January 2012 ~ Jump Into Books

January 31, 2012

Waiting On Wednesday - Week 13

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.

This week my book is:
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Release date: May 22nd 2012

Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings.

Top Ten Tuesday

By Erin N 9:20 PM // No comments

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they will post a new Top Ten list that one of their bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join.

This week they ask: Top Ten Books I Think Would Make Great Book Club Picks

1. The Hunger Games
2. The Goddess Test
3. The Storyteller
4. Secrets of the Magic Ring
5. The Next Door Boys
6.Water For Elephants
7. The Gathering Storm
8. Fallen In Love
9. Fracture
10. Where the Heart Is

In My Mailbox (7)

By Erin N 4:53 PM // 5 comments

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from Kristi at The Story Siren.

Won/Gifted

The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice (Won from Cedar Fort on Facebook)

Haven by Kristi Cook (Won from Elle @ Simple Wyrdings)

Tangled by Erica O’Rourke

Torn by Erica O’Rourke

Torn/Tangled Swag pack (Bookmarks, postcards, etc)

(Torn/Tangled & Swag won from YA Scavenger Hunt & Erica O’Rourke)

All’s Fair in Vanities War Bookmarks (from Elizabeth Marx)

For Review
The Storm That Chased Me by Garasamo Maccagnone
Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (Netgalley)
Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz (Netgalley)
Allegiance by Cayla Kluver (Netgalley)
Mesmerize by Artist Arthur (Netgalley)
Legacy of Eden by Nelle Davy (Netgalley)
I Am (Not) the Walrus by Ed Briant (Netgalley)
Hollyweird by Terri Clark (Netgalley)

Winners...

By Erin N 2:43 PM // 1 comment

And the Winners of the Swag giveaway are.....

Christie C.

Jude H.

Alexis L.

And the Winner of the BeSwitched ebooks is.....

Margie M.

All winners have been contacted and have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be drawn.

Book Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda {Blog Tour}

By Erin N 8:08 AM // No comments

Fracture by Megan Miranda

Edition: Hardcover, 272 pages

Publication: January 17th 2012 by Walker & Company

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Source: Publisher for Blog Tour

Order: The Book Depository/Amazon

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine-despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

Book Trailer:

Follow Friday (10)

By Erin N 10:22 PM // 8 comments

Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted

by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read

Q: Which book genre do you avoid at all costs and why?

I try to avoid most heavy romance books, historical and non-fiction. I used to read the heavy romance novels but after I got pregnant 3 years ago, I stopped reading them. I have a hard time getting into them now. The historical and non-fiction books just never really caught my attention and I have a hard time getting into those as well.

***Note: For some reason only known to my computer, I cannot leave comments on others blogs, it's not fully signing me in, but I will guarantee that I will follow you back if you are new or if I'm not currently following you. ***

Book Review: Fairy Bad Day by Amanda Ashby

By Erin N 12:49 AM // No comments

Title: Fairy Bad Day

Author: Amanda Ashby

Publisher: Speak

Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Release Date: June 9th 2011
Source: ebook

Challenge: TBR Pile

Amazon/The Book Depository

While most students at Burtonwood Academy get to kill demons and goblins, fifteen-year-old Emma gets to rid the world of little annoying fairies with glittery wings and a hipster fashion sense. She was destined to be a dragon slayer, but cute and charming Curtis stole her spot. Then she sees a giant killer fairy - and it's invisible to everyone but her! If Emma has any chance of stopping this evil fairy, she's going to need help. Unfortunately, the only person who can help is Curtis. And now, not only has he stolen her dragon-slayer spot, but maybe her heart as well! Why does she think it's going to be a fairy bad day?

My Review:

A very awesome book. I absolutely loved it! The characters were simply the best ever. As I love fantasy, this has to top some of my lists.

While I loved the main characters, Curtis and Emma, I couldn’t help but love their mischievous, betting, helpful friends, Loni and Tyler more. Those two added humor and laughs to this great book.

While the plot was somewhat predictable and the ‘Pure One’ was also predictable, I still thought this story was one of a kind.

