Friday, November 30, 2012

Review: Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

Dreaming Anastasia
Dreaming Anastasia #1

Author: Joy Preble

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Genre: Fantasy

GoodReads

Synopsis:

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college--until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams...



My Thoughts: I had been hoping to read this book since it was first published and I finally got around too it. Lucky that too, because I was certainly missing out by putting it to the wayside for so long. It got me so into the mythology and lore of Anastasia again that I just had to watch the animated movie (no matter how inaccurate it may be).

Anne is, I have to say, one of the most down to Earth girls ever to grace the pages of a paranormal young adult book. Oh, that guy you just met following you around like a creepy stalker? Ask him if he has been following you, tell him to stop and warn him you are going to call the police. What a normal reaction, I love it! Oh, a one-hundred year old immortal boy stuck at eighteen wants to kiss you? Instantly tell him how wrong it is that someone his age, despite his looks, wants any sort of relationship with a sixteen year old. I adore Anne.

Ethan (or Etanovich) is a Russian immortal who was eighteen at the time of the deaths of the Romanov family. He has to find the girl who is supposed to break the curse placed on Anastasia to save her life and finally set her free. He is full of old-world charm and can be virtuous to a fault.

This story kept my attention from the first page. It is full of mystery, folktales and lore about Russia in general and the events surrounding the revolt and assassination of Tsar Nicolas and his family. It has packed full of action and mystery and I enjoyed it immensely.





Thursday, November 29, 2012

Review: Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Starflower

Author: Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Publication Date: November 1st, 2012

Publisher: Bethany House

Genre: YA/Fantasy

GoodReads

Synopsis:

When a cursed dragon-witch kidnaps the lovely Lady Gleamdren, Eanrin sets boldly forth on a rescue mission...and a race against his rival for Gleamdren's favor. Intent upon his quest, the last thing the immortal Faerie needs is to become mixed up with the troubles of an insignificant mortal. But when he stumbles upon a maiden trapped in an enchanted sleep, he cannot leave her alone in the dangerous Wood Between. One waking kiss later, Eanrin suddenly finds his story entangled with that of young Starflower. A strange link exists between this mortal girl and the dragon-witch. Will Starflower prove the key to Lady Gleamdren's rescue? Or will the dark power from which she flees destroy both her and her rescuer?


My Thoughts: Oh. My. Goodness. How have I not heard of this series yet?! How has it not crossed my path until now? This book was massively overflowing with wondrous magical beauty. I can say without a doubt that this book rivals any Faerie story that I have read to date, easily.

I did not head into this book with high expectations. But before long I was completely blown away. I am at awe at how beautifully this story is written, no, woven sounds like a much better word. Because it's more like a masterpiece than anything else. Can you tell that I loved it?! Seriously though, if you haven't read this book yet, or were completely unaware of this series existence, like myself. You need to get your hands on this right now. All fantasy fans everywhere, read this, pronto, immediately.

This is book #4 in the series, but I read it without feeling like I was missing any details. I am thinking that the stories aren't completely related to each other. But I assure you I that I will be getting out there and reading the previous three installments as soon as I can. I have found a brand new author that I simply adore. Her writing carried me away into this amazing fantastical, and terrifying, stunning world. I was so sad when I closed the last pages because I was just not ready to go.

The characters in the story were all so incredibly developed. I gushed to my husband repeatedly with quotes from the book, and the incredible descriptiveness, immensely vivid imagery, and the characters within that I just could not get enough of. It was also such a fun read because it was like watching this awesome puzzle come together. We were given all these pieces of information and events that were seemingly unrelated. But as the story came together and all the pieces connected, it made the story that much more epic. Anne really has created a story to be loved by all.

I will be looking for more books by her, and definitely be wanting to read the rest of this series. Thank you so much to Anne for sending me her story. It's cast a spell on me and I've completely fallen in love. To all of you, I say again, go read this book. It's a must for any and all readers.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (46)


Waiting on Wednesday is an event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting.



