Austin Teen Book Festival Tomorrow!!!

Y'all, I cannot tell you how excited I am about the Austin Teen Book Festival tomorrow! Not only do I get to see all those awesome authors listed in the poster, but I also get to hang out with some of my good friends and blogger buddies! Seriously, if you guys (bloggers) weren't there, this whole event wouldn't nearly be half as fun!

Though I'm most excited about hanging out with my buddies, I also must talk about the amazing panels they have in store for us tomorrow. Take a look:

PEN FATALE features Gabrielle Zevin (All These Things I've Done), Mary Pearson (The Fox Inheritance), Jessica Brody (My Life Undecided), Alyson Noel (Everlasting), and Alexandra Adornetto (Hades); moderated by Margo Rabb (Cures for Heartbreak).

ALTERNAWORLDS (fantasy) features Scott Westerfeld (Goliath), Maureen Johnson (Name of the Star), Jonathan Maberry (Dust & Decay), and Brian Yansky (Alien Invasion); moderated by Rosemary Clement-Moore (The Splendor Falls).

REAL LIFE IS MESSY (edgy fiction) features John Corey Whaley (Where Things Come Back), David Levithan (Every You, Every Me), Melissa Walker (Small Town Sinners), Coe Booth (Bronxwood), and Geoff Herbach (Stupid Fast); moderated by Varian Johnson (Saving Maddie).

I HEART LOVE STORIES (realistic/romance fiction) features Simone Elkeles (Perfect Chemistry), Stephanie Perkins (Lola & the Boy Next Door), Jenny Han (We’ll Always Have Summer), Jennifer Zeigler (Sass & Sensibility), and Christina Mandelski (The Sweetest Thing); moderated by Cristina Garcia (Dreams of Significant Girls).

SUPERNATURAL SUSPENSE (fantasy) features Heather Brewer (Vladimir Tod), Jackson Pearce (Sweetly), Tera Lynn Childs (Sweet Venom), Sophie Jordan (Vanish), and Andrea Cremer (Wolfsbane); moderated by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Blessed).

Did you almost just faint, too? Because I sure did.



Tonight, at the Alamodraft House in Austin, they are doing a special screening of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, followed by an exclusive Q&A; with David Levithan himself. A portion of every ticket purchased will be donated to the APLFF (Austin Public Library Friends Foundation). If you know me at all, you know how much I love, love, love David Levithan and Nick and Norah. SOOOOOO EXCITED!!! AHHH!!!

If you plan on attending any of these events, please tweet me at @Lena1xoxo, let me know, and we'll meet up! If anything, we can high five or something.

I hope to see you guys tomorrow at the Palmer Events Center. Till then, who are you most excited to see? ;)

Review: Bunheads

Title: Bunheads
Author: Sophie Flack
Expected publication: October 10th 2011 by Poppy
Source: ARC courtesy of publisher for review

Summary: "As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?"

First two line: "My name is Hannah Ward. Don't call me a ballerina."

Thoughts:Have you ever watched the movie Centerstage? Remember the character Maureen? She was the best dancer at ABA, but then started dating a college guy and questioned her life choices. If someone wrote a book from her point of view, this would be her story.

Hannah Ward has dreamed of being a ballet dancer since she was 4 and has been dancing for the Manhattan Ballet since she was 14. She lives, breathes and eats ballet. After years of being in the background, Hannah is dying to be in the spotlight. She will do anything to get noticed this year, even if it means going to extra yoga classes and never going more than a few blocks from the safe house that is the Manhattan Ballet.

Enter Jacob. He is a handsome musician Hannah meets at her uncle's restaurant one night. To Hannah, it is a breath of fresh air to talk to someone who isn't apart of the company and is just, well, normal. But with Hannah's busy schedule, does she have time for a boyfriend? And even though she really likes him, how long will he stick around if she keeps blowing him off for ballet? Is this even the life she wants anymore?

I never realized being a ballerina ballet dancer was so brutal. Rigorous is the best word I can find to describe it, but that hardly does what they do justice. While the book was interesting and I enjoyed reading about Hannah's trials and tribulations with dancing for the Manhattan Ballet, I felt like some of the subplots were a bit repetitive. Though I understand that her life is repetitive, it would have been nice for the author to throw in some sort of twist, surprising the reader and making the story a little bit less predictable. I did, however, enjoy reading about how challenging it is having friends within the ballet and outside of it. Can you really call the other ballet dancers your friends when they would easily stab you in the back to be in the spotlight? Drama, you got to love it!

Another thing I would have liked to see is more romance in the book, even though I understand that a huge part of the novel was based around Hannah not having time for a relationship. Jacob and Hannah's instant connection was sweet, but a little disappointing. I would have liked to see their relationship develop more, maybe go on more dates or maybe more kissing or just something. Anything! Also, Jacob's character was a little stereotypical for my taste. Understanding musician who is also a student at NYU and a bit of an artist himself? Been there, done that. Personally, I would not consider Jacob swoon-worthy, mainly because he is just too boring. As far as romance goes, Bunheads fell a little flat in that department (but I don't think this book was meant to have much romance in it anyway).

Still, whether you're a dancer and even a "pedestrian", this is an interesting book for anyone who has ever questioned their dreams and choices. It's also quite addicting, as it only took me two days to finish it. I may not have loved this book, but I did like it and recommend it to anyone who has ever dreamed of being in the spotlight.

