2011 - The books that got away......

Every year starts with good intentions for all the books I want to read but then they slowly get bumped a little further down the TBR pile when "OOH NEW SHINY BOOK!" comes out.

There were a few books that I had really wanted to read in 2011 and i just ran out of time. So I'm making a little list and throwing it out here to hopefully motivate myself to read them in 2012.

I find if I say things publicly, on my blog, I tend to follow through better.

In no particular order.....

Saltwater Vampires by Kirsty Eager Described as an Australian vampire thriller, this seems like a very different take on the vampire genre. Quite a few of my blogger friends enjoyed it too.

The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta This author is probably recommended to me more than any other. Everyone says I MUST read The Piper's Son as well as Saving Francesca and Jellicoe Road also by Marchetta.

Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs - The Mercy Thompson series. I loved book #1 Moon Called and I have the whole series sitting on the shelf right over there -----> but for some reason I haven't gotten around to reading it.

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent Do I have an obsession with books titled Blood Bound?? I could have a Blood Bound reading marathon one weekend. There must be others...lol This looks like a fresh Urban Fantasy series that my blogger besties loved. My book store never has it in stock and I've been too lazy to order it. Must remedy that!

Grimspace by Ann Aguirre I've actually read the first two books in the Sirantha Jax series but it was a few years ago so I'm due for a series re-read and I need to catch up quick. The 5th and final book, Endgame releases in 2012. This is a favorite series of mine and I have to admit I haven't kept up because I'm a wimp. Ann is mean to her characters and I was waiting until the end so I wouldn't suffer too much.

The Night Circus by Eron Morgenstern I have this one signed thanks to my friend Lena from Addicted 2 Novels. Everyone LOVES it and I want to read it - I just simply ran out of time.

I also wanted to read more classics. I started David Copperfield and never made it past page 100. Probably not the best book to start with. I'll attempt it again in 2012. I have several downloaded for free on my Kindle so no excuses!

How about you? Were there any books you were dying to read in 2011 and you just didn't have the time to get to them?

Follow Friday

Follow my Book Blog Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Q: The New Year is here — and everyone wants to know your New Years Blogging Resolution! What are you going to try to revise, revamp and redo for 2012 on your blog? 

My resolution for 2012 is to to have more fun with blogging again. It has sort of become more like a job. My original intention was to talk about whatever I was reading, watching and listening to but now I spend most of my time reading review requests and responding to emails.

Don't get me wrong....I'm so thankful and LOVE all the opportunities blogging has given me but I really need to get back to the simple joy of reading whatever I want, not just whatever book is deemed "the next best book ever". 

I want to blog because something has inspired me..... and not just to meet some self imposed schedule.
I have to try not to feel guilty and think there will be a mass follower exodus just because I didn't blog for a week. There are thousands of blogs out there. I don't think anyone even notices. lol

I want to find a way to introduce readers to new authors. Unfortunately I just don't have time to read and review every book that comes my way but I would still like to give the authors an opportunity to showcase their work. Interviews seem like the best idea but I'm horrible at them so maybe that's a skill I can work on for 2012.

Learning more html code would be nice. I have my DH to fix all my blog related emergencies which is great (thank you Kevin - love of my life ;-) ) but I really should know how to do some of these things myself.

I would love to find a streamlined way to write reviews and a rating system that better expresses what I'm feeling. I'm not sure that will be accomplished anytime soon though. 

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!

Favorite Books of 2011

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Review

I love Ann Agurrie's adult novels so when I saw she was venturing into YA I HAD to get my hands on this book! I did and was not disappointed.

I was immediately plunged into the dark claustrophobic tunnels of the enclave with one of my all time favorite heroines, Deuce. This is dystopian and YA at it's best. Enclave is intelligent and action packed with engaging characters that have you asking; What's right? What's wrong? and if you would do the same things to survive.

Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready

(Bridge is a story in the Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions anthology)

Jeri Smith-Ready website

Bridge is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. Period. Told in verse, Bridge is the story of Logan Keeley's journey for forgiveness, redemption and his struggle to let go. 

Logan is a ghost from Jeri's Shade trilogy who is having a little trouble moving on but you don't need to have read the series or know Logan to understand this powerful message of love between brothers. I have several friends who have never read the Shade series and still loved Bridge. 

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Review

Holy WOW! This book was amazing and creepy! I was surprised how far Blake went on the scary/gore scale considering this is YA. I need book two now please!

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Review

CRICKET BELL!

That is all.

Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade

Review

Finally! A sequel that is as good as, if not better than the first book in the series. Queen of the Dead left me completely satisfied but DYING to know what happens in the conclusion to this excellent trilogy.

Between the Lines Trilogy by Tammara Webber

Reviews:

Between the Lines

Where you Are

Good for You

One of my favorite contemporary YA series where the characters make mistakes and take time to grow throughout the series. No cookie cutter characters here. It's messy and complicated and FUN with a wild, glamorous hollywood backdrop. BONUS: You can get the whole series on your e-reader for under $10!

Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

Review

A hidden gem. Sophie and Carter delves into some pretty heavy subject matters but I promise you'll be smiling bright when it's over.

Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Review

Think you're totally burnt out on vampires? Love snarky dialogue? Drink Slay Love is the book for you! Bonus: UNICORNS! Trust me - it works.

Geek Girl by Cindy C. Bennett

Review

A fresh twist on the genre. This time we have a bad girl trying to corrupt the good boy! Loved all the sci-fi geek references! Another hidden gem.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Review

I'm not usually a fan of time traveling novels. They always feel like a contrived way to "reset the clock" but Hourglass was smart and wonderful. Hourglass is also one of those rare cases where the story was as great as that amazing cover!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Review

A great introduction to a series that promises to be epic! The last 100 pages of Divergent had me holding my breath and covering my eyes. Whoa!!!

The Disillusionist Trilogy by Carolyn Crane 

I haven't had time to review this series yet but consider the entire series 4 out of 4!

Carolyn Crane website

OMG OMG OMG! Reading nirvana. Urban Fantasy nirvana. Trilogy nirvana. Hands down best series I read all year and one of my favorite UF series of all time. The best thing??? It's only three books and the third book is out now! Warning.... buy all three and set aside a few days to read the trilogy all at once. There be big cliffhangers ahead. I was so riveted that I read the last two books in one day.

What a hell of a way to end my reading year!

New Blogger Meme!

Blogging has been one of my most rewarding experiences. I've been able to share my opinion and meet wonderful people.

However, after two years of reading & reviewing I hit a slump. A reading slump, a reviewing slump and a blogging slump.

Luckily I have Tiger from All-Consuming Books to talk to about all things blogging. Honestly, if I didn't have her (and many other blogger friends) to vent to I probably would have quit blogging this year. I came this close. When I mentioned it on Twitter, other bloggers were so relieved to hear that someone else was going through the same thing as them.

Tiger and I thought it might be time to start a meme to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers. What happens when the hobby you love becomes more of a chore?

We're introducing a meme called "Book Blogger Confessions"

On the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month we'll be discussing a topic that effects book bloggers and give you a chance to vent, share your opinion or offer a solution.

One thing this meme isn't is a way to bash other bloggers or authors. Everyone can blog however they like. It's your blog. Book Blogger Confessions is just a way to shine a light on the things that affect us all but we might be reluctant to admit to otherwise.

If you want to participate just grab our button and include it in your post with a link to either Tiger's All Consuming Media or For What It's Worth. Once your post is up feel free add a link to our post.

Alternately, you can comment on our posts once they are up.

For non-bloggers feel free to comment and let us know if there is something we could do better regarding that weeks topic.

Feel free to give us topic suggestions in the comment section!

I think we lose a lot of good bloggers each year to burn out. It's our hope that through this meme we can all find suggestions and support to help ride out those times.

Past Book Blogger Confessions Topic links:

January 2nd: How has the "job" of book blogging changed your reading habits? Both pro and con.

January 16th: Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps? How do you work through them or work around them?

February 6th: Deadlines for reviewing/blogging. Do you set them? How do you keep them? What do you do if you can't meet them?


February 20th: Social networking with authors. Do you interact with authors on Twitter/Facebook etc? Does it effect how you review their books if you are on friendly terms with them?

Upcoming Topics:


March 5th: Let's talk about a positive aspect of blogging! How has blogging influenced your real life in a positive way? (not related to books or reading) Have you learned to be organized or are you more social now for example?

March 19th: Everyone LOVES that book! Why don't I? How do you handle being the one reviewer who doesn't like a book that's taking the blogosphere by storm? Do you write a review? Pretend you didn't read the book?

Thank you to Sandy from Scribing Shadows for making our meme button.

Review: Good for You (Between the Lines Bk #3) by Tammara Webber

Reid Alexander's life is an open book. His Hollywood celebrity means that everything he does plays out in the public eye. Every relationship, every error in judgment is analyzed by strangers. His latest mistake totaled his car, destroyed a house and landed him in the hospital. Now his PR team is working overtime to salvage his image. One thing is clear—this is one predicament he won’t escape without paying for it.

Dori Cantrell is a genuine humanitarian—the outward opposite of everything Reid is about. When his DUI plea bargain lands him under her community service supervision, she proves unimpressed with his status and indifferent to his proximity, and he soon wants nothing more than to knock her off of her pedestal and prove she's human.

Counting the days until his month of service is over, Dori struggles to ignore his wicked magnetic pull while shocking him with her ability to see past his celebrity and challenging him to see his own wasted potential. But Dori has secrets of her own, safely locked away until one night turns her entire world upside down. Suddenly their only hope for connection and redemption hinges on one choice: whether or not to have faith in each other. (YA - Mature young adults)

Note: SPOILER WARNING! There are no spoilers for Good for You but there are a few for Between the Lines and Where You Are if you haven't read the first two books in the series yet. My reviews are linked at the end of this post.

Review:

There isn't a character we know better from Tammara Webber's Between the Lines series than Reid Alexander . Reid has always been the one constant. Even when the books were about another couple, we've always gotten his POV. Now we finally get to see his story play out.

