Liebster Blog Award

I was nominated by three blogs, and since I am really honored to not be only thought of once, but three times I figured I should go ahead with the acceptance part. Thank you so much guys! I really do appreciate it! Simply Book was the first blog to nominate me, so I will proceed with her questions:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you.

2. Answer the 11 questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself and create 11 questions for your nominees.
3. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen. (No tag backs)
4. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog.

1.  If you could choose to live in one book, what book would it be?

If I could choose to live in one book, it would probably have to be The Vampire Diaries. I LOVE Mystic Falls, and Damon of course. Damon seriously though... who doesn't love him?

2.  You are on a deserted island, and you can choose ONE book.  What book do you take?

If I could only choose one book it would probably have to be Harry Potter (the full series in one book) because I love the series! I know this is technically cheating... but who cares. It is hypothetical anyways right? :)

3.  Why did you decide to start a book blog?

I decided to start a book blog because I love reading and I love to write. Also, every time I saw someones book blog I became jealous so I decided to start my own!

4.  Moment of truth:  Do you judge a book by its cover?

Unfortunately, yes. I know I shouldn't but it just always seems to happen. Sorry books that are awesome but have a blah cover.

5.  Your favorite book is about to be made into a movie.  How do you feel about that?  

Hmmm this one is hard. I like when my favorite books are made into movies because I love movies, but on the other hand I sometimes hate it. When I found out that Beautiful Creatures was being made into a movie I kinda felt a bit betrayed. I just don't like the craziness that surrounds the movies that are made from books. I like to be the  lone fan of the books.

6.  Where is your favorite place to buy books?

I love Barnes and Noble! I love being able to just relax and browse the books in the store, and maybe just sit and read for a bit. I am also currently obsessed with Amazon because of my new Kindle Fire.

7.  Who are your favorite book boyfriends?

Damon Salvatore definitely! Also, I love Draco Malfoy. Daemon from the Lux series comes in at a close third. (I kinda like the bad boys, oops)

8.  Which character would you love to slap and why? *We all have those moments*

I am currently reading Prince of Wolves, and the main character is just... ugh. Seriously. I am going to write a review soon and it is not going to be pretty.

9.  What was your favorite book that you had to read for school?

My favorite book from school was probably Wuthering Heights. Sometimes I do have a classics soft spot.

10.  What is your favorite thing about blogging?

My favorite thing about blogging is the creativity. I love being able to say what I feel and decorate my blog the way I want to.

11.  Which author are you dying to meet?

J.K. Rowling, hands down.

1. I am a junior in college and I just got back from studying abroad in Oxford, England. I LOVED it!

2. I am in love with my dog Hope. I saved her from getting euthanized at the county shelter, and ever since then she has been my cuddle buddy and my best friend.

3. I am obsessed with owls. My college dorm is decked out in them!

4. I want to go to school to be a pediatric oncologist.

5. When I was 14 I started writing a book. I recently found it and have since then started rewriting it.

6. I am in love with marble mocha mocciatos from Starbucks!

7. I am in a sorority at my university.

8. I am a biology major, and I have thought about so many times where I wanted to change majors but I have stuck with it!

9. I am in love/completely obsessed with accents. I love Irish, Scottish, British and Australian accents the most!

10. I have been to Ireland, Scotland, England, France, and Poland. I am somewhat of a travel junkie!

11. My lucky number is 11.

1. Oceana and Lisbeth @ Assorted Insanity
2. The Twins Read
3. Bookaholic Corner
4. Morgan @ Castles Made of Books
5. It's a Book Life
6. Say It With Books
7. Book Wyrming Thoughts
8. Bookshelf
9. The Social Potatoes
10. Patricia @ Night Readings
11. Cory @ Paper. Flutterby

1. If you could be anything what would it be?
2. Who is your literature boyfriend/girlfriend?
3. If you could be any character from any book who would you be?
4. Do you judge a book by it's cover?
5. What does your blog title mean/ why did you choose it?
6. What is the worst book you have read?
7. Have you ever written/read fanfiction?
8. What author are you dying to meet?
9. If you could travel to any place in the world where would you go?
10. Marry, Kiss, Kill- Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley
11. Have you ever considered writing a book?

[Review] Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis

Title: Persephone

Author: Kaitlin Bevis

Format Acquired: mobi for kindle provided for honest review

Publication Date: July 6,2012

Publishing House: Musa Publishing

ISBN: 9781619372436

Summary:

There are worse things than death, worse people too.

