Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's a little before nine o'clock, and most people are just rushing to get to work on time. An endless blur of normal people doing normal things, eyes straight ahead of them, paying no attention to the short, nondescript girl with a lumpy backpack pushing past them.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.

The Tuesday Teaser is down! Check back next week for more :)

Bloodmaiden by Christine Schulze E-Book Winner!

As promised, I'm announcing the winner of Bloodmaiden by Christine Schulze. The winner was chosen randomly by random.org (go figure). So, without further ado, the winner is...

Corrine from Lost for Words!

Congratulations, Corrine! I am sending you an email now...to everyone else, if I don't hear back from Corrine within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen! Also, don't forget My Favourite Things Blogoversary Giveaway is going on now and is open internationally!! Want to read the rules and have a chance to win some amazing prizes (and give back at the same time)?! Click HERE!

Heroine, Bridget Duke, rules her high school, but when she crashes her car and ends up in limbo, she must confront the people she has wronged, all of whom want her to go to hell. The outcome of these meetings will decide her final destination.
Taken from GoodReads.

Here Lies Bridget is the story of teenage Bridget who rules her small town high school by fear. She's manipulative, catty, superior, and is used to getting what she wants, when she wants it, and from whom she wants it. She never thought anyone would dare to argue back. When a series of her lies and manipulations spirals out of control and she begins to lose her grip as queen bee, Bridget makes a rash decision landing her in a limbo with a jury of her peers. Can she redeem herself in time, or will she pay the ultimate price for her actions?

I've been really excited to read Here Lies Bridget for a while now, and I was so excited to see it was on NetGalley. The story of teenage bullying is, by no means, a new story, but Here Lies Bridget takes a different approach and tackles the question of whether or not there is redemption for these bullies. Written by Paige Harbison, this story takes a new approach with an engaging voice and completely unique insight into a bullying teenager's mind.

I've got to be honest. I'm on the fence about Here Lies Bridget. In theory, it's a great story. That said, I absolutely hated Bridget. I rarely, if ever, actually hate the MC. This story presented a unique challenge for me though. Written in first person, I had to somehow get inside the head of a character I loathed. Then, as I watched her make these calculating decisions, never giving a crap thought to what her actions might cost her, suddenly when the situation turns on her, she recants. Her sudden change in demeanor...I just couldn't reconcile myself with it in such a short period of time, and I only saw it as self-preservation. I also have to admit that the character of Anna threw a wrench in the plot for me because, while I thought it was unique, I'm still confused about her interaction with the other characters.

Here Lies Bridget is a quick read, and it's really not bad, but I can't give a rave review about it. I think the ultimate problem was a pacing error. If we're meant to hate a character and see a transformation, I need time to see that transformation come about, and I just didn't. I give Here Lies Bridget a 3 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA and contemporary fiction. This book releases on Februrary 1, 2011.

I received this book free of charge from Harlequin Teen and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

Delirium - (For Review - Thank you, HarperTeen & NetGalley) - 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 governments 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.

Here Lies Bridget - (For Review - Thank you, Harlequin Teen & NetGalley) - Heroine, Bridget Duke, rules her high school, but when she crashes her car and ends up in limbo, she must confront the people she has wronged, all of whom want her to go to hell. The outcome of these meetings will decide her final destination..

Branded - (For Review - Thank you, Keary Taylor) - Night after night, Jessica stands trial before a council of vindictive angels for deeds she didn’t commit. Condemnation brings a branding as they dementedly laugh and point but exaltation starts a war over her soul. These are Jessica’s nightmares. Alex is everything Jessica could ever want and she’ll do anything to be with him. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck.

What did you get in your mailbox this week? Leave me a link, and I'll be sure to check it out!

Some vampires are good. Some are evil. Some are faking it to get girls. Awkward and allergic to the sun, sixteen-year-old Finbar Frame never gets the girl. But when he notices that all the female students at his school are obsessed with a vampire romance novel called Bloodthirsty, Finbar decides to boldly go where no sane guy has gone before-he becomes a vampire, minus the whole blood sucking part.

With his brooding nature and weirdly pale skin, it's surprisingly easy for Finbar to pretend to be paranormal. But, when he meets the one girl who just might like him for who he really is, he discovers that his life as a pseudo-vampire is more complicated than he expected.
Taken from GoodReads.

Bloodthirsty is the story of teenage Finbar, absolutely awkward in every way, who is willing to do anything and everything to get the girls. Yes, this includes faking vampirism (sp?). Giving him a chance to step into the spotlight (not sunlight) and out of his popular twin brother's shadow, Finbar finds that he now has a niche in school and in social circles. Is it worth his tranformation though, and how far is he willing to go to remain in the limelight?

It's no secret that I loathe vampires. Bloodthirsty, however, presented a satire of the whole vampire phenomenon in a unique way that piqued my interest just enough to convince me to give it a go. Flynn Meany certainly has a way with humour, and turned the vampire craze on end with the content of Bloodthirsty. She has a unique, fun, and engaging voice, allowing a character even as shallow as Finbar to pop through the prose.

The only thing I think Bloodthirsty really lacked was depth, but in the same breath, I don't think it was meant to be anything particularly meaningful. It's fluffy and light, but I will admit that I think Bloodthirsty was a bit of a "perfect-timing" book because it managed to find a fan base in those who don't really get or appreciate the whole vampire thing. Fortunately though, Bloodthirsty presents laugh-out-loud hilarity, situations that are so awkward that you'll alternate laughing so hard you cry and cringing at the downright strange characters.

All in all, for what it is, Bloodthirsty is a really fun book. No, it's not deep, and you won't really draw anything from the story itself, but it's great for sheer entertainment. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to YA readers looking for a fun, fluffy, hilarious book with vampires.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher, Hachette Book Group. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Ariel from The French Poet!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. Do conjoined twins pay for one or two tickets when they go to the movies or sporting events?

Well since they have two different identities and are recognized as two people, I would say two tickets.

2. Are glow-sticks still glowing when the lights come on?

Absolutely. The child in me knows this.

3. Do English people eat English muffins, or are they just called muffins?

Do they eat them at all? I thought they were called crumpets. :P

4. Why do people say "heads up" if you're supposed to duck?

They want you to get hit.

5. If you get cheated by the Better Business Bureau, who do you complain to?


I would go crying to my mommy.



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Thank you SO much for dropping by, Ariel! I really enjoyed your simple, fun, and to-the-point answers. To all of you: Ariel has the cutest little blog that's super chic and fun to read. I highly suggest you check out her blog, The French Poet...stat!

Last but not least, My Favourite Things Blogoversary Giveaway is going on now through December 17th! Be sure to check it out and enter because, yes, it's international! Click HERE.

What would you do if the love of your life was murdered by a deranged killer? Would you become a vigilante and seek retribution? And would this revenge affect those you care for in the afterlife? LOGIC OF DEMONS The Quest for Nadine's Soul takes you on a journey inside the psyches of men and women forced to deal with the spiritual consequences of their decisions.

Through the lives of a demon, two Angels, and a mysterious teenage girl, a plethora of politically and socially relevant issues ranging from the roots of genocide and sex trafficking to child conscription and religious fundamentalism are addressed in this fantasy thriller. Life as well as the afterlife converge in this novel to explain certain peculiarities of the human condition.
Taken from GoodReads.

Logic of Demons is an insane thrill ride of an adventure following Devin the aftermath of his wife's rape and murder by a homeless man. Devin makes a decision that ultimately catapults him on a path to atonement, forgiveness, and ultimately redemption. While trying to redeem himself and find his way to a life where he continue out all time with his wife, Devin learns the depth of the human condition and how far people will go to control situations.

I was contacted by Hal Goodman to read his novel, Logic of Demons, and I heartily accepted because I love books with religious undertones that address some of the more vivid aspects of life that we might otherwise overlook. He's created a masterpiece of a novel that combines a great writing voice, characters that make you feel for them, and a story about redemption that anyone can appreciate.

I did have a few qualms with Logic of Demons though, and I feel it's only right as a reviewer to address them. Devin, our hero had a clear goal to reunite with his wife throughout the story, yet when he was presented with cataclysmic circumstances, he always seemed to leap before looking. Now, lots of us are like this, but it really had me wanting to punch the MC for his stupidity. Then, when he is given the task by The Company to sell the Formula to Nadine, all I wanted to was save her because of her background of tragedy. Basically, I had conflicting emotions tackling one another through the story.

Logic of Demons is a very well-written novel. Clearly the author put both time and effort into the story, as well as heart. I will, however, say that I think Logic of Demons would be suited for more of an adult crowd than a YA audience. The graphic nature of parts of the story, as well as the content might offend those otherwise. I give it a 4 out 5, and I'd highly recommend this book to more of an adult audience that enjoys Christian fiction, as well as contemporary and fantasy.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Dead Rules
Author: Randy Russell
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen

Sometimes falling in love means you've got to kill somebody. Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were destined to be together forever. Of that, Jana was sure. But Jana just died—in a bowling accident. And now she’s trapped in Dead School. Jana is certain that it won’t be long before Michael kills himself in order to spend eternity with her—but the days are passing and Michael is, inexplicably, still alive. So Jana decides to take matters into her own hands. And nothing—not even Dead School bad boy Mars Dreamcote’s enticingly warm touch or the devastating secret he holds about her death—will stop her from making her dreams come true.

Taken from Goodreads.

I saw the cover for Dead Rules, and I was sold in a heartbeat. I'm not afraid to admit that I judge books by their covers more often than not, but Dead Rules has a really enticing premise, too. I like the whole afterlife context and the idea of a selfish MC that's almost narcissistic enough to think her boyfriend would die to continue being with her. I sense some wicked dark humour in this story, and it makes me giddy with glee! What do you think...and what are you waiting on this week?

My Favourite Things Blogoversary Giveaway!

