Guest Review: Spells

Guest Review!!!

Today Alexa stopped by for a guest review!!

You can find her at: Pages of Forbidden Love

Title: Spells

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: Harper Collins

Publication Date: May 2010 

"I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't ‘steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask," Tamani said.

"And if I don't?" Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then I guess I'll be waiting forever."

Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life—and especially her boyfriend, David—to return to the faerie world.
But when she is summoned to Avalon, Laurel's feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamani are undeniable. She is forced to make a choice—a choice that could break her heart.

My Thoughts:
When we last left Laurel, Tam and David everything was mostly on the right track. Laurel had saved her dad's life and managed to keep their cabin with the help of the faeries. Upon returning to this exciting world we are informed that Laurel is invited to come spend most of her summer in Avalon so she can get back to her studies as a Fall faerie. Avalon is beautiful and a place meant for peace and order where Winter faeries are rare and lead the place while Fall faeries are considered an important second. Summer and Spring faeries fall into the social order after the upper faeries and there are several society rules on how one must behave when addressing an upper faerie. It all sounds complex which it can become with all the things Laurel must now figure out. She is of course entirely use to the way the human world functions but now she must learn a new place with new customs. When her stay in Avalon is over she must go back to her human life to help protect the people she loves most.

I loved getting to see Avalon and see how the faerie world works. It was great to see Laurel in a different element and watch her grow and change in subtle ways. It was also great to see her friendship (cough relationship cough) with Tam grow more than ever before. He is key in the beginning of the story because he can show Laurel just how much she has missed when she is in the human world. He is however a Spring faerie so he is lower in class than Laurel and their friendship is a little strained sometimes because of the strict Avalon customs. The Avalon world kind of reminded me of Harry Potter sometimes, how there is this whole other world to escape to in order to learn stuff that humans have no clue about.

It was a little heartbreaking to see Laurel leave Avalon and Tam behind yet again to rejoin the human world with her boyfriend David. The heart breaking lasted only a little while though as the reader starts to remember all of the things that make David such a great guy. I personally felt so connected with the story, I was feeling some of the same emotions as Laurel with her extreme like and troubles over both of our leading male characters. Just as Laurel starts to get comfy in the human world again the trolls start to show up, out to get revenge. Laurel is left having to try to find a way to stay alive during this slowly forming war between good and evil, faerie and troll!

Overall I really did fall in love with this story I read it in about a day and a half because I was that engrossed in what was happening. I loved the characters even more than I did in the first book and I felt like everyone grew up in a natural way. I liked how we got to see more mature characters and that the relationships forming between Laurel and David/Tam were growing as well. Who doesn't love the all out battle of a girl's heart as she tries so hard to figure out who to love, who is right for her. The ending left me screaming out that I want the next book in the series because Aprilynne left us at a cliffhanger, one that I can't wait to read more about in the next installment. Overall I would give this book 5 stars, I enjoyed it even more than I did the first book Wings.

Quick Update!!!

Hi guys,
So I was suppose to leave from PA today but a few family things came up... so It looks like I will be moving up here!!! I am really going to try to keep my blog going while I move but for now, a few weekly memes will ahve to be put on hold. I am hoping this will not take too long but you never know!

Thanks to all of you for hanging in there with me and if there is anyone who would like to do a guest post or review just email me @ stephanie_xoxo27@yahoo.com!!

XOXO

Author Spotlight: Scott Tracey

Please Welcome

Scott Tracey

Author of 

Witch Eyes

1) Could you tell us a bit about yourself.

Scott: I'm from Ohio, born and raised, and when I was about eight or nine, I was convinced that there was a book at the library that was going to have a magic spell that would create a Gameboy for me.  Unfortunately, that book was always checked out.  So instead of becoming a Gameboy-toting wizard, I decided to become a writer instead.

2) Could you tell us a bit about Witch Eyes?

Scott: When I usually have to describe the book, I call it my "gay Romeo and Juliet with witches" book.  Braden, whose been raised by his uncle, suffers from a curse known as the witch eyes - a powerful ability to see the world as it truly is - an encyclopedia of memories, pain, and darkness.  But this power is costly - it's killing him a little more every time he uses it.

When one such vision suggests that his uncle is in danger, Braden runs away to the town of Belle Dam, hoping to stop the threat before his uncle is hurt.  Instead, he finds himself in the midst of a supernatural feud that divides the town, and trapped between the rival witch dynasties in charge.   Each of whom has plans for Braden, and hopes to use him to ignite the feud into a final, vicious victory.