Empty

Author: K.M Walton

Expected Publication Date: January 1st, 2013

GoodReads

Synopsis:

Dell is used to disappointment. Ever since her dad left, it’s been one let down after another. But no one—not even her best friend—gets all the pain she’s going through. So Dell hides behind self-deprecating jokes and forced smiles. Then the one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. Without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing spin out of control. But just how far will she go to make all of the heartbreak and name-calling stop?


My Thoughts: I'm always a sucker for a heart string puller. This one sounds like a heart wrenching journey and I'm curious to know more!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (39)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by  MizB at Should Be Reading

To Participate you:
-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS

This week's teaser comes from:


Starflower

Author: Anne Elisabeth Stengl

GoodReads

Teaser:

Imraldera screamed. It was a sound she should not have been able to make. Even hearing it was pain, the pain of fire and ice. In that tormented moment, the curse holding her trembled, then renewed it's grasp with agonizing strength that Eanrin and Glomar, both attuned to the workings of Faerie, felt almost as keenly as the girl did. Both gasped and recoiled from her, even as silence once more slapped upon her so heavily that she fell facedown in the street, her arms around her head, her body crumpled.






My Thoughts: I am so incredibly glad I got this book for review! It is so beautifully written and I am enjoying it immensely :) Yay for discovering new authors that leave you stunned.

Cover Reveal: The Midnight Spell


The Midnight Spell

Author: Rhiannon Frater and Kody Boye

Publication Date: February, 2013

GoodReads

Synopsis:

Best friends since kindergarten, Adam and Christy have always been the perpetual outsiders in their small town in Texas. The other kids call Adam gay and Christy a witch. On both counts the bullies are right. Their junior year in high school seems destined to be the same old same old until Christy decides to cast a love spell for Adam at the midnight hour. The next day an alluring and mysterious boy enrolls at school and sets hearts a flutter, including Adam’s. Meanwhile, Christy’s mad crush on the handsome football player Ian seems to be going nowhere fast and her witch puberty is making her life miserable. When a great evil arrives in town that threatens everything they hold dear, the best friends realize that finding a boyfriend is the least of their worries. Soon Adam and Christy will have to battle a force of darkness that has killed in their town before, and will again.




Rhiannon Frater:
Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of the As the World Dies trilogy (The First Days, Fighting to Survive, Siege,) and the author of three other books: the vampire novels Pretty When She Dies and The Tale of the Vampire Bride and the young-adult zombie novel The Living Dead Boy and the Zombie Hunters. Inspired to independently produce her work from the urging of her fans, she published The First Days in late 2008 and quickly gathered a cult following. She won the Dead Letter Award back-to-back for both The First Days and Fighting to Survive, the former of which the Harrisburg Book Examiner called ‘one of the best zombie books of the decade.’ Rhiannon is currently represented by Hannah Gordon of the Foundry + Literary Media agency. You may contact her by sending an email to rhiannonfrater@gmail.com.

Author Links:

***

Kody Boye:
Kody Boye was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho. Since his initial publication in the Yellow Mama Webzine in 2007, he has gone on to sell nearly three-dozen stories to various markets. He is the author of the short story collection Amorous Things, the novella The Diary of Dakota Hammell, the zombie novel Sunrise and the dark fantasy novel Blood. His fiction has been described as ‘Surreal, beautiful and harrowing’ (Fantastic Horror,) while he himself has been heralded as a writer beyond his years(Bitten by Books.) He currently lives and writes in the Austin, Texas area.


Monday, November 26, 2012

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder
(Lunar Chronicles #1)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publication Date: January 3rd, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy

GoodReads

Synopsis:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


My Thoughts: Sometimes I really do wonder why I wait so long to read certain books. Is it because I don't want to jump on the bandwagon? Or is it because I'm afraid it won't live up to the hype? I'm not sure. All I know is once I finally started reading Cinder, I freaking couldn't put it down! I've never really been huge on the whole Cinderella story (Sorry, I much preferred the Disney movies with the animal main characters), but mix a bit of science fiction and fantasy, even a bit of dystopia and you have something I love! Thank you Marissa Meyer for writing this! I'm very much looking forward to reading Scarlet and continuing this series.