In Between the Lines he was a womanizing, hard partying actor with a huge ego who considered trying to act better to win a good girl. In Wherever You Are he was a womanizing, hard partying actor with huge ego who committed his first selfless act for someone else. I adore Reid Alexander as a character and I've enjoyed watching him evolve over the series but I do not swoon for Reid. He's a jerk. Could he win me over in the end?

Reid, driving drunk, crashes his Porsche into a house and now has to pay the piper. His license is taken away and he has to perform community service for Habitat for Humanity. He reports to duty reporting to  Dori Cantrell, a true humanitarian and someone with a very good bullshit detector. That doesn't bode well for Reid.

Although I enjoyed both Dori and Reid along with their tension filled banter, it felt like a little bit of a retread of Reid's attraction to his former costar Emma in Book #1. Emma was the only other girl who didn't melt under his advances so of course that's the type of girl he wants the most.

As an actor Reid knows people. He observes them and learns how to manipulate them. When he first realized that he liked Emma in Between the Lines, he wanted to be the type of guy she could like. Unfortunately even though his intentions were good he wasn't ready yet or maybe Emma wasn't the right girl. He was playing the part of a good guy, he hadn't really become one so of course he fell off the wagon as it were.

Dori made Reid want to change for REID. Sure his goal was to get Dori but she made him aware of the man he could be. To do it for himself, not for her, not for the cameras and not to win a game. This is what won me over in accepting them as a couple.

Dori could not be more different from Reid but she's suffering from a past romantic heart break and a crisis of faith. It was interesting to watch them break through their barriers together.

Although Dori is new to the series, she was very well developed and a complex character trying to live up to the altruistic standards her family embraces. I loved how Dori's family was an integral part of the story and not used as background decoration.

The Between the Lines series really should be taken as a whole. Even though each book is about a different relationship, there are common elements and characters throughout. Each book shows a progression and maturity of the characters. The first book was about wild teenage inhibition, the second (Wherever You Are) about commitment and responsibility and the third about personal redemption and acceptance. My opinion of each character changed over the series too. Someone you hate in one book, you might enjoy in the next.

I'm going to sound like a broken record because I've always mentioned this in all of my reviews for the series but I have to repeat it. Tammara Webber takes her characters on a sometimes infuriating ride with complete and utter honesty. I sometimes feel like there is no writer involved, that I'm really just watching their life play out. I want to rush them to their conclusion or whack them upside the head for taking so long but their actions are always 100% true to them and feel honest.

I was happy with the conclusion to Reid's story and yes, he won me over in the end. There are a few hints of maybe one more book to the series. Brooke, Reid's ex, makes a brief reappearance. Now if Tammara can make me like Brooke again then she is a miracle worker!

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Great series. One of my favorites of 2011.

Find the author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Source: Provided by the author for my honest review

Buy the book!
Book #1 - Between the Lines - Ebook $2.99
Book #2 - Where You Are - Ebook $2.99

Book #3 - Good for You - Ebook $2.99

Reviews for the series:
Between the Lines -
Where you Are -

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thank you all for your love, support and friendship this year!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. 

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Review:
Teenager and book blogger (how cool is that??!!) Katy is forced to move to West Virginia when her mom wants a fresh start three years after her father's death . She's expecting the stereotypical southern accents, and lack of technology, not the smoking hot guy and his friendly sister for her new neighbors.

When she decides to be friendly and go introduce herself she connects immediately to Dee but not so much to Dee's older brother Daemon who despite his good looks is rude and cocky right from the second he opens his front door.

Since Daemon Black seems to be taking the blogosphere by storm, let's get that out of the way first.

Daemon…..ahh Daemon. He runs really really hot - then really really ice station zebra cold. I am SO over the bad boy with a soft center if only the right girl is patient enough to wait for him but I found myself enjoying Katy with Daemon. I found his reasons for being such an ass to be justified. Sure he could have done it in a different way but he was protecting his sister. He has lost family members in the past and he has no reason to trust outsiders. Even better Katy absolutely does not take his crap. I think Daemon pushes it a little overboard in the arrogance department and almost lost me a few times but I still liked him overall.

The big draw to Obsidian is Daemon and the hotter than hot scenes between him and Katy. There is plenty of that but what I loved most about this book was the friendship between Katy and Dee. We don't get to see as many friendships between girls as we should in YA. This is a really good one. Both girls need someone to open up to and rely on and aren't considered part of the popular crowd. They are able to share their feelings and because of it help heal each others emotional wounds. Dee and Katy are quite different in looks and personality but they balance each other perfectly. And more importantly to me, is that her friendship with Dee is not dependent on her relationship or lack there of with Daemon. Makes me want to hug Katy!

There are touches of Twilight - Katy suspects that Dameon & Dee's family might be keeping secrets. They are other worldly beautiful, the other students are weary of them and they act aloof to those around them. Katy finds herself surviving situations that she shouldn't whenever Daemon is around.

