In My Mailbox (20)

**Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM**

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that spotlights the new books you received for review, swapped, or bought!  Here are the books I got this week!

Bought:

Forget-Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld
Succubus Nights by Richelle Mead 

Swapped:

Brightly Woven (arc)by Alexandra Bracken 
Hourglass, Evernight #3 (arc)by Claudia Gray 
Give Up The Ghost (arc)by Megan Crewe 

*Now you know what I got!  What did you get? 

Update!

Hi Guys!  I just wanted to apologize for my lack of posts this week.  I had the dreaded stomach virus..UGHH!  I am also busy organizing my MEGA-Swag Contest!  I have received most of the goodies that I have been expecting and the other stuff will be here before the contest closes.  I am so excited to get this contest up and running!  Hopefully I will be able to get it posted by Monday.  Here is just a little sample of some of the swag up for grabs: ("Prophecy of the Sisters" signed audiobook/bookmarks), ("The Body Finder" tote bag,stickers,bookmarks,signed posters), (signed copy of "The Pace", stuffed koala bear with Weston pins!, signed book plate, signed bookmarks), (copies of "Wicked Lovely" and "Ink Exchange", Court Bands(bracelets), temporary "Ink Exchange" tattoo), (Shadow Hills signed bookmarks/pins/magnets), (Forget-Her-Nots tattoos, pins, postcards, bookmarks) (Beautiful Creatures 'dogtag' necklace, reading group guides, sneak peek booklets), (Change of Heart soccer stress balls), (Angel Star goodies), (The Forest of Hands and Teeth signed bookmarks), and MUCH more!! Check back soon for a complete list/pics of what is in the 'prize pile'!  Thanks again to all of the authors that have generously donated goodies!  If any author is interested in adding goodies to the prize pile let me know!  I would love to include you!!

Waiting On Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill from Breaking The Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Thirteen Days to Midnight
Written by Patrick Carmen
Release Date: April 12, 2010
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary from Goodreads:
"When Jacob’s foster father whispers, “You are indestructible” seconds before dying in a car crash that should’ve killed them both, Jacob never imagines he could possess a real superpower. To test it Jacob and his friends start indulging comic book-like fantasies. Later, they commit to use this amazing power of indestructibility to do good in the world and save others from death. But how do they decide who to save? And what happens when they blur the lines of life and death, right and wrong, and good and evil? Thirteen Days to Midnight is a nail-biting tale of dark intrigue, powerful romance, friendship and adventure."


Guardian of the Gate
Written by Michelle Zink
Release Date: August 1, 2010
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary from Goodreads:
"The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing."



*The cover was released today, as well as the new paperback cover of Prophecy of the Sisters!  I think they are beautiful, but I don't think that they have the same 'feel' as the the hardcover of Prophecy of the Sisters.  What do you think??

Now you know what I am waiting for!  What are you waiting on?

A Chat with Kimberly Derting, Author of The Body Finder

I would like to thank Kimberly Derting for joining me and for being my first interview!!  She is one of the "Tenners" and her debut novel The Body Finder is due out this month!! (March 16, 2010)  I am so excited about reading this book! I am also happy to announce that she has been very generous to me for my MEGA-Swag contest!  She donated LOTS of goodies for you guys to win!  I will be posting that contest within the next week or so!! So be on the lookout.  So now lets get on with the interview!!

1.   In your book The Body Finder, the main character Violet has the unusual ability of being able to sense and find dead bodies.  How did the idea for this book take shape and have you met any 'real' people with psychic abilities (not necessarily like Violet's) that served as inspiration for her character?

My husband and I were brainstorming book ideas one day when he threw out a random idea about a boy who could find dead bodies.   So of course I immediately changed the main character to a teenage girl (probably just to be difficult) and created Violet’s creepy ability.
...And is looking for your keys in the same drawer three times without seeing them a psychic ability?  If so, my husband totally has that one!              

