Dec 30, 2012

Blog Tour: Owlet guest post

Title:  Owlet
Author: Emma Michaels
Publisher: Tribute Books
Publish Date:  13 October 2012
Pages: 170
ISBN:  9780985792213
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Series:  Society of Feathers
Other books in series:  Eyrie (11 October 2013), Stryx (10 October 2014)

Somewhere between falling and flying… there is a girl.

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.

“I think they are and I know he would die for her. He read about the Vermilion. He told me that he understood why Tessa made the choice she had and that he would take Orinthian’s place and make the same choice if ever given the ultimatum. They chose him for his strength but they didn’t think about what that would mean if he decided to turn against them.”

“For both of our sakes I hope you are right. I know they are young but they are Stryx, it isn’t impossible for us to find our mates early in life. We need everyone on our side that we can manage if we are going to be able to keep her alive. Having someone so fiercely protective of her will hopefully at least be able to tip the scales in our favor. I am so worried for you, my beautiful osprey. Won’t you reconsider visiting Nathaniel? Do you have to go?”

“I need to see my father. I will be as careful as I can but I have to speak with him. There is something I have noticed, and if he feels I am correct it could change things, but I don’t want to get your hopes up until I am sure. Please, trust me and let me keep this from you until I am sure. I know in my heart that I have to go to him. I will be quick. I just need a few moments with him.”

“I understand. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Iris watched through tear-filled eyes as her father kissed her mother and then reluctantly let go of her and walked out to the hallway. ‘
Don’t let her go.’ Iris thought, and started to break down. Her mind was racing as she put together the pieces; she knew for certain that her mother was leaving and about to die. She was up and running before she knew what she was doing but her lungs weren’t holding her back in her dream, they were pushing her forward even though her younger self had stayed at the house.

Running after her mother, trying her best to change the course of history, Izzy watched her father bid her farewell at the dock. He walked back to the house but Iris stayed, trying to get on the ferry or swim across in an attempt to stop her mother from leaving.

“Not yet, Izzy, my star.” She heard her mother’s voice.

As everything around her went bright, Izzy was overcome by a horrible burning pain in her eyes.
 

  


a Rafflecopter giveaway


 Emma Michaels is the author of the ‘A Sense of Truth’ and ‘Society of Feathers’ series. Her goal with her latest YA novel 'Owlet' is to give others what she did not have growing up; a strong female protagonist with asthma.  While her previous aspiration was to be a lady knight she realized that not being able to run more than a few feet might become a hindrance so turned to writing instead. Her day jobs include being a cover artist, marketing consultant and silk screen designer.

As the founder of The Writers Voice blog she loves to connect authors and readers. As a book blogger turned author, she was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, until she moved at eighteen to Washington State. Suddenly, the world was a new place filled with tall green trees that reached further for the sky with every moment, making her want to do the same. Ever since, she has tried to make her life something new and different from what it was before, pursuing her future career, setting high goals and reaching for them. With the support of her fiancé, Chihuahua, and her amazing blog followers and fellow bloggers, she wants to prove to the world that anything is possible and help inspire fellow literary lovers to reach for their dreams.














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Dec 25, 2012

Blood Fever

Title: Blood Fever
Author: Veronica Wolff
Publisher: New American Library
Publish Date:  7 August 2012
Pages: 290
ISBN:  978-0-451-23703-3
Source:  unrequested from publisher
Genre:  YA, romance, vampires
Series:  The Watchers
Other books in series: Isle of Night, Vampire’s Kiss, The Keep (4 June 2013)
Rating: Loved

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME—EVEN IF HOME IS WHERE THE DEAD LIVE...

It’s the start of the fall semester, and a new crop of Acari and Trainees have descended on the Isle of Night. Watcher training has intensified, and Drew has a new roommate named Mei-Ling. But Mei-Ling harbors a dangerous secret that drove the vampires to abduct her against her will. Drew knows she shouldn’t get involved, but she can’t seem to leave her roommate to fend for herself.

Luckily, Drew has other things on her mind—like vampire Carden. A blood bond to a brawny, eighteenth-century Scottish bad boy tends to preoccupy a girl. And though she’s still figuring out what this bond means, one thing has become clear: She craves him in a major way.

But then bodies start turning up on the island. All the evidence points to the existence of a rogue vampire, and the sinister vampire Alcántara is gunning for Carden, even though Drew has proof that Carden had nothing to do with the murders. Now she has to find the true killer—without endangering Carden, Mei-Ling, or herself…



What does Acari Drew do when she is secretly bonded to a vampire, has feelings for Ronan that she doesn’t understand, has another master vampire after her and gets a new roommate?  Drew isn’t finished with her training on Eyja næturinnar aka The Isle of Night.  She is training to become a watcher, who will help protect the vampires.  The training is intense and a lot of girls have died, including Drew’s old roommate, which made her the only occupant in her room.

Then she gets a new roommate, Mei-Ling.  She is different than the other girls on the Isle of Night.  First of all, she is young; the youngest one there.  Second, she didn’t come willingly.  She was forced to come.  Drew is trying to figure out why.  Why would the vampires risk exposure to bring this girl here?  What is so important about Mei-Ling?   At first Mei-Ling is standoffish and this just intensifies Drew’s curiosity.

There are other stressors in Drew’s life on the island.  People are being killed and drained of their blood.  This is being done without permission and that is punishable by death.  Master Alcántara thinks that is the works of the vampire that they rescued in Vampire’s Kiss, Carden McCloud.   Drew was a part of that rescue and has a feeling that Alcántara didn’t want him rescued.  She tries to stay away from McCloud to not draw suspicion to him, but there is the blood bond that will prevent them from being apart.

Who is leaving the bodies on the island?  How will Drew figure this out while trying to protect Mei-Ling and McCloud?  What will happen between Drew, Alcántara and McCloud?

When I received this book in the mail, I was excited.  I had previously read and reviewed Isle of Night and Vampire’s Kiss and loved both of them.  Blood Fever was no different.  I like how Drew feels that she is responsible for people: Mei-Ling and McCloud.  She feels that she needs to protect them.  You don’t see much of Ronan in this book and that might be the only drawback.  I really liked his character.  I liked Mei-Ling and that she appeared so innocent in the book.   She has a secret that she is protecting and Drew really wants to find this out because then she might understand what the big interest in her is.

The ending of this book left me wanting more.  It was written well, but I didn’t like it.  This is what I felt like:

Drawn by Aaron Florento


 I cannot wait for the continuation of this story in The Keep. 










Dec 19, 2012

Crimson Frost

Title:  Crimson Frost      
Author: Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date:  24 December 2012
Pages: 384
ISBN:  9780758281463
Source:  ARC
Genre:  mythology, YA
Series:  Mythos Academy
Other books in series:  First Frost, Touch of Frost, Kiss of Frost, Dark Frost, Midnight Frost (August 2013)

For a moment, a face flashed before my eyes—the most hideous face I’d ever seen. No matter how hard I tried to forget what had happened, I saw him everywhere I went. It was Loki—the evil god that I’d helped set free against my will.

I should have known that my first official date with Logan Quinn was destined to end in disaster. If we’d gotten into a swordfight, or been ambushed by Reapers, I’d have been more prepared. But getting arrested mid-sip at the local coffee hangout? I didn’t see that one coming.

I’ve been accused of purposely helping the Reapers free Loki from his prison—and the person leading the charge against me is Linus Quinn, Logan’s dad. The worst part is that pretty much everyone at Mythos Academy thinks I’m guilty. If I’m going to get out of this mess alive, I’ll have to do it myself…



This is the fourth book in this series.  This is a series that I love!  I love to read about the Gwen's experiences at Mythos Academy.  Especially those with Logan.  Estep has provided YABR with an excerpt of the upcoming novel which is set to be released on 24 December 2012.

And the men knew Logan too, enough to greet him. Sergei gave him a hearty slap on the back, while Inari respectfully nodded his head. Linus nodded his head as well, although his posture was still stiff, and his face remained cold. If anything, I could feel his dislike for me increase, as he looked back and forth between me and the Spartan.
“Logan?” I asked. “Who are these men?”
“Sergei Sokolov, Inari Sato, and my dad, Linus Quinn.”
A sinking feeling filled my stomach. Why, oh why, couldn’t Sergei have been Logan’s dad instead? He at least seemed somewhat friendly. Linus, not so much. Not at all, in fact.
“And what do they want with me?” I asked. “Why are they here to arrest me?”
Logan frowned. “They’re members of the Protectorate, which is basically the police force for the mythological world. But why would they want to arrest you? There must be some mistake.”
“There’s no mistake,” Linus said. “Unless there’s some other girl I don’t know about who helped Loki escape.”
Shocked gasps rippled through the coffee shop, and everyone looked at me. After a few seconds, the surprised stares shifted to horrified looks that quickly melted into harsh, accusing, angry glares. Now, all the kids had pulled out their phones and were taking photos of me and texting them as fast as they could. The news would be all over the academy in minutes.




Jennifer Estep has agreed to award one reader of YABR a print copy of Crimson Frost.   Fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter.  Sorry, this contest is US only.

Rules

-You will have 48 hours to respond or you will forfeit your prize.

-I reserve the right to cancel the contest at any time without reason. 

-I am not responsible for parcels lost or damaged in the postal system.  I will make every attempt to avoid this.

-You must be 13 years or older to participate.

-Contest is US only
.

-Names will be drawn by Random.org that is within rafflecopter. 

-Winner will be announced in this blog post at the conclusion of the contest and notified by the e-mail provided to enter the contest.  MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS THE E-MAIL YOU WANT ME TO CONTACT YOU!!  I am not responsible for e-mails that were sent to accounts that you don't normally check.


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Dec 10, 2012

Blog Tour: The Farm: Escape is Only the Beginning

Title:  The Farm: Escape Is Only the Beginning
Author: Emily McKay
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publish Date:  04 December 2012
Pages: 420
ISBN:  978-0-425-25780-7
Source:  ARC from publisher
Genre:  YA, dystopian, vampires
Series:  The Farm
Other books in series:  The Lair (November 2013)
Rating: Really liked

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

What would happen if vampire-like creatures took over the nation?  What would be the government’s response?  Lily and her autistic twin sister, Mel were sent away to a “farm,” a place where the children were taken.  At the farm, they donate blood for the Ticks.  They have been there for six months.  It was supposed to protect them against the infestation of Ticks that were sweeping the nation since the Ticks liked younger blood better.  The Ticks were created during experiments that went wrong while studying epigenetics and the monsters were created literally overnight.   The Ticks are “vampire-like” in only the sense that they drink blood.   These aren’t your sparkly or nice vampires.  They prefer to drink their blood by ripping your heart out of your chest and drink from it.  They are more animalistic than human and it is best to avoid them.

Lily wasn't your average Green, she had a goal in mind.  She wanted to get her and Mel out of the Farm before their 18th birthday.  That was when you were released, only nobody knows what happens after that.  Since Lily’s and Mel’s birthday is coming up soon, she has to make plans for their escape.  The escape is a risky thing because if they were caught, they would face certain death.  It would be easy to track them since every “green” on the farm has a chip implanted that can tell their whereabouts.  If they weren’t caught and managed to get out of the Farm, they could get ambushed by the Ticks and die.  Lily didn’t know what the world was like now and planned the best she could for it.

Lily was getting ready to go ahead with her escape plan when she saw a new Green on the farm.  It was someone she knew if the Before, Carter.  She was suspicious of him at first.  Lily didn’t trust anyone on the farm – Greens, Collabs or the Dean.  Why does Carter suddenly show up in the Farm?  Will Lily and Mel be able to escape?  What is happening to the nation?

Most days Lily is the steady drumbeat.  The rhthym of my heart.  The repeating melody of the music in my head.  But not today.

Today she is a cacophony of dissonant notes.  Just wrong.  A jumbled mess.  Can’t listen.

She’s out of rhythm.  Trying to rush.  Tempo’s all wrong.  There no music in her today, only words.  Talk, talk, talk, talk.

That’s Lily.  Never has a though she doesn’t say aloud.  Make her feel like the smart one.  The normal one.

As if I count less because I don’t jabber.  Because I listen to the music instead of talking over it.

I know I’m a burden.  How twitchy it makes her, being the rhythm.  Being the steady one.  Twitchy and nervous.  A rat-a-tat-tat.

This book had it all – vampires, fighting, romance, road trips…but not too much of one element. I recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian or vampire books.  I thought vampires had been played out and there couldn’t be anything new in that genre, this book proved me wrong.  The action in the book is what drew me into the story.  The book was hard to get into in the beginning, but that changed after the first couple of chapters.  The chapters are mainly from Lily’s POV.  Carter’s chapters added an interesting mix in the book, although I’m not quite sure why his chapters were in the 3rd person and the others were in the 1st person.  There are some from Mel’s POV.  Those were interesting because she related things in terms of music or sounds.  “It sounds like math” was one of the things she said.  She was very perceptive and wasn’t given enough credit.

I wasn’t too fond of Lily at times and the way she acted that Mel was her “burden” because they were sisters.   I felt that she was sometimes whiny and played the martyr when it came to Mel.  She didn’t take her seriously.   With all her planning, she still made careless decisions and went into things without thinking of the repercussions first.  Yes, she felt that she had to protect Mel, but she put her in danger as much as she protected her.  Carter gave me mixed signals – there were times that I wasn’t sure if he was as good a person as he was made out to be.

I thought McKay did a really good job with the characters.  I will be interested to see if there are more POVs in The Lair.  With some of the characters, my opinions of them kept flipping around.  I never knew what was going to happen to people.  The Farm did a good job of bringing the character’s emotions to life and making you feel what they feel (like an abductura).   This will be series that I will be following.

Q&A with Emily McKay

Explain how THE FARM system of Collabs and Greens works:

Emily McKay: The Collabs are human collaborators who work for the Dean (the adult who runs the Farm). They’ve been issued uniforms and tranquilizer rifles. They have tremendous power on the Farms, because they run things. Plus they have immunity from having their blood drawn and tested.  Basically, they’re the ultimate sellouts. They’ve trade their own safety for their humanity.

There are also Breeders, girls who’ve gotten pregnant on purpose, since the Ticks don’t find pregnancy hormones palatable.

The third “class” of teens on the Farms are Greens, basically anyone who isn’t a Breeder or a Collab. Greens given bi-weekly blood “donations.” They are the bottom of the food chain, figuratively and literally.


Penguin Group has generously donated a copy of a copy of THE FARM along with a Vampire Apocalypse Survival Kit to give away on my blog.

RULES:

-You will have 48 hours to respond or you will forfeit your prize.

-I reserve the right to cancel the contest at any time without reason. 

-I am not responsible for parcels lost or damaged in the postal system.  I will make every attempt to avoid this.

-You must be 13 years or older to participate.

-Contest is US only.

-Names will be drawn by Random.org that is within Rafflecopter. 

-Winner will be announced in this blog post at the conclusion of the contest and notified by the e-mail provided to enter the contest.  MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS THE E-MAIL YOU WANT ME TO CONTACT YOU!!  I am not responsible for e-mails that were sent to accounts that you don't normally check.



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Don't forget to check out Literary Escapism 
on December 11 for more exclusive content!