31 March, 2012

Read My Mind Starting Line: #Bloggiesta Better Late Than Never


So, I had announced my intention to participate in Bloggiesta at the beginning of March in this post, but when the time came yesterday, I was unprepared. It took me all of Friday to dither and decide not to participate. Then today dawned, and I realized that, even coming in at the half-way mark was still better then nothing.

All of those improvements or updates that I wanted to do with Read My Mind still exist, so why not use what time is left of Bloggiesta to do something. This is me, better late than never.



Goal List:

1. Archive and link all of my reviews from 2012 on my reviews page DONE! (2.5 hours)
2. Update and check that all 2012 reviews are on Good Reads DONE! (.5 hours)
3. Reduce and simplify my Good Reads bookshelves DONE! 1.5 hours
4. Update Good Reads books read in 2012 with novellas and re-reads I'm missing DONE! (.5 hours)
5. Create a Pinterest account for blog/bookish things DONE! (.5 hours)
6. Make a drop-down menu for blog pages ONGOING. (4 hours, so far)
7. Write review backlog (6 reviews for March) ONGOING. (3 reviews, 2.5 hours)
8. Update blog calendar with future posts and reviews already scheduled DONE! (1.5 hours)


Good luck to everyone who's taking part! Now, I better get to it, since I'm a little behind...

29 March, 2012

Bookalicious Blog Tour: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson


Welcome to the EDENBROOKE blog tour! Thanks to Pam at Bookalicious and author Juliannne Donaldson for making this happen!

EDENBROOKE is Donaldson's first novel and its publisher's (Shadow Mountain Publisher) headliner in its "proper romance" genre. What is Proper Romance?

A: A Proper Romance is Shadow Mountain Publishing’s brand of clean, smart, engaging, romantic stories that will never embarrass the reader.


Author Bio:

Julianne Donaldson grew up as the daughter of a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. She learned how to ski in the Italian Alps, visited East Berlin before the wall came down, and spent three years living next to a 500-year-old castle. After earning a degree in English, she turned her attention to writing about distant times and places. She lives in Utah with her husband and four children. Edenbrooke is her first novel.



Julianne, from your Goodreads bio, I understand you have travelled and spent time in many European cities. Did this influence your choice to make Edenbrooke set in England or was the setting more like an a-ha! moment?

Living in Europe set the stage for me to love old things, and that made me an uncommon teenager. When my peers were partying on the weekends, I was watching old Cary Grant movies or reading Georgette Heyer novels. I studied British Literature in college (with an emphasis on the 1800s) and couldn't get enough period dramas. Jane Austen became my favorite solace for a date gone wrong (or no date at all). So when I decided to write a novel, I immediately went historical.

In fact--this is an embarrassing admission, but true--I first toyed with writing a novel by trying to write Twilight fan-fiction. But instead of writing about a vampire, I wrote about a hero who was an English duke at a ball in London. The heroine was a young lady with someone else's jewels around her neck. After writing that one scene, I gave up on the idea of fan-fiction and threw myself whole-heartedly into my own story set in Regency England. The story evolved a great deal, and now that scene is no longer in it. But that was how I began.


Thanks again for visiting Read My Mind, Julianne. Here's a little more about EDENBROOKE. Come back later today to see my review, but here's a sneak peek at my thoughts:

I loved this book, by the way. Check it out if you love classic romances in the Victorian or Regency eras. Check it out if you love expansive settings and expressive characters. You won't be disappointed. "Proper Romance" is one genre I'll be back for more, if EDENBROOKE sets the standard.


Blurb:

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she’ll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry.

From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.

23 March, 2012

Musehouse Musings

I've been going to as many local signings as I can find lately, but I never seem to get around to doing a proper write up here at Read My Mind. Well, I'm trying to do better, and it starts with the discussion, reading and signing hosted by Musehouse in Philadelphia, PA that I attended on March 17, 2012.

The special guest authors were April Lindner, author of JANE and Beth Kephart, author of DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS, YOU ARE MY ONLY and other works.

