31 August 2011

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of this weekly event is to spotlight a soon-to-be-released book that you are very much anticipating. "Waiting On" Wednesday will also give bloggers an opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.


Title: Carrier of the Mark (Carrier, #1)
Author: Leigh Fallon
Publisher: HarperTeen, 352 pages (October 4th 2011)
Preorder here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRís.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.


Title: Going Underground
Author: Susan Vaught
Publisher: Bloomsbury, 336 pages (September 13th 2011)
Preorder here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository
Synopsis: When does falling in love become a crime?

Del is a good kid who's been caught in horrible circumstances. At seventeen, he's trying to put his life together after an incident in his past that made him a social outcast-and a felon. As a result, he can't get into college; the only job he can find is digging graves; and when he finally meets a girl he might fall in love with, there's a sea of complications that threatens to bring the world crashing down around him again. But what has Del done? In flashbacks to Del's fourteenth year, we slowly learn the truth: his girlfriend texted him a revealing photo of herself, a teacher confiscated his phone, and soon the police were involved.

Basing her story on real-life cases of teens in trouble with the law for texting explicit photos, Susan Vaught has created a moving portrait of an immensely likable character caught in a highly controversial legal scenario.

Another two books that I'm excited for and can't wait to read. Both totally different from one another, but they are each up at the top of my must read list. Plus, I love the cover for Carrier of the Mark, what does everyone thing of this cover? Troubled love, fate, power,... wrong choices, some serious teen issues that are extremely relevant to this day and age, consequences, and grave diggers. Yep, I'm ready for both of these. Who's with me?

*covers are always subject to change.
*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this post.

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30 August 2011

Title: Hades (Halo, #2)
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, 422 Pages (August 30th 2011

Synopsis: Bethany and Xavier are even closer since battling Jake Thorn and his evil influence (in Halo) and Beth and her angel siblings must still protect Venus Cove from the Dark Forces.

When a party game – a séance – inadvertently releases Jake from the Underworld, he disguises himself and tricks Beth into taking a ride on his motorcycle. When the highway opens up and swallows them, Beth learns too late that she’s now a prisoner in hell. What happens to angels there? As her archangel brother, Gabriel, her sister Ivy, Xavier, and her best friend, Molly search for her, Beth must weigh Jake’s bargaining for her freedom: one night with him, and she will be released back to Earth.

Can Jake be trusted in this wager? And is he also using Beth to engineer the fall of the archangel Gabriel? Xavier has already lost one love – when Jake tricks him into thinking that Bethany is dead, his grief and anger result in a betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if he is so good after all.

It will be up to Beth to use everything she’s learned about her powers as an angel – and about love – to free herself and those she loves from the clutches of Hades.


Enter to WIN A FINISHED copy of HADES!



Rules and how to enter:

You MUST be at least 13 years old to enter.
Please fill out the EASY form below for your entry to count.
This giveaway is open to US & Canadian Residents only, sorry.
Giveaway ends: Sept 11th, 2011




More about 'HADES':

"Heaven Help Her. 
Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier?s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can?t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth?s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well."
The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test

Links:
See Alexandra Adornetto on tour this Fall: http://www.facebook.com/penfataletour
Macmillan page for the book & author: http://us.macmillan.com/hades

Check out the book trailer:

A HUGE thank you to Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends for providing
the copy in this giveaway.

Good luck to everyone who enters! Winners will be chosen via Random.org. If you have any questions please check my policy page or feel free to email with any questions.

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Title: LIE
Author: Caronline Bock
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin, 224 Pages (August 30th 2011)
From: the Publisher, Thank You!

Synopsis: Everybody knows, nobody’s talking. . . .

Seventeen-year-old Skylar Thompson is being questioned by the police. Her boyfriend, Jimmy, stands accused of brutally assaulting two young El Salvadoran immigrants from a neighboring town, and she’s the prime witness. Skylar is keeping quiet about what she’s seen, but how long can she keep it up?

But Jimmy was her savior. . . .

When her mother died, he was the only person who made her feel safe, protected from the world. But when she begins to appreciate the enormity of what has happened, especially when Carlos Cortez, one of the victims, steps up to demand justice, she starts to have second thoughts about protecting Jimmy. Jimmy’s accomplice, Sean, is facing his own moral quandary. He’s out on bail and has been offered a plea in exchange for testifying against Jimmy.

The truth must be told. . . .

