Better Know A Blogger: A Blog About Nothing

Better Know A Blogger is a feature where we interview bloggers we think you should know. This edition of Better Know A Blogger features Cynthia from A Blog About Nothing. Please welcome her!


1. What is your name/blogger name?

My real name is Cynthia Aguirre, soon to be Lopez which should be my married name but I never changed it. Everyone really knows me as cynthial11 which is my blogger name I guess, it's just the one I can remember and use for everything. I have a hard time memorizing different names and stuff so I like to keep it simple. The l and 11 after my name have absolutely no meaning but couldn't find one that was easier. Yeah I'm soo not interesting at all. =P

2. What is the name of your blog (provide link)



ok so the name of my blog is A Blog about Nothing which I came up with from watching Seinfeld. That episode when George and Jerry are talking about what their show would be about and George came up with the idea of it being about nothing, "a show about nothing" he said it would be just pretty much normal stuff they do everyday and that it would be interesting that way. Well I used to love watching Seinfeld and that just stuck with me and so I decided to call my blog like that of course I added the "except lots of reading" at the bottom of the title so people won't be confused. Only a handful of people really know it all came from that Seinfeld episode.

3. Do you have an auto-buy author, someone whose writing is so good, you have to read everything they write?

Yes, I do... Maggie Stiefvater. I'll buy anything she writes and recommends. I love her writing so much it's so poetic and beautiful. Also Cassandra Clare of course, I love The Mortal Instruments series and cannot wait for City of Fallen Angels, I need more Jace!!!!

4. Who is your all-time favorite couple in literature? (And/Or favorite male character)

Ack! This one is sooo hard, I love Jace and Clary soooo much, they're one of my favorite couples, also Sam and Grace and Hermione and Ron. I can't pick just one, there's so many!! Favorite male character is Jace, I just love his snarky attitude and pretty much everything else about him. Oh wait, Ash is right up there too, next to Jace. Love love Ash!


5. Do you have an e-reader? Do you prefer e-books or regular books, or use both?

No I don't, I want one but I know that it will never replace my love of real books to me. I love the smell of books and an ereader just doesn't compare to that. I would definitely use both if I had one but regular books will always come first. =)

6. What are your Top 5 picks for the best books of 2010?

Ack! Another hard one!!! There were so many great book in 2010, it's hard to just pick 5 but I'll choose some randomly.
Anna and The French Kiss
The Body Finder
The Iron Daughter
Hex Hall
Beautiful Darkness

7. What book or series has been sitting in your TBR the longest?

Lol, there's a bunch. I think The Dark Divine and Fallen have been sitting there the longest. I've been wanting to read them but as soon as I get close to doing it some other book catches my attention first and I just keep putting them off for later. I'm thinking of just giving up on them. We'll see..


Special thanks to Cynthia for taking the time to answer a few questions. Seriously, this girl has great taste in lit-boys. I absolutely love Jace and Ash. RAWR! Be sure to check out Cynthia's blog where she writes fabulous reviews, hosts giveaway, and is just plain awesome!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. I'm really excited about the books I got this week!

Bought:
*Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting (Already read and reviewed. So good!)

For Review:
*Where She Went by Gayle Forman (Borrowed from Michelle at Windowpane Memoirs)
*Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt (Arc/to giveaway)
*Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt (Arc from ATWT. Already read. Ridiculously good!)

And that's it for me. Special thanks to Michelle, Bloomsbury and ATWTs. Feel free to post your IMMs in the comments below! :)

Books For Trade

Hey y'all! I've been doing a bit of Spring Cleaning and realized I have waaaaay too many books. Before I put them up for giveaways or on PBS, I wanted to give you guys first dibs. If you see anything you're interested in, email me at addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com.

ARCs (For trading only):

*Steel by Carrie Vaughn
*Evenfall by Liz Michalski (not YA)
*Her And You And Me by Lauren Strasnick
*Not That Kind of Girl (I think the back cover is a little bent from shipping) by Siobhan Vivian
*Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
*Dust by Joan Francis Turner
*Rich and Mad by William Nicholson
*Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler (a little beat up from shipping to friends)
*My Invisible Boyfriend by Susie Day
*Stranded by J.T. Dutton
*Amelia O'Donohue Is So Not A Virgin by Helen Fitzgerald

YA :

*Candor by Pam Bachorz (HB)
*Aubrey, Wait by Robin Benway (HB)
*Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
*The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith (PB)
*Ghostgirl-Lovesick by Tonya Hurley (HB)
*As You Wish by Jackson Pearce (HB)
*Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves (HB)
*Shadowspell (Faeriewalker #2) by Jenna Black (PB)

