Friday, March 30, 2012

Feature & Follow (10)

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

I think I'm one of the few who can only handle one review book at a time. I usually have a physical review book, an audiobook (sometimes), and a romance novel going all at once. But most of my time is dedicated to getting the review book read. That's why the romance novels take me the longest to read!

What about you guys!?





Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Ebook of the Week + Giveaway: Every Last Kiss

Ebook of the Week "Ebook of the Week" is a weekly feature here at Inklings Read. Each week I feature an ebook as well as a giveaway! Ebooks featured in these posts will always be well rated and reasonably priced!

Sometimes, if we're lucky, the author will drop by to say "Hi" with a few words on their book as well. Now let’s showcase Inklings Read’s Ebook of the Week!

This week we have Courtney Cole, author of the The Bloodstone Saga, here with us today to tell us a bit about herself and the first book in the series, Every Last Kiss.

Every Last Kiss (The Bloodstone Saga, #1) by Courtney Cole

17-year old Macy Lockhart has the weight of the world on her shoulders.

For thousands of years, she has been a Keeper in the ancient organization, the Order of the Moirae. She literally holds fate in her hands.

But this is something that she forgets, because her memories are wiped clean in every life until it is time for her cycle to start again. And in the last two thousand years, there has never been a problem. Until now. And now…Fate, the very thing that Macy was born to keep, is being tampered with and she has only one choice: To return to a previous life to fix it; a life where she was Cleopatra’s handmaiden, Charmian.

Cue up the second problem: Unless she interferes with the fabric of time, the very thing she has returned to repair, her soul mate will die leading Marc Antony’s forces against Rome. Can she really stand aside and allow the love of her life to die all over again?
 Every Last Kiss
Goodreads | Amazon
(I LOVE this cover!) 

Courtney 2012About Courtney

Courtney Cole is a novelist who lives near Lake Michigan with her domestic zoo (aka family) her pet iPad and her favorite cashmere socks.  Courtney is the author of the Bloodstone Saga, the Moonstone Saga and the American Princess series.  She's always hard at work on her latest book.  Learn more about her at www.courtneycolewrites.com

Please describe Every Last Kiss using only 5 words! 

Rich, Exquisite, Romantic, Tragic, Beautiful.
What can we expect from you in the future!?

I loved writing the Bloodstone Saga so much that I started a spin-off series called The Moonstone Saga. The first book is Soul Kissed. I'm working on the sequel, Soul Bound.  It's about the daughter of the goddess of witchcraft and the moon... and the son of the god of the sun.  They have conflicting powers which could kill them... and she's cursed. 

Want to connect with Courtney?
Please click "Read More" to proceed to page with the giveaway (if you don't see it below)!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Review: Grave Mercy

Grave MercyGrave Mercy (His Fair Assassin, #1) by Robin LaFevers 
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: eGalley
Source: Provided by Publisher For Review 
Release Date: April 3, 2012
AmazonGoodreads
★★★★☆
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?
Though Grave Mercy is a historical novel, it certainly didn't read like one! Ismae's story is as engrossing and action-packed as it is intelligent and emotionally driven.

What I loved most about Grave Mercy was Ismae's growth from a broken, hopeless girl, to a confident and strong woman. Once taken in by the convent, young Ismae learns skills she could never have dreamed of learning in her old life. She learns thousands of ways to kill and finally finds a home in the convent. Ismae's personal growth was certainly not limited to her confidence and strength: She grew emotionally the most of all. She learned of real love, due to the kindess and trust of Duval.

Robin did a fantastic job developing the relationship between Duval and Ismae! It was such a natural and believable progression. Both Duval and Ismae were constantly on guard with one another, worried the other might betray them. Yet, somehow, over time they were able to gain each other's trust. Their love carried a realness with it that is rare in YA books these days. I also enjoyed the fact that their relationship didn't overshadow their duty. Both Ismae and Duval maintained noble and loyal intentions throughout the book.

Because I couldn’t dedicate solid reading time to Grave Mercy, the pace seemed to slow a bit in the middle. Even during that time, my desire to learn what would happen to the characters never feigned.  Grave Mercy is a strong start to a hopefully fantastic series!

If you liked Graceling by Kristin Cashore then you will like Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Kindle Deals 3/26/12

Hi Guys! Here you'll find some of the best Kindle deals available. Some books are well known and some are hidden gems that I've found, but ALL books below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon. Let's admit it: Mondays can be a little... draining on the soul. So what works better for lifting the spirit than finding some great books for cheap!?

Here are my featured deals for the week:

All of the titles below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon.com.

FREE!



Click "Read More" to see other price ranges!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

If You Like The Hunger Games… You’ll Like:

Hunger Games Banner Poster (2)Who is excited for the Hunger Games!?! I know I am ^_^ Unfortunately I won’t be able to see it until Saturday, so don’t all of you premiere folks ruin anything for me! In spirit of the release of the movie, I’ve decided to show some other options for all the Hunger Games fans out there. Check out the books below if you are looking to read something similar!

Though I haven’t read all of these, the ones that I haven’t come recommended from some other trusted bloggers! The ones I have read are pink and link to my review.  Feel free to leave your input in the comments if you have read any of these, or have any others to recommend!

HAPPY HUNGER GAMES!

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Divergent is the most recommended book to Hunger Games fans and for a good reason. This is the first book that comes to mind when people ask me for a similar recommendation. Fans will definitely enjoy this one!

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.
Divergent
Unwind Unwind by Neal Shusterman

This is a very chilling book that focuses on ethics and human cruelty. I loved this one!

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.
Delirium
Enclave Enclave by Ann Aguirre

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Ebook of the Week + Giveaway: Pride’s Run by Cat Kalen

Ebook of the Week "Ebook of the Week" is a weekly feature here at Inklings Read. Each week I feature an ebook as well as a giveaway! Ebooks featured in these posts will always be well rated and reasonably priced!

Sometimes, if we're lucky, the author will drop by to say "Hi" with a few words on their book as well. Now let’s showcase Inklings Read’s Ebook of the Week!

This week we have Cat Kalen, author of the Wolf’s Pride series, here with us today to tell us a bit about herself and the first book in the series, Pride’s Run.

Pride’s run (Wolf’s pride, #1) by cat kalen

Seventeen year old Pride is a tracker—a werewolf with a hunger for blood. Taught to trick and to lure, she is the perfect killing machine.

Kept leashed in the cellar by a master who is as ruthless as he is powerful, Pride dreams of freedom, of living a normal life, but escape from the compound is near impossible and disobedience comes with a price.

When she learns her master intends to breed her she knows she has to run.

Pride soon learns if she is to survive in the wild, she must trust in the boy who promises her freedom, the same boy she was sent to hunt.

With life and death hanging in the balance the two find themselves on the run from the Paranormal Task Force—officers who shoot first and ask questions later—as well as her master’s handlers.

Can Pride flee the man who has held her captive since birth and find sanctuary in the arms of a boy who has captured her heart? Or will her master find her first?
Pride's Run
Goodreads | Amazon


IMG_7311

About Cat

Cat Kalen is a multi published author in the romance genre under two pen names, Cat is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and watermelon. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Cat can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.

A maritime native and former financial officer, Cat has lived all over Canada but has finally settled down in her childhood hometown with her family.  

Please describe Pride’s Run using only 5 words! 

She’s the perfect killing machine.

What can we expect from you in the future!?

I am currently working on Pride’s Pursuit, the third book in the Wolf’s Pride series.

Want to connect with Cat?
Please click "Read More" to proceed to page with the giveaway (if you don't see it below)!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop!

Spring Cleaning HopTomorrow is the first day of spring!! We've had some gorgeous weather here in MD this week, and I've been enjoying every second of it! In spirit of the new season, Inklings Read is participating in the Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. For this hop I’m giving away an entire box of books aka box of awesomeness to one lucky winner!

You can check out the video below for more info on the prize, but for those looking to know quick, prize highlights include Cinder by Marissa Meyer (ARC), Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges (ARC), Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, and the entire Secret Circle series by L.J. Smith.

After reviewing the terms and conditions below, you can enter using the rafflecopter form at the end of this post.

Terms and Conditions:
- Must be 13 years of age or older!
- US mailing addresses only please! The cost to ship internationally is far too high.
- Winner will be randomly selected via rafflecopter. Winner will be given 48 hours to respond to my email. If I do not receive a response in that time period another winner will be selected.

Cover Reveal: The Earthquake Machine

The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry has received some very rave reviews! But I, along with other reviewers, reached out to Mary to express our thoughts on the cover. I felt the original cover just didn’t target the YA crowd. It was holding the book back.

What amazed me is that not only did Mary listen and thank me for my input, but she actually acted on it! She “asked award-winning author/photographer/cover designer Suza Scalora to create a cover for The Earthquake Machine that's as lush, enchanted, and edgy as the novel itself.” Here it is folks:

The Earthquake Machine

THE EARTHQUAKE MACHINE BY MARY PAULINE LOWRY


The Earthquake Machine tells the story of 14 year-old Rhonda. On the outside, everything looks perfect in Rhonda's world but at home Rhonda has to deal with a manipulative father who keeps her mentally ill mother hooked on pharmaceuticals. The only reliable person in Rhonda's life is her family's Mexican yardman, Jess. But when the INS deports Jess back to his home state of Oaxaca, Rhonda is left alone with her increasingly painful family situation. Determined to find her friend Jess, Rhonda seizes an opportunity to run away during a camping trip with friends. She swims to the Mexican side of the Rio Grande and makes her way to the border town of Boquillas, Mexico. There a peyote-addled bartender convinces her she won't be safe traveling alone into the country's interior. So with the bartender's help, Rhonda cuts her hair and assumes the identity of a Mexican boy named Angel. She then sets off on a burro across the desert to look for Jess. Thus begins a wild adventure that explores the borders between the United States and Mexico, adolescence and adulthood, male and female, English and Spanish, and adult coming-of-age and Young Adult novels.

Here is the original cover:

Kindle Deals 3/19/12

Hi Guys! Here you'll find some of the best Kindle deals available. Some books are well known and some are hidden gems that I've found, but ALL books below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon. Let's admit it: Mondays can be a little... draining on the soul. So what works better for lifting the spirit than finding some great books for cheap!?

Here are my featured deals for the week:

All of the titles below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon.com.

FREE!



Click "Read More" to see other price ranges!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Ebook of the Week + Giveaway: Anew

Ebook of the Week"Ebook of the Week" is a weekly feature here at Inklings Read. Each week I feature an ebook as well as a giveaway! Ebooks featured in these posts will always be well rated and reasonably priced!

Sometimes, if we're lucky, the author will drop by to say "Hi" with a few words on their book as well. Now let’s showcase Inklings Read’s Ebook of the Week!

This week we have Chelsea Fine, author of The Archers of Avalon series, here with us today to tell us a bit about herself and the first book in the series, Anew.

Anew (The Archers of Avalon, #1) by Chelsea Fine

Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery...until she met a boy with a familiar voice. Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet's determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he's kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer. Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past...might just be the death of her. Anew
Goodreads | Amazon

Book Trailer




Chelsea Fine

About Chelsea

Chelsea lives in Phoenix, AZ where she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen. 

Please describe Anew using only 5 words! 

Mysteries, curses, forbidden love, sacrifice.

What can we expect from you in the future!?

I am currently working on a YA thriller (dum-dum-dumm), a Christmas love story (because who doesn't love snow and cozy kisses?), and a science fiction romance (because, clearly, I can't decide which genre I should write in, haha)

Want to connect with Chelsea?
Please click "Read More" to proceed to page with the giveaway (if you don't see it below)!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Author Interview: Ari Marmell & Giveaway

Ari MarmellI’m super excited to have Ari Marmell, author of Thief’s Covenant, here at Inklings Read to tell us a bit about his writing and first venture into the young adult fantasy genre!
Q. First off, It's a pleasure to have you here at Inklings Read! I was reading up on your background a bit and noticed you wrote several fantasy books and guides. What inspired you to venture into the YA genre? How did you have to change your approach when writing for a YA audience?
Quite honestly, it happened almost by accident. The very earliest drafts of what would become Thief's Covenant weren't written as YA. It just happened to come out in such a way that, as my agent at the time pointed out, it wouldn't take much rewriting to change it into a YA book.

Some of the reasons for doing so were purely clinical--such as the fact that the book was too short for most publishers to publish as an adult fantasy. But the truth is, I liked the idea of branching out into YA. I was about that same age when I first really began devouring fantasy fiction. Many of the authors I read back then still stick with me, and are responsible for my love of reading. I love the idea of just maybe being that writer for someone else.

As far as changing my approach, they were all fairly minor. It involves writing about a younger protagonist than I did in any of my other books, but Widdershins was always meant to be fairly so young, so that wasn't really an issue. I toned down the blood and violence a little bit, but not much. (And yes, that will come as a surprise to people who read the fairly bloody prologue, but it's true.) And Widdershins herself isn't as dark of a main character as many of my others.
Thief's CovenantQ. I LOVE the cover of Thief's Covenant! It's what initially drew me to the book. What role did you play (if any) in the design of the cover?
The artist, Jason Chan--a god among illustrators, if I may say so--provided Pyr Books and me with a selection of rough sketch ideas he had. My editor and I talked it over and chose the one we liked best, and that's the one he turned into the full cover design.

So, I had a little input, but pretty much all the credit is due to Jason.

(By the way, just for giggles, I gave Widdershins her own Facebook page. If anyone wants to see those preliminary sketches, I got permission from Jason to put them up there. Just look for "Widdershins" in the FB search bar.)
Q. What do you think sets Thief's Covenant apart from other YA fantasy books?
I'd start with the setting. The modern speculative fiction market in YA is either near-future science fiction or modern/urban fantasy. While there certainly are plenty of traditional fantasy YA novels, the majority of them are a bit older. I like the idea of brining traditional fantasy back to a position of equal prominence in YA. (Not that I'm likely to accomplish that by myself, but...)

I think the combination of a Renaissance-inspired setting, rather than the more common Medieval, and the peculiar religious system at the heart of the culture, would also qualify as setting the book somewhat apart.

And I'd like to think that Widdershins herself--particularly her unique relationship with Olgun--stands out as well.

Speaking of whom...

Monday, March 12, 2012

Kindle Deals 3/12/12

Hi Guys! Here you'll find some of the best Kindle deals available. Some books are well known and some are hidden gems that I've found, but ALL books below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon. Let's admit it: Mondays can be a little... draining on the soul. So what works better for lifting the spirit than finding some great books for cheap!?

Here are my featured deals for the week:

All of the titles below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon.com.

FREE!



Click "Read More" to see other price ranges!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

It's My Blogoversary! (+ Giveaway)

Dear Inklings,

Inklings Read is officially one year old! Thank you so much for hanging around and supporting me through my first year blogging. I cannot express to you how much fun I’ve had participating in this awesome community! Everyone has been so helpful, supportive, and welcoming. It has truly been an amazing year!

Around this time last year, I had just finished reading The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (AMAZING if you haven’t already read it). I was browsing the web and somehow came across The Story Siren. I remember being blown p&bcakeaway by Kristi's passion… and thinking “I want to do that.” I started up Inklings Read shortly after and posted my first review of The Iron Daughter. I was so excited when I got my first couple followers… To this day I still get a high from every new follower and every comment!

189 posts,
1,962 tweets,
55 reviews,
24 giveaways,
721 followers,
602 feed subscribers,
1 new blog design,
numerous squeals,
a ton of happy dances,
a bunch of great blogger friends,
hours lost chatting on twitter,

later and I’m still here today! I couldn’t be more enthused about what this year will bring. I’m already looking forward to BEA in June (my first big book event)!

So, cheers to all of you for making this experience as wonderful as it has been! Here’s to new friends, new books, and another (hopefully) fantastic year. ANYWAY, I think I've blabbered on enough... As a thanks to all of you for sticking with me, I’ve arranged a celebratory giveaway! Click Read More to continue to the giveaway.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Feature & Follow (9)


Q: Have you ever looked at book’s cover and thought, This is going to horrible? But, was instead pleasantly surprised? Show us the cover and tell us about the book.

This has happened to me on numerous occasions! The first book that comes to mind is Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier. I actually put off reading this book because of the cover (and the fact I usually hate time travel in books). Judging by the cover, I thought the book would be stuffy and lack excitement. Turned out to be one of my favorites once I actually got around to reading it (My review here). I think I'm one of the few people who is happy they redid the cover design!

What do you guys think of this cover? Love it, hate it? Am I crazy?


Another one that I can recall is Joust by Mercedes Lackey. Easily one of my favorites (My review here), but the guy on the front looks like he's wearing a freakin' vase on his head... I mean... really? Look my helmet doubles as a water glass! Super intimidating. The dragon is bad-ass, but the guy is just a major turnoff.


Any of you have a similar experiences with a book covers?

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Review: Starters

StartersStarters (Starters, #1) by Lissa Price
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Format: eGalley
Source: For review by publisher
Release Date: March 13th, 2012
AmazonGoodreads
★★★★☆
Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined.
Starters was fantastic! It was a refreshingly original dystopian read . Filled with twists, it kept me on my toes from page one.

Imagine having someone "rent" your body: You wake up having no clue where you have been or what you have done. Lissa made this chilling concept easy to imagine. You are dropped into a world where trust is thrown out the window. No one is what they seem. Creepy right? Well, It gets creepier.

The situation Callie, Michael, and Tyler are placed in after their parents' deaths is bad enough. But when you toss The Old Man and Prime Destinations into the picture it becomes one heck of a scary beast. After agreeing to be a renter, Callie's neurochip malfunctions and she is thrown into a conspiracy she never could have imagined. Yet, even when lives were hanging in the balance, Callie remained a relatable and true character.

Callie's voice pulled me into the story easily and brought a certain realness to it. From the beginning it was clear that she was not afraid to make the necessary sacrifices for Tyler and Michael. Not only was she a selfless character, but she was quick to think and act even in the most desperate of times. Poor Callie never had a break in this book.

Lissa did an amazing job with the pacing! Just when I was starting to feel comfortable with the world, she would throw another twist at me. I was constantly on my toes! I did, however, find Starters lacking  in the detail department. It would have been nice to see the world fleshed out a bit more. Perhaps that's something I can look forward to in book two!

Starters is a smart, thrilling, and action-packed dystopian read. The ending will leave you desperate for the next book!

If you liked Unwind by Neal Shusterman then you will like Starters by Lissa Price.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Ebook [Series] of the Week + Giveaway: The Hayle Coven Novels

Ebook of the Week 
"Ebook of the Week" is a weekly feature here at Inklings Read. Each week I feature an ebook as well as a giveaway! Ebooks featured in these posts will always be well rated and reasonably priced!

Sometimes, if we're lucky, the author will drop by to say "Hi" with a few words on their book as well. Now let’s showcase Inklings Read’s Ebook of the Week!

This week we’re doing things a bit different. We have Patti Larsen, author of The Hayle Coven Novels here with us today to tell us a bit about herself and the entire Hayle Coven series!


The Hayle Coven Novels

Aren’t the covers gorgeous!? I’m in love with them!

about book one, family magic


Sixteen-year-old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord of the seventh plane. The trouble is, she just wants to be ordinary. Syd struggles to survive the minefield of her new high school while being torn between her attraction to football hero Brad Peters and the darkly mysterious Quaid Moromond. When her coven comes under attack, Syd is forced to face the fact only her power can save her family’s magic.

Book Trailer

 Patti Larsen

About Patti

When asked to describe Family Magic in 5 words she stated:

Teen witch craves the ordinary.”

Patti Larsen has a serious passion for YA paranormal and thrillers. Now with multiple books in happy publication, she lives on the East Coast of Canada with her patient husband and four massive cats.
She is currently in edits for the Diamond City Trilogy, coming
out in March and writing the first book of a new series, Clone Three.

Want to connect with Patti?
Please click "Read More" to proceed to page with the giveaway (if you don't see it below)!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Review: Thief’s Covenant

Thief's CovenantThief’s Covenant (Widdershins, #1) by Ari Marmell 
Publisher: Pyr
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 240
Source: Received from publisher for review
AmazonGoodreads
★★★☆☆
Once she was Adrienne Satti. An orphan of Davillon, she had somehow escaped destitution and climbed to the ranks of the city ’s aristocracy in a rags-to-riches story straight from an ancient fairy tale. Until one horrid night, when a conspiracy of forces—human and other—stole it all away in a flurry of blood and murder.

Today she is Widdershins, a thief making her way through Davillon’s underbelly with a sharp blade, a sharper wit, and the mystical aid of Olgun, a foreign god with no other worshippers but Widdershins herself. It’s not a great life, certainly nothing compared to the one she once had, but it’s hers.

But now, in the midst of Davillon’s political turmoil, an array of hands are once again rising up against her, prepared to tear down all that she’s built. The City Guard wants her in prison. Members of her own Guild want her dead. And something horrid, something dark, something ancient is reaching out for her, a past that refuses to let her go. Widdershins and Olgun are going to find answers, and justice, for what happened to her—but only if those who almost destroyed her in those years gone by don’t finish the job first.
Ok.. so here's the deal: In theory, this book is fantastic! In reality, however, Thief's Covenant didn't live up to my expectations. I was in love with the idea of the book versus in love with the book itself.

My main issue with this book lies in the fact that I felt a constant disconnect between myself and Widdershins. She was spunky, witty, strong, and intelligent - all qualities I look for in heroines. I just never felt dedicated to her cause. I lacked that passion for her character. I didn't feel a push or drive to care what happened to her. That, for me, is what made this book fall apart.

On top of my issues with the main character, I also had some major problems with the pacing. While there was plenty of action in Thief's Covenant, I felt the book moved very slow for some reason. I didn't feel like all that much was happening. I was also confused by the use of flashbacks. They hindered my understanding of the story rather than helping it. I've seen the value of flashbacks in other books, but when they range from two to six years back, it can be rather distracting.

Overall, I think that there are readers who will find this book enjoyable, however it wasn't for me. I had an incredibly hard time getting into it despite my enthusiasm at the start.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Kindle Deals 3/5/12

Hi Guys! Here you'll find some of the best Kindle deals available. Some books are well known and some are hidden gems that I've found, but ALL books below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon. Let's admit it: Mondays can be a little... draining on the soul. So what works better for lifting the spirit than finding some great books for cheap!?

Here are my featured deals for the week:

All of the titles below have 4+ star ratings on Amazon.com.

FREE!



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Friday, March 2, 2012

Review: Eon

Eon Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon, #1) by Alison Goodman 
Publisher: Viking Children's Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 531
Source: Purchased 
Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
★★★★☆
Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.

When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.
Eon was unlike any YA epic fantasy I've read before! It wove fantasy and Asian mythology together seamlessly, creating a world I easily fell in love with.

Eona was a refreshing change to the usual sword-wielding YA heroine. Instead of being physically strong and powerful, she was quite terribly crippled with a damaged hip . Yet, even in that state, she pushed through the pain and fought against it. Not only does she have to fight her foes in this book, but also herself at times. It was inspiring to see her prevail even as the world was seemingly going against her.

Despite the 500+ pages, not once was I bored with the plot. Goodman's writing was so descriptive and engrossing that it was hard to put down. I really loved that this book was fully fleshed out. Goodman's descriptions built a complete picture of the world adding depth and understanding to the story.

With lovable characters, a thrilling plot, and beautiful descriptions, Eon has left me pining for the next book, Eona. 

If you liked Graceling by Kristin Cashore then you'll like Eon by Alison Goodman.

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Thursday, March 1, 2012

New Releases: March 2012





Featured Release

I can't wait for A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink! It sounds like such an engrossing story.


When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendents charged with protecting the world’s past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.