Friday, August 31, 2012

Crewel Street Team: THE TIME WEAVERS

I'm taking Crewel to the street...f'oshizzle...

Haven't heard of Crewel? What are you waiting for? The Guild to overtake and control you?

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.
The book releases on October 16, 2012. In the meantime? I'm spreading the word about Crewel in any and every way I can. I'm a Soul Spinster.

To those who are a part of my team, welcome! I am always happy to share my love of books with fellow bloggers. And I can assure you that, as team leader, I will do my best to lead us all to victory.

GO TEAM TIME WEAVERS.

E'hem. Check out the other Soul Spinster and their teams HERE. Then go a preorder you copy of Crewel today. [ Amazon | Barnes and Noble ]

Authors are Rockstars: Featuring Danny Marks




I am SUPER PLEASED to be a part of the Authors are Rockstars tour (hosted by Fiktshun and Two Chicks on Books). My author? The one and only Danny Marks. You probably haven't heard of him...yet...but you will. Soon, my friend, this guy will be taking the YA horror and thriller genre by storm!

Why, you ask?

Because Danny is quite the rockstar. He wrote a book entitled Velveteen. It comes out in October.

And, just to set the record straight, Danny's a rockstar for thinking up such a sweet character name. He also rocks the sunglasses/glasses (like a true rockstar). And what?!? He VLOGs! Yes, and his vlogs are awesome!! Don't believe me? Check out his blog and twitter.

So, Danny is funny, he comes up with cool names, AND he rocks the sunglasses/glasses. What else? He's an awesome writer. I have had the pleasure of reading an e-ARC of his debut, and it is fantastic. The writing, the plot! But I will save my review of Velveteen for another day.

So, in true "Danny Marks" style, here he is--doing a Q and A vlog.


 

Thank you so much, Danny, for being a part of this tour! You are a rockstar!

Danny was also generous enough to offer up a prize (opened INTERNATIONALLY):

1 SIGNED finished copy of his debut, Velveteen. 

How do you win? Enter the rafflecopter below...




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

WoW: The Program by Suzanne Young

The Program by Suzanne Young
Release: April 30, 2012

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone.


With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in.

And The Program is coming for them.



Um, yeah. Another 2013 release I cannot WAIT to read. Hopefully, it'll have a good dose of science-fiction, action, and romance. What you YOU waiting on? Leave links below.

- - - - - -

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Book bloggers present upcoming books they can’t wait to read and share their enthusiasm about new releases.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Review: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (Blog Tour Review)


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My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris
Release: September 11, 2012 
Source: e-ARC from Entangled for blog tour


On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic 
amore


Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

If there is one word to describe My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, it's "charming". This book made me smile from page one, and it's the type of feel-good book I want to revisit on days that I am down. So, if you're looking for a fun, light read, preorder this amazing book.

But, Cassie, you say--what is it about?

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century is about a girl, Cat Crawford, who is transported to sixteenth century Florence. The whys and hows are all explained in the book, but overall, it's a sweet and simple plot. Nothing jaw-dropping. Even so, this book is fresh, readable, and tons of fun! Cat is no ordinary girl, though. Her parents are very well known in the movie biz. You could say that Cat is "Hollywood Royalty". Her life, though, is far from glamorous. Her parents are divorced, her mother's scandals are printed on tabloids for everyone to see, and her father has a new fiancé. Yeah, her life isn't so great.

When I first started the book, I half expected to meet a selfish, spoiled, attention-seeking character who learned to tame her ways (thanks to some sixteenth century discipline).

And I'm pleased to say that didn't happen.

Cat is more of a loner. Quiet and shy, although not without some snark (and who doesn't love snark?) I was surprised with how quickly I took to her, how quickly I related to her struggles. And the people Cat encounters are just as amazing--including swoon-worthy Lorenzo and sweet Alessandra. When Cat returned to present day, I couldn't help but miss them too.

I would also like to compliment Harris on her ability to paint a very vivid picture of sixteenth century Italy. This book is relatively short, but it's certainly not lacking in detail. Her writing is descriptive, and yet, not overbearing. Moderation is always key, and I think Harris does a great job with it.

My one complaint is that I wish more pages were written to further develop the secondary characters and to further develop Lorenzo and Cat's relationship.  I wouldn't say that Lorenzo and Cat experience "insta-love", but it's close to that line. Even so, the chemistry between the two characters managed to erase all my reservations about how quickly their relationship developed.

And for those of you who are a little bit iffy on historical reads, don't worry. Harris makes a point not to bog you down with customs, rituals, and stifled language. This reads very much like a contemporary, despite its setting. Bottom line? Read this book. It's so much fun, and I can't wait to purchase a finished copy come September 11.