3) What was the inspiration for writing Witch Eyes?

Scott: Mostly, it stemmed from wanting to write something that I would want to read.  There aren't a lot of genre books with a gay main character.  But being gay is probably the least interesting thing about Braden, and that was something that was important to me.  My focus was more on the story I was telling, and the trouble that Braden gets into.  The fact that he's gay was just like saying he has brown hair or wears sunglasses.

Braden's ability actually came to me while thinking about people who were allergic or sensitive to sunlight and wondering, if there were a supernatural cause to it, how would that work?

4) Were there any personal experiences that went in to writing Witch Eyes?

Scott: Well, there was that one time where I fought off demons in a cemetery...  ;)There are little details in Witch Eyes that were drawn from personal experiences.  Like the fact that Braden arrives in town on a bus - I did a cross-country bus trip a few years ago, and it was a fascinating experience.  The diner he eats at is based off a place my parents and I went to, once.  Little things like that - nothing mind-blowing, though.  Given what happens to Braden over the course of the book, I think that's a good thing.

5) Was Braden's character based on anyone or was he a purely made up character? What is he like?

Scott: Braden's like a lot of teenagers.  The witch eyes make him feel like a freak, and all he wants is to be treated just like everyone else.  He's stubborn and sarcastic, and generally on the defensive a lot.  He's like a couple of people I know, and a little like myself (although much cooler, obviously).  Little things that he does are drawn from people I worked with, or went to school with.

6) What was your inspiration in the cover art for Witch Eyes?

Scott: Well, Flux gets all the credit for coming up with such a fantastic cover.  I absolutely adore it.  I knew I wanted something darker - to fit more with the tone of the book.   The eyes are a little creepy and fantastic, and the way everything is a little hazy and bleeds across the cover is perfect.

7) Do you plan to have Witch Eyes as a stand alone novel or part of a series?

Scott: As of right now, it's part of a two book series.  There may be another book after that, but we'll have to wait and see.

8) Who is your favorite character in the book? And why?

Scott: It really depends on the day.  Most of the time I'd have to say Braden, but it depends on the kinds of scenes that I'm writing.   Braden gets to say things that I wish I could say, sometimes.   Lucien, one of the adults in town, is also a lot of fun to write.  And it's interesting, because in writing the sequel, my favorites have completely changed.

9) If Witch Eyes was made into a movie, Who would be your dream cast?

Scott: Braden - Max Thieriot (My Soul to Take)
Trey - Drew Van Acker (Tower Prep).  He'd just have to be a little more blonde.
Riley - Magda Apanowicz (Kyle XY, Caprica)
Jade - Aly Michalka (Hellcats).

For the adults:

Catherine Lansing - Heather Locklear (Melrose Place)
 Jason Thorpe - Adrian Pasdar (Heroes)
Lucien Fallon - David Anders (Vampire Diaries)

 

10) Do you write to music? If so, what is your favorite?

Scott:I have to have music to write.  I usually listen to a lot of rock when I'm writing: 30 Seconds to Mars, The Pretty Reckless, Red.  But my absolute favorite band to listen to has to be The Birthday Massacre.    The occasional Glee cover sneaks in there, too.

11) What do you plan on doing in the future?

Scott: Well, I'm finishing up the sequel to Witch Eyes right now, and I have a couple of other projects in the works, but nothing for certain yet.  I have another take on witches that I want to do, and then a couple of things that are completely different.

12) What are you reading right now?

Scott: As I type this, I'm literally eyeing my ARC of Demonglass.  I can't wait to get back to it.  My TBR pile is out of control right now, but I've got The Iron Witch, Wither, Hourglass, and Beauty Queens staring at me.

13) Who are a few of your favorite authors?

Scott: Jim Butcher, Holly Black, Cassie Clare, Kiersten White, and Rachel Hawkins.  I like them all for different reasons.  I think Jim Butcher's Dresden Files are required reading for anyone who wants to see how to build up a supernatural back story along with plot.  Holly Black and Cassie Clare tell the most amazing stories in the most fascinating ways, which I always appreciate.  Kiersten White is my nemesis because she has some lines that make me tremble with jealousy.  And Rachel Hawkins totally rocks at the sarcasm. 

