A Gift from the Publisher of Racing Savannah by Miranda Kennealy

Happy Tuesday! Sourcebooks has a new title coming soon, and with it a special offer. Read on about the pre-order gift for Racing Savannah.

They’re from two different worlds, but Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules. . . get the next contemporary novel from blockbuster YA novelist Miranda Kenneally: RACING SAVANNAH!

Right before her senior year, Savannah’s father whisks the family off to Tennessee to work as head groom at fancy Cedar Hill Farms. Savannah finally sees it as the perfect opportunity to earn extra money as an exercise rider—no matter how many others don’t want a girl around the barn.  But she’s also caught the eye of Jack Goodwin, the owner’s son. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries. With her dream of becoming a jockey, Savannah is not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack.

Sourcebooks Says:

We’ve put together a fun campaign to thank readers for pre-ordering: send us your proof of pre-order and we’ll send you this fabulous horseshoe key chain!

A Gift for You, for Pre-Ordering RACING SAVANNAH by Miranda Kenneally

We have a special offer for U.S. and Canada YA fans for the release of RACING SAVANNAH by Miranda Kenneally in stores in a little over three weeks! If you pre-order the book, we will send you an exclusive horseshoe key chain—perfect for any busy teen on the go! You have until December 2 or until quantities run out.

Here’s how to get your charm:
1. Pre-order the book (print or eBook) through any retailer (Barnes & Noble, Amazon, your local independent bookseller/Indiebound, Books-A-Million, Hastings, etc.)

2. Email your proof of purchase (receipt or picture of the receipt) to teenfire@sourcebooks.com. Put “Racing Savannah Pre-Order” in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your home address (US & Canada only please) so we can send you the horseshoe key chain! If you’ve already pre-ordered this book—not a problem! Send us your receipt!

3. You will get an email back confirming when the items have been sent out. 

4. Enjoy Racing Savannah when it comes out in December!

Optional: take a pic of you and your horseshoe key chain and share it with Miranda Kenneally or Sourcebooks Fire on Twitter! You can find Miranda @mirandakennealy and Sourcebooks Fire @sourcebooksfire.

Endless by Jessica Shirvington (Embrace #4)

Endless by Jessica Shirvington

Australian copy received from Brianna (Another thanks!)

Release date:  October 1, 2013

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  A Rainbow of Excitement, Love, and Loss

Love will kill us all.

Angels are real. They aren't always kind. Violet Eden is certain of all this because she is Grigori - part angel, part human. She has felt the influence of both light and dark.

When Hell unleashes its worst, Violet must embrace every facet of her angel self to save the people she cares about and the world as she knows it. But death is not the worst thing that Violet will face. For her, the endless question 'Can love conquer all?' will finally be answered.

I don’t even know where to begin, other than, Jessica Shirvington, you have ripped my heart to shreds!!!!  I don’t even know where to begin to pick up the pieces.  This is one of those series that I am emotionally attached to—putting it in the esteemed company of The Covenant Series, Harry Potter Series, Mortal Instuments and Shatter Me.  I feel like I’ve come to know each and every one of the characters, and each one, good and bad, has managed to wriggle their way into my reality.  This series is unbelievably amazing, and as I much as I want to read what’s next, I wish it would never end.

Be prepared for heartbreak—there is your warning.

Instead of doing a normal review, I have picked out a few of the chapter headings to be my focus.

 

1.) From Chapter 3, “Can you hear Destiny laugh as she tiptoes toward you?  Destiny is heartless.” –Anonymous

Fate unfolds brilliantly in this fourth installment of the Embrace series.  You finally see more about Nox and Uri, and more importantly, you get more insight into Violet’s Angel Maker.  But these revelations won’t give you peace, not when you see how Destiny careens towards such a devastating cliff.  I loved how Jessica brought in the smallest details from the first books and brought them together, culminating in a remarkable set-up for action, betrayal, and revelations.

 

2.) From Chapter 8, “No man chooses evil because it is evil…he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.” –Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

One of the things I like about Jessica’s story is that no one is without redemption, if they so choose it.  That being said, you just never know who is going to step out of the shadows and show themselves a traitor.  Everyone’s actions are circumspect, and I love the mystery that surrounds the Exiles and Grigori alike.  And Phoenix, of course, the Exile that stole my heart (even though I love Lincoln, too!) shows us the ace up his sleeve.

 

3.) From Chapter 15, “The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple.”  Oscar Wilde

Oh what a tangled web we weave!  I can never seem to figure out what is going to happen next with this series, and that is truly a remarkable thing.  Books have become wholly too predictable, so it’s a breath of fresh air to not know what is going to happen with Violet, Lincoln, and Phoenix.

