Monday, December 24, 2012

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout Blog Tour & Giveaway


Opal (Lux, #3)


No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.






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Fill in the blank fun with JLA:

1. I wouldn't care if Cora Carmack wrote an encyclopedia, I'd still buy it.
2. Before I sit down to write for a long stretch of time, I need coffee.
3. The character that's the easiest and/or most fun to write in the LUX series has been Katy.
4. The character that's the most difficult to write in the LUX series has been Daemon.
5. My favorite scene and/or chapter to write in OPAL was Chapter 33.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OPAL by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Entangled Publishing
ON shelves now!
Reviewed by: AmyG (Big Sis)
Sister's say: Out of this World (wink wink) and Heart Obliterating

What can I say that I haven't already said about Jennifer?  Probably nothing, but the girl has staying power.  She's a writing maniac, and I'm not quite sure who she made a deal with to produce this many amazing books in the short time she has been writing!  It honestly should make everyone speechless!  We are so not worthy!!!  

OPal is yet another one in the win column for JLA.  I found it different from the last 2 novels in the Lux series, but not in a bad way.  OBSIDIAN and ONYX are full of angst and snarkiness that Daemon so easily exudes.  They are both about the journey that Katy and Daemon were taking toward each other.  However, Daemon and Katy are in a new place now.  They are together  for real and are trying to deal with the fallout that was ONYX.  Katy is suffereing from the choices she made and deep betrayal of Blake.  The relationships in OPAL are completely different.  In a way, Daemon and Dee have switched roles.  Now, Dee and Katy's relationship is the volatile one and at times it's painful to watch. It's hard to see anyone that is dear to you suffer pain, and Dee's pain leaks from pages.  I feel like this book was about everyone coming to terms with Katy now being a permanent part of their family.  With that comes some serious fireworks, you can imagine how Andrew and Ash feel about that, plus, to Dee, Katy is a constant reminder of what she lost.

Dawson is also back, but he's a different Dawson than the one we met in SHADOWS.  A lot of what we saw of him, was completely sucked out by what he endured at the hands of the DOD.  His only desire is to get Beth back.  He's constantly trying to get to her no matter the danger he puts himself in.  The desperation he feels to have her back gave me an eerie feeling the entire book like there was a great hammer hanging above my head just waiting to drop.  

That feeling didn't come and go just with Dawson though.  Throughout most of the book, JLA treats us to a happy time in the lives of Dawson and Katy.  They spend time together, have fun and fall more in love.  There's some kissy scenes and more that had me in a puddle on the floor!  We see a new side of Daemon.  he's fun, spontaneous and very obviously in love with Katy.  So much good happens in their relationship that I was literally scared to turn every page.  My heart rate was high, and I was anxiously anticipating having my heart brutally ripped from my chest!
Needless to say, my forshadowing heart was spot on and that hammer fell and crushed me into a million different pieces!  It was so worth it though!  I read one part at the very end of OPAL so many times that I lost count! (those of you who have read this, know which part!) So, if you haven't read it yet, yes it is painful but without pain we never know true joy!  I have every faith in JLA and of course Deamon and Katy that everything will be okay!  The only truly, truly painful part is the wait for ORIGIN!

So all in all, OPAL was a wonderful time of watching Katy's and Daemon's love grow, and now the testing of that love is at hand! I can't wait to see what happens next!
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USA TODAY Bestselling author, Jennifer L. Armentrout, lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn.

Find Jennifer on:  Twitter |   FacebookGoodreads |   Website |   Blog

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And now for an ublievable giveaway from Stacey at Entangled!!!
a signed copy of OPAL!!! Signed by Jennifer and Pepe!!!
(US only pls)

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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Splintered by A.G. Howard


Splintered by AG Howard
eARC received by Amulet Books via Netgalley
Release Date:  January 1, 2013
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  Sinister, Surreal, and Seductive
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 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
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.


I’m just going to go ahead and brand this one of the BEST OF 2013, before 2013 even starts!  Splintered is that good!  I’ve never before wanted to jump down a rabbit hole so whole-heartedly!  A.G. Howard morphs Lewis Carroll’s classic into something new and deadly—a place where the macabre and morbid rule the world, where reality and fiction are juxtaposed in a tangle of webs, and where love and betrayal go hand in hand.  So close your eyes and take a leap down the rabbit hole—when you open them again, you will be in a world of wonder and chaos.