*Marked (HoN #1) by P.C. and Kristin Cast (PB)
*Untamed (HoN #2) by P.C. and Kristin Cast (PB)
*Chosen (HoN #3) by P.C. and Kristn Cast (PB)
*Betrayed (HoN #4) by P.C. and Kristn Cast (PB)
*Hunted (HoN #5) by P.C. and Kristin Cast (HB)

*I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder (PB)
*3 Willows by Ann Brashares (HB)
*The Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones (HB)
*Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (HB)

Adult:


*Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin (HB)
*Love The One You're With by Emily Giffin (PB)
*Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (PB)
*Sundays At Tiffany's by James Patterson (PB)
*Love Returns Through The Portal of Time by K.S. Michaels (PB)
*Darkened Hills by Gary Lee Vincent (PB)
*Shadowglass by Erica Hayes (PB)
*Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts (PB)
*Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (HB)

You can see which books I'm interested in by checking out my Wistlist. I'll admit, practically all of them are books that have not released yet, however, if you think of anything I might be interested in, email me!

Interview With Janette Rallison

I am excited to have the one and only Janette Rallison on the blog. In case you haven't heard of her (Where have you been?!), she's the author of Just One Wish, My Double Life, My Fair Godmother, and many, many other books. Her latest book, My Unfair Godmother (sequel to My Fair Godmother) releases April of this year. Everyone, please welcome Janette!

1. You have written many amazing books. Your current one, which will be released in April, is My Unfair Godmother. For those who have yet to hear about it, how would you describe My Unfair Godmother to them?

Tansy gets an incompetent fairy godmother who sends her back in time to be the miller’s daughter in the story of Rumpelstiltskin. The only problem is that the fairy tale isn’t going the way it’s supposed to.

2. What inspired you to write The Fair Godmother series?

I got the idea for this book when I wrote a skit for my daughter’s church youth group. My daughter played the original fairy godmother and really shaped the character into what she became in the book. I had at first envisioned Chrysanthemum Everstar to be an overworked, cynical fairy but my daughter turned her into a teenage shopping diva and she’s been that way ever since.
I’ve also always loved fairy tales. I wanted to be a princess when I was little and was bitterly disappointed to learn you had to be born one. My parents didn’t have the consideration to be a king and queen, thus sinking my career goals before they ever got off the ground.
Anyway, it’s fun revisiting fairy tales and putting a twist on them.


3. Out of all your books, which character do you relate the most to?

I’ve been writing for fourteen years and I don’t think anyone has ever asked me this question before. My sister once told me that all of my heroines are really me. I’m not sure how that’s possible since my heroines are different from book to book. Some are brainiacs, some hate school, some are unpopular, and some are cheerleaders. But my heroines do all have a sense of humor and tend not to take life or themselves all that seriously. That’s definitely me. Probably the heroine who mirrored me most as a teenager is Jessica in Fame, Glory, and Other Things On My To Do List. I wanted to be an actress when I was in high school.


4. Everyone has a favorite, even if they're not willing to admit it. Which one of your books is your favorite and why?


Out of 18 books, it’s a hard to pick a favorite because there are things and scenes I love from every single book. One of my favorite scenes is the jumping-trailers scene from Just One Wish. Another is the meeting-the-boyfriend’s-parents scene from Revenge of the Cheerleaders, and the getting-in-the-wrong-car scene from Fame, Glory, and Other Things On My To Do List. But probably my favorite book is My Fair Godmother. (I laughed out loud when I wrote the Snow White scene, and that doesn’t usually happen.) My Fair Godmother was just pure fun to write. It came together almost effortlessly and Tristan will always be one of my favorite characters.

5. Are there any snacks you must have when writing?

Chocolate. Of course, I must have chocolate when I’m doing other things too. I’m a total addict.

6. Are you currently working on any new projects?

I’m always working on something. I have a book about teenagers who fight dragons, Slayers, which will be out this fall, and I’m working on a dystopian novel and a paranormal romance. Also, in the back of my mind I’m kicking around ideas for the third Fairy Godmother book. One of these days Chrysanthemum has got to make it into Fairy Godmother University.

7. Who is your all-time favorite literary couple?

Elizabeth and Darcy. Yep, I’m one of those women who love Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth is a great heroine because she’s thoughtful, smart, and funny. And Darcy is awesome because besides being handsome and rich, he’s such a gentleman and he’s drawn to Elizabeth for all the right reasons. How can you not love a guy like that?

8 Any advice for aspiring authors?

Read a lot, especially in the genre you want to write for. Also read books on writing. They’ll help you a ton in the revision process. Write something every day if you can. Writing is one of those endeavors that is done a little at a time. And lastly, don’t hang your self-esteem on your manuscript. You’re still a good person even if no one wants to buy your book. Don’t forget that. This can be a hard business.