Musehouse has resided on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill area for a about a year and proclaims itself a center for the literary arts. Offering workshops in many other fields of writing, aside from just fiction (poetry, memoir, scriptwriting, and more) it seeks to foster the writing community at large.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I walked into Musehouse, but it was a lovely place. With a bookcase painting, an old typewriter on display and scented candles for the occasion, Musehouse did indeed possess a cozy, literary atmosphere.

After a brief introduction, April Lindner took the stage first. She read from JANE, her modern adaptation of Jane Eyre, which I rated 4 stars when I read it in 2010. The passage she told dealt with the first meeting of Jane and her Mr. Rochester, superstar rock singer, Nico Rathburn.

Beth Kephart's moving passage from YOU ARE MY ONLY, a novel that has a dual narrative - one mother coping with the disappearance of her child, and one teen coming-of-age in a very restrictive household - showed the beginning of the fragile rebuilding of a woman after an emotional breakdown.

The readings were fantastic, but what I really enjoyed was the discussion Q and A that followed. To break the ice, both authors were asked what made their novels "YA" and what are some of the boundaries, if any, they had to consider to be writing "YA".

Lindner admitted that she had to tone down some of the sexual content in the original incarnation of JANE for editor and publisher to feel comfortable in the YA category. She also said with a touch of both wit and seriousness that she was told to look to the GOSSIP GIRLS series by Cecily von Ziegesar.

Kephart mentioned the protagonist age as a clearer definition of YA, but both authors admitted that the consideration for YA is very subjective. Kephart added that whatever rules might be established, look at an author like A.S. King, who doesn't tone down the impact of her writing, and THE HUNGER GAMES that included intense content involving children.


I had a chance to ask about their thoughts on much hyped books and the explosion of YA series books from the standpoint of being writers of stand-alone novels.

April noted that series books feed readers desire to revisit a world over and over, to discover more about the characters, and just get more.

While Beth agreed that dystopian, and paranormal among some of the sub-genres do tend to necessitate long-term series', she also said that there is demand for stand-alone novels from readers, agents and publishers alike.


The event included a wine, cheese, fruit and dessert table available throughout the night, and concluded with Kephart and Lindner signing a few books. Though it was my first time meeting Lindner, she was such an approachable person. I always enjoy speaking to Kephart, whom I had met on a few other occasions, and who surprisingly remembered me!

The night was enjoyable in many ways, and I'll be keeping an eye out for future events at Musehouse. Are you literary and living in the greater Philadelphia area? Check out Musehouse's website. Also, Beth Kephart documents her daily life at her blog. More than just author talk, Kephart includes photography and personal experiences, minus the ego of self-promotion.

21 March, 2012

Entangled Publishing Ever After Review: On One Condition by Diane Alberts

Book: ON ONE CONDITION
Author: DIANE ALBERTS
Genre: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Published: February 2012, EVER AFTERS (ENTANGLED PUBLISHING)


Series: none
Source: Publisher, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
OCD kindergarten teacher Johanna hates Valentine’s Day. She hates romance, hates commercialism, and definitely hates her school’s annual charity date auction. She never expects her pre-auction night of drinking to land a sexy Brit in her bed. Or for that Brit to show up at the auction, bid thousands just to talk to her again, and get down on one knee in front of everyone and ask her to marry him.

Viscount Damon Hayes has never met anyone like Johanna. She’s neurotic, fascinating, and fun. She also doesn’t care about his title and doesn’t want his money, which makes Johanna perfect to fulfill a surprise clause in his father’s will: marry within three months and remain married for a year, or lose his fortune. A relationship is out of the question, but when passions ignite and the two fall in love, their marriage of convenience becomes anything but.


My Review:
ON ONE CONDITION was one of those novellas that seemed to tick all of the boxes that I want to fulfill for a short, contemporary romance. Though, Johanna and Damon start of their relationship with what appears to be a one-night stand. Damon has his own agenda for wanting Johanna to stay with him for longer, but Johanna doesn't seem to be much of a romantic at the start anyway.

Diane Alberts throws her characters together for the second time at a charity auction, and I was rooting for the two for the rest of the novella. Alberts' language and style of writing was easy to immerse myself in, and even if I wasn't already such an anglophile, I would have found no issue following along with Damon's dialog.

