Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY: Earth by Shauna Granger

The Best Friend Quote Off!

Jodi vs. Steven

Round One

Jodi

“Vanilla? What're you talking about; there are plenty of girls who would love to sample his flavor.”

Steven

"Please honey, even if you don’t want to wear his pin you could at least pass some time with him."

Round Two

Jodi

“There’s this new guy in my Chem. class. He’s gorgeous, not that this guy isn’t, but there’s a more chiseled quality to the other guy’s face.”

Steven

"Mmmhmm burlier. Now that’s an adjective you don’t get to use too often."

Round Three

Jodi

“Let me tell you,” she said in an angry tone, “formaldehyde fumes on an empty stomach is not a combination I’d like to repeat.”

Steven

"You know, I think I need a mental health day tomorrow."

Round Four

Jodi

 “Oh yeah, tell him you don’t like him because he’s a stupid, boring jock, that’ll make him feel better.”

Steven

“You could tell him you’re a lesbian. Then he can’t get mad at you.”

Round Five

Jodi

“Well, at least you’re going along willingly, if not enthusiastically.”

Steven
“She’s right, what is the big deal? People love you all day and you get presents and get to do whatever you want because it’s your birthday!” Steven sucked on his teeth in disgust at my lack of enthusiasm. “Personally, I would have three or four a year.”

Comment on the quote battle between Jodi and Steven, leave your name and email, and enter for a chance to WIN an ebook of EARTH! Good luck!

ebook

Published May 1st 2011 by Shauna Granger
Buy From Amazon Here

Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start.

Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it's only a ploy to draw her out; she can't let someone die because of her.

SWOON Thursday!

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Here's ours:

RACHEL:  This week I have the shorter twitter version of my selection, and the slightly extended blog version that just kept me swooning. Normally, my swoon choices are based on steamy hook up scenes (ha!), and while Tammara Webber's books are filled with those, too, for some reason this part of Where You Are (Between the Lines #2)--taken from a letter the hottie left our protag--just had me sighing.

First, the "rules following" quote:

The thought of time away from you is torture. I haven't even left your room and I already miss you--Where You Are SWOON #YABound

And the above with the extra line that really seals the deal:

The thought of time away from you is torture. I haven't even left your room and I already miss you. Tonight we'll talk, and I'll tell you a story of exactly what I plan to do to you in three weeks.

TRISH: "I sighed into his mouth and he smiled against my lips before he deepened the kiss..." -- THE DEEPEST CUT -- SWOON #YABound 

YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

The Deepest Cut by J. A. Templeton

Paperback & ebook, 304 pages

Published October 1st 2011 by Julia Templeton

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother’s life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she’s somehow responsible for her mom’s death, Riley is desperate to see her mother’s elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn’t get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley’s falling hard for Ian.

Riley believes her gift could help Ian end the curse that has kept him tied to the land for centuries, but that would mean letting him go forever and she’s not sure she is strong enough to do that. As if her life wasn’t complicated enough, the spirit of the woman who killed Ian returns and she’ll stop at nothing to keep Riley from helping Ian find eternal peace.

I loved this story. It was bittersweet and passionate. Riley was easy to relate to. I would think to most teen girls and even to women. From the blurb, it sounds like cutting is a huge part of the book, and it is a big issue, but it’s not at all what dominates this story. I understood how Riley could find a release in the control of cutting, using it as her outlet after her mother’s death. She had a lot of guilt inside her, blaming herself for the accident. But as the story progresses, we see Riley grow as she deals with these feelings and learns to handle her pain in more positive ways.

I really liked all the characters, even the side characters. A lot of teens in YA I don’t use true teen speak, or behave like them. But I really enjoyed watching these teens interact. Their speech and actions felt authentic for today’s teens. The author did an amazing job really pulling me into the story with realistic dialogue and situations. Now Laria? That girl is just creepy. I actually had to turn my lights on a couple of times while reading lol (I read on my phone). No spoilers, you’ll see! There were definitely some intense scenes, and I could totally envision it all through awesome description.

My favorite part of this story is the romance between Riley and Ian. Swoon! Ms. Templeton is down with the steamy. Their relationship didn’t feel rushed, and it developed into something strong and passionate. Near the end, I thought I was going to stomp around and start yelling. I kept waiting for something else to happen, but I think the way it ends, although like I said, bittersweet, is best. And with an introduction of another character, I’m looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing where things to! This is a must read for anyone who loves ghost stories, romance, and just wants a fantastic YA read.

Destined by Jessie Harrell

Destined by Jessie Harrell
Paperback, by Mae Day Publishing
Expected Publication Date November 17th, 2011, but Amazon appears to have it in stock now, so BUY FROM AMAZON HERE!
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From Goodreads:

When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.

As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

Destined is a fresh and heartachingly romantic retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth from debut novelist, Jessie Harrell.

As soon as I saw the gorgeous cover for DESTINED months ago, I emailed Jessie Harrell and practically begged her to move up her publication date. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do that . . . but I was quick to pounce on her offer to review an ARC. See, I have a semi-obsession with Greek Mythology retellings and what I loved so much about DESTINED is the fresh new couple, Psyche and Eros. Not knowing much about their original myth, I was ready to be swept away by their love story and eagerly dove in.

Ms. Harrell used an interesting approach with the dual POV in the story, telling Psyche’s point of view in the intimate first person account, allowing us to really get into her head and heart and feel as though we are walking in her shoes, while telling Eros’s story in the more limited third person. While the transition between the two did jar me a little in the beginning, I found myself eagerly going back and forth, enjoying the unique nuances of the different modes of narration. For Eros in particular—the god of love who falls desperately for Psyche--the more distant narrative allowed him to retain a bit more of his masculine, swoony, god-like qualities, without coming across like a completely whipped mama’s boy.

Another noteworthy chance Ms. Harrell took was placing the story in Ancient Greece, but giving Psyche a modern day voice. Once the setting is firmly established, this gamble really pays off as it enhances the intimate quality of the story and will ultimately make it much more relatable for teens.

Eros was hot. I loved the arrogant, bad-boy vibe he exuded right from the beginning and enjoyed seeing the softer side underneath when he falls for Psyche. Psyche was a strong and spunky protagonist who was beautiful inside and out, while also having the fatal flaw of making a few rash, bad, bad, BAD decisions. I enjoyed the snippets of the other Olympians who made guest appearances throughout the book and my only complaint is that a certain major god who played an important role in Psyche’s past didn’t grace the page. Other than that, DESTINED was a fun, entertaining, and enlightening tromp through Greek mythology that I highly recommend.

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Hardcover, 480 pages

Published October 18th 2011 by Random House Publishing Group

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

When I first heard about this book I had to read it. I’ve been working on my own genre mesh-ups for years, and was all over the idea of combining the paranormal aspect of zombies with a neo-Victorian era. It just sounded to cool for school.

Dearly, Departed didn’t disappoint. I connected with Nora right away. She’s spunky and doesn’t take crap from anyone. Although she’s been brought up to be a refined young lady, whose expected to marry up, she has a different view of the world she lives in. And she’s all about the Punks. Secretly intrigued with their raw and archaic style. She’s my kind of girl.

I loved Bram the most. I enjoyed reading from his POV as he’s witty and just plain out fun. I have to admit, it’s difficult to see him as swoon-worthy, with the milky blind-looking eyes and gray, dry and cracking skin, but, he definitely had me rooting for him and Nora. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of their relationship early on in the book, but I think that would have been difficult because of the many perspectives we’re given. So, for the sake of the length and the many people we read through, I think it was done well. And his quick, funny wit and Nora’s don’t-take-crap-from-anyone attitude made their relationship truly unique.

The only little issued I had with the novel was the many perspectives we’re given. I honestly think I would have enjoyed it just as much if not more if we were only given Nora and Bram’s POV. The other characters were interesting, and I liked learning about different things like the virus and stuff from their perspective, but I ultimately think it distracted from the main characters and their plight. However, it didn’t prevent me from loving the story and the characters. This is a must read for anyone looking for original YA with an amazing setting and kickass characters. And, oh yeah, kickass zombies and action-packed fighting scenes. Woot!

GIVEAWAY: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

SWOON Thursday

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Here's ours:

RACHEL:  Beau buried both his hands in my hair and sighed. "Good because I want you too. Now. Forever. Just you."-The Vincent Boys SWOON #YABound

TRISH: "I sighed into his mouth and he smiled against my lips before he deepened the kiss..." -- THE DEEPEST CUT -- SWOON #YABound 

YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Paperback, 416 pages

Published October 18, 2011 Harlequin Teen

BUY FROM AMAZON HERE

From Goodreads:

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.

For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

Secrets, lies, hot guys, and forbidden love . . . yep, Melissa Darnell’s CRAVE has all the essential elements of an addicting YA para-romance. It takes one part vampire mythology, throws in equal parts witches and magic, and creates a unique Romeo and Juliet-style, fan-yourself premise. The two main characters, Tristan and Savannah, practically jump off the page, and Tristan’s dual point of view had me melting into a pool of drool. Being inside his head, seeing his reaction to Savannah and learning how he truly felt about her just made me want to curl inside the pages and snag him for myself. Even better, Savannah is a completely lovable and relatable protagonist.

As a romance junkie, my favorite part of this story, naturally, was the romance, and I applaud Ms. Darnell for letting the relationship between Tristan and Savannah unfold naturally. Too many books lately seem to toss the characters together, have them declare they are in love, and expect the rest of us just to fall in line and buy it. But in CRAVE, not only do the characters develop feelings off-page before the story begins, but they continue to fight and develop the feelings real time. And Hot Mylanta, is their romance scorching!

For fans of vampires, witches, forbidden romance, and strong/hot/sweet YA boys, I completely recommend CRAVE. And then look for COVET, the next in the series, expected to hit shelves in 2012. I can’t wait to see where Ms. Darnell takes us next!

SWOON Thursday

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Here's ours:

RACHEL:  And suddenly he was everywhere; his knee trapping my leg, his lips grazing warm, rough, sensuous -SILENCE (and Patch!) SWOON #YABound

TRISH: “Keep kissing me like that...” Brent rested his forehead against my temple, his breathing still a bit ragged.--INDELIBLE SWOON #YABound 

YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Hardcover, 304 pages
Expected publication October 18th, Simon Pulse
Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads:
Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

Gayle Forman’s world-of-music based IF I STAY and its sequel WHERE SHE WENT are two of my top five favorite young adult books of all time, so the moment I learned about Jessica Martinez’s VIRTUOSITY, I was twitching to get a copy. But I have to admit, going in I was nervous. Was I was putting too much pressure on this debut, wanting to recreate the feelings and sweeping obsession those other two books inspired? Could this possibly live up to the hype and my admittedly high expectations? Well, I’m very happy to say that all my anxiety was a total wasted effort.

VIRTUOSITY has a hot British guy (seriously, what is it about British men that are so yummy?), a strong but flawed protagonist, soulful music, the tension and drama of a competition background, a scheming Mother Dearest, and a variety of plot twists that kept me flipping through the pages on warp speed. While the romantic relationship did feel perhaps like it was a bit in fast forward, the way Carmen and Jeremy complemented and completed each other was brilliantly done, and the duo’s banter and stolen dates left me all gooey inside. Ms. Martinez handled the very real issues of anxiety and prescription drug over-usage beautifully and realistically, and the Mama drama just plain out rocked. Hating that woman was simply too much fun. (I love having a good villain in a story, and the best ones have redeemable qualities like Diana).

Without giving away spoilers, Carmen had some tough choices and decisions to make throughout the novel but she exuded grace and intelligence as she tackled them. The best part about Carmen though was her flaws. The girl had a temper. She wasn’t always strong—in fact, she had a nasty habit of letting other people dictate her life and choices in the past and had to battle to keep it from continuing. But she knew who she was, and she knew she had talent. She was real. And the love interest, Jeremy, managed to also live in the in-between, not being completely perfect and blonde-god like (he made one gigantic, colossal mistake with Carmen for sure) but also lending her his strength when she needed it, and helping Carmen to discover the independent woman hidden inside.

If I had any issues with the book, it would be the falling on the homeschool stereotype of socialization issues (I am a proud homeschool Mama), and the somewhat abrupt ‘falling in love’ that takes place between the characters in such a short window of time. I would have also loved a few more scenes with Heidi as it revealed a lighthearted side to Carmen that was refreshing. But overall, this spectacular debut gave me exactly what I wanted. The beauty of music, the excitement of following and living your passion, the sweetness of first love, a few well-placed laughs, and even a few sentimental tears.

Overall, if you loved the movie AUGUST RUSH, are a fellow Gayle Forman fan, and/or if you’ve ever played an instrument—or wished you could, this book is definitely for you.

Indelible by Lani Woodland

Hardcover & ebook, 416 pages

Published September 27th 2011 by Pendrell Publishing

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn’t t want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist s attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly.

INTRINSICAL was one of my favorite reads last year. Yara and Brent’s relationship was so fun and flirtatious, and their banter rocked. What I loved most about them was how they could drive each other crazy, but then when something was threatening one of them, they would pull together against the odds to be there for each other. I just love them.

This story picks up with Yara returning from spending some time away with her grandmother, Vovo, who I also love. She’s always there for Yara, and she guides her in understanding more about her calling as a Waker. Brent and Yara barely get the reunion they deserve before they’re thrust into another adventure, the action starting a thrill ride that doesn’t let up through the whole book. A nasty ghost, one that can actually hurt Yara, Sophia, has it in for them. And she’s part of the curse that surrounds Pendrell Academy.

A new character is introduced, and I have to admit, I have a tiny crush on DJ. Now that Yara and Brent are together and expressing their love for each other, which I loved seeing the deeper side of their relationship, DJ picks up some of the humor and banter that I felt was lacking a little in their relationship. I even liked that he called her Cupcake. Aw. I liked all the side characters and what they brought to the story.

A new threat is introduced, deepening the plot of Yara’s story, called the Clutch. And they’re causing so many issues for Yara. Especially between her and Brent. Not only is she tested by her own fears, still recovering from dying and the issues that brought the year before, but her and Brent’s relationship is tested by a mysterious illness that is taking hold of Brent. I really felt for her in this second book. But she shows tremendous growth and is becoming an amazing woman. And even though I was giving some answers and understand  more of what’s going on and Yara’s calling, it leaves you asking more questions and wanting the next book all that much more. This is a fantastic series, and Lani Woodland is an amazingly talented writer. This is a must for Paranormal Romance lovers as well as anyone who loves YA.

*CLOSED* Blog Tour Schedule: TOUCH by Jus Accardo

 GIVEAWAY for the TOUCH Blog Tour is now closed. Winner has been contacted. Thank you!

This is the official blog tour for TOUCH by Jus Accardo. Please check out the tour schedule below to hop along the blogs and comment to be entered into the giveaway!

GRAND PRIZE will be an ebook of TOUCH, along with a secret gift from Jus Accardo herself. Please make sure you comment on all the stops with your name and email to be entered! Good luck!

From Goodreads: When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.

Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.


SCHEDULE:

November 1: Steampunksarah.blogspot.com – Review

November 2: Xpressoreads.blogspot.com – Review

November 3: Everafteresther.blogspot.com – Author Interview

November 4: Nomaliciousreads.com – Review

November 5: Thefairytalenerd.com – Review

November 7: Mrsboswellsbookbag.blogspot.com – Character Tweets

November 8: Tamarasbookramblings.blogspot.com – Review

November 9: Bookcrookliza.blogspot.com – Review

November 10: Willingtoseeless.blogspot.com – Review

November 11: YABound.blogspot.com – Review

November 12: Jmanni32.blogspot.com – Character Interview (Deznee)

November 14: Mochalattereads.blogspot.com – Review

November 15: Crazedboutbooks.blogspot.com – Review 

November 16: Bookish-delights.blogspot.com – Review

November 17: Bookbriefs.blogspot.com – Guest Post

November 19: Musingsfromatoz.blogspot.com – Review

November 21: Wordsthatfly.wordpress.com – Character Interview (Kale)

November 22: Mothergamerwriter.com – Review

*CLOSED* GIVEAWAY! The Deepest Cut by J. A. Templeton

*CLOSED* Winner will be contacted soon.

YA Bound is spotlighting YA author J. A. Templeton's THE DEEPEST CUT with a steamy excerpt of the novel. SWOON. RULES for the giveaway: One ebook copy to the winner. Comment on the excerpt or give us your thoughts on what you think you'll love about this amazing read and leave your name and email in your comment. That's it! Good luck!

EXCERPT:

I stared at him, and I don’t know what came over me, but I took the steps that separated us and I kissed him. I had meant for it only to be a chaste kiss, a you-make-me-so-happy kind of kiss, but it ended up being something completely altogether different.

I sensed his surprise, but only for an instant. The next thing I knew, his arms came around me, crushing me to him. I sighed into his mouth and he smiled against my lips before he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine, silky soft.

Exhilaration and need rushed through me as my hands flattened against his back. I could feel the play of muscle and sinew beneath my fingers. What I felt for Ian was real, and ironically he made me feel alive in a way I hadn’t been since my mom’s death.

Ian pulled away the slightest bit, looking down at me, his blue eyes intense. “We’re playing with fire, Riley Williams.”

“I don’t care.” And I didn’t care. I wanted Ian MacKinnon more than I’d ever wanted anything in my life.

 

From Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother's life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she's somehow responsible for her mom's death, Riley is desperate to see her mother's elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn't get worse––that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley's falling hard for Ian.

Riley believes her gift could help Ian end the curse that has kept him tied to the land for centuries, but that would mean letting him go forever and she's not sure she is strong enough to do that. As if her life wasn't complicated enough, the spirit of the woman who killed Ian returns and she'll stop at nothing to keep Riley from helping Ian find eternal peace.  
Find THE DEEPEST CUT at these stores:  Amazon: Barnes & Noble: 

**CLOSED* Interview: Kendare Blake & Signed Anna Dressed in Blood GIVEAWAY!

*CLOSED* Winner has been contacted.

It’s getting closer to Halloween! And do you know what that means? Yup, it’s nearly All Hallows Read. What that? You don’t know? Click here to read more about it, then. But for the easy break down, it’s simply basking in the scary and giving a book away for All Hallows Eve. A scary book. And for this year’s All Hallows Read, Kendare Blake, awesome girl that she is, is giving away a signed copy of ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD (and signed bookmarks) to one lucky follower of YA Bound. EEP! Thanks, Kendare! And thank you for sharing more about yourself and your work with us. Check out the fun interview with Kendare below.

Giveaway rules: US only. Must be a follower of YA Bound. Comment below on the interview with Kendare and tell us what you loved most about ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD or what you’re looking forward to the most if you haven’t. Leave your name and email in your comment. That’s it! We keep it pretty simple. But if you feel so inclined to Tweet, blog, Facebook, Tumblr, whatever, we’d appreciate the shout out! Good luck!

Interview:

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD has been getting amazing feedback! Congrats! Since most of your fans know what the premise is, and uh, I have a blurb below, can you tell us something a little more intimate about Cas? Maybe how he came to own an athame and what one is?

Well, the athame belonged to his father. And his grandfather before that. It gets passed down through the bloodline. At some point, it probably belonged to a daughter, and that must be a cool story. Unfortunately, that's not a story I know. An athame is basically, a witch's knife. Normally, they're not used for killing stuff, but this one is special.

If Anna was alive and lived in present time, what would her character be like? Cheerleader, Goth/Emo, or our classic nerd girl? Or, something completely different?

I feel like Anna would be artsy. She'd be the girl in the vintage cardigan always carrying around an old flash camera. Wait, did I just describe Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice? Anyway, I think Anna would watch more than she talked, but she'd have a circle of very close friends. And those friends could depend on her.

If you could only pick one of the characters from this story to have your back in a fight (not that you go around getting scrappy) who would it be and why?

Ha, if I had Anna with me I'd go around getting scrappy all the time. Except then she'd kill someone, so maybe I'd rather have Cas. If I were honest though, I think I'd pick Thomas, the nerdy, sort of psychic witch. Because people wouldn't notice him, and he could lay them out secret spell style. After the fight was over, and our opponents were sleeping peacefully on the ground or quacking like ducks, we could do creepy magician hands and fade out, and I could yell something nonsensical like, " David Blaine, Beeyotch! Street Magic!"

What I love is ADiB is not the typical YA Horror story. It gets down with the gruesome. How do you prepare yourself to write these scenes? Music, dim lights, chocolate . . . Or do you just plunge right in?

The gore just happens. Just, whoops, there it is. But chocolate is a good idea. I should try that.

What are you currently working on now? Is all about the sequel coming up, or is there another, secret, project in the mix?

Oh the secret project!! It's facing the dreaded chopping block and I hope it works. But I'm waiting to get more edits back on GIRL OF NIGHTMARES, and I should probably ask when it's coming out!

Thank you for having me on the blog!!

And thank you again, Kendare, for this super fun interview and your gift to your readers on my favorite holiday ever. Awesome! 

You can find Kendare Blake in these places: Twitter, Facebook, Website, Goodreads

From Goodreads: Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

Paperback 
Published September 27th, 2011, Harlequin Teen 
Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads:

I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn't get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren't any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I'd cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William's younger brother.

Good thing he's sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he's from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there's something about him that's making my eyes go star-crossed....

I love Romeo and Juliet. Like, uber-love. I was obsessed with the play in high school, could recite the old 1970s movie version with the characters verbatim, and went opening night to see the Leonardo Dicaprio version when it hit theaters. So when THE JULIET SPELL became available for review, I jumped on it. And for the most part, I was very happy with the outcome.

After a somewhat slow start that, for me, relied a bit too much on narration and inner-monologue, Edmund hit the page and the story really began. Witnessing his shock to the various technological wonders that comprise our everyday world was fun, and while the pacing of his response was a little fast and slightly inauthenti, I appreciated that it allowed the story to unfold quickly. And once this story got going, it took off.

I loved Edmund, and I loved every aspect of his relationship with Miranda. It had the perfect amount of tension, banter, caring, and steaminess to keep me turning the pages. The mixture of magical realism and contemporary, along with one of the best plays of all time, was a thrill and delectable treat. I inhaled it in one big gulp and found myself smiling almost throughout.

As a protagonist, Miranda rocked. Her voice was engaging and relatable. The other characters rounding out this book were wonderful, too. Vivian was the perfect antagonist—just the right amount of sexy and jealous vibe without over doing it. Bobby and Drew were well rounded, and they gave the reader lots of love interest possibilities to root for. And the adult characters were extremely well done. They weren’t stereotypes, and they didn’t exist merely to provide filler or plot twists. They managed to avoid being too heavy handed while also giving much needed wisdom (in particular the relationship between Miri and her mother) and a bit of drama.

I won’t give any spoilers, but I can say that considering the plot inspiration for this story, the ending was spot on. If you love Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, magical realism, a bit of historical flavor, theater, and/or hot English guys with even hotter accents, THE JULIET SPELL is definitely up your alley.

SWOON Thursday

It's that time again! We've created a HOT new meme called SWOON #YABound, and if you're new to the game, here's how to join in the fun:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Here's ours:

RACHEL:  But do not ye see how much above me ye are? . . .Ye are an enchantress, a spirit. Almost a goddess, ye seem.-The Juliet Spell SWOON #YABound

TRISH: “Keep kissing me like that...” Brent rested his forehead against my temple, his breathing still a bit ragged.--INDELIBLE SWOON #YABound 

YOUR TURN: In 140 characters, SWOON us!

June of Rock by Elisa Ludwig

ebook

Published (first published July 21st 2011)

Buy From Amazon Here

From Goodreads: Fresh out of 10th grade and freshly dumped by her dreamboat music nerd boyfriend Micah, June Dixon is headed to Camp Decibelle for the summer. The girls-only rock camp sounds like the perfect destination for a budding drummer with a respectfully punk attitude — except for the “girls-only” part. Once at Decibelle, June is thrown in among her fellow campers, a hodgepodge of indie wannabes, aggro-folkheads and metal sleazoids. All of them are aiming for superstardom, starting with the camp’s Battle of the Axes competition. Learning to keep a beat and start a band is tough enough but June must also contend with the dueling egos (and rhythms) of her bossy bandmate Jess, Jess’s disgruntled best friend from home M3, and a bitchy drummer whose rumored uncle is June’s hero, legendary songwriter Lee Rooney. And then there’s the puzzling case of Brice Mills, the famous-in-his-own-right counselor who’s supposed to be coaching June’s band but seems to have taken an unusual interest in June herself. Sassy, fun and packed full of pop culture references, June of Rock is a love letter to both girl power and the power of music.

Now THAT was a fun book. If you guys have read any of my past reviews, you know that I’m a huge fan of old school punk and girl bands. The SHADE series by Jeri Smith-Ready is my favorite partly because it makes me feel like I’m back in high school with references to my fave music and the band scene. And JUNE OF ROCK was brilliantly executed with a fun, smart voice and super cool plot that did just that.

June was easy for me to relate to. I was so much like her when I was younger. I had exactly one girlfriend. One. And we ended up getting into a fight. Yes, a real pull-your-hair- and-scratch-your-eyes-out cat fight over our punk band boyfriends lol. Except, I played rhythm guitar, and June plays the drums. Which, by the way, is the coolest things ever. Girl drummers rock. And June is having a hard time relating to girls in general. Even her boyfriend. All she cares about is the music and her dreams of becoming a rock god. But she’s not unlikable. She’s thinking this is the smart way. She believes that her music will be there when others fail her, just like her father. So, she keeps everyone at a distance. It’s easy to understand her logic and thought process. I get her completely. I loved watching her growth over the novel. She forms friendships with the most unlikely girls, and learns a thing or two about the rockstars she idolizes.

I knew I was going to love this story from the very start when the author mentions The Donnas. Sold. And even though there wasn’t a lot of romance, not the “we’re meant to be and we’ll fight against all odds and save the world to be together” stuff, I really liked the outcome for June and Micah. You’ll just have to read to find out. No spoilers.  It was light romance, but there was still a powerful message about relationships, trust, and love. The real kind. The writing was clear and descriptive and put me right in the story with these characters. I enjoy Ms. Ludwig's writing style very much, and also June's youthful yet bright voice.

If you’re a music lover and are looking for a light, fast, but a fiercely intelligent book that will rock your socks, JUNE OF ROCK is a must.

Blog Tour Schedule: ON A DARK WING by Jordan Dane

The ON A DARK WING by Jordan Dane Blog Tour kicks off December 19 and ends January 2, followed by a live chat with Jordan Dane on January 5 at 7:00 PM EDT to announce the winners of the giveaways.

Giveaway information will become available closer to the start of the tour.

From Goodreads: "The choices I had made led to the moment when fate took over. I would learn a lesson I wasn’t prepared for.
And Death would be my willing teacher."


Five years ago Abbey Chandler cheated Death. She survived a horrific car accident, but her lucky break came at the expense of her mother’s life and changed everything. After she crossed paths with Death—by taking the hand of an ethereal boy made of clouds and sky—she would never be normal again.

Now she’s the target of Death’s Ravens and an innocent boy’s life is on the line. When Nate Holden—Abbey’s secret crush—starts to climb Alaska’s Denali, the Angel of Death is with him because of her.

Abbey finds out the hard way that Death never forgets.

Participating Blogs:

Musingsfromatoz.blogspot.com : Dec. 19 – Review

Adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com : Dec. 19 – Review

Everafteresther.blogspot.com : Dec. 19 – Character Interview (Tanner)

Redhousebooks.blogspot.com : Dec. 19 – Review

Cubicleblindness.blogspot.com/ : Dec. 20 – Review

Avidreadermusings.com/ : Dec. 20 – Review

Abeautifulmadness.blogspot.com : Dec. 20 – Review

Behindamillionandonepages.blogspot.com/ : Dec. 20 – Author Interview

Theawesomemagicattic.blogspot.com : Dec. 20 – Quote Battle (To be announced)

Living-fictitiously.blogspot.com : Dec. 21 – Review

Fictitiousmusings.com/ : Dec. 21 – Review

Ftbotbblog.blogspot.com : Dec. 21 – Character Interview (Abbey)

Stuckinbooks.com/ : Dec. 21 – Review

Basiasbookshelf.com : Dec. 22 – Review

Rhireading.blogspot.com : Dec. 22 – Review

Bookbriefs.blogspot.com/ : Dec. 22 – Review & Dream Cast

Jlwylie.wordpress.com/ : Dec. 22 – Parody Questions (Jordan Dane)

Booktwirps.com : Dec. 23 – Review

Fantasysink.blogspot.com/ : Dec. 23 – Review

Frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com : Dec. 23 – Review

Bookish-Delights.blogspot.com : Dec. 24 – Review

Roroisreading.blogspot.com : Dec. 24 – Review

Onceuponatwilight.com : Dec. 26 – Review

Mochalattereads.blogspot.com : Dec. 26 – Author Interview

Bookstothesky.com : Dec. 26 – Guest Post (Character Tweets)

Thefictionfairy.com : Dec. 26 – Review

Sarahsbookslife.blogspot.com : Dec. 27 – Guest Post

Twochicksonbooks1.blogspot.com : Dec. 27 – Review

Tamarasbookramblings.blogspot.com : Dec. 27 – Review

Safaripoet.blogspot.com : Dec. 28 – Review

Sarahliveslovesreads.blogspot.com/ : Dec. 28 – Review

Thetravelingreader.wordpress.com : Dec. 28 – Review

Dougsolter.com : Dec. 28 – Review

Whatsyourthoughtonthat.blogspot.com : Dec. 28 – Review

Thefairytalenerd.com/ : Dec. 29 – Character Interview (Death)

Zoeysuncreativelytitledblog.blogspot.com : Dec. 29 – Review

http://kfwwriters.blogspot.com : Dec. 29 – Review

Lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com : Dec. 29 – Review

Handsandhome.ca : Dec. 30 – Review

Bookyurt.com : Dec. 30 – Review

Speedyreader-allthingsbooks.blogspot.com : Dec. 30 – Guest Post

Bookswithbite.net : Dec. 31 – Review

Ficbookreviews.blogspot.com/ : Dec. 31 – Review

Thebookcellarx.com : Dec. 31 – Guest Post

Ashleysuzanne.com/ : Jan 2 – Author Interview

Ataleofmanyreviews.com : Jan. 2 – Review

Xpressoreads.blogspot.com : Jan. 2 – Review