Special thanks to Janette for not only letting me interview her on my blog, but also donating so many of her amazing books to the Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge. Be sure to check out Janette's blog, where she writes some hilarious posts (the latest being Top Ten Jury Duty Excuses).

Review: Clarity

Title: Clarity
Author: Kim Harrington
Published: March 1st, 2011 by Scholastic Point
Source: ARC

Summary: "When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?"

Thoughts: You know a book is good when the only grievance you have is it's length. It just wasn't long enough, and I didn't want the story to end! Clarity hasn't even released yet, and I'm already counting down (and hoping) for the sequel!

Clarity has a little bit of everything. There's mystery, suspense, romance, and two different, but swoon-worthy boys. What I really enjoyed about this book is how it'll keep you guessing who the mystery killer is. Towards the end, I started having my suspicions, but I still didn't truly know. It left me guessing, and I was still surprised by the ending.

Another thing I loved about this book is Clare herself. There is nothing better than a strong, witty, female character. Half the time, Clare had me cracking up and the other half, she had me wanting to just give her a hug. She's one of those characters that doesn't care if everyone thinks she's a freak, but focuses her time and heart to the people she does care about. If I lived in that tourist town, I would want Clare to be my BFF!

As far as swoon-worthy boys go, you have your pick between brooding Gabriel or sweet Justin. Or, if you want to take a whole different direction, you can pick Clare's brother Perry, the (for lack of a better word) manwhore. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Perry as a character, and he's a great brother to Clare, but he has been around the block. Personally, I'm more of a Justin girl. I originally thought I'd fall for Gabriel (love brooding boys!), but Justin's sweet and sincere nature won me over. He's just so darn cute, I couldn't help but fall for him!

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, suspenseful and fun read with a paranormal twist, I'd recommend checking out Clarity. It's like a box of thin mint girl scout cookies. Once you're done, it'll have you craving for more!

Rating:

Better Know A Blogger: Kai From Fiction State Of Mind

Better Know A Blogger is a feature where we interview bloggers we think you should check out. This edition of Better Know A Blogger features Kai from Fiction State of Mind!

1. What is your name/blogger name?

I'm Kai Charles :)

2. What is the name of your blog (provide link)

Fiction State Of Mind http://www.fictionstateofmind.blogspot.com

on twitter Im @yogikai



3. Do you have an auto-buy author, someone whose writing is so good, you have to read everything they write?

I'd say I have 3 Auto Buys! Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill and Rachel Vincent

4. Who is your all-time favorite couple in literature? (And/Or favorite male character)

Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy (swooning now) =)

5. Do you have an e-reader? Do you prefer e-books or regular books, or use both?

I have the nook black and white version and I love it! I like both they each have their place. I do like that e-books are cheaper I buy more books and try different authors because of it. I still love th feel of a book in my hand though, I will always have both.

6. What are your Top 5 picks for the best books of 2010?

Thats so hard! ok:

1)Mockinjay Suzanne Collins
2) Horns by Joe Hill
3) the Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman
4)Pluto Manga Vol 1
5)Three Days to Dead Kelly Meding

7. What book or series has been sitting in your TBR the longest?

I've had several Scattered volumes of Th Nightworld Series for over 10years! thanks to reprints I know have them all and I'm in a L.J. Smith Challenge

Special thanks to Kai for taking the time to answer a few question. Be sure to check out her blog. She's not only an awesome person, but a great reviewer and blogger!

Waiting on Wednesday

**IF YOU HAVE NOT READ JESSICA'S GUIDE TO DATING ON THE DARK SIDE, PLEASE DO NOT READ THE SUMMARY! IT WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS!***


Summary: "When Jessica Packwood found out she was a Romanian vampire princess, she had the shock of her teenage life. Turns out that was the easy part. Now, married to Prince Lucius Vladescu, she has to claim her throne and convince a vampire nation she’s fit to be their queen. But Jess can’t even order a decent meal from her castle’s Romanian staff, let alone deal with devious undead subjects who would love to see her fail.

And when Lucius is accused of murdering a vampire Elder and imprisoned without the blood he needs, Jessica finds herself alone, fighting for both their survivals.

Desperate to clear her husband’s name and win his release, Jess enlists the help of her best friend Mindy Stankowicz and Lucius’s mysterious Italian cousin, Raniero Lovatu. But both of them are keeping some dark secrets. Can Jess figure out who to trust – and how to rise to power – before she loses everything, including the vampire she loves?

Full of romance, mystery, and danger, the highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side shows that sometimes a princess has to earn her “happily ever after” – with a sharpened stake in hand."

Why I Can't Wait: I ADORED (x 100) Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side. After reading Beth's bonus story about Jessica and Lucius' wedding, I was thrilled and completely excited when I heard this book was coming out. The only thing I'm upset about is the release date. A month? Sure, I can wait. 6 months? Okay. BUT A YEAR?!?!?! NOOOO!!!! Me wanty now!