But the bigger influence that I felt was from the TV series Roswell. Yup - Daemon and company are aliens, hiding on earth from enemies that mean to steal their powers. This puts Daemon, Dee and even Katy in danger.

I'm a little shocked at how much I enjoyed Obsidian. It contains loads of cliches and tropes I don't usually enjoy. Despite this Armentrout kept the story moving at a great pace and didn't take everything too seriously. There is plenty of teenage angst and hormones but it didn't slow the story down. The sci-fi aspects aren't anything new but again the story was fun and made me want to learn more about what's to come.

Rating: 3 out of 4 A fast paced, fun book filled with steamy kisses, aliens, danger and mystery! If you like brooding bad boys, Daemon is your guy.

Bonus! Because Katy is a book blogger there are lots of meme mentions like Waiting on Wednesday and "It's Monday, what are you reading? We also get to see Katy desperately checking the mail for her new books to arrive. Cute touch.

Jennifer L. Armentrout: website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy the book! Obsidian (A Lux Novel, Book one)
Source: Netgalley / Entangled Publishing
Character Interview with Daemon Black from the Obsidian Blog Tour  HERE 

ARC Review: Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith

Leah has the life most high school girls would kill for—popularity, glowing grades, a rich, athletic boyfriend. So why does she feel like she can’t breathe? And why can’t she stop thinking about the boy from the country club? The one who isn’t her boyfriend, the one that her mother would never, ever approve of, the one that her perfect older sisters would never, ever look at twice. The one who is always looking back at her. Irresistible attraction, smoldering glances, the bad boy and the good girl—Kiss Crush Collide has everything that a steamy forbidden romance should, and then some.

With graceful and honest writing and an electric love story, this is a book about growing into your own skin. For fans of Perfect Chemistry, Sarah Dessen, and John Green. (YA)

Review:

I was pretty excited to receive Kiss Crush Collide for review. The cover is very sexy and the book is recommended for "romance fans of Perfect Chemistry". That would be me.

I admit I had certain expectations going in that weren't met. I also think it's a disservice to the reader to compare this book to PC. The only things they have in common are a poor guy from the wrong side of the tracks and a wealthy blond haired girl with big boobs (this is something she repeatedly points out about herself - not me being sarcastic).

The similarities end there. Rather than a hot forbidden romance novel this is about a girl living in the shadow of her perfect sisters, harsh task master of a mother and sweet but passive father.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that - it's just that a reader has certain expectations based on the summary/cover.

Now that I have that out of the way I'll address the actual story.

Leah has a seemingly picture perfect life. The perfect family and the perfect boyfriend, Shane, however Leah always feels like she's living a carbon copy of her sister's lives. She is expected to be the valedictorian and marry her boyfriend right after high school. Just like her sisters. Only Leah feels she can't live up to their standards. She's not as pretty, not as smart and not sure she loves Shane.

As the pressure mounts for Leah to meet her families expectations she feels the need to rebel. When she meets a boy that sets her on fire in a way that Shane never did she starts meeting him secretly.

I really wanted to sympathize with Leah and feel that passion leap off the page when she and Duffy are together but it just didn't happen for me. One problem for me was that Kiss Crush Collide is told exclusively from Leah's POV. Without knowing why Duffy is with her and Leah barely explaining their encounters, it felt like a random hookup to me. There was a point where they got in a fight about lies they've told each other and I was kind of stunned at how upset they were. They hadn't even exchanged phone numbers yet.

As for Leah herself, I just could not connect with her. I did at first but as the story continued I felt less and less sympathetic towards her. She is treated incredibly harshly by her mother and her sisters are indifferent at best so when she has the opportunity to befriend a sweet girl from school it was shocking how badly she treated the girl.

There are very interesting family dynamics in this book but by dividing the story between Leah's family and the romance, neither plot got the full attention it deserved. Instead, I just ended up disliking everyone except Duffy. Unfortunately I didn't get to know him enough to form an opinion but he seemed nice enough in that rebellious but sweet sort of way. I felt the story had unfulfilled potential. 

Rating: 1.5 out of 4 The summary isn't entirely accurate. Kiss Crush Collide is less about forbidden romance than about a girl coming to terms with her family and future. I was never able to connect with Leah and there just wasn't enough of Duffy.

Author: Website | Facebook
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Source: ARC courtesy of the publisher for my honest review
Buy the book! Kiss Crush Collide Publication date - December 27th, 2011

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to spotlight what books we've received for the week.

Won:

From Midnyte Reader - Thanks Pam!

Crossed by Ally Condie
Deadtown by Nancy Holzner
The Postmortal by Drew Magary

And comi-con signed swag (not pictured)

Gifted:

Also from Midnyte Reader - Thank you again!

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

For Review:

Good for You (Between the Lines #3) by Tammara Webber (thank you Tammara)

Bought:

Fates Edge by Ilona Andrews (not pictured)
Double Cross by Carolyn Crane (*see rave below)
Head Rush by Carolyn Crane (Kindle)

Street Team Swag:

Shade/Shift and WVMP bookmarks for giveaways from Jeri Smith-Ready

*I just finished the Disillusionist trilogy by Carolyn Crane and it's ZOMG - GO read it NOW - awesome! (Mind Games/Double Cross/Head Rush) All three books are out so no excruciating year long waiting between books. It has a very satisfying conclusion! Yipee - still on a reader high!!

What did you guys get this week?

Team AuraFTW winner!

Aura Salvatore from Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade series went head to head against Kaylee Cavanaugh from Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series in round #14 of the YA Sisterhood Tournament of Heroines yesterday.

It went down to the wire but Kaylee won that round. Congratulations to her advocate and to Rachel Vincent.

But his was Team Kilt & Aura's Army y'all and we know how to have fun and keep the party going!

Posted on Twitter by @jderucki

Posted on Twitter by @jenduffey

I was hosting an incentive giveaway for all three books in the Shade Trilogy if Aura won. That didn't happen but as usual you all came out in force to get her over 1300 votes! That must be rewarded so I'm still picking a winner who will get to choose one book from the trilogy!

And the winner is......

Nicole M!!

*We also raised $470 for the Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore to help them keep open the Poe House. (I'm sending my $100 donation today - there's still time for you to help!!)

*I want to give a BIG, GINORMOUS {{{{{ HUG }}}}} to Aura's advocate Brooke from Brooke Reports /@BrookeWorm33 on Twitter. She wrote an amazing defense for Aura! We love you Brooke - you did us proud!

*Still want a chance to read SHINE (& that castle scene) before everyone else?? Then make a bid over at Christine Johnson's Humane Society Auction! Jeri has donated a highly coveted ARC of SHINE ( also included in this auction: Rampant and Ascendent by Diana Peterfreund, both in hardcover, both signed.)

Bidding ends December 20th). This is the ONLY non-lucky way to get this book.

YA Sisterhood Tournament of Heroines - Team Aura FTW

After the incredible success of the YA Crush Tournament earlier this year, The YA Sisterhood is holding it's first ever YA Tournament of Heroines.

Starting at midnight tonight Aura Salvatore from Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade series will be competing against Kaylee Cavanaugh from Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series. Which is too bad because I think these two would be great friends.

I know quite a few of you are fans of both girls and both series so this is a particularly tough round.

Jeri has some VERY cool incentives for voting for Aura including having a character named after you in SHINE!

I'm adding a little incentive as well if Aura WINS her first round.

Before we get to that - Jeri is donating $10 for every 100 votes Aura receives (up to 1000 votes) to the Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore to help them keep open the Poe House. Due to budget cutbacks, they're in serious danger of having to shut down this historic landmark, which was featured in SHADE and may *cough* make a reappearance in SHINE. Without generous donations, the Poe House will close in June 2012. (More information here)

I'm going to match that donation, so let's get a lot of votes so we can donate money to a great cause!

Now back to what you will win if Aura WINS!

The Shade series is getting a makeover with all new covers when Shine is released in May 2012. Read all about that on Ficticious Delicious's cover reveal post.

So now you all need a brand new matching set...right?? Well if Aura wins this round of voting, I will give one winner a brand new set of the Shade series with the new covers. Shade & Shift (paperbacks with the new covers) and Shine (hardcover). If you are a US winner those will be signed and personalized by Jeri. (This will be a pre-order - all books release in May of 2012)

So are we ready for tonight?? Oh hell yes!!

Join Aura's advocate, the freaking hilarious, amazing, wonderful (seriously there aren't enough complimentary words for this girl) Brooke from Brooke Reports / @BrookeWorm33 on Twitter, and show your support for Aura. Go grab a button, tweet like a maniac (use #AuraFTW), chat with the Shade Boys!

VOTE HERE starting at 12:01 am 12/14!

That's right! The boys will be back for a very special #SHADEboys chat at 11pm Eastern time tonight. Logan and Zachary will be taking questions about Aura who will be making her Twitter Tourney debut. Sssh....don't tell the boys - it's a surprise.

Fill out the form below to enter the giveaway. (Do not leave your email in the comments - only the Rafflecopter form counts as an entry) Giveaway starts at 12:01 EST 12/14 when voting begins.  If Aura wins her round I will pick a winner Thursday morning. I'm using the honor system and assume that you are indeed voting for Aura. She has to WIN for you to WIN so I think that should be enough incentive to keep you honest :-) - You do NOT need to sign into Facebook to enter - use the name & email option below the Facebook option if you want instead.

*One last public service announcement - Do you want a highly coveted ARC of SHINE? Make a bid over on Christine Johnson's Humane Society Auction ( also included in this auction: Rampant and Ascendent by Diana Peterfreund, both in hardcover, both signed. Bidding ends December 20th). This is the ONLY non-lucky way to get this book. Tis the season for giving! GO BID NOW!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Obsidian Blog Tour! Character interview with Daemon Black

I'm happy to welcome author Jennifer L. Armentrout to For What It's Worth for the OBSIDIAN Blog Tour.