 

4.) From Chapter 30, “Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” Sun Tzu

The climax of this book is amazing!!!  It was morose and heart-breaking, but the scene that Jessica has portrayed is as vivid as any movie you will ever see.  More so, I love seeing how Violet comes into her powers, and believe me, she does strike like a thunderbolt.

 

5.) The final quote is the quote at the beginning of the book, but I left it until the end because it illuminates the epicness of what is to come:  “Light and darkness, life and death, right and left, are brothers of one another.  They are inseparable.  Because of this neither are the good good, nor the evil evil, nor is life life, nor death death.”  The Gospel of Philip

Jessica has created a world where light and darkness co-exist and whose to tell which one is more good.  A world where good and evil exist as one, not separate entities trying to expunge the other.  It’s a world where life leads to death, and death may lead to true life.  I love this world, this book, these characters; and if I found myself on the edge of a cliff, being dared by an Angel to jump off; I might just give it a thought (you know, if there was a Phoenix and Lincoln waiting for me on the other side).

Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

eARC received from Sourcebooks via Netgalley

Release Date:  On Shelves NOW!

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Exhilarating, Excruciating, and Exceptional

Let me just say, I love Jessica Shirvington.  This series is turning into one of my absolute favorites, and I am giddy with excitement for the new CW show based on this series!  After that ending from book 2, “Care for a trade, lover?,”  I was on edge because I just had to know what was going to happen next.  So, as often happens, I started building up these huge expectations for Emblaze.  And I’m happy to say, that it did not disappoint!  This is the best book so far!

One of the things I love about this series is it doesn’t waste any time jumping into the action.  So many books waste time reminding us of every little detail of the past book, and that really bugs me.  I like being reminded of some things, but the bigger stuff?  No need to remind us.  Jessica doesn’t waste your time with this, instead, she jumps straight into Exile vs. Grigori action.  There is never a dull moment, and so many of the scenes are filled to the brim with powerful emotion.  I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!

So, if you’ve read my other reviews/teasers, then you know I’m a Team Phoenix fan.  Don’t judge me—I like the bad boys that are in dire need of redemption.  (I mean, come on, I’m Team Cole, Team Darkling, so it goes without saying, I’m Team Phoenix).  And we get SO MUCH Phoenix in this one that I felt like I was on Cloud 9.  I loved seeing inside his head, knowing the pain and loneliness that consumes him from the inside out.  It made him seem more human, even when his actions were cruel and demonic.  So many people might argue that he is truly evil, but I think, more than anything, he is suffering, and as a result, he lashes out at those he loves.  It happens.  How many of us have said something we regret to a loved one?  Now, Phoenix takes this much further than words, but I think everyone will understand him a bit more after seeing that he is truly broken.

Now even though I’m Team Phoenix, I still love Lincoln, and I won’t be disappointed when/if Violet ends up with him.  That’s another think I love about this book—both guys make me happy!  I usually have a strong negative reaction towards one of the guys when there is a love triangle involved, but here?  I like them both, and will be happy no matter what ending, unless somebody dies.  Then I’ll die of misery.  But if you’re a Lincoln fan, be ready for some angst.  Some heart-pounding, soul-ripping angst.  Violet and Lincoln’s love is epic, and this book really shows us the struggle they must undergo in deciding whether love is worth the risk.

Violet remains one of my favorite heroines.  She’s strong, but not the “I just woke up one day and was a bad ass” strong.  She still has to work on her powers, and there are definitely things about her powers and her past (not to mention her future) that are up in the air.  Still, she doesn’t let that bring her down.  She stands strong and fights the exiles head on without ever wavering.  She’s not whiney, even when she has every reason to be, and I really like this no pity side of her.  If she were to sit around moping, I would definitely get annoyed.

And

That

Ending!

Oh my gosh—I did not see it coming!  But don’t fret, it’s not one of those “Is he/she alive or dead” type of cliffhangers.  It’s more of a jaw dropping, “what the heck just happened?” cliffhanger.  It won’t let you upset or frustrated, only curious and thrilled for the next installment.

I highly recommend this series to paranormal romance lovers.  Jessica’s world is magical, where the characters are covered in either lies or love; and where the truth is the most heartbreaking thing of all.

 

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Teaser Tuesday: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading!

To participate all you have to do is:

•Grab your current read

•Open to a random page

•Share "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

(make sure what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

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Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date:  TODAY!