Expected publication: January 9th 2012 by Harcourt

Review: Darkest Mercy

Title: Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5)
Author: Melissa Marr
Published: February 22nd 2011 by HarperCollins
Source: ARC courtesey of my awesome best buddy, Karen, from For What It's Worth

***IF YOU HAVE NOT READ ANY OF THE WICKED LOVELY BOOKS OR RADIANT SHADOWS, STOP READING NOW. THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT DARKEST MERCY***

Summary: "The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends to the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the Faery Courts, and in the final conflict, some will win . . . and some will lose everything.

The thrilling conclusion to Melissa Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless. "

Thoughts: There are not enough words in the English dictionary that can help describe how truly amazing this book is. I honestly didn't think anything could surprise me, but yet here I am, speechless and dazed. Oh, and happy. Did I mention that? What can I say? I love this series, and I love this book!

Radiant Shadows left readers with a lot of unanswered questions. What will happen to the Dark Court, since Bananach is running around crazy? What about Seth, Donia, Niall, and Ash? And where the heck is Keenan?! Luckily, all those questions and more will be answered in Darkest Mercy.

Though all the events take place after Radiant Shadows, in a way, Darkest Mercy is more of a combination of Fragile Eternity and Radiant Shadows. With Ink Exchange and Radiant Shadows, the points of views were more based on the Dark and High courts. With Wicked Lovely and Fragile Eternity, it focused more on Donia, Ash, Keenan, Seth and all the drama that unfolds with them. Luckily, Darkest Mercy seems to piece together all my favorite things and what really drew me to this series in the first place.

Oh, and swoon-worthy boys? For those of you who personally know me, I am a HUGE Keenan fan. If you're a member of the Rath (Wicked Lovely fan site), I was co-head of the Summer Court, a member of the Disco mafia and Kingling preacher through and through. I know he hasn't exactly been the best guy, but honestly believe he redeems himself for all the pain he has caused. Though some of the things that happened were bittersweet, I could not be any happier than I was once I finished and closed the book. I think I hugged it after I finished, too. But if you're not a Keenan fan (WHAT?!), don't fret. All your favorite characters will play some sort of roll in this story. So if you're a Niall fan or Irial fan or even a Seth fan (ick, lol), I'm sure you'll be pleased.


I really, really don't want to go into details due to fear of spoiling this for anyone. What I will say is, what you think you know may be wrong. Anticipate the unexpected. There will be sadness, but there will also be joy. Personally, I think the ending is not alone poetic, but well-rounded. Everything will come around in full circle, and really, that's all someone can ask for.






Psssst. FYI: Wicked Lovely has always been my favorite book in the entire series. Well, it's not anymore. :)

Better Know A Blogger : Brent from Naughty Book Kitties

Better Know A Blogger is feature that spotlights Bloggers. Today, I'm thrilled to have the hilarious and awesome Brent from Naughty Book Kitties on the blog. Please welcome him!


1. What is your name/blogger name?
My name is Brent.

2. What is the name of your blog (provide link)
The Naughty Book Kitties, which can be found here: http://naughtybookkitties.blogspot.com (Yes, I was, in fact, under the influence when I titled my blog.)




3. Do you have an auto-buy author, someone whose writing is so good, you have to read everything they write?
Tons of 'em! Sarah Dessen, Cassandra Clare, Dia Reeves, Ellen Hopkins, Melissa de la Cruz, and Tom Dolby are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

4. Who is your all-time favorite couple in literature? (And/Or favorite male/female character)
I'm embarassed to admit this, but . . . I've read three classic novels in my entire life. But I can tell you my favorite contemporary couple! Anna and Etienne in ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins.

5. Do you have an e-reader? Do you prefer e-books or regular books, or use both?
I do not have an e-reader. Yet! I really have no preference. As long as the story is good, the canvas doesn't matter.

6. What are your Top 5 picks for the best books of 2010?
ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins; SLICE OF CHERRY by Dia Reeves; A BLUE SO DARK by Holly Schindler; PERSONAL DEMONS by Lisa Desrochers; and BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver.

7. What book or series has been sitting in your TBR the longest?
The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. All of my friends have loved the series, and I'm just now getting into it!

Thank you so much Brent, for taking the time to answer a few questions. If you're looking for a good laugh or great, creative reviews, or awesome giveaways and interviews, please check out Naughty Book Kitties!

Review : Rival

Title: Rival
Author: Sara Bennett Wealer
Published: February 15th 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: Arc

Summary: What if your worst enemy turned out to be the best friend you ever had?

Meet Brooke: Popular, powerful and hating every minute of it, she’s the “It” girl at Douglas High in Lake Champion, Minnesota. Her real ambition? Using her operatic mezzo as a ticket back to NYC, where her family lived before her dad ran off with an up and coming male movie star.

Now meet Kathryn: An overachieving soprano with an underachieving savings account, she’s been a leper ever since Brooke punched her at a party junior year. For Kath, music is the key to a much-needed college scholarship.

The stage is set for a high-stakes duet between the two seniors as they prepare for the prestigious Blackmore competition. Brooke and Kathryn work toward the Blackmore with eyes not just on first prize but on one another, each still stinging from a past that started with friendship and ended in betrayal. With competition day nearing, Brooke dreams of escaping the in-crowd for life as a professional singer, but her scheming BFF Chloe has other plans. And when Kathryn gets an unlikely invitation to Homecoming, she suspects Brooke of trying to sabotage her with one last public humiliation.

As pressures mount, Brooke starts to sense that the person she hates most might just be the best friend she ever had. But Kathryn has a decision to make. Can she forgive? Or are some rivalries for life?

Thoughts: What a great debut by Sara Bennett Wealer. Rival is a fun, drama filled read that will have you rooting for both main characters. After all, it's not high school without a little backstabbing.

Rival alternates points of views between Kathryn, the shunned wallflower, and Brooke, the popular girl who has everything. Both girls are the best singers in their school and are competing in a singing competition that will change their lives. For Kathryn, it will mean winning scholarship money her and her family so desperately need. For Brooke, it will open doors for her that will help her pursue her career as a professional singer.

But, before the competition starts, both girls will have to overcome a few obstacles. Homecoming, controlling best friends, family, and a certain boy will play a roll in each their lives. In the end, who will win?

While I'm not a singer (unless you call my shower solos singing), I must tell you how much I enjoyed this book. Both Kathryn and Brooke had so much at stake. I loved the relationships and character building. Whether it's the boyfriend/girlfriend type, family or friendship, both girls will have to deal with it all. Oh, and I have to mention the flashbacks! Throughout the book, there are flashbacks to happier times, when the girls actually got along, and what drew them to their bitter end.

At first, I thought I'd end up rooting for both characters. And while they're both relatable, I must say that in the end, I was hoping for Brooke to come out on top. It was funny how Kathryn had things and traits that Brooke wanted, and Brooke had things and traits that Kathryn wanted. What drew me to Team Brooke, though, was her confidence. She always knew who she was and wasn't afraid to voice it. Kathryn was a bit wishy-washy with her friendships and personality. I think she just wanted to fit in a little too much.

As far as swoon-worthy boys go, I couldn't really find one guy I fell in love with. Matt was a great best friend. His geeky side had me giggling at times, but he was still a "Duckie" to me. The book focuses more on friendship, both current and lost. Don't get me wrong, there is SOME romance in the book. I mean, there's a girl crazy boy, the Duckie, and the boy both girls want. Makes for an interesting, exciting read, eh?

Overall, Rival will have you up and guessing what will happen next. You'll be rooting for one character, then switching teams over and over again. It's short enough to finish in a day, but will have you wanting to draw out the story as long as possible. If you're a fan of Serena and/or Blair on Gossip Girl, you're going to love this book!

Rating:

Interview With Tera Lynn Childs

Tera Lynn Childs is the amazing author of the Oh.My.Gods and Forgive My Fins series. She also has a new trilogy coming out this year about Medusa's Daughters. The first book is called Sweet Venom. Please welcome her to Addicted 2 Novels!

1. For someone who hasn't heard about Forgive My Fins/Fins Are Forever, how would you describe it to them?

Lily Sanderson is a half-mermaid princess from the underwater kingdom of Thalassinia who goes to high school on the mainland. She finds herself in a maelstrom of trouble when she accidentally bestows her magical first kiss on the wrong boy.

2. What inspired you to write Forgive My Fins?

I've always loved mermaids and dreamed of being one. I was in Florida for the summer, spending a lot of time on the beach and wishing some handsome merman would walk out of the Gulf. "Wouldn't it be cool," I thought, "if a merperson could bestow the magical powers of their people with a kiss?" I was thinking of myself, of course, but quickly realized it would make a great story.

3. What can we expect to see in Fins Are Forever?

As anyone who's read the Forgive My Fins epilogue knows, Lily's bratty cousin Dosinia plays a big part in the sequel. She shows up on Lily's doorstep and announces she's there to stay for a while--not exactly Lily's dream roommate. There's more Quince, more time underwater, more kisses, and a mer prince who muddies the waters a bit.

4. Any plans for writing a third book in the Oh.My.Gods series?

Plans? Always. Contracts? Not yet. This falls under the "wait and see" category where I have some ideas for more books, but I'm waiting on the publishing world to decide.

5. Are there any snacks you must have when you're writing?

Since I write in coffee shops (and their "snacks" are general calorie-dense and sugar-filled) my must have is a flavored soy latte. At the moment it's caramel, but sometimes it's hazelnut or toffee nut. When I'm feeling really decadent I'll get a soy chai latte. Yum.

6. Who is your all-time favorite literary couple?

My default answer is Lizzy Bennet and Mr. Darcy (duh) so I'm going to go one step farther and give you my second favorite couple: Mary Anne and Logan from the Baby Sitter's Club. The was the first book I ever read with romance and I've needed cute boys and kisses in my books ever since.

7. Are you currently working on any new projects?

Always. Most of them are top secret (which is writer speak for not-contracted-so-it-might-never-get-published) but at the moment I'm specifically working on a short story for the anthology Wicked Pretty Things and the second book in my Medusa girls trilogy, the sequel to Sweet Venom which will be out this Fall.

8. Any advice for aspiring authors?

Too much to list it all here! But my basic advice is to read as much as you can, write as much as you can, and become a keen observer of life. Then you have to finish the @#$% book. Get an agent. And keep moving forward, always be working on the next thing and never giving up.





Thank you so much, Tera, for taking the time to answer a few questions!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. This week was full of great surprises!

From Penguin:
*Across the Universe (signed!) by Beth Revis

Won:
*Across the Universe (signed!) by Beth Revis

Bought:
*Cryer's Cross (signed!) by Lisa McMann
*Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delaney

Won:
*The Near Witch (arc) by Victoria Schwab

I can't believe Penguin sent me a signed copy of Across The Universe. Here's what it looks like:


Since Lisa McMann had 2 signings in Houston, I decided to attend both, and get my copy of Cryer's Cross signed. I also had dinner with some FABULOUS Literary Lonestars. They're so made of win! Anywho, check out my book:


And, I also got some awesome buttons. 5 are from Penguin/Breathless Reads, and 3 are from Victoria Schwab (plus, they're signed!). My cat ran away with one of the Penguin/Breathless Reads buttons, but once I find it, I'll post it, lol.


That's it for this week's In My Mailbox. Feel free to post links to your IMMs below, so I can check them out. :)

***Special thanks to the fanbulous Victoria Schwab, Lisa McMann, Beth Revis and Penguin***

Want To Win Angelfire + 3 HarperTeen Books?

Over at inkpop, they are hosting the Dark Days of Winter Supernatural Writing Contest. All you have to do is write a short story, poem or essay that couples an internal struggle with a physical struggle. It could be the need to overcome a fear both inside an out. A physical and mental battle of wills or some other battle of your own design.

2 writters and 2 inkpop commenters will win a copy of Angelfire as well as 3 (THREE!) books of their choice from the HarperTeen Library.

For more information on how to enter, click HERE , and check out inkpop.

The deadline is February 24th. I'm working on my story right now! Are you? ;)

Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge: Prize Pack Update

Hey everyone! As the challenge continues, more and more authors/bloggers keep sending us more and more stuff to add to the prize pack. Here's the current prize pack:

*Half Brother (arc) by Kenneth Oppel
*Mostly Good Girls (arc) by Leila Sales
*The Daughters (arc) by Joanna Philbin
*Party Girl (arc) by Sabrina James
*Ruined (arc) by Paula Morris
*Another Pan (arc) by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
*Token of Darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
*The Van Alen Legacy (signed) by Melissa De La Cruz
*Kiss of Death (signed) by Rachel Caine
*My Unfair Godmother (arc) by Janette Rallison (donated by Janette Rallison herself!)
*Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List by Janette Rallison (donated by Janette)
*How to Take the Ex out of Ex Boyfriend by Janette Rallison (donated by Janette)


Now, lookie at all the new stuff we have to add to the prize pack:


(Special amazing 1000 kisses thanks to Tera Lynn Childs)
*Signed copy of Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
*Signed Sweet Venom bookmarks
*Oh.My.Gods bookmarks
*Forgive My Fins bookmarks
*Fins Are Forever bookmarks

And...


(Special thanks to Kimberly Derting! You rock my world!!!)
*Signed Desires of the Dead posters
*Signed Desires of the Dead bookmarks
*Desires of the Dead stickers
*Desires of the Dead wristbands

I'm definitely jealous of the person who wins all this. So, what are you waiting for? Link up your reviews!!! The more you link, the more changes you have to win.

Review: Angelfire

Title: Angelfire
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Published: February 15th 2011 by HarperCollins / Katherine Tegen Books
Source: ARC

Summary: "This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember."

Thoughts: Around the blogosphere, you're going to read loads of amazing Angelfire reviews. It seems as though Angelfire is one of those "hit or miss" books. Either you love it or you don't. Well, I must tell you that this little blogger LOVED it! Angelfire is so unbelievably good. Action, romance, undeniable chemistry and a kick-ass heroine. Honestly, could you ask for anything more?

Above all things, Ellie wants a normal life. Sadly, fate has something else in store for her. Ellie keeps having these nightmares about her death, different every time, and all terrifying. It's not until she meets Will that she begins to realize those dreams are all past lives. She's a warrior who can ignite and wield Angelfire, which ironically is the only thing that can defeat these horrific creatures called reapers. Though she dies countless of times, her soul is resurrected again and again, and the only one who can bring her back in full power is Will.

As she becomes stronger, a new, worse fate than she can ever imagine is out to end her. This time, for good. With this battle taking place, Ellie knows one thing is for sure: if she doesn't live through it, her soul might not rise again.

One of the things I absolute love about this book is how detailed the action scenes are. At times, I felt like I was watching a Jerry Bruckheimer movie! The more I think about it, the more I realize that I cannot remember one boring moment. Of all things, Angelfire is action-packed!

Ellie is also a great heroine. Her strength will amaze you. There are so many scenes where I wanted to either give her a high-five or hug her. Even when things don't go her way and even though she didn't want this at all, she's still holds her head up high. I wish more heroines were like Ellie.

And now, swoon-worth boys. Oh-my-lanta! I cannot express to you how much I LOVE, LOVE Will. He's courageous, kind and just made of win. My favorite scenes are the ones where he interacts with Ellie. There are so many times when I felt his pain. Could you imagine having to protect someone and knowing you've failed them so many times? I don't know a lot of guys that can pull off bad ass and sweetheart, but somehow Will does it. Why can't literary boys be real?

Overall, how can I put this? I loved Angelfire. I cannot wait for Wings of the Wicked to release! The mystery is amazing, the romance is smoking and the suspense will keep you up all night. Someone should really consider putting a warning label on this book! Caution: May cause lack of sleep due to awesome overload.

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday : Love Story

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It features a blogger's most anticipated books. This week, my pick is Love Story by Jennifer Echols.

Summary: "WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW.

Erin Blackwell is headed to college in New York City to study creative writing and earn a living as a romance novelist. Her grandmother has other plans: she approves of the college, but she wants Erin to major in business and then come back home to Kentucky to run the family’s famous racehorse farm. There is no way Erin will agree. Studying in New York and writing her way into a career is her escape from the farm and the family tragedy that happened there. So Erin’s grandmother decides Erin really will live life as a starving artist. She takes Erin’s future job running the farm, her inheritance, even her college tuition, and gives them all to Hunter Allen.

Hunter has lived on the farm for years. He’s Erin’s age, he’s the stable boy, and he’s the romantic dream of every girl in her high school. But he was involved in the family tragedy. Erin has always given him a wide berth. And he’s a slick opportunist. She’s furious that he fooled her grandmother into giving him Erin’s birthright and sending him to Erin’s college.

At least she’s free of him in her creative writing class. So she pens a story that has haunted her lately, in which the horse farm heiress at the very first Kentucky Derby starts a forbidden affair with the lowly stable boy. Unfortunately for her, the day she’s sharing this story with her New York classmates, Hunter walks in. He’s switching to her class. And after reading about himself in Erin’s story, he writes his own sexy assignments that lure Erin into dangerous fantasies about what could have been between them, and what might be.

Why I Can't Wait: Are you kidding me? I'm a huge Jennifer Echols fan! I mean, I created the Jennifer Echol's Fan Club on Goodreads. Love Story sounds like one of those great books that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. I haven't even read the story and am already swooning all over it. Seriously, July cannot get here fast enough!


Release date: July 19th, 2011

Better Know A Blogger: Jen from I Read Banned Books

Better Know A Blogger is where we feature and interview bloggers from around the Blogosphere. Today, I couldn't be happier to have Jen from I Read Banned Books on A2N. Please welcome her.

1. What is your name/blogger name?

Believe it or not, my real name is Jen Bigheart. I love having that last name. People can remember me a little easier - I am one in a bazillion Jennifer's.

2. What is the name of your blog:

The blog is called I Read Banned Books because that's what I do!



3. Do you have an auto-buy author, someone whose writing is so good, you have to read everything they write?

I do...several actually. Kelley Armstrong (my daughter's favorite author), Rick Riordan (my other daughter's favorite author), Holly Black, Lois Lowry, and Augusten Burroughs. I know I am missing some writers.


4. Who is your all-time favorite couple in literature? (And/Or favorite male character)

This is super hard. It took me a long time to answer, but I'll say Katniss/Peeta/Gale. Yes, I know that is a threesome, but let's be honest, we wouldn't love them if there wasn't that triangle there.

5. Do you have an e-reader? Do you prefer e-books or regular books, or use both?

My husband bought me the very first Kindle for Christmas. He was watching the Oprah episode where she unveils it and I basically wigged out and cried for it. He ordered it the next day and I was SO happy and surprised at Christmas when I opened it. 3 years later....it has collected dust. I read a few ebooks, but sadly, I love to hold a book. I really should sell it. It is in mint condition...Sidenote: I love audio books!

6. What are your Top 5 picks for the best books of 2010?

No particular order:
Matched by Ally Condie
White Cat by Holly Black
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margi Stohl
The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

7. What book or series has been sitting in your TBR the longest?

Oh geez. I'm gonna get some stank-eye over this, but I'll be honest. Iron Fey, Vampire Academy, and House of Night series. Okay, I will say that I have the last 2 of the Iron Fey series, and I have read the first in the VA and HoN series. I know.....kill me now. I can't read everything!

Thanks, Jen! Be sure to check out her blog, where Jen hosts book tours, writes raving reviews and hosts giveaways!

Sweet Venom Cover Revealed + Giveaway

It's here, it's here, and I couldn't be more pleased to share the cover with you. Sweet Venom is the first book in a trilogy about Medusa's daughters, written by none other than the fabulous Tera Lynn Childs! Isn't it gorgeous?! Wow.

A few fun facts & links:
*Sweet Venom is scheduled to release October 4th, 2011
*The final dust jacket has yet to be revealed, but the quote on the bookmarks says..."Three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in a world where monsters lurk in plain sight."
*Find out more about Sweet Venom on Goodreads.
*For all things Sweet Venom, go to Tera Lynn Child's website.
*The three main characters are Grace, Gretchen and Greer. Check out their character collages here!




And now, it's giveaway time! Comment below for your chance to win a signed Sweet Venom bookmark. This is only open to US participants and will end February 26th. Please, don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you if you win. Now, go forth and share your Sweet Venom love!

Review: Desires of the Dead

Title: Desires of the Dead
Author: Kimberly Derting
Publication: February 15th 2011 by HarperCollins
Source: ARC courtesey of Around The World Tours

Summary: "The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger. "

Thoughts: Holy cow! Desires of the Dead is one of the best sequels I've read in a really long time. I forgot how amazing Kimberly's writing is. I'm literally at a lost for words.

Wow. Just...wow!

There's a new bad guy/gal in town, but this one is directing all their murderous hatred towards Violet. Violet has something she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. And though Violet's in danger, the real question is, who can Violet trust? Her abilities help her hear and see the calls of the dead, but it doesn't let her read intentions nor minds. In the end, is the only person she can trust herself?

What I love about Desires of the Dead is how Kimberly writes from Violet's point of view, but switches every now and then to "the bad guy's" POV. This is what originally hooked me on The Body Finder. It's dark, it's twisted, it's made of win!

Violet and Jay's relationship begins to develop into something hotter, sexier and more complicated than it was in The Body Finder. Just like all couples, they start dealing with intimacy and trust issues. It's not always happy, and not always perfect, but at least it's entertaining!

Oh, Jay! I must say, he's one of my favorite swoon-worthy boys. I don't normally like the sweet guys (since I'm a bad boy kind of girl), but Jay just does something to my little heart that makes it go pitter-patter. I love his kindness and understanding with not only Violet, but every character in the book. At times, he's a bit overprotective of Violet, but it's understanding considering who she is and what she can do.

Unlike a lot of sequels out there, this one comes around full circle. I really enjoyed that. Sometimes, too much of a cliffhanger can become not only tiresome, but irritating. In this case, it's just the right combination of satisfaction yet craving for more.

Fans of The Body Finder will jump and cheer for Desires of the Dead. It's deliciously dangerous in all the right ways.

Rating:

Birthday Giveaway Winner

Sorry it's taking me so long to announce the winner. I want to thank everyone who participated and wished me a happy birthday. It meant so much to me! Anyway, the moment you've all been waiting for.

Out of 186 contestants...

And 564 entries....

The winner is...

#277 Alison at Lost in Believing!!!

Congrats, Alison! Alison chose Daughter of Xanadu by Dori Jones Yang. You must let me know how it is!

If you didn't win, no worries! You can still enter the Second Kiss giveaway and have the entire month to enter the Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. I am SO excited about the books I got this week. Ch-ch-check it out:

For Review:
*A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young (Around The World Tours)
*Queen of the Dead (Ghost and Goth #2) by Stacey Kade
*Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready
*Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz
*Bumped by Megan McCafferty

**Special thanks to HarperCollins and Megan McCafferty**