“Now, stop thinking like a human  Nethering logic resides in the hazy border between sense and nonsense.”  ARC, location 1891-1892

I was never a huge fan of the original classic, but this re-telling just blew me away.  I love how A.G. took parts of the old story and interwove them to create something new and modern.  Her world was captivating and creepy—and I could just see this playing across the big screen.  Seriously, if I had to choose any book to be a movie, this would be it!  It’s got the madness that would make it part horror and the sexiness that would bring teeny-boppers, twenty-somethings, and older YA readers straight to the movie lines.  A.G. took the setting of Wonderland and turned it into a macabre dance---the flowers have become killers, the white rabbit has become a humanoid/rabbit type skeleton, and the cards are vicious monsters.  Take Caroll’s Wonderland and throw it off kilter—somewhere between psychotic killer and mushroom hallucinations—and then you have A.G.’s world.  Terrifying and beautiful sprinkled with a dash of insanity and a pinch of sex.

I really loved Alyssa—Alice’s great, great, great granddaughter.  She is tasked with going down the rabbit hole to fix Alice’s mistakes.  She’s strong and confident, with a morbid fascination with bugs.  I loved the attention to her clothes—a punk style that fits the strangeness of Wonderland perfectly.  She was always getting new “costumes,” and I really enjoyed seeing her personality show through each of them.  Plus, they added to the setting and the surrealism of the world.  Alyssa is smart and witty, and even those she is vulnerable in some aspects of her life, she doesn’t let that waiver her conviction.  She presses forward, no matter how unnerving or creepy the creatures or her tasks may seem.

And

The

Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh the guys!  The guys in this one are great!  There’s Jeb, Alyssa’s best friend from the mortal realm (who she has a complete crush on), and then there’s Morpheus, her estranged friend from her childhood who is now her guide through Wonderland.  Jeb is your typical best friend with a crush—he is a little shy and doesn’t know how to say what he wants.  That part of him is endearing, but unfortunately, I found him a bit boring.  He was predictable and plain compared to Morpheus. 

I think many readers will like Jeb better than me, but what can I say, I like the macabre Morpheus.  He says it best himself: “Mysterious.  Rebellious.  Troubled.  All those qualities women find irresistible.”  ARC, location 3982-3983  He hit the nail on the head with that one!  Those are the YA guys I tend to fall head of heels for!  A.G. describes Morpheus as similar to The Crow (you know the old 80s movie with the guy in leather and a white-painted face?)—and I loved The Crow!!!  “He’s a contradiction:  taut magic coiled to strike, gentleness at war with severity, a tongue as sharp as a whip’s edge, yet skin so soft he could be swathed in clouds.”  ARC, location 1837-1838  Morpheus is full of charisma and is extremely skilled in seduction.   I found myself wishing that Alyssa would just throw herself on him so they could have a hot and steamy, make you sweat scene.  He is what happens when you make the macabre sexy.  Long dark hair that falls into his face, dark smoky eyes that pierce your soul, black tipped wings that will sweep you off your feet, and the heart that is always too hard to read.  Yum!  I couldn’t get enough of Morpheus, and I am hoping beyond all belief that A.G will write a sequel just so I can have more of him.

This could be a stand-alone novel, but it was also left a little open where a sequel can be written if A.G. Howard decides to in the future.  (Please, Please, Please!) 

Splintered:  Astounding.  Morbid.  Sexy.  Unpredictable.  Enchanting.

I could go on and on, but I won’t!  Instead, I will urge you to buy this book when it comes out in January!  If you’re looking for something different, and are a fan of dark, gothic-like novels, then this will be perfect for you!

I’ll leave you with a final quote I loved:

“He’ll come for you.  He’ll step through your dreams.  Or the looking glass…stay away from the glass, Allie!”  ARC, location 481-482

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Most Anticipated Books of 2013

So...there are so many 2013 books that I am dying to read, but I've decided to narrow it down (as much as I can) and make my list.  These are my top 2013 books that I have not read yet.  There are a few 2013 books that will not make the list because I have already read them.  I will make a note of those at the bottom of this post because, if I hadn't read them yet, they would certainly be on the list!

These are in no particular order because I want them all!!!!!!

A gothic romance with elements of horror where a girl falls in love with the charming, handsome Devil himself!  What's not to like??? Plus, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!!!


A retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's poem, Annabel Lee.  More gothic romance!!!  It's becoming one of my favorite genres.  Go read Chapter 1 of this one on Goodreads--I swear, you will fall in love with it!
 
The conclusion to the Starcross series!  I am itching to find out what happens with Lucas--and to see if Daphne finally gets a swift kick to her hind quarters.


After the ending to Deity, I must find out what happes with Alex, Aiden, and Seth!!!!  This is the greatest love triangle ever!!!!

 
I really loved the world that Bethany created in Masque, and I'm so excited that it continues with Dance!!! 
 
 
The Darkling!!!!!  Enough said!  I thought Leigh's world was one of the most creative of 2012, and I know that this next installment is going to be great!

 
I'm so excited for retellings!  This one is a Snow White story with a twist!


Who doesn't want more Anna and Kaidan????  Wendy is a master at writing steamy scenes, and I can't wait to read more!

Okay...so those are the Most Anticipated Ones that have covers, but there are 2 more that I really, really want that don't have covers yet.

Endless Knight (Arcana Chronicles #2) by Kresley Cole
The sequel to Poison Princess (my fave book of 2012)!  Can't wait to see what happens with Death!

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White
This ones about the daughter of an Egyptian God!!!  Woot....new mythology!!!!


So that is my list!  You'll probably notice a few key books are missing from this list, and that is because I have already read the ARC or own the ARC and am about to read it.  What books would have been on the list had I not already read them???  Well, here you go:

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (This book will make your jaw drop)
Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger (I loved the creative ideas in this one)
Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi (Perry!!!!!  He's so dreamy)
Nameless by Lili St. Crow (Have the ARC but haven't read it yet, another retelling!!)
Splintered by A.G. Howard (This one is SO great!  See my review tomorrow!)
The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett (supposed to be getting an ARC of tho one...so excited!)


Thanks for dropping by!!!!!!  I'd love to know your Most Anticipated Books for 2013!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Cover Reveal: The Dark by Heather Self

We are so very pleased to help reveal the cover for our good friend Heather Self's upcoming novella! It looks amazing! If you haven't already, check out her first book, THE ONE.


Doesn't it just look so mysterious and well... dark? :D We love it! Here's the blurb:



the Dark (A Kin Series novella)
Mary Anne Moore doesn’t know what she is. She can’t explain why she has lived so long.
Or why she never gets sick.
Or why the dreams she has come true.
She has hidden herself as a lowly servant to the households of Dublin's English elite for decades, until the night that changes her life. Now her sole purpose is the child she never expected to have. She will do anything in her power to keep the black-eyed monsters from discovering him and turning him into one of them.
For Kieran Moore the dark is an ever-present parasite, waiting to devour his humanity. His mother’s love and the girl in his dreams has kept it at bay for years, but the more time that passes—the longer he has to wait for her—the  more it grows. When tragedy strikes, it is all he can do to keep from being consumed by the darkness that infects him. He must continue to hold on to the hope of peace her presence will bring him, because it’s not just his fate on the line, but that of the entire world.

**Note** This novella takes place both before, and concurrently  with events that happen in the One. It is highly recommended it be read first.

Monday, December 17, 2012

OF TRITON by Anna Banks Cover Reveal and Giveaway!

Hey everyone!!!!  We were so excited to be asked to host the cover reveal for Of Triton because we LOVED Of Poseidon! 

How excited were we?  This excited...




It was the first mermaid book I had ever read, and it remains, to this day, the best!  And I have read quite a few since Of Poseidon kind of made me obsessed!

What made this even better is that Macmillan Kids is offering a galley copy for Of Triton to 2 lucky winners!  So be sure to enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post!

Drum Roll Please!!!!

 
What do you think?  We love it!  I love the shimmery blue--makes it look like someone threw a box of diamonds into the ocean around them.  Plus, that kiss!!!  Whew!
 
Now, we just have to relax (if possible) and wait for the blurb!!
 
You can check out my review for Of Poseidon here
 
Need more Of Poseidon?  Check out our interview with GALEN here
 
 
 


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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Are you a REAL Insurgent fan???

Check out what is available now!!!!
 
 
Insurgent the Collector's Edition!!!!
 
If you're like us, you love, love, love the Divergent series.  So, why not spread some of that love?  This would make a perfect Christmas present!!
 