"I wasn't me; it wasn't some stupid crush.  I wasn't even love.  It was more--much, much more.  It transcended anything he and I could ever be individually and was all about what we were together.  My soul was screaming for him, demanding that it have his." 
eARC, Location 2116-2117

(Phoenix to Violet) "'Love will kill us all,' he said sadly 'First, it makes us lie furiously so we can be what we must in order to appear deserving.  Then, it tears us apart with raw truth.  Whether we are man, exile, or angel--it doesn't matter.  For us all, the nature of truth is unforgiving.'" eARC, Location 3455-3457

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This book is amazing.  I was drawn into the pain and drama of Violet and Lincoln's relationship, and let me say, love is pain.  It might be beautiful and unrelenting and passionate and perfect, but above all those things, love is pain.  Emblaze was the best yet in this series, and Jessica has a forever fan in me.  Plus, we get quite a bit of Phoenix in this one, and I still can't help it; the guy could hold a gun to my head and I'd still want him to kiss me.  He's undeniably sexy--evil and all.  Emblaze....it was just awesome, and if the CW doesn't give this series the green light for next season, then I'm going to throw the hissy fit of all hissy fits.
 

Home Run Blog Tour: Stealing Parker Review and Giveaway

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

eARC received by Sourcebooks

Release Date:  October 1^st—On Shelves Now!

Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  A poignant story about heartbreak, forgiveness, and first love
 

Red-hot author Miranda Kenneally hits one out of the park in this return to Catching Jordan's Hundred Oaks High.

After her family's scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won't turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys--a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far...especially when he starts flirting back.

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter at the end of this review!

This is my first book by Miranda, and I had no idea what to expect.  Just from reading the blurb, I thought it sounded interesting, but I didn’t know how I would like the sports aspect of the story.  Don’t get me wrong---I love sports, but I’m more of a watch ‘em, not read ‘em type of girl.  Surprisingly, the sports part was one of my favorite parts of the story.  It wasn’t overly boyish and I didn’t find myself saying, “Go on…get on with it.”  Their sports world was like an entirely new setting within the high school life, and I enjoyed being opened up to a YA book that touched on sports.

The best part of the book was the growing friendship between Parker and Corndog.  It was sweet and innocent, and it just felt right.  I found myself laughing at loud at some of Corndog’s jokes, but at other times, he was a real jerk.  Just like a high school guy!  It was endearing to see him struggle with his own problems and then take them out on Parker—a realistic and heartbreaking truth about high school relationships.  I found myself waiting for Parker’s next encounter with Corndog, just to see what would happen next.

I also really liked Drew, Parker’s best friend.  He is the type of guy that you just automatically like.  He sticks by Parker when her mother comes out as a lesbian and the entire town turns on her family.   It’s a very religious town, so this caused quite a scandal.  While everyone else looked at Parker like she was the plague, Drew stood up for her and stood by her.  Such a sweetie!

I was really surprised by the mature content level of this book—it didn’t bother me at all, but I think I was expecting the fade to black type of love scenes.  At first, I enjoyed these small scenes between Parker and Brian (the coach).  It wasn’t really creepy, and I felt like they really liked each other.  However, as their physical relationship progressed, I found myself getting really annoyed by Parker and the way she discussed their relationship.  She seemed very crude to me, and by the end unfortunately, I was really wishing she would just zip her mouth.

What bugged me?

The entire book was preachy to the extent of annoyance.  I’m from a small town, and I understand the role religion plays in the lives of people there, but I just don’t believe that an entire town would turn against someone instead of trying to save or help them.  But instead of doing that, they hurled accusatory glares and Bible verses.  It just became too much for me, and I think it took away from the book.

Most of the reviews I have read said they really enjoyed Parker as the main character, but I was on the other side of the fence with her.  She seemed very vain and immature to me, and I found her very annoying.  There were times she was so self-involved that I ended up rooting against her, hoping things would fall apart so she would look around, wake up and quit her self-loathing.

Overall, there were some very cute parts to this tale of discovery, and I think that many people will enjoy this book.  I liked that Miranda ventured into an area that many other authors might be afraid to write about, and I liked that she did it in a non-creepy way.  However, I thought that Parker and Brian (both major characters) were too wishy-washy, and this wavering made them unrealistic and frustrating to me. 

Final Judgment: While this book was not my favorite, I do plan to read more of Miranda’s books in the future. 

Content Warning:  I would rate this for mature teens for somewhat explicit sexual situations.  (Riding the line somewhere between YA and NA).

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Entice Blog Tour and Giveaway

Today is ENTICE ME DAY!!!! It's a day of celebrating this amazing series with fans and of course Jessica Shirvington herself!  Visit the Entice Me Page for exclusive sneak peeks, awesome giveaways and a LIVE author chat with Jessica Shirvington!!!