Sean must decide whether or not to turn on his friend in order to save himself. But most important, both he and Skylar need to figure out why they would follow someone like Jimmy in the first place.

Review: 5 Stars - LIE by Caroline Bock is an extremely powerful, emotional charged, well written, heart wrenching story that’ll leave you stunned time and time again as you follow along with the characters throughout the novel.

Written from many different points of view, the ever changing voice of the narrator gives the reader a chance to see the effects of others from a vast array of voices, young and old. With shocking moments that left me stunned, I can say that LIE had me gripping the pages of the book and shaking my head with disgust over the traumatic events that charged through the novel from beginning to end.

Peer pressure rears its ugly head and it’s not just the teens that inflect this on one another, some of the adults also reach to new lows and become bullies themselves.

With so many characters I could talk about, I think I’ll stick to the basics. First, lets talk about Skylar… she’s a weak girl who falls for the wrong guy. She’s naive and is dealing with the death of her mother. She’s broken and when Jimmy comes to town, he sees her as someone he needs to fix and mold. The more I learned about Jimmy the more he set the tone for who all these other characters are. And it’s sad to think that one person can have such a strong affect on so many others.

Many people are involved or know the truth and no ones talking. Many people are in pain and still, they remain silent. With characters spiraling deeper and deeper, it became fact that only one person needed to stand up for what really happened.

Throughout the story and the different points of view, I found myself asking how so many could be so blind to such a troubled person. I guess it only takes one leader, who’s out spoken, fun and a joker for so many to fall in line.

Bock’s writing and the many different points of view made this an amazing book that I couldn’t put down. It is without a doubt one of those titles that more people should read to grasp the effects of assault and the aftermath of all who know what happened, who where there that night and who might finally stand up and speak out to do the right thing. I’m thankful that I was suggested this book by a friend at the publisher. Without her recommendation I’m sure I would have sadly passed this one by. I highly recommend this novel for all who are ready for an emotional driven and shock story based on true events.

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

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29 August 2011

WINNERS!!!!!!!!


It's that time again! Time to announce some winners. Thank you to everyone who's stopped by, thank you to everyone who entered and good luck to each of you!

And the winners are..

Soul Savers By: Kristie Cook Swag Pack

Victoria Z.


Shamra Prize Pack

Evelyn


Descended by Blood Prize Pack

Luvdaylilies


ARC of The Power of Six

Christine D.


A HUGE congrats to each of you!

The winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked to take their place. If you believe you are one of the lucky winners and haven't received an email from me, please be sure to check your spam folder or feel free to email to claim your prize! As always, winners are chosen via Random.org - unless otherwise stated.

If you have any questions please check my policy page or feel free to email.

Not to worry if you didn't win any of these giveaways, there are still a few running and I have a BUNCH more coming up soon, so keep an eye out.

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There's a HUGE Pre-Order giveaway going on for Ashes!
EVERYONE is a winner!!

From now until 11:59pm on Sept 5, any preorder of ASHES at any online OR bricks and mortar bookstore will get you a treat, AND make you eligible for one of several  big and AWESOME prizes.


To find out more AND to get your entry in...

>>>CLICK HERE<<<


Synopsis: It could happen tomorrow...

A cataclysmic event. An army of "The Changed."
Can one teen really survive on her own?


An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky, destroying every electronic device and killing billions. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human...

Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the Changed, Alex meets up with Tom---a young army veteran---and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse.

This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to survive.

Published: Egmont, 480 Pages (September 6th 2011)

Preorder here:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this post.

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28 August 2011

Feature - "Just Picked" - Fairly Fairy Tales By:

"Just Picked" is a feature here at A Life Bound By Books. This is a place where I'll be spotlighting new (and old) childrens book or picture books for parents and new readers. It's a place to talk about books for a younger group and to try to help create a new generation of readers.

Title: Fairly Fairy Tales
Author: Esme Raji Codell
Illustrator: Elisa Chavarri
Publisher: Aladdin, 32 Pages (January 4th 2011)
Age Range: 4-8
From: the Publisher, Thank You!

Synopsis: Parents and children love to play "question" games; Would you eat spaghetti made with gummy worms? Would you wear your clothes backwards all day? Sometimes the answer is "yes" and sometimes it's "no"--but the fun is in the asking. Gifted writer and educator Esme Raji Codell has writtten a book that incorporates fractured fairy tales with this kind of parent-child interplay to create a pitch-perfect combination of bedtime read-aloud and fairytales that will delight children and parents!