To see details or purchase go here
 
Want more Divergent and Insurgent?  Check out my parody here (It's an Insurgent song done to the tune of The Beatles song, Revolution)
 
And be sure to check out our review of Insurgent here
 
 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

UP TO ME by M. Leighton Cover Reveal


We have several posts today, so be sure to scroll down to check out all of them!

It is here guys!!!  The cover for Up to Me by M. Leighton!!! If you haven't read book #1 in this series (or any of her books for that matter), Down to You then you are missing out!!!  It's a great book with a crazy, killer ending!  Lucky you, you won't have to wait long for book 2 because it is coming out January 6th!!!  I CANNOT wait to read this one!!! And, honestly, who wouldn't want to read it with a cover like that!  **hands out fans to all**



Happily ever after doesn’t come easy.  But for love, it’s always worth the fight.

Olivia finds bliss unlike any she’s ever known in Cash’s arms.  He sets her skin on fire and melts her heart right inside her chest.  Unfortunately, their happily ever after is short-lived when a shadow from Cash’s past threatens to turn their world upside down.
   Dangerous people from his father’s world have discovered that Cash holds information that could put them away for a very long time.  And they’re willing to do anything—and hurt anybody—to get it back.  Giving it up means Cash must choose between the life of his father and the life of Olivia.
Having nearly overcome her wariness of bad boys, Olivia’s trust is shaken when this new threat arises.  Now she finds that Cash is not only a danger to her heart, but his family has associations that are a danger to her life as well.  She soon discovers that there are some situations in life where trust is a girl’s only option.  And this is one of them.  If she’s to live, she must trust Cash with her life.  But to Olivia, that’s much, much easier than letting go and trusting him with her heart.

Info about Michelle Leighton:

New York Times and USA TodayBestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office. 



Her Heart's Secret Wish by Juliana Haygert Release Day & Giveaway!!!

Hey guys!  We have several different posts for today, so please be sure to scroll down and see them all of them!

Here is ANOTHER New Adult book that just hit the shelves!  How exciting is this for all of us fans of NA!  This one is from Juliana Haygert over at NA Alley!  I'm am going to be reading this next week and cannot wait!  Here is everything you need to know, so you can read this one too!

Her Heart's Secret Wish by Juliana Haygert
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Release Date: 12/12/12
Genre: NA contemporary romance
Length: 13,000 words


Her Heart's Secret Wish


With a renowned reputation as a player, she had everything figured out...
Twenty-year-old college student, Natasha is the life of every party and the reason behind many celebrations. The easiest girl on campus has all guys at her feet and more than a few in her bed.
…until he came into the game…
Having entered the academic world by chance, Professor Jason Stone is surprised to find one of his young students a huge temptation. The infamous Natasha has caught his attention. But is there more to her than meets the eye?
…and changed the rules.
As their unexpected friendship grows, so does their attraction to each other. When Jason’s Christmas plans are canceled and he ends up at the same party as Natasha, sparks flare, destroying the safe zone around them. Will they figure out how to break through their self-imposed barriers to be together, or lose one another forever?



About the Author: 

Juliana Haygert

Juliana is a Brazilian girl living in Connecticut.
She would love to be Wonder Woman, Cheetara, Elektra, Buffy, Phoebe, She-ra, Rose, Korra, Cornelia, a blood elf shadow priest, and other various kick-ass female from books, comics, TV series, movies, and games, but she settles for—the less exciting but equally gratifying life—a wife, mother, friend and a writer. Her heroines are like the ones cited above and she also writes about the heroes who drive them crazy—and occasionally hot.
Since her first stories, she wrote about 20-something year old protagonists, and today she's part of NA Alley, a blog dedicated to New Adult. 



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Dissidence by Jamie Canosa Blog Tour and Giveaway


Dissidence by Jamie Canosa
Published: November 26, 2012
Review by: Honorary Sister Beth
Sister says: Developed, Dystopian, Daring

Summary by goodreads.com:
In dystopian America, sixteen-year-old Kaleigh finds out quickly what having a big mouth and not enough brains to keep it shut can earn you. A one-way ticket to the work camps that no one even knows exists.

Nuclear war has ravished the nation, and a century later, the survivors are living in an entirely new world. In a society where everything is decided for you, from where you work to who you marry, dissidence is not taken lightly.

