Day Scorpio: 13th Sign Preorder Contest

Welcome to DAY SCORPIO of 13 Days of THE 13^TH SIGN Preorder Contest! SCORPIO is traditionally considered to be the eighth sign of the zodiac. SCORPIO characteristics include: intense, successful, kind, sarcastic, brooding, and loving. (Want to learn more about your 12-sign horoscope, your 13-sign horoscope, and which horoscope sign you ACT like? Take THE 13^TH SIGN quiz!)

I (Citrus Reads) am happy to host Day Eight of this contest!

So. What is this contest all about?

If you preorder a copy of THE 13^TH SIGN by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, you will be entered into a contest! Where you can WIN THINGS! And there are new prizes every day!

And. EVERY preorder will be *matched* by a $1.00 donation to RIF, a literacy program committed to placing books in the hands of kids who need them most.

About the book:

What if there was a 13th zodiac sign? 



You’re no longer Sagittarius, but Ophiuchus, the healer, the 13th sign. 



Your personality has changed. So has your mom’s and your best friend’s. 



What about the rest of the world? 



What if you were the one who accidentally unlocked the 13th sign, causing this world-altering change, and infuriating the other 12 signs?  



Jalen did it, and now she must use every ounce of her strength and cunning to send the signs back where they belong. Lives, including her own, depend upon it.

What can I win TODAY?

If you preorder THE 13^TH SIGN today, Friday, November 30^th, you could win:

-key charm

-Signed copy of THE DARK UNWINDING by Sharon Cameron

-signed 13^th Sign swag

-signed paperback of AUTUMN WINIFRED OLIVER DOES THINGS DIFFERENT by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

-a 13^th SIGN tshirt

How do I enter?

Preorder THE 13^TH SIGN! You can preorder it through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indiebound, or through your local independent bookstore. Then email your receipt TO KRISTIN at ktubb@comcast.net. You will be entered into that day’s drawing, the grand prize drawing, and your purchase will be *matched* by a $1.00 donation to RIF!

Are there other ways to enter the contest?

Yep!  You can be entered into the daily prize drawings by doing one or more of the following:

-Each preorder of THE 13^TH SIGN = 10 entries into grand prize drawing and 10 entries into that day’s drawing

- Each person who blogs about the contest = 10 entries into that day’s drawing

-Each person who changes Twitter or Facebook avatar to cover = 5 entries into that day’s drawing (for each day it is present)

-Each Tweet or Facebook status mention of the book and contest = 2 entries for that day’s drawing (must include hashtag #the13thsign)

-Each RT of book and/or contest = 1 entry for that day’s drawing

BUT. You have to preorder THE 13^TH SIGN to enter to win the grand prize and to have your purchase matched with a RIF donation.

ALSO. To make sure you get the correct amount of entries, please let Kristin know if you’ve done any of the above! You can email her at ktubb@comcast.net with everything you’ve done to enter.

What is the grand prize?

A Nexus 7 ereader! BOOM. The grand prize winner will be announced on Kristin’s blog on Friday, December 7.

How long does the preorder contest last?

13 days total! You can visit these other blogs for each day’s prizes:

DAY ARIES: The Book Vortex

DAY TAURUS:  The Housework Can Wait

DAY GEMINI:  Magnet 4 Books

DAY CANCER:  Abby the Librarian

DAY LEO:  Mother Daughter Book Club

DAY VIRGO: S. R. Johannes/Market My Words

DAY LIBRA: Elizabeth O. Dulemba

DAY SCORPIO:  Citrus Reads

DAY OPHIUCHUS: Young Adult Books Central

DAY SAGITTARIUS: Bloggers [heart] Books

DAY CAPRICORN: - Middle Grade Mafioso

DAY AQUARIUS: Smack Dab in the Middle

DAY PISCES: From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle Grade Authors

Good luck! And don’t forget to take THE 13^TH SIGN quiz! J

Review: Renegade

Renegade by J. A. Sounders

Release: November 13, 2012
Source: From Publisher via net-galley

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. Her memories have been altered. Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

Renegade is just...wow...

It blew my socks off.

Let me start off by saying this is a very disturbing and bloody book. Evie is the daughter of the people. She's groomed to be a shining beacon in her underwater utopia, free from savage surface dwellers. But things are not what they seem, and her world is far from perfect. Slowly, Evie begins to uncover secrets that make her question everything she's ever been told.

What follows is an action-packed, but thought-provoking story about learning the truth and finding oneself.

The writing was exquisite, and I loved Evie. She's strong, The story was also well-paced. I was glued to my kindle from page one because I needed to find out what was going on! And I love the J.A. Souders managed to keep me guessing! It's not often that that happens. Even the romance, while verging on instalove, was decently done. There's no love triangle and I really think Gavin and Evie complimented each other well.

I really want to say more, but it's a book better read and experienced.