Review: 4 Stars - Fairly Fair Tales by Esma Raji Codell is a cute book that puts a new twist on some classic stories. With few words, it’s the illustrations by Elisa Chavarri that make the book entertaining and will without a doubt have kid’s imaginations running.

From page to page the visuals have high impact because with each reading there’s always something new to see. I love illustrations such as this, especially when kids tend to latch on to a favorite book and like to read it over and over again. My niece loves this book, she thinks it’s funny that Cinderella ends up dancing at a disco and that Jack and the Bean Stalk characters end up at an Italian restaurant eating spaghetti and meatballs.

All in all, this is a super cute book that I’ll be looking forward to reading with the girls over and over again, always looking for something new to see in the amazing illustrations. Enjoy!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

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27 August 2011

Title: Fury (Fury, 1)
Author: Elizabeth Miles
Publisher: Simon Pulse, 352 Pages (August 30th 2011)
From: the Publisher, Thank You!

Synopsis: Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Review: 3 Stars - Fury By Elizabeth Miles has a beautiful, eye grabbing cover that’s hard to pass by without picking up a copy to see what the book’s about. Greek mythology, decisions and ultimate consequences are the driving force for the story. It’s the touch of creepiness that seems to crawl through the pages that turned Fury into an interesting read.

Set in a small town, during the dead of winter - Fury is about two teens, Emily and Chase. Both totally opposites of each other, running in the same popular group at school. The two, each make a choice that alters the course of their lives. They both are struggling with many different issues in their lives on top of some of the usual teen drama when Emily is faced with a choice that could destroy more than just her relationship with her best friend, and as Chase deals with the wrath of the Furies due to his own bad decisions.

While the story was as mentioned above creepy and the cover amazingly beautiful, the characters were hard to relate to. I never felt invested in who they were or even why they did what they did. I wanted to love the story, I wanted to love the characters, but it never hit the mark. The creepy parts of the story, the three Furies who made my skin crawl were definitely the highlights.

Fury had its high points and low points and over all felt a bit lack luster when it came to my own expatiations of the novel. The characters of the Furies set the tone and give off the books wonderfully welcomed creepy vibe, and bits of Greek mythology helped to round out what turned out to be an okay first installment to this trilogy.

By the end of the book, Miles left me stunned as she cast the perfect stepping stones for the next book. With a better knowledge of who the Furies are and what they are all about and future characters with some temptingly disastrous choices to make, I’m looking forward to seeing just how much more damage Miles has in story for the lives of her characters next.

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

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26 August 2011

Title: Descended By Blood
Author: Angeline Kace
Publisher: Accendo Press, (August 26th 2011

Synopsis: Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them. In a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of her that she never knew existed at the risk of losing her life in order to save it.



Mirko & Jaren top 5, make that 6

1. What's your favorite feature on a girl?
Jaren: "I would have to say a girl's eyes are what attracts me to her initially. The eyes can say so much about her."
Mirko: "Butt. I am a butt guy through and through. Not many girls walk away from me, but when they do--they leave me with the view of my favorite asset. Can't really ask for much more than that, now can I?"

2. How would you swoon a girl?
Jaren: "Hmm, I usually don't like to get all romantic for a girl unless I really like her, but I guess if I'm trying to swoon her, I must really like her. So, I would start out by picking her up and giving her a bouquet of flowers. Then, I would take her up to the mountains for a horseback ride. And we'd have to share the horse. That way, we're close the whole time, and she'd have her arms around me. Then, we'd stop somewhere with a nice view and have a picnic there. I think most girls can appreciate the efforts a guy makes to show her he cares for her."
Mirko: "Smile at her."

3. Favorite snack?
Jaren: "Starbursts because I'm pretty good at unwrapping them in my mouth.  Or beef jerky."
Mirko: "The vein. Nah, my favorite dish is palačinke, the Croatian version of pancakes."

4. How does it feel to be the hot one?
Jaren: *laughs* "I've gotta admit, it's nice for you to think I am. Mirko walks around acting like he's the hot one, so to think that I'm the hot one, gives me great satisfaction. Plus, I'm flattered. Thank you."
Mirko: *chuckles* "I am, aren't I? Just make sure you let Brooke know that you think so. She's a tough one, and peer pressure--at least in this case--can be a good thing."