Entice (Violet Eden Chapters #2) by Jessica Shirvington
Sourcebooks
On Shelves Now
Reviewed by: AmyG (big sis)
Sister's Say: Engaging, Electric, and Epic

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

This is what I looked like after I finished Entice:

1 minute after:

2 minutes after:

3 minutes after:

And 4 minutes after:

Yes, all of these!!!  As those of you who have already read Embrace know, it was amazing!  But Entice is in a category all it's own!  I don't even have to words to describe how I feel.  All I know is I have read A LOT  of books, and this one is definitely one of the best!!! Do you hear that people??? ONE OF THE BEST!!!

This is a pretty long book, and Jessica doesn't waste one word of it.  This book is heavy on plot and does not leave you wanting for anything.  Everything put onto the pages of this book is important.  If something was mentioned in Embrace or the first chapter of Entice be ready for it to have some significance by the last page.  There are bloody battles, gruesome fights, deadly betrayals, ancient mysteries, glorious revelations, epic kisses, and broken hearts leaving no time for boredom.  This isn't a plot that has been regurgitated over and over.  It's imaginative and takes you to places that you would never expect!  Ms. Shirivington uses common knowledge of biblical angels, but twists and turns it into something new and frankly surprising! 

The twists and turns of the plot lead the Grigori all the way to the ancient and mysterious lands of Jordan.  They are in a race with dark angels to discover the one thing that could give them power over each other.  If the dark angels find it, then it could be the end of the Grigori forever.  However, this isn't just a normal race.  They can't just walk into the mountains of Jordan to find what they need.  They must push all their Grigori powers to the limits and that of course can't happen without some serious repercussions.  Trust me, no one will leave those mountains the same!

Jessica introduces new characters this time around and delves even deeper into old favorites.  New sides are revealed to both Lincoln and Pheonix that will haunt you for days and possibly weeks after.  Both are more flawed than you can possible imagine, yet you will find yourself drawn to them more than ever.  And, in walks a group of new Grigori that are amazing!  All of them add a new dynamic to the group of Grigori that make them feel like more of a family.  And, I have to say a little extra about Spence!!! He's witty and impulsive and so much fun. I loved him so much and here's hoping that there is much more of him in future books!

I know I had a big dramatic description at the top, but in all seriousness, this is one of those books that sticks with you for days.  You will find yourself remembering bits and pieces only to be awed even more as you think on them.  I am notorious for being able to guess plots and endings.  I have ruined many a book or movie for friends and family unintentionally.  But let me say, that is why this series is so wonderful!  I was completely shocked by so many things that happened!  It sucked me in, cut my heart in two (several times) and left me satisfied but in pieces at the end.  Go read this book!   

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Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova Blog Tour & Giveaway

We are so excited to be apart of the Bloggers of the Deep Blog Tour!  We have some exciting things coming your way.  Today we are hosting a giveaway and guest post.  Later on in May, we will host another stop for a character interview and review.  Here's a little about The Vicious Deep:


The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
May 1, 2012

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.
He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.
His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.
Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

We are happy to host Zoraida today for Desert Island books!  We love playing Desert Island books!  Here is my Desert Island Book list from last summer.

Top Ten Books to Read when Stranded on a 

Desert Island

 If you are going to be stranded, may as well find something to pass the time. Just make sure you plan ahead…

#1 would have to be HOW TO SURVIVE ON A DESERT ISLAND. Because, really, if I don't survive, I won't get to read #2-10. 

#2 Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, obvi. 

#3 A collection of fairy tales from around the world.

#4 The Harry Potter series, because I'll need a little hope to keep me going. 

#5 Montana Sky by Nora Roberts. Don't you roll your eyes at me. Deserted islands get lonely.

#6 Still Life With Woodpecker by Tom Robbins because every word is beauty. 

#7 Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown. Partly because I'd like the company of merpeople. Partly because I'd like to read it before I get stranded. But also because I can't say I want to get stranded with my own mermaids ;) 

#8 Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 8 graphic novels. When facing the forces of darkness (strike that), nature, I'd ask myself, What Would Buffy Do? 

#9 The Essential Neruda. Pablo Neruda was exiled to an island where he fell in love and wrote poetry. Maybe I'd get the same inspiration. 

#10 A blank notebook, to write my own stories.

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Sourcebooks Fire has kindly donated a finished copy of The Vicious Deep to giveaway here.  The giveaway is open to US and Canada entries.  We want to say a big Thank You to Sourcebooks Fire for providing this giveaway!