Onyx Part 2 and contest

Title:  Onyx

Author:  Jennifer Armentrout

Publisher:  Entangled Publishing

Publish Date:  14 August 2012

Pages:  421

ISBN:  978-1-62061-011-4

Source:  Won at the Entangled Party at RT Booklovers Convention

Genre:  Young Adult, alien, romance

Series:  Lux Series

Other books in series:  Obsidian, Shadows, Opal (

Rating: Loved

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies

You may be wondering why I have written to post in regards to the release of Onyx.  Well, it was because I have so much information to share, that I felt it was too much for one post.  Check out the page that has my review, book trailers, and the JLA Reading Challenge hosted by Deity Island.

You can read the first two chapters in the book here.  This information was taken from Jennifer L Armentrout's blog.


Onyx Chapters 1 2 1

I haven't had a contest on my blog in a while, and since I love the Lux series, I thought that this was the perfect opportunity.  Here are photos of what's up for grabs.

These are post cards from the Daemon Invasion tour.  This is the front and back.

There are two first prizes in what I call the deLUXe package.  You will get a copy of both Obsidian and Onyx with matching bookmarks; a Daemon Invasion bookmark, sticker and postcard; and an Entrangled Publishing sticker.

There are four second prizes which will each receive a Daemon Invasion bookmark.

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 international.
• 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 this is the e-mail that you want me to contact you! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Onyx

Title:  Onyx

Author:  Jennifer Armentrout

Publisher:  Entangled Publishing

Publish Date:  14 August 2012

Pages:  421

ISBN:  978-1-62061-011-4

Source:  Won at the Entangled Party at RT Booklovers Convention

Genre:  Young Adult, alien, romance

Series:  Lux Series

Other books in series:  Obsidian, Shadows, Opal (

Rating: Loved

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarre connection. I’ve sworn him off even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But against all common sense, I’m falling for him. Hard.

Our relationship issues aren’t out biggest problem…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we’re linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And when a new boy shows up a school with a secret of his own, things get complicated fast. I need to choose between my own instincts and Daemon’s.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. Daemon’s never going to stop searching until gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies

What is going to happen to Katy and Daemon now?  Daemon Black is back in the sequel to Obsidian.  The story starts out where it left off in Obsidian.  Katy has a trace on her because of Daemon healing her.  Not only does she have the trace, it seems that she and Daemon are connected.  At times, Katy likes this and others, she doesn’t.  She wonders whether Daemon wants to be with her now because they are connected, or whether he truly wants to be with her.  Before healing her, he would act like he didn’t want her in the same room.

Other strange things are happening.  There is a new kid at school, Blake.  Katy is intrigued by him at first.  She thinks that he is ticket to “normalcy,” even though things are far from normal for her.  She gets sick, really sick and spends four days in the hospital.  During that time, her mom has started a relationship with her doctor, Will.  Then Katy spotted a girl who was with the DOD that she is sure is Bethany, the girl who supposedly died with Daemon's brother Dawson.  The DOD is reining their control over the Luxen and are starting to ask more questions.  What is going to happen with the DOD?  Is that really Bethany?  What is going to happen between Katy and Daemon?  Who is Blake and what does he want with Katy?

After reading Obsidian, I was so excited to read its sequel.  I went to the RT Booklovers’ Convention in Chicago with one goal in mind:  Snag a copy of Onyx.  I told my sister and nieces and nephews that this was my goal.  We went to the Entangled party and won copies.  We were so excited when we left.

I will say that I am glad that I read Shadows, because it gave me the history and the significance of some of the characters and what it means for Luxen to fall in love with humans.  I love Daemon’s snarky attitude.  I love the naiveté that Katy shows and the quirky sayings that she says.  I like that Dee is a little shy at times and other times, she is not.   I love Armentrout’s writing style and the passion that she puts into her stories.

VLCPhotoProductions produced another video for Onyx.  It is the cookie scene and features Daemon.  In this video, however, he is not in school.  I love Pepe's eyes though.

I normally do not announce blog tours that I don't participate in, but with this one, I have to.  It has so much more information on the Lux series, like character interviews et cetera.  You can find more information on the tour at Entangled Publishing website.  Here are the stops listed for you:

Reading Angel                                                   8/08/12 

The Bookish Babes                                          8/09/12

Fiktshun                                                              8/10/12

Reading Lark                                                     8/11/12

Stuck in Books                                                   8/12/12

Confessions of a Vi3tBabe                             8/13/12

Mundie Moms                                                   8/14/12

Romancing the Book                                       8/14/12

Good Choice Reading                                      8/15/12

Fantasy Book Addict                                       8/16/12

Xpresso Reads                                                   8/17/12

YA Sisterhood                                                    8/18/12

Books Complete Me                                        8/19/12

K-Books                                                               8/20/12

Two Chicks on Books                                       8/21/12

Once Upon a Twilight                                     8/22/12

Over at Deity Island, they have started the JLA Reading Challenge.  This is what it says about it on their website:

Welcome to the JLA Reading Challenge in honor of Jennifer L. Armentrout and her awesomeness. I figured since Jen is gracing us with a new delicious book every month this year starting in August, why not do a reading challenge so people new and old can revel in the wonderful book worlds she has created! Jennifer L. Armentrout is the author of fabulous books such as The Covenant Series and The Lux series, as well as so many other books. Seriously, this lady pumps out fantastic books like nobody's business!

Yes, Jen has got FIVE, count 'em FIVE books (plus a novella) coming out in the latter half of the year and wouldn't you just love the challenge of reading all her books and talking about them with other fans?! In case you didn't know, her upcoming releases for the year will be Onyx (Lux Series #2), Cursed, Unchained, Deity (Covenant Series #3), Elixir (Covenant Series - Aiden's novella), and Opal (Lux Series #3).

Awesome, right?! Thank. You. Jen!

 You can find out more information and prizes if you go to that page.

Obsidian (Updated)

Publisher: Entagled Publishing

Publish Date: already out

Version: e-book

Series: A Lux Novel

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

“Katy’s Krazy Obsession” is a book blog by Katy Swartz, who recently moved to Ketterman, West Virginia.  Her mom, Kellie Swartz decided that they needed a fresh start after living in the same spot in Gainesville, Florida after Katy’s father had died.  In Ketterman, Katy and her mother move in next door to the Blacks, Daemon and Dee.  When Katy meets Daemon, her initial reaction was that of shock of the way he looked.  She almost couldn’t ask him where the nearest store was, her reason for going over there in the first place.  Then Daemon talks to her and all bets are off.  By the end of the conversation, Katy is calling Daemon a “douchebag,” but he does give her directions to the store in Petersburg.

While at Foodland in Petersburg, Katy meets Dee, Daemon’s brother.  After talking with her a little, she agrees to come over to Katy’s house and help her with the flower garden later.  Through Dee, Katy gets more exposure to Daemon, although he isn’t any nicer to her.   Dee eventually makes him be nice to Katy and take her swimming.  This is the start of the love/hate relationship that Katy and Daemon have.

It isn’t long before Katy starts noticing that the Blacks, along with some other students in town are not “normal.”  While taking a walk in the woods with Daemon, he saves Katy from a bear and thus puts a trace on her.  This trace will lead certain people straight to her.  After a few more strange things happen, Katy is finally let in on the truth.  The only thing left is to figure out how to get a trace off of her, keep her safe and how to keep the identities of her new friends a secret.

When I started this book, I couldn’t put it down.  If you read my reviews, you know that I like things are not mainstream.  It makes my brain work and I like that.  This book was definitely that.  The fact that Daemon was such a jerk in the book made it all the better.  I was always waiting for the next altercation that Daemon and Katy would have.

• Katy.  In the beginning of the book, she decides that she is no longer going to be “reserved, practical Katy.”  Even though Daemon is acting like a jerk toward her trying to scare her away from Dee, she is still friends with Dee.  She takes in everything that happens in the book and fights for what she cares about.


• Dee.  Dee is one of a set of triplets.  There are Daemon and Dawson.  You don’t hear too much about Dawson because he disappeared with a girl the year before.  Dee wants to have a normal friend and that is what she sees in Katy.   She stands up to Daemon to keep her as a friend.


• Daemon.  Yes, I like Daemon.  Even though he acts like a jerk to Katy in the book, he will fight to protect his family and those he cares about.  That is what is important.  Even though he does give Katy unnecessary stress and tries to keep her from being friends with Dee, he does have his good moments.  


• Carissa and Lesa.  They are Katy’s two friends that she makes in school.  They inform Katy of the local gossip and about Dawson.  They are good friends to her.  Even though they don’t know what is happening, they are good friends.

• Ash.  I understand where she is coming from regarding Katy, but I still don’t like her.  She acts bratty and wishes she were Daemon’s girlfriend.


• The Arum.  They are the people who are after Daemon, Dee and others of their kind.  They don’t hesitate to hurt anyone that comes in their path.


• Daemon.  I put him on both sides because I don’t like the way he acts in the beginning of the book.  Even after Katy finds out about them, he still has his moments.  

I thought that this cover was brilliant.  There is a girl and a boy on the cover.  I presume the boy to be Daemon and the girl is Katy.  I like how you can see Daemon’s green eyes.  The title is written in hexagons at the top of the cover.  The green really makes it stand out and again helps bring out the green in his eyes.  The byline “They’re not like us…” fits here and you can tell from looking at the pictures that they look kinda perfect.

Tentative release date: February 21, 2012
This is described as Lux 0.5 and was meant as a prequel to Obsidian.  From the sounds of the synopsis, you don't have to read Obsidian to understand what is happening in this book.  This book stars Dawson, the lost triplet of Dee and Daemon.

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence...and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

Tentative Release Date: May 29, 2012
Onyx is the second book in the Lux series.  Again, it has Daemon and Katy on the cover.  I like the blue on this one.  Green is okay, but blue is my favorite color.  The ending of Obsidian left lots of questions, so I will be anxious to see if they are answered in this book.  Well, at least some of them. 

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense is here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

Find Jennifer

Buy Obsidian