5. What is it about Brooke that makes you like her?
Jaren: "She's just such a sweet girl. She goes out of her way for those she cares about, and her laugh makes me smile. I want to be around her all the time so I can hear her laugh."
Mirko: "That girl's got more strength within her than any other girl I've met. And even though she's afraid of that strength, she charges toward it and grabs it by its horns, giving it a good shake for all she's worth. Plus, she doesn't bow before me and give me everything I want. I have to work for it, so when I get it, it's sweeter."

6. Finally, boxers or briefs?
Jaren: *blushes* "Really?"
Interviewer: "Yes, the fans want to know."
Jaren:  "Uh...boxers."
Mirko: *wicked grin* "Neither."

Angeline, Mirko & Jaren... thanks so much for the visit! Mirko & Jaren *swoon!* You're all more than welcome to drop in anytime and I hope you'll visit with us again soon.

Thanks Lisa!  I had a BLAST with this one! I really appreciate you hosting me. I know things have been crazy for you, so thank you!


Find Angeline Online:

Blog/Website | Twitter | Facebook

Order a copy of Descended By Blood:



Enter to win a SIGNED paperback copy of Descended By Blood, nail polish and bookmark!


Rules and how to enter:

You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
Please fill out the form for your entry to be counted. Comments are loved though :)
This giveaway is open US residents only, sorry!
Giveaway ends: August 28th, 2011




Angeline, thanks again for everything. And thank you for having me host the giveaway for this prize pack for you.

Good luck to each of you who enters. Winners will be chosen via Rnadom.org. If you have any questions, check my policy page or feel free to email.

Be sure to check out the next days out the tours with other chances to win great prizes -

Saturday, August 27, 2011 ~ Hesperia Loves Books, Interview with Skin 
Monday, August 29, 2011 ~  Magical Urban Fantasy Reads, Shorty Story with Paperback 
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 ~ Great Imaginations, Guest post with Skin 
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 ~ Confessions of a Bookaholic, Fun post with Paperback *
Thursday, September 01, 2011 ~ A Cupcake and a Latte, Guest post with Skin

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24 August 2011

"Waiting On" Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The purpose of this weekly event is to spotlight a soon-to-be-released book that you are very much anticipating. "Waiting On" Wednesday will also give bloggers an opportunity to share ideas for our TBR lists.

Title: Darkness Falls (Immortal Beloved, #2)
Author: Cate Tiernan
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 400 pages (January 2nd 2012)
Preorder here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason, life never seems to get any better. She left her spoiled, rich girl life to find peace at River's Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There, she learned to embrace River's Edge, despite some drama involving the sexy Reyn, who she wants but won't allow herself to have. But just as she's getting comfortable, her family's ties to dark magick force her to leave.

She falls back into her old, hard partying ways, but will her decision lead her into the hands of a dark immortal? Or will it be her first step to embracing the darkness within her?



Title: All These Things I've Done
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 368 pages (September 6th 2011)
Preorder here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Loved Immortal Beloved and I've been dying to get my hands on Darkness Falls since. I seriously can't wait for it. Great writing, characters and story. What can I say, I'm hooked! Then All These Things I've Done, I have it here to read and review. I love the sound of it, and I have plans to read it soon. Anyone else looking forward to either of these titles?


*covers are always subject to change.
*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this post.

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23 August 2011

Review: A Beautiful Dark By: Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark
Author: Jocelyn Davies
Publisher: HarperTeen, 320 Pages (September 27th 2011)
From: the Publisher &amp; NetGalley, Thank You! (eBook)

Synopsis: On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites--like fire and ice--Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move--only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

Review: 3 Stars - A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies has been on my must read list for at least a year now. With characters that become more mysterious as you read, a past, present and future the main female lead never saw coming and two boys as drastically different from one another as you can get.

The night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday is anything but normal. Raised by her Mothers best friend in Colorado, she never could have foreseen what was coming. For me Skye was one of those characters that sometimes got under my skin. She’s strong yet a bit wishy-washy. However, I can see the point of her acting this way. I mean the girl has been slammed with a TON of things that are happening around her and to her, her head is bound to be all over the place. The other thing is she’s good at running, hiding away and not dealing with what’s in front of her. Again… I can see the point; I just hoped she’d have grown a bit more from the beginning of the book to the end.