Cinder is quite the character. As a cyborg, she basically has no rights and her stepmother hates that she's been left with her. I'm not really sure why, she at least has someone to work to pay her bills. She takes all of Cinder's money that she earns from working. Luckily, only one of Cinder's stepsisters is evil, except the one she loves gets sick, with a disease that there's no cure for ...yet. Cinder gets "volunteered" for medical research to create a vaccine, since cyborg lives aren't worth anything it seems. Miraculously, she survives and is immune. To say I didn't see the ending coming would be a lie. I quickly figured out who Cinder was and was eagerly awaiting the time she'd find out.

Just like in Cinderella, there's a ball. BUT, the Prince already knows who Cinder is, well he thinks he does. I have to say, when she showed up to the ball, I was laughing quite a bit with the image, I'm not going to ruin it for you though! Then the "glass slipper" thing. Poor Cinder. There really wasn't much she could do.

Again, I can't believe I waited so long to read this one. Marissa Meyer really did a great job writing Cinder and I can only hope the rest of the series is just as good, if not better. There's just something to be said for a great book with sci fi elements. Always a great thing. So, if you are anything like me and have been putting off reading this, please stop missing out and read it! I really had a hard time putting it down! You won't regret it! Luckily, Scarlet will be out soon!


Are Audiobooks more your thing? Well Cinder is available in audio format! Here is a preview of Chapter One for you to listen to now!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Owl Post (28)




Owl Post is a weekly feature at Owl Read It where we let you know what new books we got that past week as well as recap what reviews we've posted the past week. It's inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox meme. 

Jenn's Haul
Two awesome books for me this week that I can't wait to read, now if only I could stop being sick so I can read! And lots of awesome swag from the lovely Marissa Meyer!


Middle Ground by Katie Kacvinsky
*Thank you Thomas Allen & Son!!*
Croak by Gina Damico

Meghan's Haul:
I'm pretty excited about this weeks books :)
Won:
I  won this book during the Spooktacular Book Hop on Paulette's Papers. Thank you!!

Bought:
all by Rick Riordan
&
I got the Percy Jackson series second hand, they were not in pretty condition but I do loves books that need a little TLC so I cleaned them up and they don't look too bad at all :) Plus I got the extra Riordan book thrown in. Also, found another goosebumps book to add to my re-collection haha :).





Kristal's Haul:
I got a review copy of Prophecy Girl by Faith McKay this week :)


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Interview & Giveaway! The Kiss of the Butterfly by James Lyon


I recently read and reviewed The Kiss of the Butterfly by James Lyon, you can find my review here.
James was so kind as to take time out to answer some of my questions and even to offer up a copy for a giveaway! So read below to learn some more about James and then enter the giveaway for a chance to win an incredibly unique vampire story :).

Author Bio: James Lyon is an accidental Balkanologist, having spent the better part of 32 years studying and working with the lands of the former Yugoslavia. He has a Ph.D. in Modern Balkan History from UCLA and a B.A. in Russian from BYU. He has lived in Germany, Russia, England, Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Utah, and California, and spent the better part of 18 years living in the lands of the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia, and has worked in Macedonia and Kosovo. He has traveled widely, from Africa to Latin America to the Middle East, and all over Europe. He currently works in Sarajevo and bounces back and forth to Belgrade. In his spare time he likes sailing through the Dalmatian islands and eating Sachertorte in Vienna at the old Habsburg Imperial Court’s Confectionary Bakery, Demel. He lost his cat in the forests of Bosnia and can’t find it. If you see a black and white cat that ignores you when you call the name “Cile II”, a reward is being offered…provided the cat hasn’t turned into a vampire.



1.Let's start off by learning a little a bit about you, what can you tell us about yourself?