But, even inside the camps, Kaleigh’s fiery spirit refuses to be extinguished. In a single moment of defiance, she manages to spark a riot that ignites into a full-blown rebellion.

With growing numbers counting on her, not just for their freedom, but for their very lives, two different boys vying for her heart, and trouble brewing from within the camp itself, can Kaleigh find a way to step up and become the leader everyone is counting on her to be, or will even the most carefully laid plans come crashing down around her?
When I read the synopsis of this book, I could not wait to get my hands on it.  Being a big fan of this genre, it did not take me long to completely devour the book.  Ms. Canosa brilliantly blends duty, honor, and love in this unforgettable story making it a "must read" for 2013!

First of all, I cannot tell you how much I love the protagonist, Kayleigh.  She is daring, dangerous, snarky, and incredibly brave.  Kayleigh is willing to risk everything for her friends and for justice.  After finding herself in a work camp for spouting her mouth off,  she is quick to make friends and not accept the status quo.  Not only does she figure out how to question the society she lives in, but she finds herself the leader of a rebellion.  Kayleigh is strong, quick-witted, and an awesome character.  It is hard not to love her!

Let me tell you about the boys in this book....oh, the boys!  First, the boy next door, Peter who I fell head over heels with from their first conversation.  He loves Kayleigh's spirit and does everything to fight for her.  Oh, I love him.  But, then there is Conner.  Hot, hot, cocky Conner...Wow!  He is strong and fierce, yet tender and sensitive at the same time.  He, too, is willing to risk everything for love.  It really is hard to pick a team.  I love them both!

All around Dissidence, is a book that will keep you guessing until the very end.  It literally left my heart racing and breathless.  I am so excited about this book being released and encourage everyone to put it on your TBR list!

An amazingly snarky protagonist, two hot boys, a mass rebellion, and an ending that will blow your mind, are the perfect ingredients that make Dissidence the next big thing in YA.  Buy it. Read it. Love it.



Here are the next stops on the Dissidence blog tour:

Dec 15- Love Stories (Author Cyndi Tefft)
Dec 16- Lisa's Reads
Ms. Canosa is running a giveaway, available on all the stops of the blog tour:

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker & Giveaway



Ten Tiny BreathsKacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

**Warning - This is a Mature YA/New Adult book. Contains sex and violence**

Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A Tucker
Papoti Books
Released Today!!!
Reviewed by: AmyG (big sis)
Sister's Say: Tender, Tramatic and Triumphant

I'm not a hugely emotional person.  Actually let me say it this way, I'm not a hugely sad person.  I like to be happy and freak out over fun things, but I hate to cry.  However, some of my favorite books are ones that make me cry, but are worth it.  It can't just make me cry for the heck of it, but it has to make me cry from desperation and then absolute joy for the characters at the conclusion!  And let me just say, at the end of TTB, there were tears for both!

Ten Tiny Breaths is a beautiful portrayal of how life can go on even after the biggest tragedies.  That in the midst of darkness, light can still be found.  Kacey is our main protagonist and life has dealt her a terrible hand.  In one fail swoop, she lost her parents, her best friend, her boyfriend and was left with a broken body.  How does someone really move on after that?  I'm not sure that is even possible.  Kacey is a character that will stick with me forever.  She's brave, messy, and tough.  She's figured out how to wake up every morning and keep going.  Her coping is not pretty or glamorous, but it's so easy to see yourself in her shoes.  Kacey has built a wall around herself and the only person allowed behind that wall is her sister Livie.  

The dynamic between Kacey and Livie keeps the story interesting.  Kacey is hard, jaded, and experienced where Livie is soft, sweet and innocent.  They are 2 separate people, but at time because of Kacey's brokenness, they function as one.  Kacey is the adult but Livie is the heart.  Coming to Florida opens up all kinds of surprises for the girls.  One such surprise is boy next door, Trent.  Trent is pure dreaminess!!!  He's cool and aloof one second, but the next he is hot and intense.  Everything about him is a mystery.  He comes and goes as he pleases, seems to have plenty of money and has a deep interest in Kacey.  He makes Kacey feel alive again and forces her to deal with her trauma long swept under the rug.  He's exactly what she needs, but there are things in his past that hold the power to destroy Kacey for good.  Honestly, he's amazing and one of my favorite fictional guy characters to date!  This book is like a huge giant sundae, but Trent is that yummy cherry on top!

One of the things I thought would really bother me was when Storm (their very beautiful next door neighbor) helps get Kacey a job bar tending at a strip club.  I remember the first time they walk into the club, and I was thinking "Awww man, this makes me really uncomfortable."  However, Ms. Tucker turns this den of iniquity into a place with real people, with personalities, with feeling, who all have such interesting back stories of their own.  When she writes the scenes in the club, it never feels slimy or gross, K.A. does an amazing job developing all the characters that work there, from the bouncers, to the club owner to the girls.

Okay, I know this is getting long, so just a few more things.  The ending, yes the ending!!! Let's just say there are twists and turns that will rip your heart out, stomp on it, then heal it and put it right back in your chest.  It's emotional, breathtaking and absolutely beautiful!  After I finished, I was emotionally spent, but I was so so so proud of the characters.  They all came so far and overcame such wretched circumstances.  Everyone of them came out diamonds after enduring so much pressure.  Well done Ms. Tucker, your Ten Tiny Breaths has left me completely breathless!





Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.  


Author Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/K.A.Tucker.Author?fref=ts
Novel Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/TenTinyBreaths
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathleenatucker
Novel Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15990969-ten-tiny-breaths
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4866520.K_A_Tucker


INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY


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Monday, December 10, 2012

Blog Tour: Unresisting by Shane Morgan, Book and Author Spotlight

Seventeen year old Natasha Johnson is having a rough year. Her twin brother, Sean, died last summer after a car crash, and her parents decided to pack up and leave the only home she’d known all her life. It's a lot to take in, and Nat has decidedly given up on the world, until moving to Stetson Valley and meeting high school ‘outcast’, Chace Owens.

Chace's dark and mysterious aura is not exactly seen as 'normal', but Nat already knows that not a lot of things are of the norm when it comes to her life. She soon finds herself unable to resist Chace's strange pull on her heart, unleashing a sudden attraction to the unnatural forces that have always been burning within her. But with uncovering her true self brings forth great danger, as Nat learns that her brother's death had a lot more to do with the side she's unable to resist.

Can Natasha calm the blazing flames and withstand the threat of danger, or will this new found power destroy her?


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I haven't read Unresisting yet, but I am a fan of dark and mysterious guys!!!  Unresisting is available now!  The Rafflecopter is only open for a few more hours, so be sure to enter to win a copy!

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Shane Morgan is a lover of "interesting" books. Her imagination is always running wild so it's best to collect and organize them into separate stories. Shane's love for writing started the moment she picked up a Nancy Drew book. At a young age, she began writing short stories, divulging in a variety of genres; from comedy and drama, to horror, and romance. Shane's quite intrigued by the otherworldly or things otherwise deemed "impossible." Well, in her opinion, people never really grow up, do they?
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Thursday, December 6, 2012

Venom by Fiona Paul


Venom by Fiona Paul
ARC received from Penguin at ALA
On Shelves Now
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  Vivacious, Virulent, and Vicious
Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancĂ©, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancĂ©, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

Fiona Paul’s Venom is dazzling!  Set amongst the foggy streets of Venice, Venom will ensnare you in a web of deceit, where passion and purity are pushed to their limits, and where the wrong move might land you in the hands of a psychopath.

I enjoy historical romances, but it is not really one of my favorite genres.  That is perhaps why I have had this ARC for months but just now read it.  Boy, do I regret letting it sit on my shelf!  Venom sucked me straight into Renaissance Venice—the gorgeous dresses, the forbidden trysts, the dangerous streets---I could go on and on about the amazing history that Fiona brought to life.  I really think the historical aspect was my favorite part of this book, and Fiona did such a great job of integrating the past and the city into her story.  I loved reading about the marriage customs and the expectations of nobles versus commoners.  I had heard all these things before, but having them brought forth within a storyline was enchanting.

I actually really enjoyed Cassandra as the female main character.  Before I read this, I assumed she would be the typical snobbish, dull noblewoman that we think of from the Renaissance; and at first, Cass follows these very rules.  However, soon, her true nature shows; and we see her start to push back against what society expects of her.  It wasn’t long before I got the rush of excitement like I was the one sneaking out in the middle of the night to consort with a handsome artist instead of Cass.  I loved seeing her break free of her confines and start to question everything she has been told.  She became a strong female lead who was determined to find the truth, no matter the danger; and I found myself cheering her along. 

For all you teachers or English majors or anyone else who finds themselves picking out themes and motifs—I loved the caged bird motif!  Falco’s nickname for Cass is “Starling,” and on more than one occasion, he mentions how she is a bird beating her wings against her noble cage.

Oh Falco, Falco!  He’s an artist (I say this with the pronunciation of ‘are-teest’ because it just feels like its how Falco would say it), and a commoner, but he doesn’t let that stop him from going after the girl.  I like his resilience and tenacity—and I love how he doesn’t hesitate to put Cass in her place when she’s being a spoiled little rich girl.  At the same time, he’s sensitive and sweet, caring for Cass and her safety.  I immediately fell for Falco, even though I knew he was hiding something.  Full of charm and charisma, Falco definitely adds some spice to this story.  I loved the scenes with him, and when he wasn’t there, I felt myself missing him!  I can’t wait to find out what’s next in Belladonna (book 2).

The only downfall for this book was that it started out a little slow.  I think I was 100 pages in before I really was taken with the characters.  BUT, at that point, I couldn’t put it down.  I had to know what was going to happen next, and I just couldn’t wait to discover the identity of the killer.  This book was not predictable in any way for me.  I kept trying to guess who the stranger at the masquerade ball was—I was wrong.  I tried to guess who the killer was—I was wrong.  So, Fiona did a great job of throwing in red herrings and what not to throw me off my track.  It was great to be kept guessing up until the very end.

Venom was brilliantly written, full of breath-taking imagery and poetic motifs.  Fiona knows how to take you from merely reading a book to living it.  Full of seduction, secrets, and sinister violence, Venom will challenge everything you know about Renaissance Italy.  I will say, Fiona knows how to bring history to life.

Content Warning:  Sexual content.  There is a scene where Cass witnesses sexual acts while in a brothel.  I would recommend this for high school age or higher.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Pitch Dark Days Revealed


The Dark Days are back! Meet your favorite authors on tour this winter!

The Dark Days of Winter are here again!!! And we are representing an amazing author!  She's faster than the Regulators, more powerful than the DFA and able to leap genres in a single bound.  She's  Katniss.  She's Hermione. No she's LAUREN OLIVER!!!!  Yahoooooooo!!!! We were so excited to receive her as our author!!!! And this is what we have been doing for days, days I say!!!

Hugh Grant Love Actually Dance
Ms. Oliver's writing is one of kind.  We at the Sisterhood adore her and are envious of her writing super powers.  After reading her works, we are pretty sure that in real life, she has almost starved to death, has had gun shots raining down on her and has led a resistance in some foreign land.  Her writing is precise, vivid and full of imagery.  To open up one of her novels truly means to visit another land.  We are truly, truly honored to be hosting her for this years Dark Days of Winter.  We also have a special little treat for you, a video from Lauren herself!  She's here to share a little about her final installment Requiem from her Delirium Trilogy.  Let me just say, guys, it is AMAZING!!!




Requiem by Lauren Oliver Final Book in the Delirium Trilogy
Published by Harper
Release Date: March 5th, 2013


Requiem (Delirium, #3)
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancĂ©e of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

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Lauren Oliver comes from a family of writers and so has always (mistakenly) believed that spending hours in front of the computer every day, mulling over the difference between “chortling” and “chuckling,” is normal. She has always been an avid reader. 

She attended the University of Chicago, where she continued to be as impractical as possible by majoring in philosophy and literature. After college, she attended the MFA program at NYU and worked briefly as the world’s worst editorial assistant, and only marginally better assistant editor, at a major publishing house in New York. Her major career contributions during this time were flouting the corporate dress code at every possible turn and repeatedly breaking the printer. Before I Fall is her first published novel.  You can find out more information about Lauren at Lauren Oliver Books.


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Be sure to visit the Pitch Dark Days page to find out everything you need to know about the dark days of winter.

Also check out today's other big Dark Days Reveal over at Emily's Reading Room.
Yesterday's reveals at My Over Stuffed Bookshelf and Me My Shelf and I.
And, tomorrow's big reveals at 2 Chicks on Books and I Be Book Blogging.

And, a special thanks to Harper Collins and all their people for putting together the Pitch Dark Days!