RATING: 5 SLICES

Five Books & Authors I Am Thankful For

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you all are having a good one. To celebrate, I've decided to do a post on Books and Authors I am thankful for.

In no particular order...



Stephanie Perkins

She writes books that make me smile, giggle, and swoon. Her books just make my day that much brighter. So thank you, Stephanie, for making me smile.

Throne of Glass & Sarah J. Maas

I was a fictionpress reader. Sarah's journey has taught me that dreams can come true. Sure, publishing has it's ups and downs, but if it's what you want, it's a dream worth pursuing. So thank you, Sarah, for inspiring me.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This book, believe it or not, really got me into YA. I remember hearing good things about the book, so I picked it up at my local B&N. I started reading, and was hooked. Ten minutes later, I was in the check-out line. I love this series to death, so thank you Suzanne, for introducing me to a wonderful new world of books. 

Ruta Sepetys

Ruta is extremely talented. She writes YA historical, which isn't a popular genre. But believe me when I say that Ruta's books are powerful. She writes about life and death with such an honest voice. No sugar coating. So thank you, Ruta, for touching my soul and writing the truth.

Jane Austen

I remember reading Pride and Prejudice, and struggling with the language. Still, I loved the challenge and I savored each moment. When I came to FINIS, I knew I was a reader for life. Thank you, Jane Austen, for introducing me to timeless classics. 

WoW: The Archived

^

The Archived by Victoria Schwab 

Release: January 22, 2012 

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

This book looks SO GOOD and unique. I also like that there's little focus on the romance and more focus on the dangers and the world. After all, it's the world I'm curious about. "Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books?". Fascinating! And Victoria is a local Nashville author, so I can't wait for it to release and get my copy signed.

What are you all waiting on this week?

 - - - -
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.

Review: Meant to Be

Meant to Be by Laruen Morrill
Release: November, 13, 2012
Source: eARC from publisher

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be

"Cute" does not even begin to describe this book!

On a spring break class trip to London, Julia is determined to take in some culture. What she didn't expect was to find love. After all, she already knows who she will end up with: her childhood crush  Mark Bixford. She believes he's the perfect match for her in every way...

Then the straight-laced, straight-A, student is paired with Jason and things get interesting.

Julia's voice just oozes off of these pages. She's honest, direct, and even a little funny! Throughout the whole book, I couldn't stop comparing it to Anna and the French Kiss. Sometimes, comparing two books means the death of one, but this isn't so. Both have so much charm and humor, it's hard not to to love them both.  The whole time I was reading, I  had this ridiculous smile on my face...and I am still smiling just thinking about Julia and her London adventure.

I also really liked Jason. He's not your stereotypical "bad boy" or "class clown". There are many more layers to him than he'd ever like to admit. But they are there and it makes him that much more realistic.

 Was the book predictable? Yes. Did I care? No. Sometimes you just need something lighthearted and fun. This is one of those books and I cannot recommend it enough.

RATING: 5 SLICES

Review: Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

Release: March 22, 2011

Source: Purchased 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Fifteen-year-old Lina is a Lithuanian girl living an ordinary life—until Soviet officers invade her home and tear her family apart. Separated from her father and forced onto a crowded train, Lina, her mother, and her young brother make their way to a Siberian work camp, where they are forced to fight for their lives. Lina finds solace in her art, documenting these events by drawing. Risking everything, she imbeds clues in her drawings of their location and secretly passes them along, hoping her drawings will make their way to her father's prison camp. But will strength, love, and hope be enough for Lina and her family to survive?

How can I even begin to describe my love for Between Shades of Gray? It's just an ordinary book about an ordinary girl just trying to survive. So why did I love it? What made me turn the pages until I reached the end? Maybe it was the writing. Maybe it was Lina's courage and sense of determination. Maybe I was impacted by the brutality Lina described with her honest and poignant voice.

Like I said, Between Shades of Gray is a book about survival. Lina is looking forward to attending art school, when her world turns upside down. Forced to pack and leave her home in the middle of the night, Lina and her family travel the desolate and chilly landscape as prisoners and victims of Stalin's reign. Yes, this is a book about World War II. Yes, this book is historical.

Groan and moan all you want, but I urge every reader (young and old) to read Between Shades of Gray. Unlike most historicals, Ruta's writing is not bogged down by descriptions and facts. Lina's narrative is honest and choppy, but Ruta still manages to make it beautiful and believable. By the end, my eyes were filled with tears. My heart ached for all those who suffered during World War II--be they Lithuanian, Jews, or military officials coerced into doing unspeakable things.

Bottom line: read this book. I can't recommend it enough.

RATING: 5 SLICES 

Review + Playlist: Greta and the Goblin King (Blog Tour)

Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs 

Release: November 13, 2012

Source: e-ARC from publisher 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

While trying to save her brother from a witch’s fire four years ago, Greta was thrown in herself, falling through a portal to Mylena, a dangerous world where humans are the enemy and every ogre, ghoul, and goblin has a dark side that comes out with the eclipse. 