2. Was your road to the publication of The Body Finder difficult?

With The Body Finder, things happened really fast!  I met my agent at a conference, sent her my manuscript, she signed me, we went out on submission and had offers all within a two-month span.  But before this whirlwind, I had plenty of rejections for another manuscript I’d written.            

3. While writing, do you have any essentials that you must have with you?

Other than my laptop and comfy pair of sweatpants, I really need my candy stash (which is getting harder and harder to hide from my kids).

4. How long did it take for you to write The Body Finder?

I think the first draft took about four months to write.  After that, I went through two months of self-editing before submitting it to my agent.  When I look back at my first draft, I don’t even recognize it now.  Thankfully, my lovely editors at HarperCollins (FJ and GH) helped me polish it into something I’m incredibly proud of.       

5. What is the easiest part of writing a book, what is the hardest?

The easiest part of writing is when you get into that zone and everything is coming together perfectly.  It’s seriously like a runner’s high!  The hardest part is always trying to find enough time to write.       

6. What is your all-time favorite book?

This is easy, To Kill A Mockingbird, hands down the best book ever written.  I re-read it every once in a while to remind myself of what true mastery looks like.

7. What are you reading now? And what books are on your immediate to-read list?

Right now I’m reading The Deathday Letter by Shaun Hutchinson (a fellow Tenner), and it’s awesome…very darkly humorous.  On my immediate list is another Tenner book, The Dark Days Of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk, Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr (because I’ve heard it’s amazing!), and The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan.  And only about a gazillion others!

8. The sequel (Desires Of The Dead) is due out next year.  Are you finished with this book? Do you have any other projects on the horizon that you would like to share with us?

Other than a few minor edits, I’m completely finished with Desires of the Dead.  I do have another project I’m working on but I’m crazy-superstitious so I can’t share anything about it just yet. 

9. What is your favorite activity that you do for fun?

If you’d asked me this question five years ago, camping wouldn’t even have made my top ten, because in reality, I’m simply NOT that girl.  But ever since we got a travel trailer (where I can take a shower and plug in my hair dryer), it’s probably my favorite activity!  We love trapping….err….taking the kids with us for a weekend of campfires, roasted marshmallows, and unplugging from the internet.      

10. What is your favorite word?

Son-of-a-Nutcracker!  (I know, it’s not really one word, but it’s my favorite non-swear swear-word)

11. If you could jump into a book and live for a day- what book would you choose and which characters would you choose to hang out with?

I would totally choose Green Eggs and Ham. Before you judge me, I dare you to show me another book where the two main characters do so many crazy things before having a huge breakfast! (And, btw, I LOVE breakfast!)    

I decided to do something a little different.  I LOVE MadLibs (yes, I know that I am probably too old to say that... but I do!)  So I wrote a short MAdLib about Kimberly's book.  I sent her the list of word types I needed and this is how it turned out!

The Body Finder MadLib

• Your Name: Kimberly Derting
• Title of your book: The Body Finder
• Adjective: Kissable
• Adjective: Stinky
• Adjective: Funny
• Noun: Pina Colada
• Verb(ing): Dancing
• Noun: Coconut
• Adverb: Extremely 

Kimberly Derting is the author of The Body Finder.  The kissable main character in the book has a stinky talent.  She can sense dead bodies!  Unfortunately, a funny serial killer is on the loose and she is the only pina colada who can help!  This book will have you dancing on the edge of your coconut and turning the pages through the night.  So go pick up this extremely exciting book by Kimberly Derting!  It hits shelves on March 16, 2010!!

Thanks again to Kimberly Derting for stopping by!  Make sure that you pick up her book The Body Finder when it hits bookstores on March 16, 2010!!

In My Mailbox (19)

**Thanks to The Story Siren for hosting IMM**

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme that spotlights the new books you received for review, swapped, or bought!  Here are the books I got this week!

Bought:

Night Road by A.M. Jenkins  
Token Of Darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes 
Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Darkside by Beth Fantaskey 
Pleasure Of A Dark Prince by Kresley Cole


Swapped:

Eragon by Christopher Paolini
The Rose And The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia Block


**Now you know what I got!  What did you get?

Review: Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

 Radiant Shadows           
(Wicked Lovely Series, #4)              
Written by Melissa Marr
Release Date: April 20, 2010
Published by HarperTeen

Melissa Marr DELIVERS once again!  The fourth installment in the Wicked Lovely series picks up where Fragile Eternity ended.  Before I started reading the book I will admit that I was a little bummed that Seth and Ash weren't the main characters of this book.  Radiant Shadows is Devlin and Ani's story.  Devlin is the brother of Sorcha (Queen of the High Court) and Bananach (the embodiment of War).  Ani is half mortal/half faery and she is also the daughter of Gabriel (Dark Court leader of the Hounds).  This installment in the series focuses on the Dark Court and the High Court.  I love the characters from the Dark Court!  Niall and Irial are two of my favorite characters from the series and they play a large role in Radiant Shadows!


 Summary from Goodreads:

"Hunger for nourishment.

Hunger for touch.
Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.
Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries’ coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani’s death.

Ani isn’t one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin’s plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

Alluring romance, heart-stopping danger, and sinister intrigue combine in the next volume of Melissa Marr’s New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series."

My Thoughts:

This was a GREAT book!  If you read my Fragile Eternity review then you already know how much I love Melissa Marr's characterization.  All of the characters in her books have depth and are very layered.  The characters (new and old) in Radiant Shadows are no exception!  I loved the journey the principle characters took.  Both Ani and Devlin's lives at the beginning of the book were governed by others (Sorcha, Gabriel, Court expectations) and they both had sides to them that they were forced to repress because of their position within their Court.  Ani wanted to be accepted as a full member of The Hunt but her father maintained that she wasn't strong enough due to her mortal side.  Ani resented being coddled and wanted to be accepted as a pack member.  She was also constantly having to hide her 'hungers' from others because what made her 'different' also made her a target!  Devlin was made from Sorcha (logic/reason) and Bananach (war/chaos).  This meant that he had the capacity for strong logic and reason from Sorcha(which he clung to) and the capacity for violence, war and chaos from Bananach(which he fought to supress).  He always chose to align himself with Sorcha and the High Court.  This meant that he had to lock down all of the emotions/urges/cravings that stem from his 'sister' Bananach and carry himself in a "High Court" manner.  When Ani and Devlin's paths cross there is an instant connection that cannot be ignored by either- no matter the cost.  The chemistry between them is electric and the romance is dark and dangerous! What more could you ask for...Right?!  The other characters in the book were enjoyable as well.  I especially liked reading more about Niall (the new Dark King) and Irial (the former Dark King).  A surprising addition to the cast was Ani's steed Barry!  Who knew a steed had a sense of humor!?  There were a few new additions to the cast that I am sure we will see more of in future books too.

The pace of the book was perfect!  The were no slow parts and I had to force myself to stop reading.  I loved all the plot twists that were incorporated into the book.  It made it impossible to predict what was coming next!  The ending was the kind that I find satisfying because it wraps up all of the loose ends from this book but opens up the door for the next installment.  Melissa Marr's writing was flawless as usual and I am already dying for the next book!!!

**Arc provided by the author for a blog tour.

All I can say is WOW!!!!

 

I was SO surprised this morning when I woke up to an email telling me that I was named one of the top 100 book reviewers on Twitter!!  I am so honored and humbled by this.  I still find it hard to believe that anyone even wants to read what I have to say!  I love blogging about the books I read and I really love the community I entered once I started book blogging!  I enjoy keeping up with all the different blogs I have discovered and I look forward to finding more!  I truly appreciate all of you that follow me here and on Twitter.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!!

*If you would like to check out all of the reviewers listed in the article click HERE!  I am #83 on the list!