I liked this book so much that I’m afraid that if I keep on reviewing it this review will be nothing but a huge spoiler, haha. So I just suggest getting yourself a copy and read it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

Final Thoughts:

A great book for anyone that likes fantasy or for the beginner reader into the fantasy world.

Star Rating:

What Are You Reading Thursdays

By Erin N 9:11 PM // No comments

What Are You Reading Thursdays is a new feature I’m starting to discuss what we are reading that week. Each week we will feature the book we are reading and talk about it, tell what we like about it, what we don’t like about it and discuss what it’s about. Feel free to follow along with us and share in the comments what you are reading this week or post on your blog as well.

This week my book is: The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis

What I like:

I like about this book is the story. Even though I just started this book, the synopsis sounds amazing. So I really can't tell you a whole lot about this book right now.

What I don’t like:

I don't like the fact that the beginning of this book takes so long to get to anything good. It's a very slow starting book to me.

The Cover:

I think the cover is just simply beautiful, it was what drew me to the book in the first place.

What it's About:

Anna and Abel couldn’t be more different. They are both seventeen and in their last year of school, but while Anna lives in a nice old town house and comes from a well-to-do family, Abel, the school drug dealer, lives in a big, prisonlike tower block at the edge of town. Anna is afraid of him until she realizes that he is caring for his six-year-old sister on his own. Fascinated, Anna follows the two and listens as Abel tells little Micha the story of a tiny queen assailed by dark forces. It’s a beautiful fairy tale that Anna comes to see has a basis in reality. Abel is in real danger of losing Micha to their abusive father and to his own inability to make ends meet. Anna gradually falls in love with Abel, but when his “enemies” begin to turn up dead, she fears she has fallen for a murderer. Has she? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Waiting On Wednesday - Week 12

By Erin N 8:07 PM // 2 comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.

This week my books are:
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Leah Bobet

Release date: February 21st 2012

Summary from Goodreads

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

The Academie by Susanne Dunlap

Release date: April 10th 2012

Summary from Goodreads

Eliza Monroe-daughter of the future president of the United States-is devastated when her mother decides to send her to boarding school outside of Paris. But the young American teen is quickly reconciled to the idea when-ooh, la-la!-she discovers who her fellow pupils will be: Hortense de Beauharnais, daughter of Josephine Bonaparte; and Caroline Bonaparte, youngest sister of the famous French general. It doesn't take long for Eliza to figure out that the two French girls are mortal enemies-and that she's about to get caught in the middle of their schemes.

Loosely drawn from history, Eliza Monroe's imagined coming of age provides a scintillating glimpse into the lives, loves, and hopes of three young women during one of the most volatile periods in French history.

Cover Reveal: The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow

By Erin N 12:57 PM // No comments

Expected publication August 7th 2012 by Orbit

Emma Bannon, Prime sorceress in the service of the Empire, has a mission: to protect Archibald Clare, a failed, unregistered mentath. His skills of deduction are legendary, and her own sorcery is not inconsiderable. It doesn’t much help that they dislike each other, or that Bannon’s Shield, Mikal, might just be a traitor himself. Or that the conspiracy killing registered mentaths and sorcerers alike will just as likely kill them as seduce them into treachery toward their Queen. In an alternate London where illogical magic has turned the Industrial Revolution on its head, Bannon and Clare now face hostility, treason, cannon fire, black sorcery, and the problem of reliably finding hansom cabs.

Top Ten Tuesday

By Erin N 12:45 PM // No comments

This week they ask: Top Ten favorite book blogs

1. The Story Siren

2. Katie's Book Blog

3. The Magic Attic

4. The Busy Bibliophile

5. Stuck in YA Books

6. The Reading Fever

7. Ruby's Reads

8. Bewitched Bookworms

9. The Allure of Books

10. Sash & Em

Book Review: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

By Erin N 9:15 PM // 1 comment

Title: The Goddess Test

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: YA, Mythology, Paranormal Romance

Release Date: April 19th 2011
Series: Goddess Test

Source: ebook

Challenge: TBR Pile

Amazon/The Book Depository

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

My Review:

I quickly dove right into this book feet first. I was so engulfed into this story that I never wanted to put it down. I have always loved Greek Mythology ever since I was in high school, but this book has made me want to learn so much more about the subject.