RATING: 5 SLICES 




Oh! And check out this tour wide giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Stacking the Shelves (15)



Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.




Send me a Sign (ARC) by Tiffany Schmidt from netgalley (Thank you Bloomsbury!)
The Archived (ARC sneak-peak) by Victoria Schwab from netgalley (Thank you Disney-Hyperion!)
Enclave by Ann Anguire from @KimCastillo
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey "purchased" for free from Amazon.
Shatter Me (ARC) by Taherah Mafi won from Jennifer Dee of Arcycling

That's all that I got this week! What'd you stack your shelves with?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

500 Follower Giveaway (Part Four)


I have passed the 500 follower mark. WHAT? That's insane! Thank you so much! And, to celebrate, I am going to host a giveaway! What can you win?

1. HB copy of Pushing the Limits by Kaite McGarry (SIGNED at her book launch)
2. All FOUR (4) Throne of Glass e-novellas by Sarah J. Maas
3. ARC of Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
4. PB copy of Across the Universe by Beth Revis
5. PB Copy of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

AND THAT'S IT!  The contest will go on for the entire month of August. I will reveal the winner come September 1, 2012.

How do you enter? Fill in the rafflecopter below. 

Rules:
1. Must be a blog follower
2. Must be 13 years of age
3. Winner must respond to email within 48 hours with mailing address, otherwise I reserve the right to pick another winner.
4. US ONLY. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 24, 2012

Review: The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Release: January 10, 2012
Source: Purchased 


Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind

I admit it: the hype behind this book and this author was too much to ignore. So, when I came across a signed copy of The Fault in Our Stars I had to read it. ASAP.

The Fault in Our Stars is about a girl, Hazel, who had cancer. She's in remission, but still suffers from the residual effects (meaning, she needs oxygen via a nasal canula to breath properly). Against her wishes, Hazel is encouraged to participate in a weekly support group. And that's where she meets Augustus.

Allow me a few moment to regain my composure.

*sighs*

Okay, I'm good.

I feel that this book is really about finding oneself. It's about learning to live life for the little moments. But it's also about the love between Hazel and Augustus and how it changed both of them for the better. Their banters, their chemistry, their love is tangible and real. I can't express how much I loved them both as individuals and as a couple. They're funny, snarky, and wise beyond their years. Sometimes a little too wise.

What's interesting about this book, though, is that it evoked in me feelings of both sadness and hope. For the most part, hope won out. Knowing this book was about cancer, I was prepared to shed a few tears. That really never happened. Instead, I found myself letting out a happy sigh as I read the last page. It's not what I expected, but I enjoyed it and I can definitely see why so many people love it too.

And now I am hooked. I must make time to read more books by John Green.

I know, I know. This review is rather short and lacking in details. I'm just scared of letting out a spoiler or two because I did that with another blogger friend (sorry, Nikki). So, my suggestion? Buy or borrow the book and read it. See what you think.

RATING: 5 SLICES 









Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The Big Three ARC Contest

Are you eager to read Taken by Erin Bowman? Feedback by Robinson Wells ? Or Mind Games by Kirsten White? Then click HERE for more information. There will be three winners, one for each book! What are you waiting for? Enter NOW?

        


Now, I can't deny that I've been more than fortunate. I've received a lot of free books (won or for review). And it feels arrogant to say that I deserve to win, but I really want these books. Don't you? Actually, scratch that. I don't want these books. I need them. Like a flashlight needs a battery, like plants need to the sun and rain, like an egg needs a nest.

*sigh*

Anyway, check out the giveaway and enter now before it ends, midnight, August 23rd. The winner could be you. Or it could be me (which, in that case, would be good news for you because I'd eventually give away the ARC).

Enter now, enter now, enter now. Seriously, am I the only one excited for these books? ESPECIALLY Taken and Mind Games?!?! You don't have to answer. Just click the link above and check out the giveaway for yourself.

Breathe by Sarah Crossan


Breathe by Sarah Crossan
Release: October 2,  2012


Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe . . .

The world is dead.
 

The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.
 

ALINA 
has been stealing for a long time. She’s a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she’s never been caught before. If she’s careful, it’ll be easy. If she’s careful.

QUINN 
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it’s also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn’t every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her. 

BEA 
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they’d planned a trip together, the two of them, and she’d hoped he’d discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days’ worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?
This premise...so scary! Because it seems like something that could really happen. And for that reason alone, I cannot wait to dig into this new dystopian. I also applaud the cover artists. There's no girl in a dress here. Just a very grim cover that appears to match the interior.

What are you waiting on? Leave a link below.

- - - -

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly Meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. Book bloggers present upcoming books they can’t wait to read and share their enthusiasm about new releases.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Throne of Glass Blog Tour Stop [Interview with Sarah J. Maas]



I have the absolute pleasure of interviewing Sarah J. Maas for the Throne of Glass blog tour. Haven't read Throne of Glass? Don't worry, no spoilers here. But when you finish reading this post, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy today.

So without further ado, I introduce you to Sarah. 




THE AUTHOR


Sarah J. Maas lives in Southern California, and over the years, she has developed an unhealthy appreciation for Disney movies and bad pop music. She adores fairy tales and ballet, drinks too much coffee, and watches absolutely rubbish TV shows. When she's not busy writing YA fantasy novels, she can be found exploring the California coastline.







THE INTERVIEW

CASSIE: I know you're a big fan of music (especially soundtracks). If you could come up with a soundtrack describing your road to publication, which songs would you include?

SARAH: Oooh, love this question! Well, I think my soundtrack would be the cheesiest soundtrack EVER, but it’d include: “Go the Distance” by Michael Bolton, “Astonishing” from the Little Women Musical, “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson, “Don’t Rain On My Parade” by Barbara Streisand, and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Judy Garland.

CASSIE: Okay, be honest--who do YOU prefer: Chaol or Dorian? 

SARAH:Dude, you KNOW I can’t answer that! My lips are sealed (but I do have my preference). Let me just tell the FictionPress crowd that the series no longer ends the way they think it does. ;)

CASSIE: Did you write other books before Throne of Glass? 

SARAH: Well, ToG was my first book...but it took so long to write and get published that I've written several books int he meantime, which are now in the various stages of being polished. 

CASSIE:  Are the characters in Throne of Glass based off of anyone you know personally?

SARAH: Nope! The closest any character has come to being based off anyone is Ansel (from the ToG novellas), but it was her relationship that was mostly based off of personal experience, not her personality.

CASSIE:What were some of the toughest changes you had to make while editing Throne of Glass?

SARAH: Tightening. Learning to murder my darlings and cut scenes or lines that ultimately weren’t moving along the plot.

CASSIE: Who would win in a fight: Dorian, Chaol, Nehemia, or Celaena?

SARAH: Hmmm. Dorian would go down pretty quickly. I’d say that it’d wind up being a toss-up between Chaol and Celaena, but Nehemia might somehow find a way to outwit them all.

CASSIE: Which character in Throne of Glass would have the best "poker face"? 

SARAH: Chaol. Most definitely Chaol. Dude is a Vault of Secrets.

CASSIE: What are your plans for the future? Will you stick with YA fantasy? Or do you have other non-fantasy ideas  that you're itching to write about?

SARAH: I think my plan right now is to just write. Write the stories that are in my head and in my heart. Some of those stories are YA, some are adult, some are fantasy, some are sci-fi (or other). I think my soul will always be in fantasy, but I’m excited to see where this road will take me.

CASSIE: Cake or Cookies? And which would Celaena prefer?  

SARAH: Cake! (Celaena says: “CAKE!” too). Though cookies are a better writing food, since they involve minimal dishes/clean-up (and I am the laziest person when I’m busy writing).

CASSIE: And lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring writers? 

SARAH: Read a lot, write a lot, and don’t give up. People are going to tell you that you can’t do it, that you should write “real” books, that you’re not good enough. Don’t listen to them. It’s a long road, and a tough one, but keep your head held high. It’s not about how many times you get knocked down—it’s how many times you get back up. 

Sarah, thank you SO MUCH for stopping by. Your road to publication is a encouragement to me, and I know, many other fiction press writers. I cannot wait for book two!!

THE BOOK



Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Release: August 7, 2012 



After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.


Her opponents are menthieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.


Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
If all that isn't enough to convince you, read my review below!! 

RE-review: Throne of Glass

**This is merely a reposting of my Throne of Glass review, for blog tour purposes**


Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Release: August 7, 2012 



After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.


Her opponents are menthieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.


Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.



Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined


Once Upon a Time, a little story was posted on fiction press. It was called Queen of Glass, and in the years that followed, the story gained thousands of loyal fans. I did not become a fan until back in 2007. I had never heard of Queen of Glass, and the summary was fairly vague. Admittedly, I was more curious about the number of reviews. I wanted to see what the rave was all about...

And I am SO glad I did.

My Senior year in High School was spent in the world Sarah had created, and the characters that inhabited it, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

But Sarah took her story down, in 2008, to pursue publication. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing I couldn't visit the world of Queen of Glass at whim. However, the promise of holding a published copy was more than enough to keep me satisfied. Fast forward a few years, and the story has changed. It's a series now, with a slightly younger Celaena and a new title: Throne of Glass.  When I found that I won the ARC on Sarah's blog, I screamed for joy. Literally. And when it arrived in the mail, I screamed for joy again. And then I proceeded to consume its pages. Figuratively.

So let me just say that reading Throne of Glass was....

Just. Plain. Magical.

It lived up to EVERY SINGLE expectation I had, and then some.

Throne of Glass is the story of Adarlan's most infamous assassin: Celaena Sardothin. In a series of events, the assassin is betrayed, captured, and sent to spend the rest of her life serving in the Endovier Salt Mines. She does this for one year, until the eighteen-year-old killer is summoned by the Prince. He offers her a proposition: compete in his father's competition for the "privilege" of being the King's personal assassin or die in the Salt mines. Neither choice is appealing, but the promise of freedom is something Celaena can't resist. And thus, the story unfolds...

First, I adore Celaena. I already knew I would, but she is a character worth noting. Or she'll force you to take notice with a sword at your throat. Yeah, she's pretty kick-butt. She's vain, strong, passionate, head-strong, brave, determined, snarky, arrogant, and just plain awesome. She's more than just your typical, mindless killing assassin. She has a heart underneath her cold exterior. And the two guys to that melt her icy heart are just as amazing: Prince Dorian and Chaol Westfall.

As I said, it's been a while since I read Queen of Glass on Fictionpress. But I remember enough to know that Dorian didn't make too big of an impression in the first draft. Maybe it was because I was younger. Or maybe it was because I was too caught up in the world and plot. In Throne of Glass, though, Dorian stole my heart. His banters with Celaena never ceased to bring a smile to my face. And Chaol, he has my undying admiration and sympathy. It's hard to say which pairing I like best, so for now, I'll just say they are both amazing.

And that's what I love about the love triangle in Throne of Glass: It's not silly or contrived. Both guys compliment Celaena in very different ways, but love hardly enters the picture until the end! The girl doesn't even kiss one of the guys until the last 1/3 of the book! This is no infatuation or lust. It is admiration and respect from both sides. The word 'love' is never, ever used lightly in this book. Dorian and Chaol grow to appreciate Celaena for who she is and who she has become.

I also love that Sarah made a female "nemesis" that I actually felt sorry for. Kaltain is far more than just the typical "b-tchy" girl. She has motives and dreams. She experiences loss just like any of us and I hope she will make an appearance in later books. The fact that Sarah wrote a few scenes from Kaltain, Chaol, and Dorian's point of view was a sweet surprise and made me love each character more.

But enough about characters. Let's talk about the world! I was immediately sucked into the world that Sarah created. It's not overly complicated, but it's still fascinating and mesmorizing. The details Maas provides is just enough that I never felt overwhelmed (a symptom of author info-dump). And the plot! It was just as gripping and exciting as I remember and kept me reading long into the night. It is far more stream-lined and better paced than the Fiction Press draft.

And those last fifty pages were the definition of EPIC. I will say no more, though, because that would spoil the surprise and suspense.

Simply put, Throne of Glass is everything I hoped (and imagined) it would be. The wait for book two will be agonizing!!!!!!! The only consolation is that there is no major cliffhanger at the end. Just the promise of exciting adventures to come and I can't wait for Maas to take me back into the world of Erilea.

Thank you, Sarah, for providing the ARC and  for writing such a beautiful story.


RATING: 5 INCREDIBLY JUICY SLICES


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Stacking the Shelves (14)



Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.



This Stacking the Shelves was reordered yesterday (8/18).



Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (Borrowed from Library)
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger (Borrowed from Library)
Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins - Bought
The Hunger Games Blu-Ray

**NOTE: I know, I've been HORRIBLE at responding to WoW and StS posts. I'm sorry. Life is just getting hectic right now, but I promise all comments will be responded to within the next day or two. I apologize, I really do appreciate each and every comment I receive.**

Saturday, August 18, 2012

500 Follower Giveaway (Part Three)

I have passed the 500 follower mark. WHAT? That's insane! Thank you so much! And, to celebrate, I am going to host a giveaway! What can you win?

1. HB copy of Pushing the Limits by Kaite McGarry (SIGNED at her book launch)
2. All FOUR (4) Throne of Glass e-novellas by Sarah J. Maas
3. ARC of Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
4. PB Copy of Across the Universe by Beth Reeves 
AND MORE! The contest will go on for the entire month of August. I will reveal the last prize on Saturday, August 25th

How do you enter? Fill in the rafflecopter below. 

Rules:
1. Must be a blog follower
2. Must be 13 years of age
3. Winner must respond to email within 48 hours with mailing address, otherwise I reserve the right to pick another winner.
4. US ONLY. 



a Rafflecopter giveaway