It's no secret that I love a British hero, and Damon Hayes doesn't disappoint on that front. His side of the relationship that he and Johanna conducts is to save his inheritance. Though this type of situation usually means that I have to grow to like the hero, I liked Damon from the beginning. ON ONE CONDITION really showcases two people who have their own issues and aren't, by any means, perfect. But, it also showcases two likeable people, even if they did enter into a marriage for the wrong underlying reasons.

Alberts did a fantastic job making me feel as if I was reading a novel-length story. Johanna and Damon's characters were both people that I could see as three dimensional. The story line necessitated an abbreviated romance, but it still felt real. Kudos to Alberts for this HEA novella, and kudos to her also, for whetting my appetite for more of her writing.

4/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 12.5/15 (3.5 stars) Highly Recommend

15 March, 2012

Entangled Publishing Flirts Review: Table For One by Ros Clarke

Book: TABLE FOR ONE
Author: ROS CLARKE
Genre: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Published: February 2012, FLIRTS (ENTANGLED PUBLISHING)


Series: none
Source: Publisher, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
When food critic Claudia Thomas gets dumped on Valentine’s Day, she finds herself occupying a table for one at London’s hottest new restaurant. If her job wasn’t on the line, she’d skip the whole affair, but her editor’s waiting for a review—and with luck, an interview with sexy chef Ward Nicholls.

Ward, intrigued by the single woman in a restaurant full of couples, sets out to tease her palate. Claudia has never tasted anything so luscious as the special meal Ward prepares for her, but when the seduction moves from the restaurant to his bedroom, Claudia discovers the only thing more tempting than his food is the chef himself.

Their connection is instantaneous, sizzling, and spicy—until Claudia comes clean about her job, reopening a wound Ward had thought long-healed. Could one accidental lie of omission end a delicious relationship before it even has a chance to start?


My Review:
TABLE FOR ONE was sexy. There's something about a seduction via a really good meal, and I loved the set-up for Claudia and Ward's relationship. Going into the reading I knew that this was going to be a novella, and that it would probably be quite titillating, because of the moniker FLIRTS given to the imprint. All of my expectations for the novella were met with resounding success.

Ward was a very tempting character to fall in love with. Not only does he whip up delicious-sounding recipes, but he almost has this need to match up a customer with the perfect food. Even without knowing Claudia in the very beginning, he wants to give her the food that he feels is the right meal for a person alone on Valentine's Day. Ditch the menu and go by gut instinct, because to accept less is, well unacceptable.

There is a great attraction between the two, and Clarke really had me smiling at the heat they generate. To say that I wanted more is true, but I wouldn't want to invalidate how well I think Clarke did in telling a complete, short, flirty and mesmerizing tale. Sometimes and appetizer can be just as filling and enjoyable as an entree, and that was certainly the case here.

4.5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
5/5 for language

My Rating: 14.5/15 (5 stars)

14 March, 2012

Dark Minds Book Review: The Forever Girl by Rebecca Hamilton

Book: THE FOREVER GIRL
Author: REBECCA HAMILTON
Genre: PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Published: January 2012


Series: Forever Girl #1 (upcoming series)
Source: Dark Minds Book Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Sophia Parsons’ family has skeletons, but they aren’t in their graves...

Solving the mystery of an ancestor’s hanging might silence the clashing whispers in Sophia's mind, but the cult in her town and the supernaturals who secretly reside there are determined to silence her first.

As Sophia unknowingly crosses the line into an elemental world full of vampire-like creatures, shapeshifters, and supernatural grim reapers, she meets Charles, a man who becomes both lover and ally.

But can she trust him?

It’s not until someone nearly kills Sophia that she realizes the only way to unveil the source of her family's curse: abandon her faith or abandon her humanity. If she wants to survive, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.


My Review:

THE FOREVER GIRL was a good book. I start off with that simple sentence, because the rest of my review might meander a bit and will definitely involve my more complex thoughts on the story. So, I will put it out there that I did really like this book.

There are some books where the characters draw me in even if the story isn't captivating. There are some books where I am just wowed by the writing and technical aspects of the plot. And, there are some books where the world-building is so intricate, so definitive and absorbing, that I can picture myself there. THE FOREVER GIRL combines the best aspects of all three of these.