As for the two boys… Asher and Devin, just when you think you have a grasp as to who they are, what their true intentions are, Davies throws you into another tailspin. With each chapter my love/hate relationship with each changed. One minute I loved Asher and hated Devin and the next I loved Devin and hated Asher. Whiplash! Each of the two was as different as night and day. Asher, the bad boy, player and Devin the shy quiet protected one. They both have some great qualities and at the huge climax at the end of the book I didn’t know what to think. Seriously, Davies knows how to write an epic cliffhanger!

I can say that the story was a complete surprise and at the end I was stunned at the turn of some of the events. While I enjoyed reading this one and I wish I could give it a higher star rating it just didn’t grab me as much as I thought it would. Davies writing was good, but, and maybe this was because I was reading an ARC copy – it did have parts where things just didn’t flow for me or feel as easily as other parts did. Again, this could have been because of the advanced copy I was reading, so please take that into mind when you pick up a copy, and yes, be sure to go out and get a copy in a few weeks when this title hits the stands.

All in all I did enjoy A Beautiful Dark. The mystery surrounding the female lead, years of secrets, that huge ending, two very interesting boys and yearning to find out what’s going to happen next far outweighed anything to keep me from reading the next book in the trilogy, which seriously, I can’t wait for. Would I recommended this one, yep, I sure would. Fan’s of paranormal Young Adult will, without a doubt be eating this one up.

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

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22 August 2011

Title: Lockdown (Escape from the Furnace, #1)
Author: Alexander Gordon Smith
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, 273 Pages (October 27th 2009)

Synopsis: Furnace Penitentiary: the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, “new fish” Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries. Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as cruel and dangerous as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison.

Together with a bunch of inmates—some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers—Alex plans an escape. But as he starts to uncover the truth about Furnace’s deeper, darker purpose, Alex’s actions grow ever more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose this nightmare that’s hidden from the eyes of the world.

More about the 'Escape from Furnace' series:

Beneath Heaven is Hell....Beneath Hell is Furnace! Furnace Penitentiary: the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, “new fish” Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world.

Escape from Furnace Series by Alexander Gordon Smith Includes: Lockdown, Solitary, Death Sentence, Fugitives (Available in 2012), and Execution (Available in 2012).


© 2009 by Jennifer Oey/Norwich HEART

Find Alexander online:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Other links:

Macmillan page for the book &amp; author





Book Trailer:





Enter to win a copy of Lockdown
(Escape from the Furnace, #1)!!



Rules and how to enter:

You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
Please fill out the form below for your entry to count.
This giveaway is open to US/Canadian residents only.
Giveaways ends: September 1st, 2011





A HUGE thank you goes out to Macmillan for asking me to host this giveaway.

Good luck to everyone who enters. Winners will be chosen via Random.org. If you have any questions, please check my policy page or feel free to email.

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Title: Hades (Halo, #2)
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publisher: Fiewel & Friends, 422 Pages (August 30th, 2011)
From: the Publisher & Amazon Vine Program, Thank You!

Synopsis: Even the love of her boyfriend, Xavier Woods, and her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep the angel Bethany Church from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly her loved ones as well. Can he be trusted in this wager? And what does Jake have Xavier believing about Beth’s fate that may result in an act of betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if Xavier is so good after all?

Review: 3 Stars - Hades, the second book in the Halo series by author Alexandra Adornetto picks up not long after the end of Halo. Adornetto’s detailed writing continues on throughout Hades as her angelic characters are faced with an impossible task and a looming war in the ultimate battle between Heaven and Hell.

Bethany and her family, along with boyfriend Xavier are facing new issues and challenges in this second book. There are new challenges in the war between good and evil that each must face and deal with, when Bethany is “tricked” into a Motorcycle ride with Jake Thorn and ends up in Hell of all places.

With Beth missing and basically on her own with Jake, the story takes on a totally different feel from Halo. I missed the interaction between Beth and her brother and sister – Gabriel & Ivy – and with her boyfriend Xavier. In ways it felt lacking in their relationships because they just…. Sadly weren’t around all that much. However, I mean I totally get it, she’s stuck in hell and the story was about her and her faith and strength to survive and find a way back to everyone and everything she’s come to love. Does she make it back to earth? Is she saved? And what happens to Jake and Xavier? Well, you’ll just have to read and find out now, wont you?

In Halo I was a bit distracted and maybe even a little put off by how descriptive Adornetto’s writing is and while that did happen and I was a bit put off by it, I was interested enough in the story and the characters to continue reading and further to go on to read this second book. Maybe it’s because I was expecting it, but it felt like I was reading more of a story this time instead of reading tons and tons of extremely descriptive details.