Today Jennifer will be sharing her interview with Dameon Black. Daemon is the incredibly hot but sometimes rude and frustrating alien from Obsidian, the first book in Jennifer's new Lux series. I really enjoyed Obsidian - my review will be up this week!

Take it away Jennifer and Daemon......

Jennifer L. Armentrout: Why are you five hours late?
Daemon Black: I thought you said 8pm.

JLA: No, I’m pretty sure I said 3pm. I even sent you a text message and email.
DB: Oh.

JLA: Yeah, and I also called you five times. Like a total stalker.
DB: I was sleeping.

JLA: You were sleeping until 8pm?
DB: I need my beauty rest.

JLA: Oh, yeah, like that’s something you need.
DB: So you think I’m beautiful? Huh, you do? It’s okay. Totally natural reaction.

JLA: We are NOT talking about how you look. This room isn’t big enough for your head. Got that?
DB: Fine, if that makes you feel better about being undeniably attracted to me.

JLA: Back to the real reason we’re here. People want to know.
DB: Know what?

JLA: Why you’re such a poopey head?
DB: Poopey Head? How old are you, Jen?

JLA: Old enough to kick your butt. So, tell us. Why are you always such a jerk?
DB: I’m not a jerk.

JLA: The masses beg to differ.
DB: Okay, so maybe I’m not a people person.

JLA: Why?
DB: Uh, I have poor social skills?

JLA: That’s like a psycho saying they are a sociopath because they have poor social skills.
DB: I don’t get it.

JLA: Basically that’s not a good enough reason.
DB: Sorry you don’t like my answer. Oh. Well.

JLA: There’s that attitude again.
DB: I like to think I have a glowing attitude. A real go getter.

JLA: You’re ridiculous. Back to the meanie part. Why were you so tough on Katy?
DB: Katy knows my reasons. I’m not saying it’s justified, but she knows why and that’s all that matters.

JLA: I think you love her.
DB: I think you need to mind your own business.

JLA: Oh, touchy, touchy, Daemon.
DB: You want to touch me?

JLA: That’s not what I said. Anyway, you have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. Is that tough?
DB: It’s not like I’m the only one who shoulders their family. There are many like me in the same position.

JLA: But it’s got to be hard right, especially after—
DB: I know where you’re going with that and just don’t.

JLA: Ooo-kay. What’s it like being an alien?
DB: Cooler than being a human.

JLA: Can you say one nice thing, right now? About anything. Just something nice.
DB: Damn. Put on the spot like that…

JLA: Waiting…
DB: The first snowfall of the year is always the most beautiful.

JLA: Wow. That was kind of unexpected.
DB: I live to surprise you and only you.

JLA: Yeah, okay. Do you have anything you want to share with the readers?
DB: I like ghost shows.

JLA: Something a little deeper than that.
DB: Okay. If I could take away some of the things I said to Kat, well, I would.

Karen: Awwww

JLA: Now that’s actually kind of nice. Sort of like an apology.
DB: Ha-Ha.

JLA: I’m being serious.
DB: And I’m still laughing.

JLA: You are a poopey head.
DB: Yeah, are we done? I think Kat’s going to try to film an IMM tonight and I so have to bust up in that.

JLA: Yes. We’re done. Try not to tick Kat off. I’m sort of tired of hearing her complain about you.
DB: No promises.

JLA: Oh, wait, I have one more—dangit! I hate when he does that super-speed alien crap.

Karen: That Daemon is a tough one to pin down on anything isn't he? I can't wait to see what kind of sparks he & Katy create in Onyx which is tentatively scheduled for release in May 2012. I know you have one!

Thank you to both Jennifer & Daemon for stopping by the blog today!

Jennifer L. Armentrout Links: Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

About the Book:

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Buy the book! Obsidian - (A Lux novel book 1)

Hug an Author Blog Hop! Part 2

Lynn from Bringing the Epic, Jen from What's On the Bookshelf and Marissa from And Many to Read Before I Sleep, have organized this fantastic blog hop to celebrate authors! Don't forget to check out their blogs for great interviews with your favorite authors and bloggers all week.

My first Hug an author post is here:

Today I'm answering the question:

Which author wrote the character you would want as your best friend? I have two answers for this question. (I have two!)

Deuce from Enclave by Ann Aguirre. I love that character so much. There are a lot of kick-ass heroines that I adore but she has this vulnerability and honesty that I admire. Deuce can kick freak butt one second but be a normal girl giggling with her friend Tegan the next or figuring out how to talk to a boy. Friendships and loyalty are very important to her but so is doing the right thing. The strength of her convictions in a time where she could fall back to self preservation mode show a rare quality in a person. Deuce would be the perfect best friend whether you're trying to survive the apocalypse, navigating high school or just needing a friend to confide in.

Ciara from the WVMP Radio Vampire series by Jeri Smith-Ready. She's intelligent and snarky as hell. Loyal almost to a fault (with total disregard to her own safety) Ciara would be a blast to hang out with and she would always have my back no matter what. I'm hoping she wouldn't take offense if I'm ogling her boyfriend Shane who I adore. Scratch that - I won't ogle - Can they BOTH be my best friends?? Shane, a Vampire DJ, can provide the music while we all hang out.