Books and travel have shaped my life. Travel has included Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. I have also lived outside the United States for almost 19 years. As for the books…by the time I was 18, I had amassed a substantial library and read many of the classics of world literature.

2. The impression I get from this book is that you are quite interested in the mythology behind vampires. You made them seem so very real. What exactly is your stand on vampires? What makes them so interesting to you?

No matter how deeply one delves into fantasy, the plot and interactions between the characters must be plausible. After Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, the pop culture vampire began to move away from its roots. The more it did so, the more implausible it became. So, in the search for greater plausibility, I traced the origin of the vampire legend back to its beginning (in Serbia, not Transylvania). I based my descriptions of vampires on those found in centuries-old South Slavic folklore, and then placed them in a modern context that was both real-life dystopian and historically accurate. I was also interested in vampires as a metaphor for other issues, that were not always easy to discuss and were usually reserved for more serious books.

3. What is your favorite scene in your book?

It is twilight at the foot of the Petrovaradin fortress next to the Danube River, Steven is standing on the cobblestone street outside Mrs. Lazarevic’s 18th century house, pressing a broken doorbell, wondering why no one is answering. A wrinkled old woman appears on the street behind him and begins to interrogate him, mistaking him for a thief. Upon discovering he is from America and knows Mrs. Lazarevic’s daughter, Katarina, she immediately assumes a romantic connection exists between Steven and Katarina and broadcasts it loudly up and down the street as curious neighbors poke their heads out their windows. When Mrs. Lazarevic finally answers the door, the old lady loudly lectures her that Katarina needs to get married and have children quickly, and gives here approval of Steven as a potential match, all to Steven’s embarrassment.

4. If you could pick any character from your book and spend a day with them, who would you pick?

The inquisitive bookstore owner, Mr. Niedermeyer.

5. It's obvious you did a lot of research to write this book, has history always been something you have been interested in?

I have always loved history, because I figure that it’s hard to know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are, and it’s even harder to know where you are if you don’t know how you got there.

6. What 3 words would you use to describe The Kiss of the Butterfly?

Real Live Vampires.

7. let's talk a bit about your taste in books, What are some favorites of yours?

I love the British children’s authors, especially those who wrote at the turn of the 19th/20th centuries. British writers have a long tradition of writing multi-layered children's books that are actually quite sophisticated and make equally good reading for adults: C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland, J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book, Rikki Tikki Tavi, Just So Stories, and Puck of Pook's Hill, Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows, J.R.R.Tolkien's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, etc.

8.Do you have a genre that you stick to, or do you like to branch out?

I love pretty much all genres and like to read widely. I’ve even read romance novels, largely because I have an aunt who has written over one hundred Harlequin titles. My wife and I will have even read them out loud to each other. It’s a great way to spend a rainy day at home.

9. If you could collaborate with any writer, alive or not, and write a story, who would you pick and why?

Either Mark Twain or Rudyard Kipling, as both had great senses of humor, were well traveled, and made great observations about life.

10. Is there any one book, or even couple of books, that you feel everyone should read at some point in their lives?

I have always felt that everyone should read the books of the world’s great religions: the Bible, Bhagavad Gita, Koran, I Ching, etc. These books provide millennia of wisdom and knowledge, and are the foundation of many folk sayings and phrases. They also give insight into other cultures and civilizations, and when you read them, you’ll find that there is no such thing as an original plot in literature. Everything you can think of in terms of plot twists, was written down several thousand years ago. This is especially important for authors of fantasy and paranormal books.

11.With books moving into the digital age, what is your take on e-book vs. print? What do you think the future is for print copy books?

There will never be anything quite like holding a paper book in between your fingers while lying in bed on a rainy day. I somehow suspect that in spite of all the current problems in the publishing industry, paper will continue to be popular.

12. If you could live inside the world of one book, which one would you choose?

I don’t know. I feel sometimes as though my life is a book that I’m writing, and it seems like an interesting enough book to me.

13. Going back to your own writing experiences, what has been the most rewarding moment you've had since being published?

Since I published “Kiss of the Butterfly”, I’ve met some really wonderful and fascinating people on the blogosphere. It’s opened up a whole new world, in some respects, and has also given me insights into how people experience books and relate to them.

14. At what point did you realize you wanted to be a writer?

That’s hard to say. Probably about the point that I realized I was writing hundreds of pages each year for other people, and not for myself.

15. What advice would you give to those out there who are just getting into writing?

Learn to accept criticism. Rewrite. Edit. Rewrite. Edit. Repeat. Share it with your friends. Ask them what they think. Listen carefully. Then rewrite and edit again. Remember, your real friends will be the ones who tell you they don’t like it, and then tell you why.





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Owl Recommend (12)



Owl Recommend is feature at Owl Read It where we try to help you find your next great read! :)


I absolutely LOVED both of these! Both are books that I was completely unable to put down and I feel that readers who enjoy one of them, will like the other.


Friday, November 23, 2012

Review: The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

The Space Between

Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Publication Date: November 14, 2011

Publisher: Razorbill

Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal

GoodReads

Synopsis:

Everything is made of steel, even the flowers. How can you love anything in a place like this?

Daphne is the half-demon, half-fallen angel daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. Life for her is an endless expanse of time, until her brother Obie is kidnapped - and Daphne realizes she may be partially responsible. Determined to find him, Daphne travels from her home in Pandemonium to the vast streets of Earth, where everything is colder and more terrifying. With the help of the human boy she believes was the last person to see her brother alive, Daphne glimpses into his dreams, discovering clues to Obie's whereabouts. As she delves deeper into her demonic powers, she must navigate the jealousies and alliances of the violent archangels who stand in her way. But she also discovers, unexpectedly, what it means to love and be human in a world where human is the hardest thing to be.

This second novel by rising star Brenna Yovanoff is a story of identity, discovery, and a troubled love between two people struggling to find their place both in our world and theirs.



My Thoughts: I really, really enjoyed this book.  It was kind of strange, but I liked it anyway - maybe because of it.  I also like it because it isn't a series.  Not that I don't love series', because I really do, just sometimes I don't want to wait years to know the end of my story.  Sometimes, just sometimes, I like to read a good story and have it be done.  There is something truly gratifying about it - even if you want more.

Daphne is the daughter of two of the most famous evil beings in the world - Lilith and Lucifer.  So, you would expect a big baddie.  Well, picture the opposite of that and you pretty much have Daphne.  She is super sweet and really fun to read about.  She really loves her brother Obie (maybe not so much her sister) and  likes to take care of people.

Truman is a self-destructive teen who has almost died multiple times.  Daphne tracks him down in connection to Obie and he then becomes and integral part of the story.

I even enjoyed the side-characters in all their glory.

This story makes you sympathetic to some of the demons that it portrays and gets you to second-guess some of the heavenly beings that appear.  The plot kept me interested and guessing and the characters managed to draw me in, which makes this novel an overall success in my book.  I would definitely recommend this book!



Thursday, November 22, 2012

Review: The Kiss of the Butterfly by James Lyon

The Kiss of the Butterfly

Author: James Lyon

Publication Date: July 22nd, 2012

Publisher: Self Published

Genre: YA/Paranormal

GoodReads

Synopsis:

"The smell of blood is in the air, I sense it even now. People thirst for it; the entire country is mad with desire for it. And now we are going to war with our brothers because they look like us, and because we can smell our blood coursing through their veins...” A mysterious letter starts a university student on a journey into the war-torn lands of rapidly disintegrating Yugoslavia. Naively trusting his enigmatic professor, the student unwittingly descends into a dystopian crucible of decay, destruction, passion, death, romance, lust, immorality, genocide, and forbidden knowledge promising immortality. As the journey grows ever more perilous, he realizes he must confront an ancient evil that has been once again loosed upon the earth: from medieval Bosnia to enlightenment-era Vienna, from the bright beaches of modern-day Southern California to the exotically dark cityscapes of Budapest and Belgrade, and horrors of Bosnia. Vampires have formed an integral part of Balkan folklore for over a thousand years. "Kiss" represents a radical departure from popular vampire legend, based as it is on genuine Balkan folklore from as far back as the 14th century, not on pop culture or fantasy. "Kiss of the Butterfly" offers up the real, horrible creatures that existed long before Dracula and places them within a modern spectrum.