On a side note, in the author's notes, it says that Sophie Flack danced for the New York Ballet from 2000-2009 and is currently studying English at Columbia. All I have to say is wow. How incredible is that? Sophie Flack truly is a superstar!

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It showcases each blogger's most anticipated books. This week, my pick is Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby.

Summary: "Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment."

Why I Can't Wait: What first drew me to this book, if I'm being honest, is that adorable cover. It screams "Read me! I'm cute, I swear!" But then I read the summary, and I just have a feeling that this is one of those quick, easy reads you can easily fall in love with. Plus, the romance sounds promising!

Expected publication: February 28th 2012 by Walker & Co

Review: The Survival Kit

Title: The Survival Kit (amazon/goodreads)
Author: Donna Freitas
Expected publication: October 11th 2011 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Source: ARC provided by publisher for review

Summary: "When Rose’s mom dies, she leaves behind a brown paper bag labeled Rose’s Survival Kit. Inside the bag, Rose finds an iPod, with a to-be-determined playlist; a picture of peonies, for growing; a crystal heart, for loving; a paper star, for making a wish; and a paper kite, for letting go.

As Rose ponders the meaning of each item, she finds herself returning again and again to an unexpected source of comfort. Will is her family’s gardener, the school hockey star, and the only person who really understands what she’s going through. Can loss lead to love?"

First line: "I found it on the day of my mother's funeral, tucked in a place she knew I would look."

Thoughts: If the director of P.S. I Love You ever decided to write a book, but instead, wrote it about a daughter losing her mother, The Survival Kit would be that book. I cannot put into words the emotional roller coaster this book has put me through. With lovable characters, heartbreaking circumstances and a subtle romance that blooms as the seasons change, The Survival Kit is the perfect book for anyone who has ever lost someone they love.

The book starts off with the day of Rose's mom's funeral and spans out for an entire year. Rose has not been the same since her mom died. Her father, while still a good man, drinks his pain away, while her brother's off in college, leaving Rose in charge or herself and her dad. Though the picture frames that once held memories of a happy family are now bear, everything still reminds Rose of her mother. She can't even listen to music without bursting into tears.

Throughout the book, the reader will witness as Rose blossom into such an amazing young lady. I love how ever single detail in this book plays a role into a story, especially music. With the way the author spins it all together and slowly starts incorporating music into Rose's life, the only way I can describe is that it's breathtaking. It's like watching a sad movie where you know it's about someone else or that it's not even real, but you get so completely lost in it that it ends up feeling like your own story. It's not the easiest read, but it is wonderful.

One thing I loved about this book is that every single character is as lovable as the next. They're all so caring and wonderful. There is not one character in this book I would kill off if I could, and that says a lot. This book focuses on family and loss, so it was nice that while all the characters have their part in the story, their roles are not overbearing.

And the romance between Rose and Will? Amazing! Plus, get this, it actually develops! You know how I love that. It's not an epic romance, but for this story, it's perfect. It's subtle yet sweet. Even though sometimes being around one another can be painful (with the lost of Rose's mom and Will's dad), they still somehow find happiness in one another. It's beautiful, yet complicated and all around fabulous.

From the peonies, to the kites, to the music and more, this book will captivate it's readers until the very end. For anyone who has ever lost anyone and even for those who haven't, I would highly, highly recommend checking out The Survival Kit. I'm upset that it hasn't received as much press as it should, but from one reader to another, you must check this out. If you love a good contemporary novel that revolves around loss and hope, this is the book for you!

Rating:

Winners!!!

I apologize about taking so long, as football season tends to be a bit intense for me, but I finally have some winners to announce. YIPPIE! Here we go!!!

The winner of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone ARC is....

Leslie from Working For The Mandroid!!!

The winner of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone final copy is....

Melissa!!!

The winner of the Little, Brown Box of books giveaway is...

Sierra from Happily Never Ending!!!

And the winner of Dreamland by Alyson Noel is...

Katie!!!


Congrats to all the winners. I have emailed each and every one of you. Please respond back within 72 hours or a new winner will be selected. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in all the giveaways and made them such a success. If you didn't win, don't fret. There will be plenty of giveaways during the month of October, so stay tuned!

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. I didn't get a lot this week, but I am excited about the books I did get. Take a look, as Dexter models some books for you.

For Review:
*Frail (Dust #2) by Joan Frances Turner (I haven't read Dust yet, but I guess I should!)
*The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
*Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison

Trades:
*Steampunk!: An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories Edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant (SUPER excited about this one! I mean, it has stories from Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray and Holly Black! OH MY! :D)

And that's it! Special thanks to Penguin, Harlequin Teen, TorTeen and Angela!

Oh, and if you're wondering why Skittles is never in any pictures, that's because he hates it. In fact, it took me about a dozen tries to get a decent picture of him. See?




So there ya go. Feel free to leave links to your IMM posts below, and I'll do my best to drop by and leave you guys some love! Have a fabulous rest of your weekend!!! :)

Box of ARCs Giveaway

Hey guys! Make room on your bookshelves because it's time for another giveaway. This time, I'm giving away two prize packs filled with recently released/soon to be released ARCs to two lucky winners. That's right, 2, 2, 2!!! TWO! I know, insane! First off, lets take a look at what you can win:

Prize Pack A:



*an ARC of Dark Eden by Patrick Carman
*an ARC of Dark Passage by M.J. Putney
*an ARC of The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
*an ARC of The Plague Year by Edward Bloor

Prize Pack B:



*an ARC of The Apothecary by Maile Meloy and Ian Schoenherr
*an ARC of Eve by Anna Carey
*an ARC of The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
*an ARC of Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

To enter, please fill out THIS FORM. This giveaway is only open to US participants, however, if you are an international participant and have a US address I can ship to, feel free to enter! And as always, extra entries will be rewarded to followers and people who spread the word (b/c I love y'all like crazy!).

The Box of ARCs Giveaway will end 10/10 at midnight CST. The winners will be announced via email and on my blog and will have 72 hours to reply before a new winner is selected. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com.

Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It features each blogger's most anticipated books. This week, my pick is Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr.

Summary: "Faery Tales and Nightmares is a collection of short stories.

Current Table of Contents:
"Where Nightmares Walk"
"Winter's Kiss" (Fairy Tales)
"Transition" (Vampires)
"Love Struck" (Selchies)
"Stopping Time" (WL World)
"Old Habits" (WL World)
"The Art of Waiting"
"Flesh for Comfort"
"The Sleeping Girl and the Summer King" (WL World-ish, the short story that started the series)
"Cotton Candy Skies" (WL World)
"Unexpected Family" (WL World)
"Merely Mortal" (WL World)"

Why I Can't Wait: Anyone that knows me knows what a HUGE Melissa Marr fan I am. I love her and her writing. Whenever the Wicked Lovely/Faery Courts series ended, I was incredibly pleased, but also sad because well, it ended. Now, I'm super, ridiculously excited that not only does this anthology include some short stories from the WL world, it also includes other new worlds and tales. EEEEEEP!!! CANNOT WAIT!

Expected publication: February 21st 2012 by HarperCollins

Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Title: Girl of Fire and Thorns
Author: Rae Carson
Published: September 20th 2011 by HarperCollins Publishers
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Summary: "Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do."

First line: "Prayer candles flicker in my bedroom."

Thoughts: Holy cow, The Girl of Fire and Thorns totally blew me away. From everything I've heard about it, I knew I was going to enjoy it, but nothing could have prepared me for this. In so many words, this novel completely took my breath away.

The story starts immediately off with Elisa's wedding day, which, ironically, is also the day of her sixteenth birthday. She has never met Alejandro (her husband) before, and must leave her home the following day, to travel to Joya d'Arena, where her husband rules as king. Who doesn't dream of being whisked away by a handsome king and ruling by his side? Elisa, that's who.

Elisa is the bearer of the Godstone, a jewel blessed by God, which only happens once in a blue moon (please excuse the irony). Each bearer is destined to lead an extraordinary life, but Elisa feels like she may be an exception. Even so, Alejandro keeps Elisa a secret. Because if word got out that not only is she married to the king, but is also the bearer of the Godstone, then there will be people out to get her...and all hell will break loose.

What I love about this book is, even though it's kind of huge (over 400 pages), there is never a dull moment. The action scenes are amazing. They're so detailed and vivid that I felt like I was watching Prince of Persia, rather than reading a book. Fires, swords, terror and pain, oh my! Oh, and the fantasy element in the book? Pretty freaking amazing. Also, I loved that Elisa! Though scared and completely out of her element, she is not afraid to help those in need. She doesn't even think about the consequences and jumps right into the action. You got to love a brave heroine!

I also love that Elisa is not your cookie cutter skinny, perfect princess. She's a little chubby and not as beautiful as her sister, but to me, that makes her more real. And I love the way she owns it instead of starving herself to be as thin as other girls around her. Those pastries she eats sound delicious! I'd be hanging out with the bakers, too, for promises of coconut treats!

Lastly, I will say that even though there's plenty of action in this book, it also deals with a great deal of emotions. Neglect, love, heartache, confusion and pain will all play a part. Sometimes, I wanted to scream. Can nothing go right for this girl? Then other times, I squeed with joy. Needless to say, it's a bit of an emotional roller coaster. It might not be sunshine and lollipops, but it is stunning.

Overall, if you're wondering whether or not The Girl of Fire and Thorns lives up to it's hype, wonder no further. It's beautiful cover and originality will make you pick up the book, but it's enchanting premise will hook you till the very end. What a fantastic novel by an amazing debut author. I can't wait for the sequel (and there better be one!).

Rating:

Review: Carrier of the Mark

Title: Carrier of the Mark (goodreads/amazon)
Author: Leigh Fallon
Expected publication: October 4th 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: ARC provided by Inkpop for review

Summary: "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."

First line: "Flames engulfed the boat, and my lungs ached as dark, noxious smoke filled the air."

Thoughts: There is nothing worse than a book with a striking cover, but disappointing story. Thank goodness this is not the case! When I first heard of Carrier of the Mark, I thought the premise sounded intriguing, plus I loved the cover. What I wasn't expecting was how addicting and life consuming this book would be. Badass characters, with amazing powers, instant connections and Irish folklore that'll make your head spin? Whoa!

The story revolves around Megan, a normal teenage girl who just moved to Ireland with her father. Things are so different for Megan here, but luckily, the students at her school are extremely welcoming. She instantly becomes friends with a girl named Caitlin and soon begins to find her place. With all that said and done, lets heat this up a little.

From the first second Megan lays eyes on Adam DeRis, she instantly feels connected to him in a way she never has before. Everyone warns her about Adam, and his other siblings Aine and Rian, but Megan can't seem to stay away from them. Soon, Megan will begin to realize that she's connected to the DeRises in a way she never thought possible. Their tale goes as far back as time, and so do the deaths of those who came before them. Is Megan and Adam's love fate or a tragedy waiting to happen?

One thing I loved about this book is how the author doesn't waste time introducing the reader to the love interest. I hate it when you read a book and have to wait at least 100 pages before any sort of spark happens. Luckily, this is not the case. You could feel the chemistry shooting off the pages, even if all they were doing is awkwardly looking at each other. With the way the story and characters are written, it's easy to fall in love with Adam or even Fionn and Rian.

Speaking of the characters, I have to tell you how much I loved each and every one of them. While the story mainly revolves around Megan, the author also gives you background information on the other characters, too. You have no idea how refreshing this is to me. In my opinion, this just makes the characters all that much more real and also makes the story come alive. I felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book.

Now, while I loved the romance between Megan and Adam, I did feel like it came off a little Twlighty. Maybe it's the instant all consuming love, their intensity towards one another or the forbidden factor, but for some reason, at times, Megan and Adam became Bella and Edward to me. Even Aine came off a little like Alice. This in no way takes away from the story, but merely something I wanted to point out. The story is still very much unique, but some of the subplots and moments were not.

Also, was anyone else confused by the Carrier gene/Marked thing? For some reason, I'm still confused by how someone becomes a Carrier and Marked. It's explained in the book several times, and maybe I'm just clueless, but nevertheless, I still don't get it. Maybe the sequel will remedy this? I hope so.

Overall, if you're looking for an alluring, captivating and all around beautiful story, I would highly recommend checking out Carrier of the Mark. For three days, outside of work, I lived, breathe, drank, ate Carrier of the Mark and am sure you will do the same. For fans of Twilight and even the kids show Captain Planet (yes, I'm THAT old!), you are going to love this book!

Rating:

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. I'm super, super excited about the books I got this week. I had to break it down to several pictures, but ch-ch-check it out!

For Review:
*Incarnate (Newsoul #1) by Jodi Meadows
*Everneath by Brodi Ashton
*The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers by Lynn Weingarten

Trades:
Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

Bought:
*The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

So you can't really see what's sitting next to The Night Circus, thus, a close up:



Isn't it cute?! Thanks, Wastepaper Prose!

Finally, the books I bought from Borders on my very last trip there, ever. :( Sorry about the poor picture quality. It looked better when I took it with my phone, lol.



*Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
*Real Live Boyfriends (Ruby Oliver #4) by E. Lockhart
*How It Ends by Laura Wiess
*Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
*The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
*Viola In Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani
*Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
*Eternity by Heather Terrell

And that's all, folks! Feel free to leave links to you IMM posts in the comments below, and I'll try to visit all your fabulous blogs! I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend and Happy Football Sunday!

**Special thanks to Harper Teen, Balzar & Bray and Borders (I shall miss thee).**


XOXO

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door (goodreads/amazon)
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Expected publication: September 29th 2011 by Dutton

Summary:"Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door."

First Line:"I have three simple wishes."

Thoughts:Lola and the Boy Next Door is quite frankly one of the BEST books I've read in a long, long time. From the writing, to the lovable characters and even all the silly antics, I adored every minute of it. My only complaint is that I never wanted it to end! Really, it's that good.

Lola is a costume designer in the making. One of her dreams is to create the perfect Marie Antoinette costume to wear at the high school dance. One perfect night with her awesome older rock star boyfriend. Perfect indeed.

Then, the day Lola has been dreading for years has finally happened: The Bell twins have moved back into the house next door. You see, something happened between them a couple years ago, and Lola has been trying to forget it ever since. The thing is, the more she sees Cricket and the more time she spends with him, the more she begins to feel that same connection she felt so long ago. What's a girl to do when everything you ever wanted came a few years too late?

First off, I have to tell you guys how much I love Lola. She's quirky, knows what she wants and isn't afraid to get it. Her life is in costume and as you know, kids in high school can be are brutal. But so what? The only opinions that matter are from the ones you hold dear. And even when life begins to, well, suck, Lola still holds her head up high. Lola's dads are also equally amazing. You can tell that they both truly love Lola and would do anything for her. They only want whats best for her, and really, those are the best kinds of parents. It means they're doing their job right. Plus, for some reason, I found a lot of their scenes hilarious.

Now, I have to say this because it needs to be said, but I hated Lola's boyfriend Max. From the beginning, he rubbed me the wrong way. Of all the characters in the book, he came off extremely childish (even though he's in his twenties), conceited and well, pompous. His rage terrified me. If I could, I would jump in the book and slap him across the face. Seriously, I hated him that much.

Of course, with that being said, I have to tell you how much I loved, loved, loved Cricket. He is basically the perfect swoon-worthy boy that every single girl dreams about. Sweet, thoughtful, corky, imaginative and oh, so amazing. If I could bottle him up and take him with me everywhere, I would. To be honest, he made the book for me. *Sigh* Why can't all boys be like Cricket?

Hilarious, fabulous and every other "ous" you can think of, Lola and the Boy Next Door will have you up for hours till you reach the very last page. It's one of those books you rush to finish, then read again so you can savor every moment. In fact, Lola now sits with my "go to" books (the ones I read when I need something I know will be good), sitting next to Saving Francesca, Shiver and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. In fact, I loved it so much that I loaned it out to a couple of my best friends, and you know what? After they finished it, they preordered it, so if you don't believe me, believe them. Preorder it, run out to the book store the day it releases, whatever it takes, make sure you read Lola and the Boy Next Door as soon as possible! You definitely don't want to miss it!


Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It showcases each blogger's most anticipated books. This week, my pick is Struck by Jennifer Bosworth.

Summary:"Mia Price is a lightning addict.

She’s been struck so many times she’s lost count. She can’t sleep, she’s covered in veiny red “lightning scars,” and repeated strikes have even stopped her heart on occasion. Still, Mia can’t resist a storm.

That's why Los Angeles, where it never rains, is the perfect place for her to find peace . . . until a massive earthquake devastates the city.

Now Mia finds herself struggling to hold her family together in a strange and terrifying new version of Los Angeles. The beaches have become massive tent cities populated by millions of homeless. Downtown is a wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the attendees drawn to the destruction by a magnetic force they cannot deny.

The blind prophet of a doomsday cult called the Church of Light, who predicted the earthquake with frightening accuracy, says a storm is coming to usher in the end of days, and only his Followers will be saved. Mia’s traumatized mom has become obsessed with the Church of Light, while her younger brother Parker is desperate to join a second doomsday cult called the Seekers. But Mia is the one both cults need.

The Seekers are recruiting people with an energy-based power they call the “Spark,” and Mia has it stronger than most. They claim the false prophet of the Church of Light will bring about the end of the world, and they are the only ones who can stand against him.

But without Mia on their side, they will fail.

Mia’s lightning addiction is both the key to saving the world . . . and destroying it."

Why I Can't Wait:Umm, dystopian world with a bad ass main character, with some kind of lightning obsession/possible power? This one sounds like a winner. A lot of dystopian books seem so similar lately, but this Stuck, sounds so different and unique and amazing. Plus, I love the cover! Lena wants!!! Lena wants it baaaad! :P

Expected publication: May 8th 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR

Dreamland Trailer + Giveaway

Dreamland is the third installment in Alyson Noel's Riley Bloom series, a spin off inspired by her bestselling Immortals series. To help celebrate the release tomorrow, Tara from Zeitghost Media and Macmillan have given me to opportunity to giveaway a copy to one lucky winner, but first, a little bit about Dreamland.

Summary: "Riley’s finding that the afterlife can be a lonely place when all you do is focus on work. So she goes to the place where dreams happen, hoping to find a way to contact her sister, Ever. She meets the director, who tells her about the two ways to send dreams. As a Dream Jumper, a person can jump into a dreamer’s dream, share a message, and participate. As a Dreamweaver, an entire dream can be created in a studio and sent to the dreamer. But Dreamweaving was outlawed decades ago, and the studio was boarded up. Thinking it’s her only way to reach out to her sister, Riley goes in search of the old studio. There she finds a ghost boy, who’s been creating and sending nightmares to people for years. In order to stop him and reach out to Ever, Riley is going to have to confront and overcome her own fears."

And, of course, the awesome trailer:



Amazing, right? Now, on to the giveaway.

To win a copy of Dreamland, all you have to do is watch the trailer and fill out THIS FORM. This giveaway is only open to US and CA participants and will end 9/25 at midnight CST.

Links:
*Alyson Noel on Macmillan
*Fan Alyson on Facebook
*Alyson's Website

**Special thanks Tara from Zeitghost Media and Macmillan.**

Good luck to everyone, and may the odds be ever in your favor.


XOXO

Hades Winner

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Hades giveaway. Now, without further ado, the winner of Hades by Alexandra Adornetto.

With 53 participants and the help of random.org, the winner is...

Kayla Bouy!!!

Congrats! I have emailed you and passed your information on to the publisher. You should receive the book within the next 6 weeks!

If you didn't win, you can still purchase Hades online. Plus, there are tons of giveaways ending this week, so be sure to enter those, too!

XOXO

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. Technically, I didn't get a lot in the mail, but I did hit up a few Borders and found some amazing goodies. I seriously can't wait to crack all of these open! Ch-ch-check it out!

For Review:
*The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas

Bought:
*It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han (Because my homie Ginger swears by these books!)
*We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
*Overbite by Meg Cabot
*The Dark And Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (FINALLY!)
*My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent (Still must find If I Die...)
*Almost Final Curtain by Tate Hallaway

***Special thanks to Farrar Straus Giroux (aka Macmillan).***

And that's all, folks! Feel free to leave links to your IMM posts in the comments below. I leave you now with my little man...

TGIF!!!

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at GReadsBooks! And this week's question is... Books to Television: Which books would you love to see made in to a TV series? or movie?

Ooooh, nice! I'm going to do two different genres, fantasy and contemporary. Let's start with fantasy. One of the best books I've read in quite some time is Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.



If this book was made into a movie, it would somehow be a mix of Lord of the Rings and Romeo and Juliet. They would have to find a phenomenal director because the graphics and stunts, costumes and characters would have to be perfect in order to truly capture this book.

Plus, check out the awesome third trailer to the book. Can't you picture it as a movie trailer?! The Brimstone one is my favorite thus far, but still. EEP!



If you can't tell by now, I love this book like whoa.

And my contemporary pick would be Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.



I don't care if they turned it into some ABC Family Movie of the Week. As long as they cast the perfect Cricket, we're square. I could easily crush on a real life Cricket. This book is so easy to fall in love with, as would the movie. Can I be an extra in it, please?

That's all I have for now! I hope your Friday is flying by quickly, and you guys have a safe, fabulous weekend!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It showcases each blogger's most anticipated reads. This week, my pick is This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers.

Summary: "It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up.

As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, everyone’s motivations to survive begin to change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life–and death–inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?"

Why I Can't Wait: I WANT THIS BAAAAAAAD!!! Seriously, Courtney Summers is one of my absolute favorite authors. I've read everything she's written, and have five starred/ loved them all. Not only do her stories get better and better, so do her covers. I mean, look at that! Creepily beautiful? Is that even a real phrase? It is now!

Expected publication: June 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin

Trailer + Giveaway: All These Things I've Done

All These Things I've Done is the latest dystopian novel (the first of three), written by acclaimed author Gabrielle Zevin. This book focuses on a girl, living in a world where chocolate and coffee are illegal. I don't know about you, but I don't think I'd survive 5 minutes! In order to get the full impact of this book, you have to read the summary.

"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."

Woo, if that doesn't get your blood flowing, check out the awesome trailer!



Wow, I'm in love! Now, it's on to the giveaway!

In honor of the release of All These Things I've Done, and courtesy Macmillan and Zeitghost Media, I am giving away a copy of this fabulous book to one lucky winner! Excited yet? Cause you should be!

All you have to do to enter is a) watch the trailer and b) fill out THIS FORM. This giveaway is only open to US and CA participants only and will end September 18th. The winner will be chosen at random, notified via emailed, announced on my blog and receive their prize shortly after.

Links:
*All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
*Trailer URL
*See Gabrielle on tour this fall
*Gabrielle's website

***Special thanks to Tara at Zeitghost Media and Macmillan books for All These Things They've Done! ***

Review : Frost

Title: Frost (goodreads/amazon)
Author: Marianna Baer
Expected publication: September 13th 2011 by Balzer + Bray
Source: ARC from publisher for an honest review

Summary: "Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school starts with a cruel shock: Frost House, the cozy Victorian dorm where she and her best friends live, has been assigned an unexpected roommate—eccentric Celeste Lazar.

As classes get under way, strange happenings begin to bedevil Frost House: frames falling off walls, doors locking themselves, furniture toppling over. Celeste blames the housemates, convinced they want to scare her into leaving. And although Leena strives to be the peacekeeper, soon the eerie happenings in the dorm, an intense romance between Leena and Celeste’s brother, David, and the reawakening of childhood fears all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. But does the threat lie with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind…or in Frost House itself?

From debut author Marianna Baer, Frost is a stunning and surprising tale of suspense that will have readers on the edge of their seats."

First Line: "Before I lived there, before any of this happened, I imagined Frost House as a sanctuary."

Thoughts: Normally, I'm not a huge fan of ghost stories, but this one amazed me. Creepy, eerie and addicting, Frost is one of those books that will haunt you days after you've already finished it. Be sure to check your closet, lock all the doors and windows, and have your night light ready because the fun is just about to start.

It's Leena Thomas' senior year, and she couldn't be more thrilled. Not only is it her last year of high school, but she also gets to live in Frost House with her 2 best friends. Out with the dorm drama and in with the family closeness! But, as you know, not everything ever turns out the way you want it to. Celeste Lazar, drama queen extraordinaire, broke her leg over the summer and with dorms being too much for her to maneuver around, she is placed into Frost house and becomes Leena's roommate. Not cool.

On the bright side, Celeste's gorgeous brother David has just enrolled into their school and with Celeste's broken leg, is around quite often. Bow chicka bow wow! Totally kidding, but the chemistry is there and pretty amazing. The only thing is, David is extremely protective of Celeste and the closer David and Leena become, the more Celeste pulls away yet demands attention. Oh, drama...how I love it so!

To top it all off, bazaar things begin to happen at Frost house. From broken vases, to torn clothes, and even pictures falling off the wall, something just doesn't feel right. Celeste blames Abby, Abby becomes defensive, and Leena starts making up excuses like the wind, even though it hardly makes sense. The roommates begin to divide, secrets about the Lazar family begins to unfold, and soon, Leena will begin to question whether Celeste is doing all of this for attention, whether her best friend is really that callous or if the truth is more frightening than anything she could possible believe.

One thing I loved about this book is how the relationship between David and Leena blooms. It wasn't just an insta-love type of situation. They actually got to know each other and develop a relationship rather than jump head first because it feels right. With so many "love at first sight" books out there, it's a breath of fresh air to find a book where the romance feels real and solid rather than just using fate.

Also, the story telling is phenomenal. Even when nothing was happening, I found myself completely engulfed in the story. I actually stayed up till 4am just so I could finish it. It's one of those books where even though there's the backdrop ghost story, there's also a great contemporary novel mixed in, too. I would have liked to see a little bit more of the creepy factor, but there was still enough to keep me interested and invested. The character development is sensational. You never know who to trust, and let's face it, life stinks when your friends become your enemies.

I do have a couple complaints, though. As far as the ending goes, it felt a bit rushed and left me somewhat unsatisfied. I felt like the questions I had where not answered. Instead, ended a bit vaguely, making the reader come to their own conclusion. Some people love these kinds of endings, but personally, I don't care for them. I'm just the type of person that loves concrete answers as oppose to the abstract. Also, Leena...oh sweet girl, you're spelling your name wrong! Silly complaint, I know, but from one Lena to another, I simply must share it.

Overall, for those who love ghost stories and even for those who don't, I recommend checking out Frost. If you are a fan of detailed characters, real life problems with a handful of paranormal activity, this book is right up your ally. Watch out for roaches, broken glass and backstabbing because all this and more is headed your way!

Rating:

Books For Trade!

Hey ya'll! I have some books I would love to trade for something else. If you're interested in trading, please email me at addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com. Here's the list...

ARCs:

*Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer
*Dark Eden by Patrick Carman
*The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
*Eve by Anna Carey
*Going Underground by Susan Vaught
*The Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp
*My Name is Mina by David Almond
*Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
*Dark Passage by M.J. Putney
*The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
*You Are My Only by Beth Kephart
*All The Earth, Thrown To The Sky by Joe R. Lansdale
*Dumpling Days by Grace Lin
*The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
*Tankborn by Karen Sandler
*Wildwood by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis
*Frost by Marianna Baer
*Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
*A Plague Year by Edward Bloor
*Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler and Maira Kalman

Wist list:

*Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
*The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
*Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer
*Stolen Nights by Rebecca Meizel
*Slide by Jill Hathaway
*Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
*Love And Leftovers by Sarah Tregay
*Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
*Everneath by Brodi Ashton
*Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
*The Survival Kit by Donna Freitas
*The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
*Truth (XVI, #2) by Julia Karr
*Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
*The Death Cure by James Dashner
*Beautiful Days by Anna Godbersen
*The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
*Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith
*Faery Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr
*Balthazar by Claudia Gray
*Catching Jordan by Miranda Keanneally
*There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
*Audition by Stasia Kehoe
*Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst


So, I know my wist list is long, but kind of difficult. I'm always open to suggestions, but fair warning, I have a lot of books, so I might be a little picky.

Thanks for taking a look at my list, and be sure to email me if you're interested in trading!

XOXO

Review: The Beginning of After

Title: The Beginning of After (goodreads/amazon)
Author: Jennifer Castle
Expected publication: September 6th 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: ARC courtesy of Harper for an honest review

Summary: "Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Jennifer Castle’s debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment."

Thoughts:I really wanted to love The Beginning of After and initially thought I would. Heart wrenching books are my thing! Plus, I love the cover. I don't know why and completely think it's just me, but for some reason, I just couldn't get into this book. Trust me, I'm more disappointed in myself for not loving this than the book itself.

The first 150 pages drew me in. I devoured them and couldn't wait to keep reading. I don't know what happened or when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I started to lose interest. I struggled to finish the rest of the book. In my personal opinion, I found about 200 pages to be incredibly unnecessary and, to be frank, boring. For me, I felt like this book was lacking depth and raw emotions, two very necessary things I need in order to truly fall in love with this book.

The characters were also a bit lacking as well. You ever see those actors who try to cry during a certain scene, but just can't? That's how the characters felt to me. The struggle to cope, the pain for their lost family members, and attempt to live life felt forced instead of real. I never once felt connected to any of the characters. In fact, I don't think I felt anything at all. Now, I'm not saying it's all bad. I did very much enjoy Laurel as a character. She's so brilliant and didn't care what other people thought. She just wanted things to be normal, and I completely appreciated that.

If you want a touching novel with this, that and more, I'd recommend reading If I Stay, then following it up with Where She Went. If you're planning on reading The Beginning of After prior to my review, please don't let me stop you. I know a ton of people who love and adore this book. Sadly, in my case, it just wasn't the book for me.

Rating:
(4 for the first half, 2 for the last = 3!)

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. I didn't get a lot of books in the mail, but I found some treasures at a Borders closing sale. Borders has been my bookstore of choice for years, so, needless to say, this is all very, very, very bittersweet. And I didn't go crazy, so yay to my bank account/credit cards! Anywho, on to my mailbox.

For Review:
*Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom
*Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

Bought:
*Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley
*Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
*Lips Touch : Three Times by Laini Taylor (If you can't tell, I kind of really love her right now, lol)

And that's all! Special thanks to Disney Hyperion and TorTeen! You ladies rock my world!

Feel free to comment below and leave links to your IMMs. I'll come visit you as soon as I can! Hugs to all, and have a safe, fabulous Labor Day weekend!

(!!!!!!!)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trailers (AMAZING!)

So, if you have talked to me in the past week or read my review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, you'd know how much I a)love it and b)am obsessed with it. Needless to say, I stalk Laini Taylor's blog quite frequently now. And I'm so glad I do because check out these ridiculously awesome trailers. I believe there are going to be 5 of them, which I'm assuming involve each of the main characters. Anywho, here are the first two.

#1: Karou



and #2: Brimstone (LOVE HIM!!!)



Next up (AND SOON, EEP!) is Akiva, the other love of my life. Once it releases, I'll definitely post it on my blog. Till then, be sure to enter my Daughter of Smoke and Bone giveaway, where I'm giving away an ARC to one US participant and a final copy to an international participant. Have a great Labor Day weekend, and be safe!

Review + Giveaway: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Expected publication: September 27th 2011 by Little, Brown & Company
Source: ARC from publisher for review

Summary: "Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?"

Thoughts:Daughter of Smoke and Bone has everything I love about reading. From the exotic, vivid setting, to the alluring and captivating characters and finally the elegant, brilliant writing, I easily fell in love with this book. I cannot tell you how many times I've put down whatever I was reading, just to go back, pick up this novel, and reread all of my favorite scenes. Really, it's that good.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone stands out far beyond all the other angel books. Why is that? Well, believe it or not, while this book is about the battle between angels and devils, it has nothing to do with religion. It's about war, freedom, love, sacrifice, pain, hatred, but most of all hope.

"Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well."

From the very first line, I was sold and trapped in the story for days. Karou is a normal seventeen year old girl, with a not so normal life. She was raised in a shop, where teeth and pain will buy you different levels of wishes. Brimstone, the Wishmonger, is the one who raised her and her family consists of chimaera, part human, part something else. She runs errands for Brimstone in exchange for wishes, where she uses them frivolously on things like her hair (it grows out blue).

All her life, she has wondered who she is, and how she ended up with Brimstone. It's not that she has lived a bad life, but that no one will tell her who or, maybe what she is. Then, while in a market in Marrakesh, she runs into Akiva, a gorgeous seraph with eyes like fire. He immediately attacks her, and she barely escapes, but yet, she can't help but feel something for him. What she doesn't know is that her and Akiva's lives intertwine in a way she never thought possible. And it will forever change.

What I love most about this book is how easy it is to fall in love with each and every character. While the story focuses mainly on Karou, you also get to experience other character's lives, such as Akiva and Brimstone. The chimaera and seraphim have been at war for as long as anyone can remember. All they know is war, but all the main characters are unique in the sense that they hope for something different. Something better that they never thought possible. The best way I can explain this story is from a line in the book.

"Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic."

I'm having the hardest time writing this review because, simple, it cannot be explained. It needs to be experienced by you, the reader, and everyone you've ever known or met. I'm not even kidding. Daughter of Smoke and Bone took my breath away and never gave it back. The love story behind it broke my heart, but also left me with, you guessed it, hope. This is one of the best novels I've read in quite some time. If this book is not on the best sellers list come release day, I will be shocked. I guarantee that this book will be the one everyone talks about, and really, do you want to be left out? I didn't think so.

Rating:


Giveaway time!!!

This is a bit of a double giveaway. I am giving away an ARC of Daughter of Smoke and Bone to one US participate, but I'm also giving away a pre-ordered final copy of open to both US and international participants (provided the Book Depository delivers to your area). WOOHOO!!

To enter, please fill out THIS FORM. This giveaway will end September 14th, so I can not only get the ARC out to the winner before the release date, but also so the final copy winner will receive their copy ASAP (hopefully on release day).

Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge Winners

Thank you so much to every single one of you that participated in the Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge. We all understand how much time and passion it takes to have a book blog, and appreciate all the time you guys spend on reading and reviewing books.

*HUGS TO ALL*

I wish so badly that we could each give you guys a prize, but sadly, there can only be three winners. Without further ado, the winners of the Ultimate Reviewer's Challenge:

The third place and winner of Prize Pack #3 is...



Kai from Fiction State of Mind for her review of Water Wars!

In second place and winner of Prize Pack #2 is...



My Words Ate Me for her their review of 13 Little Blue Envelopes!

And the grand prize winner, who will win Prize Pack #1 is...



Amanda from Letters Inside Out with her review of My Life Undecided!


Congrats to all the winners. I will be sending each and every one of you an email shortly. Please respond back within 72 hours or a new winner may be selected. Thanks again to everyone who participated in the challenge and all the Better Know A Blogger posts.

EXTRA special thanks to my 2 BFFs, Tiger from All-Consuming Books and Karen from For What It's Worth, for co-hosting this epic event with me. I love y'all like whoa.

Hades Trailer and Giveaway

Want a copy of Hades, the sequel to Alexandra Adornetto's bestselling book, Halo? Well, today must be you're lucky day because we're giving away a copy! Haven't heard of Hades? Let me fill you in!

Summary: "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."

If that wasn't exciting enough, check out the wickedly awesome book trailer:



To enter, just fill out THIS FORM. This giveaway is only open to US and CA participants and will end on September 11.

Good luck, and be sure to check out Alexandra Adornetto on tour this fall!

Links:

*Alexandra's tour schedule
*Facebook Fan Page
*Macmillan page for the book & author

***Special thanks to Tara from Zeitghost Media for hosting this giveaway!***