December 17th marks my very first blogoversary! I posted my first (completely pathetic) review that day because I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, and I can't believe it's almost been a year now! It's been a fun ride this past year, and I've enjoyed every second of it, and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to meet some amazing bloggers and book lovers around the blogosphere. We're a great bunch, eh? Anyway, I figured I'd do something to thank all of you for being so amazing and for sticking through the year with me - helping me to get my little site where it is today.

So, without further ado, I'm announcing My Favourite Things Blogoversary Giveaway! Harpo has her favourite things every year and gives away cars and humpback whales, but I think it's time to give away some of MY favourite things. Ready for the prize? One (1) lucky winner will win the following:

A hardcover copy of Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
A soft cover copy of Breathless by Jessica Warman
An adoption of a Polar Bear through Oceana (worth $35)
Some sweet swag (it's a surprise!)

In case you're not sensing the theme...it's water...and swimming...and oceans. My goal this year is to launch a section of my site dedicated entirely to ocean conservation and animal rescues. So, here's the rules for the giveaway:

You MUST be a follower to enter. This giveaway closes promptly at midnight (EST) on December 17, 2010, and this is international, kiddos, so enter away, and good luck! The winner will be chosen randomly by random.org (go figure).

Click HERE to fill out the form and enter!

Tuesday Teaser/Teaser Tuesday #33

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

While I was often moody and irritated and prone to shutting myself in my closet, displaying many signs of a future serial killer, Luke was always moving, smiling, always happy, always busy.
Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.

The Tuesday Teaser is down! Check back next week for more :)

Lockdown follows the story of tweenage Alex, once a normal boy who got into stealing and ended up being framed for a murder. Condemned to Furnace prison, Alex discovers that it's not ordinary lock-up. Furnace makes the most heinous of all prisons look like paradise. Full of under-age criminals, Furnace employs monsters to guard the little monsters inside, and when the lights go out in Furnace for the night, the darkness of the prison becomes all-consuming. Alex, along with Donovan, his cellmate, and a quiet schemer hellbent on escape, Zee, must learn to survive or escape Furnace once and for all, or the darkness might consume them all together.

Ok, I like dark stories. I should put that out there. I really do. Lockdown completely satiated my appetite for a creepy, eerie, and slightly insane novel. Though written for a younger YA audience, the descriptions within Lockdown were enough to give me chills and to make me cringe at certain points. I believe that's the measure of a good author. Perfectly balancing that age-old test of show vs. tell, Alexander Gordon Smith has created a thrill-ride of a story that will have you cheering for the characters, reading with baited breath, and still leave you longing for more.

I really don't have many qualms with Lockdown at all. I think the characters were well-rounded and each one adds a little bit to the story. Furthermore, the MC, Alex, is truly relatable. You can get inside his head, feel what he's feeling, and get a sense of what's happened to his world by being condemned to Furnace. The only slight hiccup that I have to mention in the story is that Alex seemed to slip in character slightly near the end. He was strong the entire story, but then his personality seemed to falter for a bit. I found that a little disappointing, but I was pleased to see him redeem himself in the end.

All things considered, I have to give Lockdown a very strong 4.5 out of 5. It's well-written, slightly terrifying, and a little bit psychotic just to keep you on your toes. I would recommend this to an upper YA audience, especially those who enjoy horror and sci-fi. Due to a wee bit of graphic violence, I would recommend this to those who can stomach such stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher, Macmillan (Feiwel & Friends), in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my review or opinion of this book.

Author Interview & Giveaway - Christine Schulze

I'm so excited to feature Christine Schulze, the amazing author of one of the books I just read and reviewed, Bloodmaiden. With a story rich in dragon lore, fantasy, and a touch of Christian undertones (don't worry - it's not at all preachy!), Bloodmaiden was a surprisingly great book with far too little hype surrounding it. I'm excited to introduce Christine Schulze today, so without further ado...the interview...

1. What can you tell us about your approach to sitting down and writing a story?

Well, in a word: sporadic! Some authors say they have to sit down and write a certain
amount every day. That would drive me crazy though! Nor do I write from start to finish; often, the beginning and end of the book are done before all the middle is. I write what I am inspired to write, when I am inspired to write it. And, as a Christian, I would say God inspires me quite a bit, whether through people, movies, books, art, video games—as you’ll later, I can be inspired by many things!

I did recently push myself to finish a book. While I still enjoyed it, pumping out over fifty thousand words that fast was pretty crazy! But I only did it because it was my first fanfic, entitled Silent Hero and based on Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda. I’m pretty sure I’ll never write that crazily ever again! On the other hand though, it was nice to finish a good book that quickly.

2. You write mainly young adult Christian fantasy fiction...what attracts you to this relatively small sub-genre?

Well, I have always LOVED fantasy. I love being able to create new worlds, peoples,
characters. I just can’t write realistic fiction because it limits me too much. Plus, I really love how almost all of my books—all thirty-plus of them—connect in some way, shape, or form.

The “Christian” aspect comes in because, as a Christian, I feel I should give something back to the God who blessed me with talents of writing. That said, most of my work is NOT preachy; I try to incorporate any Christian aspects so that they flow naturally with the characters and story, instead of seeming awkward. In the words of Briana from The Book Pixie, another young lady who reviewed Bloodmaiden: “Another thing I loved was the incorporation of religious elements. They were subtly done so that a Christian like me would pick up on them; however, they weren't blatantly obvious enough to detract from the story for those non-religious readers out there.”

This is exactly what I aim for, so I was glad to here it from another reader. Many of my books simply contain Christian virtues like the importance of friendship, forgiveness, love, redemption, or self-sacrifice. Others do talk about God, but mostly in an allegorical sense, like Aslan from Narnia. For those looking for a more obviously Christian read, my short book, The Pirates of Meleeon, does refer to God directly, and salvation is a big part of that book. For the most part though, my books will still appeal to as wide an audience as regular fantasy. I do plan to wrap up all my books with a final book, Carousel in the Clouds, which draws on the book of Revelation to bring an end to all worlds. Though the book is already finished, I have much else to do before it too is published.

3. Who or what inspires you to write?

One of the common questions I get asked as an author is what inspires me. My simple reply is that I believe my inspirations come from God and that people in my life, above all things, inspire me. But I’ve gleaned inspiration from a variety of interesting sources, so I’d like to share with you the inspirations for some of my favorite books.

The Gailean Quartet, my favorite series of all time, was actually inspired by the main reason I gave above—people in my life. In particular, Dr. Gail Hagler Fleming, whom I still declare is the most awesome teacher ever. I first took Music Appreciation with her at Southwestern Illinois College. Pained to leave that class, I ended up joining her choir. It was one of the best experiences of my life. At the time I took choir, I was going through some hard times in my personal life. Choir and Mrs. Fleming’s presence gave me something to look forward to—and inspired a “magical, musical” series full of rich characters and intricate plots, making it one of my favorite series I’ve written to date. Mrs. Fleming retires this coming spring in 2011, but her inspiration to myself and students like me will live on in these books. I plan to take choir one, last time to relive the magic once more.

Bloodmaiden and Black Lace are actually two of my books inspired by photography. I admit I have a small streak of vanity, and every now and then, I’ll come up with a cool idea for a photo shoot. Sometimes, the pictures turn out so awesomely that I must conjure an accompanying book! Bloodmaiden, my most recently published novel with Old Line Publishing, is such a book. I also have a series of anthologies. The first is Bloodmaiden: a fantasy anthology, published by Victory Tales Press. The second is Broken: A Horrifically Romantic Anthology, which I also hope to publish with them. The third will be Black Lace: A Darkly Epic Anthology. I haven’t even done the photo-shoot yet, but I can envision me and lots of black lace and maybe a piano—and I know it will inspire many an interesting tale!

The Last Star is a book I have not yet published because I’ve decided on it being the book I submit to agents, to try and get into a big publishing house. Its a middle-grade fantasy adventure, and it was inspired by many things. First off, Diana Wynne Jones’ Dogsbody. Now, I love Jones’ work for its rich, unique worlds and quirky but lovable characters. I haven’t gotten to read Dogsbody though I still desperately want to get my hands on a copy. But after reading only the blurb and first couple of paragraphs in a bookstore, I was hooked and knew I had to write a book with stars. Also inspired by Paper Mario, as well as my earth science class—we were learning about astronomy at the time—I incorporated many scientific terms like “blue stars”, “falling stars”, “white dwarfs”, and “supernovas”, while adding magical meanings and twists to these terms. It is quite the fun and unique read with a whimsical story and characters, as well as some educational value, though hidden beneath the magic.

Silent Hero is my first fan-based work, inspired by Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda. The Zelda games have actually inspired many of my books. When I created the world of Loz, for example, which appears in many of my books, I named the world thus as a tribute to Legend of Zelda; Loz is an acronym. I got this idea from Swiss Family Robinson and Robinson Crusoe, one being named similarly to the other because of one author drawing inspiration from another. Silent Hero, on the other hand, is a fan fiction, but I of course tried to write it as professionally as anything else I write. The only difference is, of course, it is not edited; however, it is available for free download on Smashwords, and quite a few of my readers have expressed enjoying the story and quality of writing. For this I’m quite grateful; especially when you get into a fan-based work, it can be easier to offend readers than please them.

4. Describe Bloodmaiden in five words or less, please!

(Okay, this is the one I had to cheat on. I know you said five words, but can we make it ten? I just can’t do it in five, and this is Bloodmaiden’s tag line, so it works!):

Four Aria. Four Dynasties. One brilliant quest.

5. What fantasy creature would you write about if dragons were banned from all
literature?

I already told Melissa this would be my “fun” question, so thanks again to her for asking. Truth be told, though I love fantasy, I’ve never been a big fan of dragon stories. BUT I love taking fantasy creatures that already exist and adding my own lore or writing my own twists to them. For example, I have a book called Wish Granter— which shall eventually be published by Writers-Exchange e-publishing—which is about genies. They live in musical instruments, and you have to play the correct song for them to come out. Also, they physically cannot walk very far from their lamp, so they are kind of bound to whoever is carrying the lamp around. By the same e-publisher, I released Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress, which I wrote because I’d never done a vampire book before. As a Christian fantasy writer, I take the concept of “good” vampires a step further and bring up the concept of vampires and salvation; can they be saved? Can they go to Heaven, or are they eternally damned? I also come up with my own mythology for how vampires were first created.

SO, all that said, I wrote Bloodmaiden with dragons because I hadn’t done dragons before and wanted to come up with something unique. Hence, the four dynasties where the dragons protect the humans, and the humans, in turn, offer a yearly tribute. Of course, as readers will find out, Tynan’s tribute has gone terribly wrong, as summed up in these darkly poetic words: The field of sunlit gold has become the field of rubies.

To actually attempt to answer the actual question though, here’s a list of some of my
other favorite creatures, as well as what books they can be found in. Many of these books are published, but a few aren’t, so if you Google and can’t find, you’re not crazy:

Surprisers ~ Well, the prologue to the first book in The Legends of Surprisers series sums it up pretty nicely, so: “Long ago there were seven kingdoms which dwelt peacefully amongst each other: Anicleo, Labrini, Swala, Marineland, Arabis, Guedappleus, and Hyloria. But Labrini had always thought itself superior and wanted to rule over all the other kingdoms. Labrini stirred up strife amongst the other kingdoms until a great war ensued between them.

“Then, the three, great fairy sisters, Keren-Happuch, Jemimah, and Kezia, guardians
of the seven kingdoms, appeared, declaring that if they were all going to continue
fighting like wild animals, they would look like animals as well. So the fairies cast a spell upon the seven peoples, giving them animal-like features—fur, tails, and, depending on what animal they were, dog, cat, or bird faces. These animal-like people became known as ‘Surprisers’ to all who beheld them. For their appearance greatly surprised, and in many cases frightened, those whom the Surprisers came in contact with. It was said the spell would not be broken until the seven kingdoms were once more united in peace and harmony.” Thus is how the Surprisers came to be.

Forest-footers ~ These are one of my races of elves. They bear a green thumb and toe, which makes things grow wherever they touch—which is why they are prone to wearing boots and gloves! It would be rather inconvenient to have a tree sprouting from your lover’s forehead...In Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress, Chrystine is a special Forest-footer bestowed with the golden thumb, which means she can heal instead of grow. The Forest-footers are found in many other works as well, such as The Hero Chronicles, The Legends of Surprisers, The Gailean Quartet, Loz: Zephyr’s Islands, and Loz: the Mass.

Elementals ~ People highly-connected to nature. Some are rock, others earth, water, fire, etc. In Lily in the Snow, I have a gorgeous rock elemental; to be exact, her rock is mica schist, so her skin is covered with beautiful but very fragile green, glistening, mica schist crystals. If a rock elemental loses all their crystals, he or she will die. So, when Mica — for that is actually her name—is in danger, an earth elemental named Jewett must take her from her cave to protect her. But his gentle world of earth proves too dangerous for her—can they actually be together without him risking her death? Lily in the Snow is part of an anthology being released by Old Line Publishing in Spring 2011, so keep a look-out and read the story for yourself!

Fluffs ~ Adorable little creatures! About the size of a basket-ball, they are covered with white fluff, like a big dandy-lion. They have huge black eyes and smiles, and they hop about on big, bunny-rabbit-like feet. When they jump, they float a bit before landing; in turn, they won’t eat anything that’s not floating, so if you buy a fluff as a pet, you must also purchase special bubbles to place their favorite foods inside. The origin of fluffs is highly disputed. Some say they come from Abalino, the city in the clouds, and others from Chandra’s moon; none know for sure. Fluffs can be found in books like The Legends of Surprisers series, Loz: Zephyr’s Islands, and Loz: the Mass.

6. Is there anything else you would like to tell your readers?

Well, I’ve said so much already, I don’t want to keep them too much longer; a few are probably already nodding their heads and politely trying not to drift to sleep BUT — I would like to grant this one piece of encouragement: to persevere. If you are a writer like me, keep going towards the goal. Never stop, never slack. I may have published many works by self-publishing and smaller presses, and I may have some readers who really enjoy my work, but I’m not stopping there. I am in the process of perfecting a middle grade fantasy, The Last Star, the best I can before seeking an agent to get into the “big” publishing houses. The road is hard, but you can do it. And if you’re not a writer but certainly have other hopes and dreams, keep pursuing those as well. Find God, ask Him to help you, do your best, and something good will come of it!

Thanks to Melissa for having me here today; happy reading to everyone!

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A big thank you to Christine Schulze for visiting today and giving us some insight into her writing and thought processes! She has also generously offered an e-book version (PROOF version) of Bloodmaiden to one of my lucky readers. I highly recommend it, so please enter away!

The Rules: One entry per person. You must leave your email address to be entered in this competition. No email = no entry. I will use Random.org to pick the winner on Monday, November 29th.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

For Review:

The Logic of Demons: The Quest for Nadine's Soul by H.A. Goodman
Lockdown: Escape from Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith
Solitary: Escape from Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith
The Witches' Kitchen by Allen Williams
Dark Song by Gail Giles
The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan
Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney

Won:

Ecstasy in Darkness by Gena Showalter

Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties... They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan.

Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon-but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan.
Taken from GoodReads.

Bloodmaiden is the story of a newly married young lady named Crislin and her husband, the unfortunate victims and offerings to the dragon dynasties to keep the humans and dragons living in safe harmony. Desperate to live and unwilling to simply accent their fate, the young couple is searching for allies, protectors, saviours...anything, but it's soon clear that hope is trumped by tradition and fear. Do they even stand a chance against this long-standing tribute, or is their fate sealed?

When I was contacted to review Bloodmaiden, I'll admit I had a brief moment of hesitation because, while I hate excessive hype, when there is no hype around a book, I worry about the content of the story. I was pleasantly rewarded by my decision to read Christine Schulze's novel. The author has a very distinct voice - perfectly capturing the tedious first-person tone and merging it with vivid details and descriptions that bring this otherworldly environment alive for the reader.

Bloodmaiden is a very visual story that sweeps you along despite and exorbitant amount of details in the first two chapters. Somehow, the story keeps moving at a good pace, and the fearless and endearing nature of the MC, Crislin, pops through, giving the reader a reason to become invested in the story. That was all extremely well-done. If I may admit one small qualm though, I felt that (at times) the amount of detail later in the story was a bit excessive only because the world had been established, and it only pulled me out of the story a wee bit later on.

I give Bloodmaiden a very strong 4 out of 5, and I'd highly recommend it to YA fans of fantasy and Christian fiction (the morals are very strong). Those who enjoy Eragon and The Sword of Truth series will likely truly enjoy Bloodmaiden.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Missie from The Unread Reader!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. If someone owns a piece of land, do they own it down to the center of the Earth?

With the amount of property tax I pay, I should hope so. But considering the size of the center of the Earth, I would venture to guess that if I did own any part of it, it would only be about a square inch. Hmmmm... how should I decorate it? *ponders*

2. Can a hearse that's carrying a body drive in the carpool lane?

Duh! Of course. Though they still have to pay the toll.

3. Who coined the phrase "coined the phrase"?

Is "coined the phrase" really a phrase? Methinks not, therefore I deem that no one gets credit for it.

Oops, My bad. I just got off the phone with Barney Stinson, and he informed me that he coined the phrase "coined the phrase", along with, "Really?" "True Story," "I am awesome," "It's gonna be Legend...wait for it...dary!" and any other phrase you think is awesome. He wanted me to be sure to tell you he gets all the credit.

4. Does a lightning rod on top of a church show a lack of faith?

On the contrary, I believe it shows an abundance of faith. I mean, whoever is brave enough to put a freaking lightning rod on top of their church (or mobile home) probably has it on good faith that nothing bad will happen to them during a storm or any other natural disaster.

5. Does anyone ever really vanish with a trace?

Sadly, yes.



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Thank you so much for dropping by, Missie! You should definitely all check out her blog because it's so much fun, and the site looks amazing! Love it! On another note, friends...who saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 last night at midnight?!?!?! I want to compare notes...can't wait for Part 2! (Now we just need another book, eh?)

P.S. This post...and this day...is brought to you by massive amounts of Red Bull.

P.P.S. If you would like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email on my contact page, and I'll get you set up with five awesome(ish?) questions.

When Katie Kitrell is shipped off to boarding school by her distant father and overbearing mother, it doesn’t take her long to become part of the It Crowd. She’s smart, she’s cute, and she’s an Olympic-bound swimmer who has a first class ticket to any Ivy League school of her choice.

But what her new friends, roommate, and boyfriend don’t know is that Katie is swimming away from her past, and from her schizophrenic older brother, Will, who won’t let her go. And when he does the unthinkable, it’s all Katie can do to keep her head above water.
Taken from GoodReads.

Breathless is the story of teenage Katie, a talented swimmer with the world at her feet, but she's hiding a dark secret and a painful past. Her older brother, whom she loves more than anything, is schizophrenic, and his disease is slowly consuming every inch of love and care he had for his family – especially his little sister. Katie discovers it's easier to lie about the past and pretend that everything is fine, her home life is normal, and there's no dark secrets hiding under her bed. The problem is that the secrets are catching up to her slowly but surely, and they're about to unravel all around her.

Breathless is one of those stories that I haven't heard much buzz about around the blogosphere. I think I've only read maybe one or two reviews for it, but they were pretty good, and I was already sold on the swimming premise (go figure) and the awesome cover. Breathless is the brainchild of author, Jessica Warman and combines a heart-wrenching tale with flowing prose, rich descriptions, and a setting that the reader can lose themselves in. It was very well-written and didn't lag, which I often find in books I don't know too much about.

I will, however, say that there were a few issues I had with Breathless. While it flowed nicely and had a great pace, I often found that the antics of the large cast of characters almost pulled me out of the story. Katie's personality had me somewhere between hating and loving her the entire time, and there were points where I was just indifferent. Then there's Drew. Drew is a character that I could potentially have loved in Breathless. He's a devout Christian with good morals and a strong standpoint, but I often found that he jumped on his religious bandwagon at only the most opportune moments, which I felt was a bit too convenient. Then, there were times when faith didn't drive his character, and I was left confused as to just who Drew really was.

I guess my verdict on Breathless is as follows. It's definitely not a bad read. I enjoyed a lot of it, and I thought the writing was very well done. While the characters have some flaws in my humble and honest opinion, I'm sure there is a big market for a book like Breathless. I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA fiction, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: The Water Wars
Author: Cameron Stracher
Release Date: January 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Welcome to a future where water is more precious than gold or oil - and worth killing for.

Vera and her brother Will live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befriends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations.

Taken from Goodreads.

Ok, I have two words to say about The Water Wars before I say anything else. Cover. Lust. Seriously! I swear covers keep getting better and better. There's more to my love of The Water Wars than just that though. In an age when we're consistently depleting our natural resources at an alarming rate, I think this book might just have the ability to ring poignant and true for those who want to hear a message. I love YA dystopian books, and the fact that it's relevant and sounds both scary and eerie appeals to me even more. What do you think...and what are you waiting on this week?

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's the first time in a long time that I can remember being grateful to see him. It's the first time I've ever been scared to be alone with my brother.
Breathless by Jessica Warman

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.

The Tuesday Teaser is down! Check back next week for more :)

Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention. In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath.

One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory. At first, she has only one defender: a mysterious Greyfriar who roams freely in dangerous vampire regions.
Taken from GoodReads.

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the story of an alternate world history for humans here on Earth. Vampires roam freely, mercilessly killing, maiming, torturing, and taking hold of every inch of land available. Those few humans that did survive are either enslaved or have fled to the relative safety of the South. Now, in a world dominated by various cunning and intense Vampire Empires, the world conquests are fought between vampires, rather than men, and Adele, heir to Equatoria, is about to meet the mysterious and complex Greyfriar.

Wow! Ok, when I received The Greyfriar for review, I wasn't expecting too much because, frankly, I've never heard anything about it before, and vampires usually bore the crap heck out of me. Finally! It was so nice to read about non-glittering vampires who stay true to their nature! Using rich prose, an incredibly steampunk atmosphere and a blooming and contagious romance, husband and wife author duo, Susan and Clay Griffith have created an incredible masterpiece of a story that is intense, exhilarating, and completely delicious.

There are too many high points in The Greyfriar for me to name them all, so I'll be general. The characterization was enthralling. Adele and the Greyfriar were so clearly defined, their actions and motives so well-pronounced, that it is impossible not to fall in love with their story as their relationship blooms. The amazing mythology that creeps its way into every aspect of the story heightens the sinister nature of the vampires and makes the story all that more gripping and enticing. Honestly, I'm surprised this book was as slim as it was because the story was well-rounded and truly captivating to read.

I give The Greyfriar a 5 out of 5, hands down. In fact, I'd probably give it more if I could. I recommend that everyone buy this book as soon as it releases (I believe on November 18th) because it is a definite must-read. I would recommend this book to fans of YA and adult fiction, particularly those who enjoy steampunk, vampires, fantasy, and mythology. Due to the violence, I do think an upper YA audience is probably best.

I received this book free of charge for review from the publisher, PYR, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my review or opinion of this book.

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar - (For Review - Thank you, Prometheus Books) - Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention. In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath. One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory.

Vampire Academy - (Bought) - St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school—it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's—the very place where they're most in danger. . . .

Virals - (Bought) - Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed.

What did you get in your mailbox this week? Leave me a link, and I'll be sure to check it out!

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?
Taken from GoodReads.

Nightshade follows the story of Calla, a teenage girl with the heart of a wolf - literally. Born to be at the front of the pack, Calla knows her path in life. It's been set for her since she was a baby. What Calla didn't plan on was finding the one person in the world who could help her see another path, another future, or maybe just a hint of another possibility. She's born to lead, but can she control her own heart first?

I'm not going to lie to any of you. Nightshade has had more than its fair share of publicity which, yet again, is part of the reason that I've put off reading it for a while. I don't like getting swept up in the hype. Now, with all that said, let me just take the time to say...the hype was right! Nightshade is such a fun, refreshing, and fantasy-ful world that I didn't want to put it down! Andrea Cremer has created a magical world that was already well put-together from the first page. Rather than being inundated with an unrealistic world and character transformation, Andrea Cremer treats us to a tongue-tying, spellbinding, artfully woven story of truth, love, and destiny.

The enigmatic nature of Calla, as well as the two male leads, Ren and Shay, in Nightshade is both tangible and electric. The characters are clearly defined with their true natures at the forefront of their personality. There are no wishy-washy MCs in Nightshade. Calla is strong, Ren is raw power, and Shay exudes gorgeous from every pore of his being. The interaction, chemistry, and dynamic between the characters is also artfully-spun, giving us a trio that drives the already fast-paced plot along.

Nightshade is one of the best reads I have sunk my teeth into in a while. Taking the all-too-popular werewolf trend and spinning it on its heel, Nightshade creates a new world that any reader would love to be lost in. I give it a 5 out of 5, hands down, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, paranormal and fantasy stories, as well as anyone who loves werewolf lore.

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell!

The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. Why do overalls have belt loops if they're held up by straps?

Because if the straps suddenly snapped and came loose you would stand there with your pants down. But I do remember seeing overalls here without belt loops, does that mean we often stand
with our butts out in the cold?

2. Do all-boy's schools have girl's bathrooms (and vice-versa)?

Tsk, who do you think I am, I have never been to an all boy’s school and visited toilets. But I guess their toilets are unisex then.

3. If you blew a bubble in space, would it pop?

My boyfriend says it would pop, I say it would too, because if I went to Mars, and built a house, then I would blow a bubble, and that bubble would pop. Case closed.

4. What do people in China call their good plates?

They call them good plates, but in Chinese, and since I do not know Chinese I can’t answer.

5. Do sheep get static cling if they all rub up on each other?

If a sheep rubbed up against a sheep, would the sheep rub back, or would the sheep just stand there and do nothing? But what if the sheep all rubbed up against each other, then they would all explode, and that poor farmer would come and find a massacre. Someone must pass a law against sheep rubbing.



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Linda, thank you so much for dropping by my blog to answer these absurd questions! Please take the time to check out Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell because her blog is absolutely amazing, and so is she! Remember, if you are interested in being featured - my email is on my contact page (if you couldn't figure that out)...please feel free to send a message my way!

Talia fell under a spell . . . . Jack broke the curse.

Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?
Taken from GoodReads.

A Kiss in Time is a re-imagining of the classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. Talia was warned to stay away from spindles at a young age. The miracle princess was cursed as an infant and when she fails to stay away from spindles, the curse is triggered, and Talia falls asleep. Jack, on the other hand, lives to be rebellious. When he finds himself in a sleepy town with an even sleepier gorgeous girl, he can't help himself - he kisses her. Talia's been asleep for a very, very long time though, and their relationship is just beginning along a journey of magical proportions.

Finally! I've been in a bit of an ok-book slump...meaning the books I've been reading were good, but they weren't really great. A Kiss in Time was a total breath of fresh air for me. No, it wasn't the most exceptional writing or the most original tale, but A Kiss in Time really entertains. Written by author, Alex Flinn, the prose is engaging, the story is a throwback to the classic with twists of originality to keep you guessing, and the characters are fun and alive.

Now, let me just say that the story of Sleeping Beauty has always creeped me out a little bit because of the fact that the guy desperately wants to kiss the comatose girl. That said, A Kiss in Time plays up the humour and finds the hilarity in the classic tale. I enjoyed how defined and true both Talia and Jack's personalities were. They were definitely different, and they kept the plot pace going steady and strong. My one and only gripe with A Kiss in Time is the fact that we all know how the story ends. (If you don't...you might be living under a rock.) I was sort of hoping that Alex Flinn would throw a wrench in the original tale so the happily-ever-after story kept us guessing throughout, rather that staying true to the classic.

All in all, A Kiss in Time is a fun, fluffy, and engaging read that you will breeze through. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I would recommend it to fans of classic fairy tales, YA fiction, and historical fiction. I will definitely be reading more of the author's work in the future.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Warped
Author: Maurissa Guibord
Release Date: January 11, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Press

A love story that crosses centuries...and hangs by a thread.

"By warp and weft I bind thee..."

Tessa Brody doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But all that changes the day she discovers a dusty unicorn tapestry in a box of old books The wild, handsome creature woven within it draws Tessa, and frightens her too. When she pulls a silver thread from the tapestry, Tessa accidentally releases a terrible secret-one that has been contained for centuries. She also meets William de Chaucy, a young sixteenth-century nobleman with gorgeous eyes, an odd accent and haughty attitude to spare. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. Together with Will, Tessa must overcome a crafty, ancient enemy. That is, if she can get along with "his lordship" long enough. And do it before her whole life unravels.
Taken from Goodreads.

Ok, is it just me, or does Warped sound abso-freakin-lutely fantastic?! I discovered this while perusing the web for hours looking for books that peaked my interest. First of all, this premise sounds like the perfect mash-up of historical fiction with paranormal and sci-fi elements. That's pretty much all of my favourite genres mixed into one story...and that basically means this sounds like it's made of pure win! Second, I have an insane cover lust for this. How beautiful is this cover? It's definitely eye-catching, and I can't wait to get my paws on it! What do you think...and what are you waiting on this week?