My Thoughts: I know there are A LOT of vampire books out there, and most of them claim to be unique and not like the rest. But in this case, I absolutely mean it when I say this is vampire book you most likely have not read the likes of yet. If you don't believe in vampires, this book might just convince you of their existence.

While the story itself is a fictional creation, it carries with it a plethora of facts and information that definitely left me curious to know more,  as well as questioning myth and reality. The idea behind the story is that a Student gets sent to many foreign areas on a quest to write his thesis on Vampire folklore. What he finds is an abundance of stories and events that almost tempt him to believe they could be true.  When he digs deeper though, is when things get really scary. Some one is not happy about certain facts being brought to light, and this certain someone is quite powerful. So as he unknowingly plows forward on his quest for more knowledge, he is opening doors that are best left shut; and perhaps locked, bolted and boarded in my own opinion.

Not only was this a daring, scary, thrilling adventure, it is packed with so much information. Tons of lore is available to you in this story, with dates, places, events and definite details. If vampires are your thing, you absolutely have to add this book to your list. It's an awesome two for one, because you will learn so much, and you get to have a great adventure while doing so. I'll be honest and say that starting off I felt it was a little slow, and some of the information to be a little too much right away. However, the further I got in the more I wanted to know. Hence, the story seemed to be going by a lost faster because I had this urge to follow his dig into ever darker territory. Not too long after feeling it might be a tad slow, I had a complete change of heart.

Of course no YA or Vampire story is complete without a little bit of romance. There are romantic aspects, but they are not the forefront of the story. Even still, they did play an important role and it was very nicely laid out. The entire story in itself was very well written. It carried a certain elegance with it, almost an old fashioned feeling. You can feel that a lot of work was put into this story, and there is so much knowledge behind and among all the words.

After reading this, I have quite a different view of vampires. Much of what is commonly accepted as a vampire attribute is not  according to this story. It's full of new and unexpected details. Some quite eerie and most just really interesting. So yes, I think you should read this book. It is definitely a unique one in an ocean of vampire stories. So add it to your TBR!

Also I want to mention, I will be posting an interview Mr. James Lyon, and we will host a giveaway as well! The post will be made this Saturday so make sure to come back. Some very lucky reader will get a free e-copy to call their own.


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Blog Tour: ReAwakened by Ada Adams


I'm happy to have Ada Adams here for a guest post on her new book in the Angel Creek series, ReAwakened. I'm a huge fan of ReVamped and am currently reading, and really liking ReAwakened so far! Thanks for stopping by Ada!
***

Transitioning from ReVamped to ReAwakened

I’m a big believer that every book in a series should add something special to the story. Sequels provide a great way to grow characters, heighten stakes, and further the plot. My goal with ReAwakened was to up the ante and bring the series to a whole new level. ReVamped was my tiny, little baby. ReAwakened is its older, more hormonal teen sibling. Much more unstable! In a good way. ;)

What’s New? - Top 5
1. More, More, More!
ReAwakened has a lot more “everything”. While the novel is much longer than ReVamped word-wise (in fact, double the size!), it also possesses more action, more drama, more romance, and more character development. The twists from the first book are tripled! I think that a series should be like a wild rollercoaster ride, one that takes you higher and higher with each book, and I truly wanted to take my readers on a journey they’ll never forget.
 2. Character Development
Writing perfect characters is easy. Writing characters who possess imperfections but are still likable is the real challenge. None of the characters in Angel Creek are meant to be perfect. They all have a lot to learn. During the course of ReAwakened, each of the Misfits (as well as Dawn herself) are forced to grow and mature. I’m very happy with the changes that occur within the characters. We learn many things about their pasts and really get to see them as individuals.
3. Romance
My intention with ReVamped was to not rush the romance. People often feel immediate and irresistible attraction toward each other, but I don’t believe that real love can happen overnight. Therefore, the romance in ReVamped centered on building a solid base that could develop into something more as the series went on. In ReAwakened, it was my goal to deepen this romance and allow Dawn to finally overcome her fear of commitment. It’s a very long journey (and it isn’t easy), but by the end of ReAwakened she is finally able to see the importance of letting others into her life. There’s also more kissing. Lots more kissing! ;)
4. Maturing the Story
I loved the humor in ReVamped, however the plot of ReAwakened demanded a more serious take on the story. I tried to ensure that the characters still brought a lot of light to dark moments, but I think that a big part of growing a series involves maturing the characters and the plot. Don’t worry though, there are still fun LOL moments that help relieve the tension!
5. New Characters
I loved the characters in ReVamped, but the new arrivals in ReAwakened really helped to increase the stakes. My favorite is Razor—I enjoyed everything that he brought to the story! Dawn needed someone to push her boundaries and challenge her to “live in the moment” and he was the perfect addition to the Angel Creek family!
If you decide to read it, I truly hope that you enjoy! :)

***


ReAwakened
(Angel Creek #2)

Author: Ada Adams

Publication Date: November 27th, 2012

GoodReads

Synopsis:

Becoming a vampire guardian was Dawn Fairchild’s ticket out of the Scarlet House. Fresh off a successful mission, life in Angel Creek should have been great. But when her sort-of-maybe-boyfriend, Sebastian, disappears on a quest to help a beautiful vampire from his past, Dawn finds herself amidst a web of danger, lies, and deceit. Joining forces with Razor, an enigmatic rebel lacking both a verbal and a physical filter, and her band of Misfits—Brooke, Sophie, Hunter, and Seth—Dawn is thrust into a race against the clock to solve the mystery surrounding brutal Born kidnappings and come to terms with the sudden discovery of her own unique powers. With time ticking away and Born vampires’ lives in jeopardy, it quickly becomes evident that someone—or something—desperately wants Dawn and is willing to shed any amount of blood to get her. Dawn has only one chance to face her demons and overcome all obstacles standing in her way as she embarks on the biggest mission of her life—one that threatens a deadly outcome for all involved.


More About the Author:

Many people sing in the shower. I write scenes in my head and act them out.”

At the age of five, Ada read her first chapter book—Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for stories and characters found within the pages of literature.

In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master’s of Science in Education.

Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years, and is an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX. ReVamped is her debut novel.

She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.


Connect with Ada Adams:

***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting On Wednesday (45)



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting.


Sweet Peril
(The Sweet Trilogy #2))

Author: Wendy Higgins

Expected Publication Date: April 30, 2013

GoodReads

Synopsis:

Anna Whitt, daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a claim. She’d been naive about a lot of things.
Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.
When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?



I loved the first book (Sweet Evil)and I can't wait for this one to come out. I just love that the main character is at odds with two parts of herself! Oh, and Kaiden doesn't hurt - he is the Duke of Lust after all :) April can't come soon enough!

***

What are you waiting on?

***


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (38)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by  MizB at Should Be Reading

To Participate you:
-Grab your current read
-Open to a random page
-Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS

This week's teaser comes from:



The Princess Bride

Author: William Goldman

GoodReads

Teaser:

"He searched through his pockets for a moment, but they were empty, from the brandy. "Have you got any money, Fezzik?" "Some. They pay well on the brute squad." "Well I just hope it's enough to buy a miracle, that's all."


My Thoughts: It's been a busy week for me so I am still teasing the same book. But it's a great one so it's definitely worth teasing twice! I'm so glad I am finally reading this book after sooooooooo long :).