All in all Adornetto’s sophomore title Hades had a storyline that was totally unexpected and entertaining to read. With a HUGE cliffhanger ending, I will without a doubt be on the look out for the next book to see what’ll happen next in the fight for good vs. evil, Angels vs. Demons and just where Beth, her family and Xavier will end up in the middle of it all. Fans of the first book and of tales of Angels and Demons will enjoy this series. If you haven’t read the first installment Halo be sure to pick it up today so you’re caught up and ready for Hades comes out on August 30th.

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

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20 August 2011

Review: Michael Vey By: Richard Paul Evans

Title: Michael Vey
Author: Richard Paul Evans
Publisher: Simon Pulse/Mercury Ink, 320 Pages (August 9th 2011)
From: the Publisher, Thank You!

Synopsis: My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story.

To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers.

Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

Review: 4 Stars - Michael Vey By Richard Paul Evans is one of those books that’s hard to put down once you start reading. With a slightly younger cast of teens and a main character you can’t help but love and root for, Evans has written the beginning to a thrilling new series.

First off, I have to say that I loved Michael. He’s a character that is dealing with a lot at only fourteen years old. He has special electric powers he has to keep hidden, he moves around a lot with his mom so they stay safe. Which is understandable, I mean who wouldn’t want a kid who can do the things Michael can? However, he also has Tourette’s syndrome. I think this was part of him that I was most fascinated about in seeing just how Evans would portray a character with an affliction such as this. I was excited that, while it was mentioned and talked about, it wasn’t defining of who he was. He didn’t dwell and complain about it, it was more a matter of fact. I mean teens are self conscious as it is and having something that comes out in visible or verbal ticks, Evans did a great job in NOT making this about the Tourette’s and more about a teen with… well powers.

Michael has some pretty hard choices to make and he makes them the best he can and because of what he believes is right for the people around him. He’s one strong kick butt teen that’s for sure.

With great side characters such as Ostin, Michael’s best friend and Taylor the girl everyone loves, who just happens to be keeping a secret of her own. The three characters came together nicely and made a great team. They worked together and went out of their way to fight for what was right and to help out others along the way.

After reading I was thrilled to have had the chance to read and review this title. I’m not sure I would have heard about it otherwise, so it’s my turn to tell you that this is a book you shouldn’t pass by! While the story is only the beginning to what looks like to be a much larger plot, Evans has set things up nicely for what’s to come in the next book, which I can’t wait to read.

All in all, Michael Vey is very well written with an exciting plot, characters that’ll quickly find their way into your heart and will leaving you more than ready for the next book. I highly recommend this one to anyone, and yes, that means you… so go out and pick this one up today!

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

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19 August 2011



Take this super fun pop-quiz to see which character
BEST suits YOU and score a copy
of Beautifully Broken!

Are you a Shiloh or an Ariana?

Are you a quirky, romantic witch with supernatural powers? Or a snarky and outgoing blond with lots of vitality? 

Well, they both love to read, have their own sense of style, and have big dreams for the future—but while they share those things, Shiloh’s tall, and Ariana’s not. Ariana’s got major curves and Shiloh’s super skinny. Ariana hearts Christina Aguilera and Shiloh’s all about the Foo Fighters.

Take this quiz and fill out the form below to enter the giveaway. Good luck!

1.     You have $50 to spend. Where do you go?

a.      Steve Madden. A girl can never have too many shoes!
b.      Everyday Magick. Stock up on snake blood and eye-of-newt.
c.      Duh! Abercrombie &amp; Fitch
d.      Hot Topic, of course!

2.    It is dinnertime. What are you in the mood for?

a.      Chinese takeout.
b.      Salad and iced tea—please
c.      Brains.
d.      BBQ Chicken Pizza. Yum!

3.    The fog in Whispering Pines is extra thick. What keeps you warm?

a.      Bolero jacket with Lucky jeans and Uggs.
b.      Denim jacket with my skinny jeans and Doc Martens
c.      The fires of hell—so toasty!
d.      Denim jacket with my black pants and converse

4.    What is your dream destination?

a.      Hawaii. Warm and tropical. Plus hot guys.
b.      New York. Architecture and culture
c.      Underworld. One way ticket—please!
d.      Paris. The city of romance!

5.    What’s your favorite footwear?

a.      Flip-flops.
b.      Doc Martens
c.      Hoofs
d.      Converse.

6.   Favorite supernatural hunk?

a.     Dean Winchester—heavy sigh!
b.     Stefan Salvatore—so romantic!
c.     Shadow People
d.     Edward Cullen—bite me!

7.    What’s your favorite TV show?

a.      Pretty Little Liars
b.      The Secret Circle
c.      SUPERNATURAL
d.      The Vampire Dairies

8.    Favorite book?

a.      Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
b.      Revealers by Amanda Marrone
c.      Crowley’s Demon Index by A. Evans
d.      Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

9.   What’s your dream job?

a.      Hairstylist
b.      Architectect
c.      Ghost Hunter
d.      Personal Shopper

10. What pet would you like to own?

a.      Hamster
b.      Siamese cat
c.      Hell Hound
d.      None

11.  Favorite movie?

a.      Gone With the Wind—I like to channel my inner Scarlett.
b.      The Craft—awesome witch movie!
c.      Insidious—haunted houses are uber scary!
d.      Ginger Snaps—werewolves are cool.

12.  What is the best season?

a.      Spring. warmer weather and flowers.
b.      Fall. Halloween!
c.      Winter. It gets dark early…
d.      Summer. Yay! No school

13.  What is your favorite color?

a.      Metallic blue. Duh
b.      Pink. I can be a feminist girly-girl and like pink!
c.      Red, the color of blood.
d.      Silver, it’s sparkly and magical.


If you answered...

Mostly a's: You and Ariana need to hang at the mall!
Mostly b's: Shiloh has a haunted house to cleanse—you free tonight?
Mostly c's: Creatures of the underworld are watching you
Mostly d's: Ariana and Shiloh are your new BFFs!

Beautifully Broken Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Shiloh Ravenwolf is a heritage witch from the Broussard family, a family both destined and cursed. When she takes a summer job at Ravenhurst Manor, she discovers a ghost with an agenda. That’s where she meets the new town hottie, Trent Donovan, and immediately becomes spellbound by his charms.
Finally, Shiloh's met someone who is supercute and totally into her, but Trent may be the next victim on the supernatural hit list. And Shiloh is the only person with the power to save him. Complicated much?
It sucks to have a destiny, especially since Shiloh would rather spend her summer being a normal girl who worries about clothes and boys, not the supernatural. But she’s never been normal, and the stranger things become the more her own magical senses awaken.
With cryptic messages from a pesky wraith, she will begin to understand the mysterious significance of the strange mark branded on her wrist and decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect the other teenagers in town.
Unfortunately, for Shiloh, not all ghosts want help crossing over. Some want vengeance.

Where you can find author, Sherry Soule:

Official website: http://sherrysoule.com/
Enter to win a finished copy of
Beautifully Broken!

Rules and how to enter:
You MUST fill out the form.
You MUST be at least 13 years old to enter.
Giveaway open to US residents only. Sorry!
Giveaway ends: Sept 15th, 2011




Sherry, thank you so much for asking me to be part of the blog tour.
It was so much fun and I hope you'll come back again soon!

Keep checking back soon for a review of Beautifully Broken!

Good luck to everyone who enters. If you have any questions,
please check my policy page for feel free to enter.

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FTC Disclaimer:

In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I have not received any monetary gain for any information posted within the pages of this website/blog. Any and all information has been provided by the publisher, author and or publicist for free. Content is also based on purchases made by myself or of my guest reviewer(s). Any and all opinions expressed within the pages of this website/blog are solely my own or those of the authors of any and all guest reviewers(s) or guest bloggers.



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About Me

Hi, I’m Lisa and I'm a proud bibliophile.

I enjoy reading and reviewing a variety of different books within the Young Adult, "New Adult" & Adult genres/categories. If you have any questions or if you are an author or publisher and would be interested in promoting a book, please feel free email. You can find my email under the "mail" button or under the contact link at the top of the page.

I look forward to hearing from you!


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My Ratings

When I review I rate from 1 to 5 stars, 5 being the highest rating. I review based on many different things from the writing, to the story - to the characters and how I can relate to them or how they are developed. I also review based on if an author has worked their magic and was able to draw me into a story so deeply that I don't want to put the book down. If you would like me to review a book, please contact me or view my Contact Information and Review Policy for further details.

5 Stars - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
4 Stars - I Really liked/Loved it.
3 Stars - I liked it/Was pretty good.
2 Stars - It was, eh okay.
1 Star - It just wasn't for me.

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