What about you? Who would be your pick?

Review: The Taker by Alma Katsu

True love can last an eternity . . . but immortality comes at a price. . . .
On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.
Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.
Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption. (Adult)

Review:
Reading The Taker made me feel like I was watching an oncoming wreck while being stuck in quicksand with my mouth duct taped shut, powerless to warn the victims of their impending doom.

When Lanny is just 14 years old, she falls instantly and madly in love with Jonathan, the son of the town's founder. They become friends and occasionally more. For Lanny it becomes an obsession, going so far as to sabotage Jonathan's relationships. 

Jonathan is a bit of an enigma; he's described as beyond beautiful. This brings him the attention of all of the town's women and yet he seems unhappy. He turns to Lanny whenever his relationships hit a speed bump. Every time she comes to his aid, and every time they seem to take a step forward in their relationship only to take 10 steps backwards. I never could tell if Jonathan truly reciprocated any of Lanny's feelings or if he was just using her to get out of his many illicit affairs or as a rebound. She was easy to manipulate into doing his bidding. She's so young and so infatuated that I could see why she would fall for his lines time & time again. I even found myself believing him once or twice. When he's speaking to her he seems so sincere…..until he doesn't.

When her forbidden relationship with Jonathan causes her family to send her away to Boston, Lanny's life hits yet another tragic turn where she falls prey to a group of beautiful strangers offering her shelter and food and maybe the happiness she seeks. There she meets their enigmatic leader, the Romanian Count Adair. Theirs is a house of horrors which nearly leaves Lanny dead until Adair offers her the gift of immortality and possibly forever for her and Jonathan. 

This is where the story took me on an emotional and downright disturbing ride. Katsu has drawn such a detailed picture of Adair. I was horrified to learn his background and even more shaken to see what he had become. The story of how he was sold to a cruel alchemist as a naive and innocent boy turned cruel, sadistic leader was tragic beyond words. 

The Taker is really several stories told within a story. Lanny in present time after she is brought to a Maine hospital as a murder suspect and through flashbacks spanning 200 years recounting her and Adair's tales. It was very reminiscent of Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice where the Vampire Louie recalled his tragic life to a reporter.

The present day chapters didn't really grip me the way the past did. Lanny meets a Dr. named Luke Findley who, of course, is immediately drawn to her and Lanny finally tells her story. She's lived with guilt and shame for centuries and finally feels the need to unburden herself. She also needs Luke to help her escape from the police and a murder charge.

I wanted to feel sympathy for the characters because of what they've endured but I just couldn't. I only felt pity. Lanny and Jonathan in particular seem to be passive about everything that happens in their lives as if they had no choices other that the ones they've made. Unfortunately, we never really learned much about Jonathan other than he was beautiful which seems a poor reason for Lanny to be inspired to basically sell her soul for him. To her credit Lanny acknowledges this fact. Adair….well let's just say his situation is more complicated. I in no way liked him or condoned any of his actions, but he was incredibly fascinating and I could see how he got to the place he is at.

I wish at least one person was redeemable or even moderately likable but I couldn't find it. Even Luke who may bring hope for Lanny's redemption didn't make much of an impression. I almost see a set up of him being so infatuated with Lanny that he doesn't see her using him to do her bidding like Jonathan used her. This is the first book in a series so I could be way off base here and Lanny could be, in fact, on her way to finding true love or at least redemption. I hope so for everyone's sake. They most certainly deserve it.

I have to warn you that this is a very dark tale of tragedy, selfishness and hedonistic behavior. The sex scenes are plentiful and for me in no way romantic but were surprisingly not graphic. Honestly, I found what she didn't write far more disturbing when left to my imagination than if Katsu had been more graphic. The author uses sex in The Taker not as titillation but as a psychological weapon (IMHO anyway). It's not going to be for everyone and I had a hard time with it myself. I'm used to having at least one character to pin my hopes on….a glimmer of a happily ever after. You're not going to find that here.

Rating: 3 out of 4: Definitely not for the faint of heart. The Taker is beautifully written with characters that will shock and offend you but hopefully you will see it as a cautionary tale. I do wish that Lanny and Jonathan's story was fleshed out more so that I could see what about him was worth all the sacrifices Lanny made. Adair was both revolting and riveting as the villain.
Tragic..... yes, but I could not look away.

Alma Katsu: website | Facebook | Twitter
Buy the book! The Taker
Source: Provided by the publisher/author for my honest review
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Gallery Press

*To purchase The Taker inspired jewelry visit Cadsawan Jewelry

Hug an Author Blog Hop! Part 1

Lynn from Bringing the Epic, Jen from What's On the Bookshelf and Marissa from And Many to Read Before I Sleep, have organized this fantastic blog hop to celebrate authors! Don't forget to check out their blogs for great interviews with your favorite authors and bloggers all week.

They've included a few prompt questions to get things started.

Is there an author who brought you back/to reading? Those of you who have followed my blog for a long time can look away now - you know what's coming……Jeri Smith-Ready.

I guess strictly speaking it was the Twilight Saga that brought me back to reading, but it's Jeri's writing that has touched me the most and has had the greatest lasting impact on me.

I originally read her WVMP Radio Vampire series and fell in love with the snarky, fun writing style, then moved on to the Aspect of Crow series that absolutely blew my mind with it's awesomeness. To this day it is my favorite series ever. 

More than that though is Jeri herself. She was the first author who I wrote a fangirly, embarrassing TMI filled email to. She was amazingly kind and generous to me. Because of her response, I forged ahead and started blogging to share my love of reading. I may seem social to you guys but I'm actually painfully shy. It was a huge deal to put myself out there and I have Jeri to thank for the inspiration to do so.

The other thing she gave me through her books is a new found appreciation of music. Anyone who reads Jeri's books knows how important music is in her writing. I had always listened to music in the car but honestly I could care less what was on. Since reading the WVMP series, complete with playlists, I am now a HUGE music fan. I had attended maybe 3 concerts in my lifetime (the last one Prince in the 80's), now I probably go to three a month!

Is there an author you've met or attended their signing? I've had the opportunity to meet Jeri on several occasions and she's the real deal. What you see on Twitter and her blog is really her. She's a truly kind and generous person. It's wonderful to admire someones talent and then not be let down when you meet them in person.

The YA Sisterhood's Tournament of Heroines has kicked off and Aura, from Jeri's Shade series, is up for her first round of voting on December 14th! 

Her advocate is one of my favorite people ever.... Brooke from Brooke Reports. Go check out her post, grab some buttons and stay tuned to Jeri's blog for some pretty cool incentives in store if Aura wins her first round!

Friday I'll have another hug an author post and answer the question:

Which author wrote the character you would want as your best friend?

Review: Devil's Kiss by Zoe Archer

1762. James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney, is a gambling man. Not for the money. But for the thrill, the danger—and the company: Whit has become one of the infamous Hellraisers, losing himself in the chase for adventure and pleasure with his four closest friends.

Which was how Whit found himself in a gypsy encampment, betting against a lovely Romani girl. Zora Grey’s smoky voice and sharp tongue entrance Whit nearly as much as her clever hands—watching them handle cards inspires thoughts of another kind...

Zora can’t explain her attraction to the careless blue-eyed Whit. She also can’t stop him and his Hellraisers from a fiendish curse: the power to grant their own hearts’ desires, to chase their pleasures from the merely debauched to the truly diabolical. And if Zora can’t save Whit, she still has to escape him. (Paranormal, historical romance)

Review:
In Zoe Archer's new series she takes us to the year 1762 and introduces us to five friends, known as the Hellraisers, for their relentless pursuit of adventure and life's pleasures.

James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney (Whit) meets a gypsy beauty named Zora at her family camp. They have an instant connection. Zora doesn't usually believe in superstitions but she has a heavy sense of foreboding as Whit leaves her camp with his friends to tour a local ruin that evening.

Zora's intuition is correct and she arrives too late to stop the longtime friends from entering a deal with the devil himself. Whit's vice is gambling. In his exchange with the devil, Whit receives the gift to control the odds unaware of just how high the cost.

"For you, my dear Lord Whitney, I shall grant you the ability to control the odds. You can make them good or bad, as you require."

Once the bargain has been sealed, Whit and Zora are tied to each other. Whit is pleased that his deal also won him his fiery gypsy but Zora will not give in to the man, no matter how attractive, until he turns his back on the devil and regains his soul.

I can't even tell you how much I loved Zora. She has got to be one of my favorite heroines in a long time. She's beautiful, confident and intelligent but most of all she has values that she will not compromise. Even in the heat of lust. You go girl!

Whit was passionate, and I loved how much he respected Zora and treated her as an equal although he didn't really stand out for me. Their declarations for each other also seemed a bit much at times.

One thing that didn't work for me is the setting. This is more a reflection of my reading preferences, not about the writing itself. Since the series takes place in 1762 there is fair bit of descriptions about cravats and corsets and the like but I'm just not a big fan of historical romances or the language of that time period. If you are, then this might be a better fit for you.

Archer skillfully blended elements of paranormal, historical, and gypsy mythology. I definitely enjoyed the magic the most. I don't want to spoil it but I particularly loved just how Zora came to be in Whit's "possession". Nice twist.

In order to save his soul, Whit also has to choose between his friends and Zora. Whit is continually drawn to the dark and the lure of beating the odds as his friends beckon him. I thought that played out nicely and is a good set up for the next books in the series. It seems that both Whit and Zora may be players and not cast aside. (I hope anyway)

According to Archer's book trailer, not all of the men will get their happily ever after. That makes for a fun twist.

Rating: 3 out of 4 The historical feel was not a favorite of mine but I adored the feisty and intelligent Zora and the creative use of magic in this story.

Author: website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr
Buy the book! Devil's Kiss
Publisher: Zebra
Source: ARC provided by the author for my honest review

Book trailer: