I swear that series are both the biggest blessing and the biggest curse for book bloggers...or, at least for me. I'm the type of person that absolutely loves to follow along a real adventure for many books and, sometimes, many years (ie: Harry Potter). These days, however, I simply lack the patience when it comes to finishing series. I start them, and I want to be able to read right through. Often times, this is because I want to read everything right away. Other times, it's just because I can't stand the wait, and with a lot of books to review, they simply get left behind along the way. And then there's always the case of the series for which I'm excited, but the first book just doesn't entice me enough to continue.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Need by Carrie Jones

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Fallen by Lauren Kate

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature from The Broke and the Bookish.

Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What books have you been putting off for a long and why?

Gosh, well, where to even start with this one? I mean, really. I think that ever since I started blogging I've become pickier and pickier about what I read. I think this mostly comes into play with series these days though. I started series when I began blogging, but as my TBR grew, so did my reluctance to spend a lot of time invested in one series.

Take, for example, the Mortal Instruments series. I was a diehard fan all through books one through three. Give me some Jace and Clary any day, right? Right. But here's the thing...when I found out that the series was continuing and that there was a prequel series, as well, I was oddly turned off. Ever since then, the series has been on my back burner.

Some other highlights that are on the list of books still waiting to be read are If I Stay by Gayle Foreman, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein and Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles. Why, you ask? Well, I'm terrified that I'll be the only person in the world that doesn't love them, of course. Le sigh.

What about you? What books have you been putting off for a really long time, and why?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Sequels I'm Dying To Read:

1. Untitled Mara Dyer #2 by Michelle Hodkin - I know, I know. Book one hasn't even come out yet, but trust me, when you read this one, you will understand. The Cliffhanger of Doom is just not fair. Not fair at all, I say. I need book two...preferably stat.

2. The Death Cure by James Dashner - This series is incredible. The Maze Runner was powerful, and The Scorch Trials was an amazing second installment. I can't wait for book three!

3. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare - No, I didn't love the first book as much as I liked her other series, but I'm willing to give this one a go because, let's be honest, her world-building is so much fun.

4. Seizure by Kathy Reichs - Anything by the author is fine by me, and I thought book one was awesome. Plus, it's almost like another look into Bones' life, and who can resist that?

5. The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson - Well, book one blew my mind, and I had my doubts about there ever being a book two, so needless to say, I'm thrilled we're finally getting the chance to read on. There's so much left to discover!

6. Vanish by Sophie Jordan - Firelight was a fun and entertaining paranormal, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading what happens next. In a world of series, this one totally stands out for me!

7. A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Throw away the fantastic cover, the overabundance of hype and the all the rave reviews, and you'll still have a fun, sci-fi and fantastic premise. That, alone, is enough to make me want to read on.

8. Ruthless by Sara Shepard - Just when I thought we were done with the Pretty Little Liars, we find out we got another! I'm in love with this series for the sole reason that it is a fun and fantastic escape. Best writing? Heck no, but it sure is a great read.

9. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan - Hello...it's Rick Riordan, and it's more about Olympus. I really don't need to go further in depth about that one, do I? If I do, clearly you haven't started the series. I'm jussayin'.

10. Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh - I remember the rave reviews about Nevermore, and I love me some darkness and Poe, so when I read it, I was so excited it lived up to the hype! Well, a year later, I want me some book two. Now. Thanks.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Jerks in Literature (all those jerky guys in books...those who truly WERE asshats and those who just acted like one but could actually be quite lovable):

1. Patch from Hush, Hush - Ok, seriously? I love me some bad guys, but this guy honestly takes the cake. I alternated between absolutely loathing him and slightly adoring him. Frankly, I can't figure him out.

2. Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter - Son of a douche. No, really, he is. He's a nasty little slimeball that I have both an aversion and a love of. Honestly, without him, I think HP might be a little lacking though, so I have to love his nastiness.

3. Jace from The Mortal Instruments - He's got a bit of a tricky exterior, but once you get past that, he's a marshmallow with a heart of gold. LOVE him...plus, I'm pretty sure this guy is epic eye candy. I'm jussayin'.

4. Adrian from Vampire Academy - He acts like a skeeze, and he quite often IS a skeeze, but when push comes to shove, he's got his heart in the right place. I'll also admit that my aversion to his character might just be because of my love of Dimitri though.

5. Voldemort from Harry Potter - Frankly, he should probably be the number one asshat on any list, but I figure I'll just list my 10 in an old order. If you want the embodiment of evil and right d-bag in the flesh, it's him. Honestly, there isn't a good bone in his creepy snakelike body anyway.

6. Varen from Nevermore - I wasn't sure I even liked the guy a tiny bit at the start of the book, but he grew on me. His perpetual honesty and reluctance to partake in anything really mundane made him more appealing, plus it made his interaction with Isobel more believable.

7. Kyle Kingsbury from Beastly - Remember those guys in high school who thought they were the sh*t and that the sun rose and set for them? That's Kyle in a nutshell, or at least, it was. I hated him for half the story, but through his transformation (both physical and mental), I got to see who he really was, and I loved it.

8. Luke from Percy Jackson - I loved him, then I hated him, then I pitied him, then I hated him, and then I just felt hollow. Honestly, I still don't know where I stand with Luke, but he's not a very nice guy, so I guess he's just a jerk.

9. President Snow from The Hunger Games - Well, how else do you feel about an evil sadomasochistic dictator hellbent on destroying the youth of the world's population for sport? He's as bad as Voldemort, and that's saying something.

10. Irial from Ink Exchange - Dark fae with creepy minds and hidden agendas...'nuff said.

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: (And YES...I'm really back full-time from Africa!)

FOR REVIEW

The Magical Tale of Eliza Felding by Rich Douglas

Thank you, Rich

New Orleans, 2006. Sixteen year old Eliza Felding desires perfect looks, a dashing romance and all the popularity and prestige in the world. Yet sadly she is not getting it, as she is simply average....That is...until a magical organization discovers her, and offers her an invitation she cannot refuse. Now with the help of magic, Eliza's life suddenly turns around, as she can now make herself beautiful and attract the love of her life, which she does.

BOUGHT

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

A mysterious someone iss killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them.  

Ramona Wray is a Romanian-born author now living in Plymouth with her husband and young son. Her third book in English, Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale was released on February 1, 2011 and combines a classic fantasy premise with twists of past lives, hexes, and the power to create one's own destiny. 

Self-published in English, which is not her native language, if I might add, Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale is thoroughly fun and refreshing. To view my review, click HERE. So, without further ado, onto the interview!

1. Describe Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale in five words or less, please!

Well, that's easy - pink, pink, and pink :) Or - fun, surprising, easy read.

2. Who is (are) your favourite authors, and why?

Ooh, tough question. Jane Austen, because she's so subtle, and funny, and - well - Jane Austen. Annette Curtis Clause, because her novels have amazing depth. Jenny Downham, because Before I Die was like nothing I ever read before. Holly Black, because she is such an innovative writer. Sarah Rees Brennan because she's unique. Cassandra Clare because she writes so elegantly.

3. Do you model your characters' personalities after real-life people?

I'm often inspired by real-life people, but my characters are purely fictional. They live in my head only.

4. Where do you draw your information from?

Different sources. I'm a meticulous observer and I always watch people (though not in a creepy way :). But the way they act, the way they handle emotion, and so on. I was raised by my grandparents so I grew up listening to all kind of myths and legends. After I left Romania, I lived in many different places and everywhere I went I did some degree of research into the local folklore. I carry around a bag of stories that grows a bit heavier every year.

5. What is the first song that comes to mind when you think "Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale"?

Snow Patrol ft. Martha Wainwright "Set The Fire To The Third Bar". To me, that song is perfect to describe the relationship between my main characters. A duet, but one in which, each voice carries quite distinctly on its own.

6. If your readers could come away from your book with one message, what would you hope that message to be?

That even the most peculiar of us can be happy.

7. Is there anything else you'd like to tell your readers?

Thank you so much for buying my book and for sending me your thoughts on it. Most of all, thank you for reading it.


-------------------------------------

And now, onto the giveaway! Ramona has generously offered TWO copies of her novel, Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale to my readers. To enter, please follow the link below to fill out the form. The Rules: This giveaway is US ONLY, and the giveaway ends at precisely at midnight EST on February 27th. You do NOT have to be a follower to enter, but it's greatly appreciated! I will notify winners by email the following day.

To enter, click HERE