To survive, Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young goblin king, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her will to escape. 

But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. An ancient evil knows she’s the key to opening the portal, and with the next eclipse mere days away, every bloodthirsty creature in the realm is after her—including Isaac. If Greta fails, she and the lost boys of Mylena will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back..

Greta and the Goblin King was an interesting read about a bounty hunter just trying to survive. Ever since Greta fell through a fire portal into the world of Mylena, she's been trying to find a way back home. The world of Mylena is imaginative, filled with goblins, witches, curses, and a snow-covered landscape. It's very haunting, fascinating, and atmospheric. 

However, I wanted more. For example, what was Greta's training like? How did she specifically become a bounty hunter? How do Goblins and Humans differ in appearance? I don't think that distinction was ever made clear. 

In addition, the romance was frustrating. I liked Isaac. He was a fascinating character. While forceful, he never actually hurt Greta. He understood his boundaries, and never became obsessive. What I didn't like was the inclusion of a love triangle. It was ill-placed and had no purpose. At least Isaac and Greta's romance made sense, based on their past. I just wish Chloe Jacobs stuck with a straight-forward star crossed romance between Isaac and Greta. The little time spent developing the love triangle could have been used to describe Greta's first few years in Mylena. I would have loved to see Greta's growth in those years as she trained and hunted. 

But I do understand why Jacobs chose not to begin the story with Greta first falling into Myelna. It would have ruined the pace, and it would have taken forever to get to the heart of the story. Still, I want to know more about Greta's prior life and how she made a name for herself in Mylena. 

My favorite aspect of the book was the homage to fairytales (i.e. Peter Pan and Hansel and Gretel). I also think Greta was a strong, competent character, and she carried the story well. 

I enjoyed Greta and the Goblin King but there were a few key issues that kept me from loving it. If you are looking something quick, interesting, and fast-paced with a wintery and atmospheric setting that's filled with mythical creatures, then this might be the book for you. The ending promises more adventure, though, so I'll definitely check the sequel out if/when it releases. 

RATING: 3 SLICES

And, as part of the blog tour, here is my (very short) playlist: 

1. Stay With Me (composed by Clint Massel for The Fountain Soundtrack)

This song is so...atmospheric and perfectly describes the opening scenes of Greta and the Goblin King. 

2.  Morningside by Sara Bareilles 

The strong piano cords and defiant lyrics very much remind me of Greta. It also somewhat represents the sort of relationship Greta and Isaac have.

3. Sway by Vanessa Carleton 

4. Set Fire to the Rain

I sort of think this also represents the relationship between Greta and Isaac. At this point, Greta is more broken, less sure of herself, and confused. But there's no denying her love.  

5. Moombassa (composed by Hans Zimmer for Inception Soundtrack)

This instrumental song fits the mood of the end of the book perfectly. There's a lot of secretes revealed. lots of fighting. The stakes are high, and this song depicts the fact-paced movement so perfectly. 

And lastly (but not least ) a GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Renegade Blog Tour

So guys, I was SUPPOSED to have a character interview, along with a review, for the blog tour but there were issues. I never got a copy to review, so here I am. Just promoting Renegade in any way I can.

Anyway, thanks for letting me be a part of this tour! I look forward to reading Renegade when I get the chance. It looks FANTASTIC.

Some information about the book::::

Renegade by J. A. Sounders

Goodreads

Release: November 13, 2012 

Since the age of three, sixteen-year-old Evelyn Winters has been trained to be Daughter of the People in the underwater utopia known as Elysium. Selected from hundreds of children for her ideal genes, all her life she’s thought that everything was perfect; her world. Her people. The Law.

But when Gavin Hunter, a Surface Dweller, accidentally stumbles into their secluded little world, she’s forced to come to a startling realization: everything she knows is a lie. Her memories have been altered. Her mind and body aren’t under her own control. And the person she knows as Mother is a monster.

Together with Gavin she plans her escape, only to learn that her own mind is a ticking time bomb... and Mother has one last secret that will destroy them all.

Some information about the author PLUS links::::

J.A. Souders lives in Florida with her husband and their two children and is an active member of RWA, DFRW, YARWA, SCBWI, and SFWA. RENEGADE is her first novel.

LINKS:

http://jasouders.com/ (Website)

http://jasouders.com/blog/ (Blog)

https://www.facebook.com/JASouders (Facebook)

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4880398.J_A_Souders (Goodreads)

http://twitter.com/jasouders (Twitter)

BUY:

http://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Elysium-Chronicles-J-A-Souders/dp/0765332450/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350339958&sr=8-1&keywords=renegade+j+a+souders (Amazon)

http://www.bookdepository.com/Renegade-JA-Souders/9780765332455 (the Book Depository

Giveaway::::

 a Rafflecopter giveaway