The characters were so likable; I had an immediate connection with Kate and felt something for Henry. The match was perfect for the story.

Kate is very strong willed and determined to save her mother’s life, even though she is dying of cancer. They decide to move to Eden, Michigan (I, being from Michigan, decided to look this place up to see if it exists, haha) from New York City. Upon arriving in Eden, Kate almost hits a cow in the middle of the road, or so she thinks it’s a cow. And that’s just the beginning of the ‘fun’ Kate starts to have in Eden.

Soon she meets James and Ava. James is a little strange for Kate but soon finds him as a good friend. Ava on the other hand thinks that Kate is trying to steal her boyfriend, Dylan, and decides to get even with Kate. That’s when the accident happens and Kate’s world will never be the same…

When Kate meets Henry, he offers her a solution to her problem in the form of a deal. Kate reluctantly accepts his offer and starts to regret it. But as time passes, she grows fonder of Henry.

Final Thoughts:

This story was just great from start to finish. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good YA romance with a twist of Greek mythology.

Star Rating:

BeSwitched Blog Tour {Guest Post + Giveaway}

By Erin N 10:20 AM // 1 comment

I am so pleased to announce that this is my first official blog tour and I couldn't be more happy than to have guest author, Molly Snow, here. If you haven't read her books BeSwitched or BeSwitched Witch yet, don't worry, we are also hosting a giveaway for both ebooks after this guest post! And if you haven't checked out my reviews yet, make sure you do! Just click on the book title above and it will take you there. (BeSwitched Witch review still to come!)

And now, without further ado, Molly Snow!

Thanks, Erin, for having me!

A Writer’s New Years Resolutions

1. Clean my place. I get so obsessive about my writing that I put cleaning to the back burner. My dirty laundry pile gets way too high. One day it will turn into a monster and eat my family, if I don’t get on top of things. So, now I clean every morning before I write!

2. Write every single day. To me, this doesn’t mean writing in a journal or writing a poem or short story; it means writing at least 1,000 words a day for a novel or novella. If I do this, I can have a book written, edited, and designed every three months. I don’t want my readers waiting too long before another release.

3. Exercise. Sitting at a computer for much of the day really makes me worry about my health. I have genetically high cholesterol, so this is especially something that should be of importance to me.

4. Learn more about marketing. My books are no good if nobody knows they exist. Internet Marketing, to be more specific, is what I think I should know. More people are going to the Internet for their entertainment, so I need to think outside-the-box.

5. Read more fiction. This may be pretty shocking--I haven’t read fiction in over a year, maybe two! And the book was Twilight. I have been stuck on non-fiction. Growing up, throughout school, I read a lot of fiction. I even won what was called The Reading Olympics when I was in the 5th grade, for reading so many books within a three week period.

What resolutions have you made, if any?

Giveaway

Molly is giving away an ebook copy of her book BeSwitched and its sequel, BeSwitched Witch to one lucky winner. For your chance to win, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. There's no mandatory entry so following me or Molly's blog is completely optional, though very much appreciated. Good luck to everyone! When you're done, make sure to visit the author's blog for your chance to win an Amazon Kindle and signed paperback copies of her book!

The giveaway will last for one week, so make sure you get all your entries in....Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Night Sky by Jolene B. Perry

By Erin N 4:04 PM // No comments

Expected to be released March 2012 by Tribute Books

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.
As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums - she's way more than distraction. Jameson's falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honestly somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.

Blog Owners Pay Attention! Fight SOPA!

By Erin N 11:05 AM // No comments

Do you own or run a blog? Do you own or run a website? Do you advocate free speech? Than you need to read and understand this.

Imagine, one day your website is taken down. You don't understand why. You just review books. What's the harm? But none-the-less, your years of work is gone. You can't get it back. And even worse you are facing fines.

It sounds fantastic, but it's a reality that is around the corner.

Imagine a world where you can't preach what you believe on the internet. You words are erased out of fear. You can not be heard. Nothing you say will matter.

Congress is debating a new bill called SOPA. In short, SOPA will make any website owner responsible for any form of copyright infringement. Offenders can have their website removed, without trial or provocation. Offenders can also be faced with fines.

This doesn't sound like a big deal, does it? You don't promote pirated material on YOUR website.

The sad case is it has already happened. The DOJ already has the right to remove a website upon complaint of copyright infringement from any copyright owner. At the moment it is difficult to proceed. They need a warrant. Not much cause is needed to obtain these warrants, but they still need one. Numerous websites have already been removed from existence, many that were not endorsing pirating, because of such complaints.

SOPA will give the DOJ that much more power, they won't need warrants, and they need only a simple complaint.

Why is this a worry to you? That book review you just did? The one with the cover that you post as a picture? That warrants a copyright complaint. Unless you have signed authorization on file to use that cover, you are committing copyright fraud. It has already been upheld in the supreme court that bloggers do not always fall under the journalist shield act, so again, you are committing copyright fraud. Why it this a big deal? Have you read all those flair up of events of disgruntled authors and agents on Goodreads? Well, if they don't like your review they can have your website removed.

It's sad, but it is a very real reality. This is a reality that much higher impacts than that. Many websites may be forced to close up shop. This issue is so broad that major websites like Reddit, Google, Wikipedia, and Craigslist have taken action to show their support AGAINST SOPA.

I urge you, our readers, to follow these links. Contact your government representatives and show your support against SOPA. It will only take five minutes. But this is an important decision that can have such a huge impact on everyone.

Versatile Blogger Award

By Erin N 3:54 PM // 1 comment

I received an tweet from the Christie at Christie's Book Reviews saying she nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you very much Christie! I have never been given an award before, so thank you Christie, it truly means a lot to me! I work hard on my blog for others to enjoy and this says that someone noticed.

Now that I have received this award I get to nominate 15 Awesome bloggers, if you are one of them here are the steps to follow below.

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers for The Versatile Blogger Award.

2. Add an image of the Versatile Blogger Award.
3. In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you in a post with a link back to their blog.
4. In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.
5. In the same post, include this set of rules.
6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs.

7 Random Facts about me! :)

1. I love cooking, especially when I'm stressed.

2. I love sewing.
3. I own 326 DVDs (movies/Tv Shows)
4. I used to hate reading and now I can't stop.
5. I play video games (love my ps2 and ps3!).
6. I recently moved back home because of a bad break up.
7. I'm addicted to the internet.

My Nominees:
These are just some of the amazing bloggers out there! Check them out, maybe you will like their blogs as much as I do! :)

Waiting On Wednesday - Week 11

By Erin N 9:49 PM // 1 comment

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It's to spotlight upcoming reads which I can't wait to get my hands on.

This week my books are:

Above by Leah Bobet

Release date: April 1st, 2012

Summary from Goodreads

Matthew has loved Ariel from the moment he found her in the tunnels, her bee's wings falling away. They live in Safe, an underground refuge for those fleeing the city Above--like Whisper, who speaks to ghosts, and Jack Flash, who can shoot lightning from his fingers.

But one terrifying night, an old enemy invades Safe with an army of shadows, and only Matthew, Ariel, and a few friends escape Above. As Matthew unravels the mystery of Safe's history and the shadows' attack, he realizes he must find a way to remake his home--not just for himself, but for Ariel, who needs him more than ever before.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Release date: April 24th, 2012

Summary from Goodreads

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Top Ten Tuesday

By Erin N 9:30 PM // No comments

This week they ask: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend To Someone Who Doesn't Read Young Adult

1. The Mortal Instruments series
2. Harry Potter series
3. Any Sarah Dessen book
4. The Fallen series
5. The Infernal Devices series
6. The Next Door Boys
7. Any book by Sarah Ockler
8. The Hunger Games trilogy
9. Eclipse (my favorite of the Twilight series)
10. Heist Society

Swag Giveaway {Bookmarks}

By Erin N 7:30 AM // 2 comments

I have recently won signed Wander Dust bookmarks from 3 different contests, I didn't realize it at the time when I sent out my address for these. I also have some bookmarks from All's Fair in Vanities War. So I figured, what better way to enjoy these then to do a giveaway. This giveaway is US only (due to shipping costs and since I have no job). I will announce 3 winners (you heard right 3!) who will receive one bookmark of each.

Rules: