Back to the Books Giveaway Hop

 Welcome to my stop on the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop!!  Big thanks to I Am a Reader, Not a Writer & Buried In Books for hosting.

 

On September 4th the forth book in Colleen Houck's Tiger's Curse Saga will finally be release!!  I am a super huge fan of this series and I feel like a child waiting for Christmas.  So, for my stop on this hop I will be giving away YOUR CHOICE of one (1) book from the Tiger's Curse Saga.  Haven't read any yet?  Great!  Grab Tiger's Curse!  Not so patiently waiting for some tiger love like me?  Grab Tiger's Destiny!  Or, any in between!  The choice is yours!! 

 

 

 

Unfortunately this series is NOT available for Kindle, but it is for Nook.  So, if you are INSIDE the U.S. you have your choice of hardback or Nook ebook.  If you are OUTSIDE the U.S. you will recieve an ebook.  Please, please, please be sure you can recieve the Nook ebook before you enter!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sorry I've Been MIA!! Exciting Stuff Coming Up!

Hello to all my lovely readers!!  I know I don't take the time very often to reach out to you all with a personal post, but I thought right now would be the perfect time since you may be wondering where in the heck I've disappeared to.  Rest assured, I am still here! 

 

Last month I stepped outside of my comfy (while admittedly somewhat mundane) little life as a stay at home mom, and I started my first semester as a college student.  It's been 15 years since I graduated from high school, so this has been an extremely big adjustment for me and also for my family who are used to having me available at every beck and call.  Since I'm not working at the moment I decided to jump in with both feet and take on a full time course load.  Wow!  Did I ever underestimate the amount of work I was getting into!!  It will all be worth it in the end though when I have my degree in hand as a Web/App Designer.  I'm really enjoying myself, but my free time has been slim.  Unfortunately, that means I've given up precious reading and blogging time.  Now that I've begun to adjust to my new daily routine I plan to pick up the pace with my reading and get back into this blog 100%. 

 

While I've been sparse these past few weeks, things have not come to a grinding halt!  Oh no...I have tons of great things going on behind the scenes!  First of all, this weekend I will be going to the Decatur Book Festival!  I am planning to stalk the Indie authors booth so look out Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines,  Liz Reinhadt and all you amazing Indies!  The author lineup for this festival is phenomenal!!  Who knows what I may come home with.  If you could pick one SIGNED book for me to  use in a giveaway, what would it be?  Leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do!

 

While I may not have as much time to sit and read lately, I do have a commute to school.  This has given me a lot of time for audiobooks.  Right now I'm in the middle of the Tiger's Quest series by Colleen Houck.  If you've been reading this blog you know how unbelievably excited I am about the release of book four, Tiger's Destiny!  I did a ARC review a few weeks ago but was left unsatisfied when the ending was left out!  September 4th is almost here and I cannot wait!!  So, look for those reviews in the very near future.  If you are also a fan of this series (or if you've never read them!) be sure to check out the blog tour!

 

 

(You can also see what other books I've read recently on the left sidebar under Review Coming Soon.  Those reviews will be up soon, too.) 

 <---------------Over there!!

 

I've also signed up to join Lost Generation Reader in a Harry Potter Read Along.  This is one of my favorite series yet I haven't done reviews on them.  I'm going to remedy that!  I will also be listening to the audiobooks for this Read Along.  If you enjoy audiobooks I highly recommend these!  They are amazing!!  If you'd like to join us please go sign up.  It starts tomorrow!!

 

 

One of my very favorite things to do on this blog is giveaways!  I have signed up for several giveaway hops with I Am a Reader, Not a Writer for the near future, one of which starts tonight!  So be on the lookout!  I am also only 7 (wow!!) followers away from hitting the 500 Followers mark!  I think that would be the perfect time for an amazing giveaway!!

 

And lastly, I am working with the amazing and lovely Lori at Imagination Designs to revamp the boring design of Silver Wings!  I am just giddy with excitement waiting to unveil!  Very soon you will see the new and improved Silver Wings Reviews!  This may be cause for another fun giveaway...who knows!!

 

So, stay tuned for lots and lots of new things coming soon!!!

Pushing the Limits READ-A-LONG ~ Week 5 The End!

This fabulous event is hosted by ME Candace Book Blog, Natalia @ Dazzling Reads, The Page Turners, Mary @ The Book Swarm and The Bewitched Bookworms.

This is the final week! And today's questions are brought to you from The Book Swarm.


 And now onto the Questions for this week:


1. By finally returning to her art, Echo is working through her issues and taking control of her life. While she’s not ever going to return to her previous “normal”, she uses her art as a way to work her way to a place where she’s more comfortable with herself. How do you deal with the issues and stresses of your life?
My go-to stress reliever is reading! On a good day I spend hours reading. Unfortunately since I've gone back to school I haven't had the time to read like I want to.


2. Once Noah gives his brothers and their soon-to-be adoptive parents a happy ending, he decides to get his own by winning Echo back. Why does he think stealing her file is the best way to do it? Any other (better) suggestions for the poor boy?
Noah's pretty good at making bad decisions! He wants to give Echo the one thing she really wants, and to do that he has to steal the file. He needs to stop and think things through that's for sure.

3. Echo finally uncovers the terrible truth of what her mother did to her. Now that we know the truth, do you think Echo’s father did the right thing by covering up the incident and keeping it from her? How do you think he should have handled it?
I don't think keeping her in the dark could possibly help her. Especially since she still wanted to see her mom through all of it. She needed to understand the truth. He would have made things a lot easier for Echo if he'd just been honest. I think he hid the truth from her more to cover his own mistakes and guilt.

4. Mrs. Collins plays an integral role in helping Echo and Noah find a new normal and happiness in their lives. Tell us about someone in your life who helped you, someone who changed your life, was there for you, or offered help/comfort when you most needed it (or when you didn’t know you needed it).
My parents have always been there for me when things go wrong, whether it be for financial problems or a shoulder to cry on.

5. Another major truth is revealed when Echo’s father finally opens up to his daughter and tells her about her mother and how his relationship with Ashley evolved. Knowing this, how do you feel about Ashley now? And what did you think when you learned the name of the baby?
Cheating is cheating no matter how you sugar coat it. And what Echo's dad did not only ruined his already failing marriage, but it ruined the relationship between the children and Ashley. There's no way to make the situation ok.

6. Echo and Noah ride off into the sunset together. *happy sigh* If you had the chance, who would you ride off with and where would you go?
I already got to ride off into the sunset with my hero:)

SYNC YA Audiobooks All Summer ~ Week 10

So sorry this is late!!  Sync had some trouble getting things up and running, but we finally have Week 10 ready to go!  Enjoy!

I am so in love with audiobooks, and this is an absolutely amazing offer!! Sync is offering 2 free audiobooks every week for 10 weeks, and this is Week 10! One book will be a popular Young Adult book and the other will be a Classic that is related to or parallels the first title. And the best part is they're good books!! And, they're yours to keep! 20 free audiobooks...AMAZING!! Click here to see a list of the 20 books and the dates they will be available. I'll be updating here every week with the books that are currently free. I highly, highly recommend everyone go grab these audiobooks while they're available!! Best. Deal. Ever. Go Now!!

___________________________________________________________

Week 10!

Click on the Title to be taken to the download page.



The Whale Rider

The Whale Rider
By Witi Ihimaera
Read by Jay Laga’aia
Published by Bolinda Audio
Eight-year-old Kahu, a member of the Maori tribe of New Zealand, fights to prove her love, her leadership, and her destiny when hundreds of whales beach themselves and threaten the future of the tribe.

The Call of the Wild

The Call of the Wild
By Jack London
Read by William Roberts
Published by Naxos AudioBooks
This is the classic story of Buck, part St. Bernard and part Scotch shepherd dog, who shows the strengths of both breeds when he is stolen and sold off as a sled dog in the Yukon during the gold rush.

Feed Your Reader Giveaway Hop

 

Welcome to my stop on the Feed Your Reader Giveaway Hop!!  I'm going to give you the option of what you want to feed your reader, so up for grabs is a $10 gift card to your choice of Amazon or B&N. 

This giveaway is open internationally as long as you can receive the gift card. 

Good Luck!! 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pushing the Limits READ-A-LONG ~ Week 4

This fabulous event is hosted by Candace Book Blog, Me @ Dazzling Reads, The Page Turners, Mary @ The Book Swarm and The Bewitched Bookworms.

 

1. At a certain moment, Echo tells Noah that she feels safe with him. Echo thinks that because of this comforting feeling, she may be able to finally have a full night of peaceful sleep. Why do you think it is important for Echo to feel Safe? and why no one else but Noah has been able to provide this to Echo?
I think the fact that Echo still can't remember things makes her feel uneasy at night.  Plus, she has nightmares.  Noah is the first person that's seen her for who she is and not the past.  He makes her feel safe and that gives her the ability to sleep easier.

2. Beth, Noah's friend, also has a very complex life situation. plus she also does drugs. However, what grabs my attention is her mean behavior towards Echo. Why do you think Beth hate/dislikes Echo so much?
Beth thinks she's of Echo as the person she was before the incident.  She thinks she's a rich stuck-up popular girl.  She doesn't know the truth, and worse yet she doesn't care to know.
 
3. At some point, we finally get to know how Noah's parents died at the fire and how it started. Unfortunately, this is something that has happened before. What tips to avoid a fire (specially when there are kids at home) do you know about? List a few! recommendations to avoid tragedies are very valuable. :)
*  We have smoke detectors in every bedroom and one in the dining area of our house.  They are also linked so that if one goes off they all go off so if there is a fire on one end of the house the entire house is warned.
*  I love candles, and burn them frequently. But, I'm seriously anal about keeping them in a safe place.  I have small kids so the candles are always out of reach and they're always on a flat, clean surface.
*  We took a tour of the local fire dept so that we could learn how to prevent fires, what to do if there is a fire, and how to find each other once we are out of the house.
*  CHECK YOUR DETECTORS!!  You can't know if there's a fire if the battery is dead!!

4. Echo finally discovers more about what really happened to her the day she got her scars at her mother's place. Unfortunately, this also involved Echo's father and Ashley. What do you think about them and to what point do you think it makes them responsible to what happened to Echo?
I don't think it makes them responsible for what happened.  Her mother would have still done what she did.  But the fact that he would have been there sooner if he'd been more accessible to Echo and not Ashley is a big deal.  We'll never know if it would have spared Echo the scars, but he will have to live with that guilt.
 
5. On p.303 (from arc) Echo said to Noah: "I love you...[y]ou love your brothers more. I'm okay with that. In fact, it's one of the things I love about you. You were right the other day. I do want to be part of a family. But I'd never forgive myself if I was the reason you didn't get yours... I love you enough to never make you choose." What do you think of Echo's decision to break up with Noah? What does it mean to you?
I think it's a big sacrifice for her, and it proves how much she really does love him.  She knows that his brothers have to come first for him.

ARC REVIEW: Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett

Title:  Confessions of an Angry Girl
Author:  Louise Rozett
Series:  Confessions (#1)
Pages:  304
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Expected Publishing Date:  August 28, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Received from Publisher via NetGalley
Add to Goodreads
Pre-Order:  Amazon or B&N

_______________________________

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some CONFESSIONS to make...

#1: I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

#2: I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who "might" be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.

#3: High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry-get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.) (Sorry. That was rude.)

_______________________________

Fave Quote:

"Clearly Tracy has been studying Gossip Girl, absorbing lessons in how to treat your friends like crap."

_______________________________

I thought the blurb for Confessions of an Angry Girl sounded really good, but I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it because our main character, Rose, is so young.  I worried needlessly though.  I still thought it was really good!  Rose has just started her freshman year of high school after "the worse summer of my life", and she's having a hard time fitting in.  As if high school isn't bad enough she's also dealing with the fact that her father died over the summer while he was working as a contractor in Iraq.  Then she meets Jamie Forta.  She's totally confused by the fact that he seems interested in her, but he's supposedly dating a cheerleader, Regina.  Oh, and Regina is crazy!  Like stay-away-from-my-man-or-I-will-cut-you crazy!

I really enjoyed this quick and easy read.  Rose is an easy character to love.  While you feel sympathy for her and the situation she has been put into, you also want to see her move on.  She's sad, she's angry, she misses her dad and watching her brother move on hurts.  She can't seem to relate to her friends anymore.  I'm not sure what to think of Jamie.  While I like him, he also tends to come off as weak.  It's obvious that he likes Rose, but he lets a lot of things get in his way...namely, Regina.  Speaking of which, she is one scary b****!  I love a good rivalry, and Regina is perfect!  She's beautiful, a cheerleader and she has her claws dug deeply in Jamie.  I would NOT want her angry with me.  Rose finds this out the hard way.  Confessions of an Angry Girl was an extremely enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward to the next book, Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend.

REVIEW: Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

Title: Point of Retreat
Author:  Colleen Hoover
Series:  Slammed (#2)
Pages:  320
Publisher:  Atria Books
Date Published:  August 10, 2012
Format:  eBook
Source:  Bought
Add it to Goodreads
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

In the second book in the Slammed series by New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, Layken and Will's relationship has endured through hardships, heartache, and a cruel twist of fate, further solidifying the fact that they belong together. But the two lovers could not have expected that the things that brought them together may ultimately be the things that tear them apart. Their connection is on the brink of being destroyed forever and it will take an extraordinary amount of willpower to keep their love afloat.

Layken is left questioning the very foundation on which her relationship with Will was built. Will is left questioning how he can prove his love for a girl who can't seem to stop "carving pumpkins." Upon finding the answers that may bring peace back into their relationship, the couple comes across an even greater challenge—one that could change not only their lives but the lives of everyone who depend on them.

______________________________

Fave Quote:

“I brush her hair out of her eyes and run my finger along the edge of her face. "I love you, Lake."
"Say it again," she says.
I kiss her forehead and repeat what I said. "I love you, Lake."
"One more time."
"I." I kiss her lips. "And love." I kiss them again. "And you."
"I love you, too.” 
______________________________

Click HERE to read my review of Slammed and an interview with Colleen Hoover!

Once again I'm tasked with writing a review for a book that left me speechless.  I feel like nothing I have to say could possibly do justice to this amazing book.  Just like Slammed, Point of Retreat snagged me from the first page, and it never let me go.  While Slammed is told from Lake's point of view, with Point of Retreat we get to see into Will's soul. Hearing the story from his point of view was great.  I butterflying loved it!!  For those of you who will read the next line and STOP READING like I ask, all I can say is go now and read Slammed!  You will not regret it!  Then, come back and read this review if you want.  But, if you're like me you'll know you MUST read Point of Retreat no matter what!

**If you have NOT read Slammed PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER! While there are no spoilers for Point of Retreat below there will be spoilers for Slammed!**

  
Point of Retreat starts off right where Slammed leaves us.  Will has custody of Caulder and Lake has custody of Kel.  Both Will and Lake are in college.  Of course, Eddie and Gavin are still their best friends, and they are great supporting characters once again!  Will and Lake have settled into a sort of routine, and things are working for them.  Things are good.  But, when Will starts class his last semester he's surprised to see his ex-girlfriend, Vaughn, in his class.  When she starts to question his relationship with Lake things spiral out of control.  Lake begins to wonder if maybe the only reason they're together is because they're both raising their brothers.  Maybe they're together for the wrong reasons. 

I'm not sure what else I can say about this book that I haven't already said!  I totally adore each and every character in this book.  Will is amazing.  I love how romantic he is.  I love the poetry he writes.  I love how dedicated he is to the people he cares for.  He's raising his little brother, which means he's had to work extra hard and give up his own youth.  Not very many guys would be able to pull off the accomplishments he has.  Lake is much more mature in Point of Retreat.  She didn't have much choice but to grow up.  Even though she was given the opportunity to have the college life most kids her age would want she chose to grow up fast and take on the parent role with her brother.  Eddie and Gavin have a lot going on with them in this book, and I love both of their characters.  The devotion to each other is so romantic, and I love how they stick by Will and Lake.  Kel and Caulder are just as hilarious in Point of Retreat...maybe more so!  They love to get under their teacher's skin.  They have a new friend, Kiersten, and she is my favorite character!  I love her quirky little mind!!  Point of Retreat doesn't have as much poetry in it, but the poetry is does have is amazing and extremely emotional.  The slams again play a big part in the lives of the characters.  Colleen Hoover has wormed her way into my heart, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her!  If this series is anything to judge by we'll be seeing a lot of amazing things! 

5 Stars * * * * *

________________________________

Be sure to enter the giveaway for an autographed copy of Slammed AND Point of Retreat!!  Since it took me a little longer than planned to get this review up I've extended the giveaway for another week.

*Open Internationally!*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pushing the Limits READ-A-LONG ~ Week 3

This fabulous event is hosted by ME Candace Book Blog, Natalia @ Dazzling Reads, The Page Turners, Mary @ The Book Swarm and The Bewitched Bookworms.

________________________________________

1. In the beginning of this section Noah decides to ignore Echo because he's angry and hurt. What did you think of this? Have you ever experienced a friendship that went awry and they started ignoring you?
*I was frustrated with his behaviour at first, but I understand how hard it is for him to trust people.  I think maybe he just felt like he was better off if they just weren't friends.
2. Noah has a bit of a false reputation. Everyone thinks he's a big druggie and a guy that just randomly hooks up with girls. While some of it is true to a certain extent, we see it's not really him. Have you ever had a false reputation where people draw their own conclusions? Do you think Noah should do something to make people not think that about him?
*I think Noah has a "who-cares-what-others-think" attitude.  I like that about him, but if he wants to have any kind of relationship with his brothers he'll have to work on his reputation.

3. Ashley finds out she's having a boy and informs Echo she will have a brother 'again'. Echo took this very personally and was extremely upset. Do you think Echo overreacted? Do you think Ashley meant that the new brother would replace her brother?
*It was a very insensitive comment for Ashley to make, but I don't really think she meant for the baby to replace Ares.  I guess she was hoping that the new baby might help bring a sense of family back.

4. Echo doesn't remember what happened with her mother and for this reason she has troubles seeing her the way everyone else does. She can't seem to not miss her and still wants to talk to her. Do you think she should pursue finding her mom? Do you think it will help her or do you think she would be in danger?
*There's a reason there's a protective order in place, so finding her mother may not be the best option.  However, there's also no way she can really understand until she remembers.  And even then I don't really think she could just stop missing having a mother in her life.

5. Noah doesn't trust the people who have his brothers because of his own past situations. He decides to seek out a lawyer himself and try to get custody. Do you think this is his best move? Do you think there are some other options he should consider?
*I can definitely understand why he would want to have custody of his brothers.  But he needs to realize that he will never be able to give them the life they deserve, and he'll be giving up his own life in order to take care of them.  I think the best thing he can do is work towards the right to see his brothers whenever he wants and developing a relationship with the foster family so that they can trust him.

6. Echo finds out that Noah and his parents built houses for Habitat for Humanity. Have you ever volunteered for something like that? What is a cause that you feel strongly about?
*I've never volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, but I've always thought it was a great cause. 

REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Title:  Slammed
Author:  Colleen Hoover
Series:  Slammed (#1)
Pages:  314
Publisher:  Atria Books
Format: eBook
Source:  Bought
Buy It:  Amazon or B&N

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and her younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she’s losing hope.

One young man brings change to all of this. After moving across the country, Layken meets her attractive twenty-one-year-old neighbor, who has an intriguing passion for slams. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart.

____________________________

Fave Quote:

"God, Layken.  How do you do it?" she says.  She blows her nose and grabs another tissue out of the box.  "How do I do what?"  I sniff as I continue to wipe the tears from my eyes.  "How do you not fall in love with him?"  The tears begin flowing just as quickly as they had ceased.  I grab yet another tissue.  "I don't not fall in love with him.  I don't not fall in love with him a lot!"

____________________________

This book and the sequel, Point of Retreat, are officially my favorite books of the year!  I made the mistake of starting Slammed late one evening.  Before I knew it, it was 4:00 a.m. and I was finished!  I was absolutely hooked from the very first page, and after a few hours of sleep I immediately started Point of Retreat.  I literally consumed both books in under 24 hours!

Slammed begins with Layken (Lake) and her mother and brother moving from Texas to Ypsilanti, Michigan.  It's been six months since her father died, and her mother decides that it's time for a change.  Layken is less than thrilled with the idea, but when she meets her neighbor, Will, she begins to think that maybe things are starting to look up.  After going on an amazing date Will is all she can think about.  But it's not long until they learn that being together will be impossible.  Unfortunately for them both staying away from each other is also impossible, and the heart wants what the heart wants. 

Colleen Hoover's writing is absolutely amazing!  There are so many twists and turns in Slammed, and I don't want to give away anything!  The emotions are just rolling through the pages.  One minute I would be laughing out loud, and on the very next page I would be crying.  Then, just when you think you have it all figured out...you don't.  A lot of times the instant attraction romances feel too forced and too rushed, but with Lake and Will everything feels real.  The connection between them is tangible, but the circumstances keeping them apart isn't something that they can just ignore.  The chemistry between them is magnetic. You can almost feel the pull towards each other.  It's like they're on opposite ends of a rubber band.  The harder they try to stay away from each other the stronger the pull is.  But, Slammed is about more than just a forbidden romance.  There are many family issues going on with both Will and Lake.  They have both been through so much heartbreak, and they can't help but lean on each other.  I also love the poetry in this book!  I've never been much of a fan of poetry, but the slams blew me away.  It has to be so amazing to get up on stage like that and let your emotions completely take over.  I loved that it played such a huge part in who Will and Lake are, and it goes a long way towards healing some of the scars.  I also have to say this woman can write some dialog!  Jokes, arguments, drama, steamy make out scenes...the dialog is all wonderful!  The supporting characters are also great.  Eddie is Lake's best friend, and her character is so quirky and fun.  She's the kind of person I could see myself being friends with.  Lake and Will both have younger brothers, Kel and Caulder, and they become instant best friends.  These two kids manage to keep the laughs going all the time, even when nothing else seems to be going right.  Slammed is an amazing story with great characters.  Even though I had a total book hangover after reading it I can't wait to do it again.

_______________________________________________

Interview & Giveaway!!

Colleen Hoover

Website/Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Do you have a favorite book, one that you go back to over and over?

Oh, goodness.  You know, I don't really read books more than once.  I'm the same way with movies.  Once I watch it, I don't want to see it again.  It just never gets better than the first time.  Especially if the surprise element is great. 

Did you always know that you wanted to write?

I've always loved writing.  I remember when I was four, my older sister came home with a story she wrote.  She read it to me (she was in second grade) and I was SO jealous that she could read and write.  I remember almost crying because I was so ready to go to school and learn how to write.  It's the earliest memory I have of actually developing a love for it. 

Who or what was your inspiration to write?

Like the previous question, I just always remember having that desire.

Do you have a favorite place to read?  To write?

We just recently moved into a new house and I have an office.  There's a huge, comfy chair that I usually curl up in with my diet pepsi and write.  I need complete silence when I write, so the music gets turned off. 

Bookmarks or dog ears?

Bookmarks

Dust jacket on or off?

Off.  I hate them.  That's the first thing to go when I purchase a book.

Paper books or ebooks?

Ebooks.  I love, love, love my kindle. 

What book would you like to see made into a movie?

Umm...does it count if I say SLAMMED? lol.  Because that would be awesome!

Favorite comfort food?

Chocolate.  Any kind as long as it doesn't have raspberry flavoring.  I hate raspberry.

What are your pet peeves?

In regards to writing, I hate sequels that re-introduce everything from the previous books.  I don't know why that bothers me so much, but it's why I didn't do it in Point of Retreat.  Not a whole lot gets on my nerves, though.  I'm really good at tuning things out, especially children.  ;)

What is the first book you remember reading as a child?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  I love all of his books so much.  Where The Sidewalk Ends is one of my faves. 

What are you reading right now?

Right now, I'm reading final pass edits of SLAMMED and POINT OF RETREAT.  They are being submitted to Simon & Schuster and I'm stoked that I never, ever have to read them again.  I've read both of these books probably no less than 200 times each.  I can't wait until this switchover is finished so I can jump back into a few good books.  I've been getting a ton of recommendations on my blog, but I'm also scared to start reading again because I really need to write. 

How much time do you spend every day reading?  Writing?

Lately, zero.  I've been so busy with everything else that comes along with this, stuff I had no idea about.  When I wrote Slammed and Point of Retreat, I spent a good 12 hours a day writing.   I hope to get back into that mode, but it's so hard pulling myself away from the computer. 

Out of all the characters you have written so far, who was the hardest to write and who was easier? Do you have a favorite?

I think Will is my favorite, of course.  :)  I loved writing all of them, though.  I really enjoyed Kel, Caulder and Kiersten's characters and think they would make a great book someday in the future. 

If you could be a superhero what super power would you want to have?

Is time travel considered a super power?  lol.  I'd love to time travel. 

If you could take a week vacation with any book character, who would you chose and why?

Ahem.  Christian Grey, maybe?  Because he's a billionaire, so the vacation would be amazing.  And not to mention...fun. 

You recently announced some amazing news on your blog!  (Congrats by the way!!)  Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect from you in the near future?

Simon & Schuster bought the rights to both books, but we haven't really discussed future projects together yet.  I'm waiting until these two get pushed out first, then I'll see what they think of the two I'm working on now.  So as of right now, no dates or projects to announce.  I'm still working on Will's Story and hope to get that out someday.  I'm also working on a book titled Fall Together that I'm really excited about.  There are constantly so many ideas going around in my head that I sometimes have to force myself to stop thinking about it.  I like to focus on one book at a time. 

_______________________________________________

Big Thanks to Colleen for doing this interview!!  She is also giving away a signed paperback copy of both Slammed AND Point of Retreat (which I will be posting my review for soon) so be sure to enter the giveaway below!!  I'm jealous...I need a signed copy too!

*Giveaway is open Internationally!!* 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SYNC YA Audiobooks all Summer ~ Week 9

I am so in love with audiobooks, and this is an absolutely amazing offer!! Sync is offering 2 free audiobooks every week for 10 weeks, and this is Week 9! One book will be a popular Young Adult book and the other will be a Classic that is related to or parallels the first title. And the best part is they're good books!! And, they're yours to keep! 20 free audiobooks...AMAZING!! Click here to see a list of the 20 books and the dates they will be available. I'll be updating here every week with the books that are currently free. I highly, highly recommend everyone go grab these audiobooks while they're available!! Best. Deal. Ever. Go Now!!

___________________________________________________________

Week 9!

Click on the Title to be taken to the download page.

Skulduggery Pleasant

Skulduggery Pleasant

By Derek Landy
Read by Rupert Degas
Published by Harper Audio

Description:
When a not-so-innocent twelve-year-old girl named Stephanie inherits her eccentric uncle’s estate, she must join forces with Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton mage, to save the world from an ancient evil.

 Dead Men Kill


Dead Men Kill(Stories from the Golden Age)
By L. Ron Hubbard
Read by Jennifer Aspen and a Full Cast
Published by Galaxy Press

Description:When several of the city’s most respected citizens are inexplicably killed by what appear to be zombies, all Detective Terry Lane has to go on is a blue-grey glove, a Haitian pharmacy bill for some very unusual drugs and a death threat from a mysterious stranger. Matters are soon complicated when a beautiful nightclub singer shows up who claims to have information that could solve the case, but whose motives are plainly suspect. Against his better judgement, Terry investigates her lead only to find himself sealed in a coffin en route to the next zombie murder his own.

Wish List Wednesday (11)

Wish List Wednesday is where I highlight a book that I've recently added to my ever growing to-be-read pile. I know that I'll never get through them all, but it's nice to have a Wish List in place! So what's on your Wish List?!

________________________________________________

This week I want to highlight This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers.  I keep seeing this book all over the place, and the reviews are great!  I definitely think this one is worth moving to the top of my TBR!  Add it to your Goodreads TBR!  Or better yet, go buy it! (Amazon or B&N)

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

Young Adult Giveaway Hop ~ Win Wake!

This hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Reading Teen.

Welcome to my stop on the Young Adult Giveaway Hop!  I am a YA lover, so I couldn't resist joining in on this one!  Today I want to wish a Happy Birthday to  Wake by Amanda Hocking, so that's what I'm going to be giving away.  I've read and reviewed this already, and I loved it!  Be sure to check out her Book Tour by clicking HERE and HERE! 

Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.

Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

If you are inside the US you will have the option of a hardback copy or an ebook copy.  If you are outside the US you will win an ebook copy.  Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pushing the Limits READ-A-LONG ~ Week 2

This fabulous event is hosted by Candace @ Candace's Book Blog, Natalia @ Dazzling Reads, The Page Turners, Mary @ The Book Swarm and The Bewitched Bookworms.

This is week two and today's questions are brought to you from The Page Turners. Be sure to stop by there and see what this weeks prize is as well!

______________________________________

­­­Noah and Echo create a plan to read their files. What do you think of this plan? Would you read your friends file first knowing you might not have time to read your own? Would you want to read your own file?
*From the moment they decided to read their files all I could think was "bad idea!"  I can understand why they wanted to read them though.  I loved that Echo read Noah's file first!  It showed that she really cared about him.  I think if I were in Noah's place I would want to read my file because it would kill me to not know where my brothers were, but in Echo's place I'm not sure.  Maybe not knowing is easier.

Mrs. Collins starts to earn Noah’s trust by taking him to see his brother win a writing contest. What do you think of how she’s handling Noah? How would you feel if you were in Noah’s position, hearing that your brother sees you as his hero?
*This was one of the most emotional parts of the book!  I loved it!  I love that Mrs. Collins cared enough to do something so great for Noah.  Not only did he need to see his brothers, but he needed to hear that he was his brother's hero.  Noah needed a reason to keep working towards his future.

Echo is starting to draw and paint again. She’s starting to express the feelings and what she’s seeing as she’s starting to remember what happened that day. Art therapy seems to be a popular way for people to deal with their feelings, why do you think Echo’s dad didn’t want her to continue with art since it was such a big part of her and is part of so many people’s therapy in dealing with similar issues?
*Her dad didn't want her doing anything that might make her the same as her mother.  Since her mother would get so lost in her artwork he was afraid the same thing would happen to Echo.  I don't think he ever really even thought of it as therapy.  I just scared him.

We see how crazy Beth’s home life is and we start to understand why she is not as keen to be trusting with people in her life. At the same time, we get to see how fiercely loyal Noah is. What do you think of the way Noah reacted to Beth being beaten by her mother’s boyfriend? Do you think it’s showing bad behavior that could get Noah in more trouble or the act of a true friend?
*I think it's a bit of both.  There's no denying that Noah is a loyal friend, but that wouldn't matter if he ended up arrested for fighting again.  He has to learn to think about the consequences of his actions, and getting the trust of his brother's foster family should have been more important that attacking Beth's  mother's boyfriend.  While a noble action it didn't really accomplish anything.

Echo has an unusual name. What do you think of the story behind it? Is there a Greek Myth or other story that would inspire you to name a child after a character?
*I love her name!  It's unusual, but not too weird.  I love Greek Mythology, but I think most of the names are too far out there for me.  Even her brother, Ares, name is a bit too much.  I mean, who wants to be named after the God of War?  I did find it a bit ironic that he seemed to be such a gentle soul. 

Echo’s big thing is trying to find “normal” again. She doesn’t want to be the scared girl or the girl who can’t remember what happened to her, she just wants to be normal. This goal impacts her relationships with her family, friends, Noah and her ex Luke. But at the end of this section, Echo is starting to figure out that there’s no going back to old normal and she’s going to have to find a new normal. How big of a step is it for Echo when she realizes she’s not “in” love with Luke and figures out that she does need to find a new normal?
*I'd definitely say it's a big step.  No one can go through the emotional train wreck that she went through and expect to go back to the way things once were.  Even if her friends and family didn't look at or treat her differently SHE'S different now.  She has to realize this in order to heal.

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.

____________________________________________________________

It's been way too long since I did an IMM!  I have tons of great books to tell you all about.  I've been on a major romance/chick lit kick lately, and I can't seem to stop buying these amazing books from Indie authors.  My Bought list is crazy long!!

Bought:
 

Ok, so as you can see I went a bit crazy.  I'm not going to list them all because there are just too many.  What a Boy Wants and What a Boy Needs by Nyrae Dawn got left off of my last IMM, and I have already read and reviewed them.  You can find the reviews HERE.  Highly recommended!  I have also already read Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover, and I am in the process of putting together my reviews and an interview with Colleen ,who has graciously agreed to provide a signed paperback copy of each for a giveaway.  I'm a little jealous that they'll be given away.  I want a signed copy!  Be sure to watch for that in the near future!

Won:



I won Home Front by Kristin Hannah in audio during Audiobook Week at Devourer of Books, and  I won Blood Rites and Just One Drop by Quinn Loftis from Amy at  Read to My Heart's Content.   I'm really looking forward to this series!   Amy highly recommends them!
For Review:

Thank you NetGalley and Random House!



Ok, your turn!  What's In Your Mailbox?!!

SYNC Free YA Audiobooks All Summer ~ Week 8

I am so in love with audiobooks, and this is an absolutely amazing offer!! Sync is offering 2 free audiobooks every week for 10 weeks, and this is Week 8! One book will be a popular Young Adult book and the other will be a Classic that is related to or parallels the first title. And the best part is they're good books!! And, they're yours to keep! 20 free audiobooks...AMAZING!! Click here to see a list of the 20 books and the dates they will be available. I'll be updating here every week with the books that are currently free. I highly, highly recommend everyone go grab these audiobooks while they're available!! Best. Deal. Ever. Go Now!!

___________________________________________________________

Week 8!

Click on the Title to be taken to the download page.

 Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter of Smoke and BoneBy Laini Taylor
Read by Khristine Hvam
Published by Hachette Audio

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages–not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she?



A Tale of Two Cities

 

 A Tale of Two CitiesBy Charles Dickens
Read by Simon Prebble
Published by Blackstone Audio

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .” Set before and during the French Revolution, a French aristocrat and an English lawyer compete in their love for Lucie in the menacing shadow of the guillotine.