admired her strength and loyalty. I suppose I wouldn’t want the homicidal trait, but it’s a very big part of who she is, and I thought that if I could get people to root for a killer that would be a pretty big accomplishment. As I said, the world I attempted to create was just a fantasy in my head, and so that’s why I wouldn’t mind living in it.

How did you end up with that cool cover?

Okay, I’m blushing now. I don’t even really want to answer this, but okay… I didn’t have the money to hire someone to create a cover for me, but I did have a and a black blanket (still blushing) I wanted my sister to be the model for the cover, but she refused because she’s just as shy as I am. After a few weeks went by with me not publishing the book simply because I didn’t have a cover, I grabbed one of my dad’s swords, hung a black blanket and took a hundred pictures. I wasn’t happy with any of them. I still cringe when I look at it now, but I figured the story was what really mattered, so I chose a picture and threw it on there. Needless to say, everyone who knows me laughed at me for weeks. They said, “Seriously, you wrote it AND you’re on the cover.” After a while it was just kind of an inside joke. I’m extremely happy that I didn’t have to do this for Half Black Soul, and I hope like hell I never have to again.

Which one of your characters was the most difficult to create?

Well, I suppose I struggled with all of them in the beginning. This was my first book after all, and I wanted to make sure that the characters weren’t just cardboard cutouts. After the first few chapters, they begin to form minds of their own. And, even now they just seem to take the story wherever they please without my permission. I’m resigned. I just let them do what they want now.

Which scene gave you the most difficulty?

There were several points when I thought that I had hit a lump that I wouldn’t be able to climb over. I guess the hardest one for me was the opening scene. I think there were ten different first chapters before I finally got the one I wanted. I knew how important those first few pages were, and I drove myself crazy over them. Funny thing is, the first chapter is my favorite now. I didn’t really think about how others would take it because I wasn’t really intending to share it with anyone. It’s one of the few parts in the book that I’m still really pleased with, so I suppose all the work paid off.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Vanya!

Well, thank you Heather, both on my behalf, and on my readers!!

****************** You may be interested in the following information ********************

The remaining tour dates and blogs are:

January 23rd - Karla @ Book Addict

January 24th - Tt @ Never Ending Stories

January 25th - Maghon @ Happy Tails and Tales

January 26th - Erica @ Ink Spots and Roses

January 27th - Lissa @ The Book Nut

January 30th - Taneesha @ A Diary of a Book Addict

January 31st - HD Gordon

*Remember that if you stop by all of the blogs and leave a comment you will be entered to win a Signed & personalized paperback copy of Blood Warrior!!

** Don't forget to follow all the fabulous tour hosts while you are there! **

Follow Friday #2

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Follow Me Friday is a book meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. #FF is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort
between bloggers. In order to join in the fun, all you need is well . . . A book blog :)

This week's question:
Q: What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get your hands on any particular book?


A: Well, I don't know if that counts as crazy exactly, but since I live in Bulgaria, some books (even in e-format) are kind of difficult to get. Such was the case with the e-novella "Never to Sleep" by Rachel Vincent, because it was (mainly) available on B&N for the advertised price of dollar something, while on amazon the cost was three times higher. Naturally, I wanted to buy it at minimal cost. But B&N wouldn't let me, since they only 'deliver' to the US and CA. So, I ended up calling my sister, who lives in the States, to purchase it for me, then send it over. Well, that didn't quite work out. The next day or two I just roamed the net for any site that would sell it to me. Turns out Harlequin Teen worked just fine LOL

Hop in, follow and share the luuuurve!!! :))

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Blog Tour - Blood Warrior/Half-black Soul by H.D. Gordon!!!


Hello, hello!!!
I don't know how you feel about giveaways, but I sure do love them!!! If you follow this tour through all the dates posted below and comment, you will be entered to win signed and personalized paperback copy of "Blood Warrior" by H.D. Gordon. Isn't that just AWESOME???

So hop along, comment and... well... follow :)))

And here are the dates:


January 16th - Kay @ K-Books

January 17th - Shieka @ Doctor's Notes

January 18th - Cecelia @ Cecelia Robert's Written Word

January 19th - Tana @ Tana Rae Reads

January 20th - Vanya @ YA Story Teller

January 23rd - Karla @ Book Addict

January 24th - Tt @ Never Ending Stories

January 25th - Maghon @ Happy Tails and Tales

January 26th - Erica @ Ink Spots and Roses

January 27th - Lissa @ The Book Nut


January 30th - Taneesha @ A Diary of a Book Addict

January 31st - HD Gordon

*Remember that if you stop by all of the blogs and leave a comment you will be entered to win a Signed & personalized paperback copy of Blood Warrior.


** Don't forget to follow all the fabulous tour hosts while you are there! **


Blood Warrior available in Paperback!
Order it from Createspace today!