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn't until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life

Review:

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review from the author. I am starting to find that I enjoy Greek mythology books a lot. In fact, they are starting to become my favorite sub genre in Young Adult literature. This book was no exception. I loved the modern day spin on the tale of Persephone and Hades. I loved it even more that Hades is displayed as the good guy with the handsome looks and the mysterious qualities. I honestly think that Hades gets a bad rap, so I was thrilled that he was seen as a "swoon worthy" character in this novel.

At the beginning of the story, I found Persephone to be a bit whiny and somewhat annoying, but throughout the course of the book her character was very dynamic and her attitude and actions of the end of the story were heroic. She really did become a Goddess at the end. There were so many Greek characters in the story that I would have found myself lost if I didn't have my handy dandy kindle with it's own built in dictionary. I think that I found myself caught up in the story and enjoying it more because I was able to look up the Gods and Goddesses. I am not sure how I would have felt about the story without these handy tools.  

One of the difficult things that the writer faces in telling the story of Hades and Persephone is that she cannot make it as much of her own as I would have liked. Because Persephone is such a popular Greek Goddess her myth can only be so creative. I think that Bevis did meet this challenge in a satisfactory way. Overall, I did like this book and I will more than likely read the sequel.

Overall:

Amazon|Goodreads|Musa Publishing

About the Author:

I spent my childhood curled up with a book, and a pen. If the ending didn’t agree with me, I rewrote it. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and I spent high school and college learning everything I could so that one day I could achieve that goal. I graduated college with my BFA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, and am pursuing my masters at the University of Georgia.

My young adult fiction novel “Persephone,” will be released this summer. I also write for Athens Parent Magazine, and truuconfessions.com. I have also published several short stories, my latest, Siren Song, is available on amazon.com.

Surrender by Rhiannon Paille is free TODAY

Blurb from Goodreads:

How far would you go to save everything you ever loved? 

Kaliel was warned about her love for the Ferryman. One day he will marry the land and leave Avristar forever. She doesn't listen, and because of what she is-- a Flame-- one of nine apocalyptic weapons, she sparks a war. In a desperate attempt to save her home and her love, Kaliel tries to awaken Avred, not knowing she may have to make the ultimate sacrifice

I love free books just as much as the next person, so I love when I have a book I am able to share with you guys that is a free download. Only for today, Surrender is free on Amazon for Kindle download. So, go ahead and download it! You know you want to!

 Here is the link: Amazon

DAC #3 Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway

Debut Author Challenge #3

Title: Touch of Death

Author: Kelly Hashway

Format Acquired: mobi for kindle

Publication Date: January 15,2013

Publishing House: Spencer Hill Press

Summary:

Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.

After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.

Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.

Review:

I have been waiting for this book for quite some time, and as soon as it hit amazon I didn't hesitate to buy it. I didn't want to be disappointed by a book I had been patiently waiting for, so I was quite hesitant to actually start reading it, but once I did I just simply could not put it down. At first, I didn't think I would really get into the Greek mythology books, but it has since grown on me. In fact, I am starting to love reading any YA book that contains any type of Greek mythology. Touch of Death did not disappoint me in the slightest.

At the beginning of the book, I was a tad frustrated at Jodi for literally bleeding on everything. And, when I say everything, I mean everything. She bled on the deer, the squirrel, the rat, the carpet... shall I go on? After cutting yourself so many times, you would think you would invest in some gloves, bandaids, or something. Also, the book started off a bit weird with the main guy being a stalker, literally. This guy just would not leave Jodi alone for like two seconds. After a while she just gave up asking for help and calling the cops and just dealt with him by.... closing her blinds? Realistic? Not so much. But, the book did get better and after these laughable/irritating events I did dive right into the book. I loved the background of the ophi and the astrology implemented in the book. I also loved the background that Hashway described in the book. I am also starting to learn that Medusa is quite a popular ancestor of a few YA novels these days.

 I really did like the book, despite the iffy beginning. I am quite excited to be able to read the next book in the series, but I heard it is a love triangle. I am not so sure how I feel about that, but I guess we will see!

Overall:

Goodreads| Amazon| Barnes and Noble

Waiting on Wednesday #7

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Collector

By Victoria Scott

Publication Date: April 2, 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence has made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple, weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big, red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal opportunity collector and doesn’t want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within 10 days.

Dante doesn’t know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky, Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect—he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector, and uncover emotions deeply buried.

So what is your Waiting on Wednesday selection?

Series Review: The Fallen Star Series

The Fallen Star Series

Title: Fallen Star Series

Author: Jessica Sorensen

Format Acquired: mobi for kindle

Publication Date: April 10, 2012

Publishing House: self published

Summary from Goodreads:
In Book One, The Fallen Star, eighteen year-old Gemma's life has never been normal. Up until recently, she has been incapable of feeling emotion. And when she’s around Alex, the gorgeous new guy at school, she can feel electricity that makes her skin buzz. Not to mention the monsters that haunt her nightmares have crossed over into real-life. 

But with Alex seeming to hate her and secrets popping up everywhere, Gemma’s life is turning into a chaotic mess. Things that shouldn’t be real suddenly seem to exist. And as her world falls apart, figuring out the secrets of her past becomes a matter of life and death. 

In Book Two, The Underworld, Gemma thought her mind was gone, but she was wrong. And now she is left trying to figure out the truth to what Stephan is planning to do with her and the star, before it’s too late.
But finding out the truth is hard, especially since Gemma doesn’t know who she can trust. There may be only one person who Gemma can turn to for answers, but that means having to go to the one place no one wants to go—The Underworld.

In Book Three, The Vision, Gemma thought she was trapped—that Stephan had finally won. But then time resets and she’s given another chance.
The clock is ticking as Gemma tries to figure out how to change the vision that ends the world in ice. If she can, then maybe she can save the world from Stephan and give her and Alex a chance at a real future. But changing visions can be dangerous, and sometimes one small mistake can lead to disastrous results.

Review:

I don't normally review series as a whole, or the whole series, but this one I just had to. This author is a genius, literally a genius. One word to sum up my thoughts for this series is: OBSESSED. I read all four of these books in four days, they were that good. 

At first I thought the series was going to be a bit cheesy, with the end of the world bit and all, but instead I ending up loving it. There were so many new concepts put into play like tattoos for different beings (foreseers, keepers, vampires, witches, immortals, etc.) I found myself overwhelmed at first, but Sorensen explained everything so perfectly that I fell into the world of Gemma. 

Gemma is one of those characters that grow on you. I found her a tad starnge at first because she said that she lived without emotions for her whole life. I wanted to just say "Hold up, how is that even possible?" but I found myself becoming very attached to Gemma and her fate. I did find myself becoming frustrated at her when she just kind of swooned over the jerk that was mean to her in the beginning, but throughout the series she became the kind of heroine that I love to see succeed. I wish that I had as much spunk and bravery that she does by the end of the series. Alex is another character that I found myself loving, despite his jerk able characteristics.  I hated when he was a jerk to Gemma, but I understood everything and his actions as the story panned out. Laylen was another character that I wish I knew in real life. He was just a lost soul, but he was such a sweetheart. 

The story itself is full of twists and turns that will leave you begging for me. I never got bored reading, and that is saying something since I do have a hint of ADD. I blazed through these books, as I am sure you will when you check this series out. I am so overwhelmed with obsession with these books and this author that I even have to use a gif, which I NEVER do. So here you go:

Overall:

Amazon|Goodreads|Authors Website

About the Author:

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives with her husband and three kids in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Bewitched Cover Reveal

"Bewitched is spell-binding! A highly-unique page-turner that hooks you from the first paragraph. With complex characters and unexpected twists and turns, Harris delivers and leaves you hoping for more!" - Stephanie Keyes, author, The Star Child series

Blurb:

Is it love or is it witchcraft? He’ll never find out if he kills her first.

The first time Darren saw Samantha, she was floating above his high school gymnasium during a basketball game, invisible to everyone but him. Next time he sees her, she's sitting in front of him in class, wowing his friends and causing unexplainable things to happen that only he seems to notice. But things really get strange (and complicated) when his dying grandfather tells him that he is part of an ancient order, the “Pessum Ire,” whose duty is to destroy witches. What does he do now, since he’s almost positive Samantha is a witch…and he’s crushing on her pretty hard?

About the Author:

Mark Harris lives in Smithfield Utah, a small town located in a beautiful valley in Northern Utah. His wife, Shaundale, and he have four terrific children, two girls and two boys and a fifth one due to arrive in November of 2012. Mark has taught English and Special Education and currently works from home teaching English to people from all over the world. Writing has always been his true passion since he was a grade schooler writing about mushrooms. "Bewitched" will be his debut novel. He has two others underway and will soon start on the sequel to "Bewitched," called "The Return of the Familiar." He hopes you enjoy his work because he is working on several series geared toward younger audiences.

You can find Mark on: www.markjayharrisauthor.com

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