Braden Michaels wears his sunglasses at night. And at the movies. And in the shower. Raised by his warlock uncle and taught to use magic, he suffers from a deadly curse: the witch eyes. He sees everything that normal eyes filter out: history and memory; love and pain; magic and darkness. The mind was not meant to process so much information, though, and the power is killing him slowly. The only thing saving his sanity are the sunglasses he always wears. 
Then the visions reveal a dark threat on the horizon. Braden runs away to Belle Dam, the city where the threat originated, and is immediately swept up into the town’s mysterious feud. Two rival magical families have divided the town into a personal chessboard of scheming and machinations, and Braden is their latest pawn. As he tries to avoid their manipulations, and see the truth behind his return to Belle Dam, he has a choice to make. One side, or the other. Ignite the feud, or end it. Sacrifice himself, or someone else. Live, or die.

Witch Eyes comes out September 2011 from Flux Books! 


Where To Find Scott:
Goodreads
Website
Facebook
Twitter

And the Winner is...

Thank you for everyone who entered!! There was a great turn out and 311 people entered!! Plus Book Junky reached 1000 followers! I just wanted to say thank you to all my followers, new and old for sticking around and being so amazing!! I really Love you guys!!

So the winner of the Follower Love hop is.....

Alyssa

Congrats and thanks again to everyone who entered!! 

Happy Reading!

XOXO

Going on Vacation!!

Hi Guys!!

I just wanted to let you know that I will be going on vacation!!! YAY I will be back on the 25th but I'm not sure how much blogging time I will get it. I didn't want you to think I abandon you!

I'm going to Philly to visit family!!

So I have a few things post dated to run while I am gone, and I will have my phone so I can check my emails and get your comments from there! I hope you all have a fantastic Valentines Day and I hope everyone is doing a great job on there A-Z Reading Challenge!! I will miss you all!!

XOXO

Happy Reading!!!

Author Spotlight: Kendare Blake

Please Welcome

Kendare Blake

Author of 

Anna Dressed in Blood!

1) Could you tell us a bit about yourself.

Kendare: Sure. Uh...I speak absolutely no foreign languages. And that's not for lack of trying. I've tackled French, and Italian, and they both hate me. But I love traveling in both places, and the people seem patient as I stammer and spit on them. Um...Animals! I'm a big fan of animals. All sorts. Except spiders. They know what they did.

2) Could you tell us a bit about Anna Dressed in Blood?

Kendare: Anna Dressed in Blood is a horror novel chronicling the exploits of Theseus Cassio "Cas" Lowood, as he attempts to kill the title character. It's in his blood, you see. He has a sacred duty to kill the murderous dead. And nobody murders like Anna murders.

3) What was the inspiration for writing Anna Dressed in Blood?

Kendare: I wanted to go back to dark. Back to gore. It's what I started my adult reading career with (Anne Rice, Stephen King, Poppy Z Brite) and I hadn't written anything like it in years. Of course Anna Dressed in Blood has little in common with the work of Rice, King or Brite, but they're in the same vein. Vein. Crap is that a pun? So be it.

4) Were there any personal experiences that went in to writing Anna Dressed in Blood?

Kendare: I think personal experiences go into writing just about everything. Except maybe extremely abstract, experimental stuff. But realism, where else do we get it but from our own experience of reality? Having said all that philosophical stuff, there was no personal, personal experience that went into it. Unless you count that I used my own cat. It's okay, he signed a release and everything.

5) Was Cas's character based on anyone or was he a purely made up character? What is he like?

Kendare: You can tell I'm a nerdy writer when my instant response to this question is to think how offended Cas would be if I referred to him as "made up". But yeah, he's made up. So what is Cas like? He's a loner, but not an outcast. He does what he has to do. Because of his vocation, I think he's sort of an adrenaline junkie.

6) What was your inspiration for Anna's Character? Could you tell us a bit about her?

Kendare: Anna whispered her name in my ear. She's a murderess. She's trapped. She's black-veined and dressed in blood. Cas has never met anyone like her. Oh, and I found her grave in a Finnish cemetery in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

7) What was your inspiration in the cover art for Anna Dressed in Blood?

Kendare: It was my editor's idea. She's excellent. I couldn't be happier with the cover art. They went through a few drafts, and there was a bit of a debate about the amount of blood that would be on it, but aside from me seeing every draft and saying, "ooh, pretty!" I had nothing to do with it. Oh. Except I did ask that her face not be on it. I like to leave it to the reader's imagination.

8) Do you plan to have Anna Dressed in Blood as a stand alone novel or part of a series?

Kendare: As it stands, it's a duology. I just finished writing Book 2 (currently untitled) and it feels like a duology. But sometimes it feels like a trilogy. We'll have to see.

9) Who is your favorite character in the book? And why?

Kendare: I love Cas. I'm in his head the most. And he's got that...hero quality in him. I don't know. He's confident, but compassionate.

10) If Anna Dressed in Blood was made into a movie, Who would be your dream cast?

 

Kendare: My editor asked this too. Well, not dream cast exactly, but who I thought they looked like. I said Cas looked sort of like a younger Kevin Zegers from Transamerica, but I saw a trailer for Red Riding Hood and whoever that guy is would work too. As for Anna, that's a toughie. A younger Summer Glau comes to mind. Or a younger Shiri Appleby.

11) Do you write to music? If so, what is your favorite?

Kendare: Just recently started writing to music. I always assumed I'd just jack around and not do anything but jam to it. Turns out I'm more discliplined than I thought. I stream my college station sometimes, or playlists I make myself. Favorite bands include Kings of Leon, The Strokes, Weezer, The Black Keys and Fleet Foxes. In girl world, Fiona Apple's voice is incredible. And Ani DiFranco. Florence and the Machine. Oh, and I love the 80's. What?

12) What do you plan on doing in the future?

Kendare: Writing, if all goes well. And traveling, to many and varied places. Except Australia. Too many poisonous spiders. Beautiful, but damn, the spiders. maybe someday I'll get over that phobia. Japan has that same spider problem. Did you know sometime around monsoon season you can find spiders the size of dinner plates in your apartment? And they bite? They hunt smaller insects at night. It'd be like listening to your cat chase mice, if your cat had double the legs.

13) What are you reading right now?

Kendare: Right now, I'm actually reading Michael Crichton's TIMELINE. I had a craving for that point he writes where the science ominously builds up, and then promptly caves in on itself. I love that. By the time this interview posts, I'll probably be through Maurissa Guibord's WARPED,Ty Roth's SO SHELLY and Courtney Allison Moulton's ANGELFIRE. Maybe Holly Black's collection THE POISON EATERS. And some Andre Dubus. If you like short fiction, he's not to be missed.

14) Who are a few of your favorite authors?

Kendare: Bret Easton Ellis. He's a satirist and a moralist, people. Get off his nuts. Caitlin R Kiernan. I hear through the grapevine that she might be turning YA soon, and that will blow my mind. Milan Kundera. He understands existence as best as one can. Joe Hill. 20th Century Ghosts was amazing. I didn't mention any YA authors, I know. But I can't play favorites there. Too many are high on my list.

15) Anything you would like to add?

Kendare: Yeah! You like owls? Have you seen the YouTube video of the Transformer Owl? If you haven't, go search it out. It is amazing, adorable and frightening all at once. Thanks so much for featuring me on the blog. I hope Anna Dressed in Blood doesn't disappoint.

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . . 
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. 
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay. 
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home. 
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life. 

Anna Dressed in Blood comes out September 2011 from Tor Teen!

Where to find Kendare
Goodreads 
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Blog

Follower Love Giveaway Hop!!!

Hi Guys, Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop! 

This hop is hosted by I An A Reader, Not A Writer

This is a giveaway to show love to all of you!!!

My Wonderful followers!!!

As it is a followers hop, you must be one!

Here is whats up for grabs:

A Book Of Your Choice

( $20 or less)

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me which book you would like to win

 and your email address!

Good Luck and Happy Reading!!!

**Make sure you sign up for the other giveaways going on here at Book Junky!**

Find them on the top right sidebar!

Author Spotlight: Kate Kaynak

Please Welcome 

Kate Kaynak

Author of

The Ganzfield series!

1) Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Kate: I studied psychology and taught it around the world for the University of Maryland. I now live in New Hampshire with my husband and three kids under age 6, where I enjoy reading, writing, and fighting crime with my amazing superpowers.

2) What was the inspiration for writing The Ganzfield books?

Kate: I'd read and enjoyed both the Twilight and Sookie Stackhouse books, but both had telepathic characters who could only fall in love with someone whose thoughts they *couldn't* read. I started thinking about what kind of person a telepath *could* fall in love with--and who would be comfortable in a relationship with someone who knew their every thought. I've always loved parapsychology, so playing with the ideas grew pretty quickly into the full cast of sparks, charms, minders, healers, RVs, etc. 

3) Were there any personal experiences that went in to writing The Ganzfield series?

Kate: Absolutely.  Most of the places in the books are real--including the setting of Ganzfield itself, which is on a real lake near North Conway, NH. And many of the characters are based on real people; I shared a cab in NYC with the man who inspired Dr. Williamson, and most of the bad guys are named after my ex-boyfriends.

4) Was Maddie's character based on anyone or was she a purely made up character? What is she like?

Kate: Actually, Maddie's a lot like me--except when I get angry with someone, my thoughts don't kill them.  She's intense and take-charge, but she wants to make things right and take care of the people she sees as "her" people.

5) What was your inspiration in the cover art for Minder?

Kate: It's based on the old Gestalt psychology tests--do you see a vase or two faces?  It's funny, though--not everyone sees it.  I've had people ask why I have a chess piece or a candlestick on the cover of MINDER. One guy actually thought it was a weird bird. The covers definitely inspire love-it-or-hate-it reactions, though.

6) Do you plan on furthering the Ganzfield series or sticking with a trilogy?

Kate: I submitted book 4 to my editor last week, and I'm nearly done with the first draft of book 5.  I think I'll have a total of six books before the major story arcs conclude, and I may do a seventh from Seth's point-of-view, since his story and Maddie's diverge in the later books.

7) Who is your favorite character in the books? And why?

Kate: Just one? I love writing from Maddie's point-of-view, since she thinks the things that I would if I were in her situation. I have a major book crush on Trevor (my husband only tolerates it because Trevor's partially based on him), and Drew just cracks me up.  

8) If Minder was made into a movie, Who would be your dream cast?

Kate: I would love--just LOVE--to have Stephen R. McQueen play Trevor.  He's perfect for the role.  *dreamy sigh*

9) Do you write to music? If so, what is your favorite?

Kate: I do!  I have a playlist that includes "Mad World" by Gary Jules, several Muse songs, Regina Spektor's "Fidelity," Joshua Radin's "Only You," a couple of songs from Something Corporate, and Scissor Sisters' "Fire with Fire." 

10) What do you plan on doing in the future?

Kate: I'll finish the Ganzfield books this year, and my next project will probably be a YA paranormal set at Yale with an incoming frosh who talks to ghosts--and whose family history holds a dark secret.

11) What are you reading right now?

Kate: I just finished Beth Revis' ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, and I loved it. I'm still digesting it.

12) Who are a few of your favorite authors?

Kate: I have SOOO many. All time favorites include Orson Scott Card, Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, Connie Willis, Stephenie Meyers, Gail Carriger,Suzanne Collins, and Scott Westerfield. Keep an eye on Jennifer Armentrout, who's debuting this year--HALF-BLOOD is amazing!  I'm biased though, since she's a fellow Spencer Hill author.

 Quick Questions:

Favorite Food: 

Chocolate. 

Favorite Book: 

Too many to name. 

Favorite Color: 

Blue.

Favorite song: 

Depends on my mood. 

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? 

Right here in New Hampshire, but I'd vacation in Aruba.

Where to find Kate:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Twitter

************

Waiting on Wednesday: Shattered Souls

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, in which we highlight an upcoming book release we're eagerly anticipating!


I didn't do a WOW last week so I figured I would do 2 books this week.

Mary Lindsey's SHATTERED SOULS, a dark and dangerous forbidden love story about a Speaker who helps lingering ghosts pass to the spirit world and the Protector who has pledged to serve her, to Jill Santopolo at Philomel, by Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency (World).

From the author of RUINED, a spellbinding tale of ghosts, mystery, and love.

The city of York is the most haunted place in the world: The ghosts of Vikings, hanged highwaymen, and tragic royals all haunt its cobblestone streets.

Miranda Tennant arrives in this moody ancient city, nursing a great sadness. She will fall in love for the first time in York. She will also risk losing everything: her family--and her life. All because of two boys fighting for Miranda's attention. One whose mind has been warped by the death of his brother. And the other a ghost, determined to finish a terrible crime.










So those are my picks...


Leave a comment and let me know What you are waiting for!!!


Happy Reading!