Let me start with the characters. In some ways, Sophia seems to be the only character that matters. Charles has a little of his back story explained, and there is some references to Lauren's background, but both characters revelations still revolve around Sophia and their relationship with her. Ivory is much the same way, though her past is explored deeper, in that Sophia gets to experience her memories. But, the book does have a parenthetical title of Sophia's Journey. So, perhaps because of the consistent way (and the first person POV) that the story unfolds, this seems acceptable, and in fact, necessary.

The actual world that Sophia lives in is a contemporary one. Perhaps, a xenophobic one, with the small town that she lives in, and the virtual cult leader that torments her and has taken her mother from her side. Still, it is contemporary, and most think of the words "world-building" in an fantasy setting. It's really the mythology of the novel that drew me in. The elementals and their modern counterparts as seen through human eyes, such as witches being earth elementals. Even the language (Strigoi, Cruor) is intriguing and the revelations of who is what, how they became drawn to Sophia, and how they will be involved in future books in this series, really made THE FOREVER GIRL interesting to me.

This book made me really think about why I liked it and why it appealed to me. I had so many thoughts as I read, that it was the first time that I almost stopped to take notes. Hamilton has started a series that I definitely intend to return to. Her mix of fantasy, paranormal and contemporary elements, along with her mythology and plotline should appeal to anyone looking for a book with crossover appeal genre-wise. With Sophia being college age, but still going through a "coming-of-age" experience, and dealing with relationships and friendships for the first time as an "adult", THE FOREVER GIRL is also a great novel for older YAs to adults alike to enjoy.

4/5 for plot
4/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 12/15 (3.5 stars)

Highly Recommend, if you liked:

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Eve of Samhain by Lisa Sanchez
Seers of Light by Jennifer DeLucy


Find the author at:
Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Amazon

Available formats: NookBook, Kindle

Tour Participation:

Dark Minds Book Tours: Rebecca Hamilton Guest Post


Read My Mind welcomes Rebecca Hamilton to the blog today. She's guest posting and talking a little about her book, THE FOREVER GIRL.

My review of THE FOREVER GIRL will be posted later this afternoon, so come back to check it out.


About The Author:
Rebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. She enjoys dancing with her kids to television show theme songs and would love the beach if it weren't for the sand. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently.




Read My Mind:
Rebecca, can you speak a little about the inspiration behind THE FOREVER GIRL. The plot sounds wonderfully shaped, with great world building. Did the story come to you first or Sophia's character?



Rebecca:
Thanks for hosting me on your blog :)

The Forever Girl came to me as a very general idea. That very general idea never made it into book one. I pretty much knew what I thought would be the turning point in the story as well as where the story began and that the character was Wiccan. Once I started writing, things changed. A lot. For example, the novel was initially a YA story, but time soon showed that wouldn’t work. I think it’s a bit of an in-between, and I like to steal St Martin’s Press’ term “new adult”, as I do think this story would appeal more to those 18-30, though my readers have shown me the appeal is a bit broader.

The other thing that changed was that one main turning point I thought I was writing toward. One of the characters took over, and that was when the story turned from a standalone novel to a trilogy. I still like to think all the stories in this series can stand alone, though :) After that, I started having more story ideas, and this world sort of just “stuck”. Soon, I had seven novels planned for the series.

This isn’t your typical series. All the novels can stand alone, though books 1, 4, and 7 (Sophia’s Journey) almost act as a trilogy within the series. The other books in the series feature different characters. There are also some novellas planned that explore other corners and characters of this world.

When it comes to story and character, though, it’s hard to separate the two. I find that my story and characters more-or-less come to me together. They are a package. And sometimes I don’t know what that package really entails until I start writing the story my characters tell me what to write.


Thanks so much for the insight into THE FOREVER GIRL and Sophia! I'm really interested now in seeing how other characters take up the lead mantle, and how returning to Sophia in books 4 and 7 impact the series.


From Good Reads:
Sophia Parsons’ family has skeletons, but they aren’t in their graves...

Solving the mystery of an ancestor’s hanging might silence the clashing whispers in Sophia's mind, but the cult in her town and the supernaturals who secretly reside there are determined to silence her first.

As Sophia unknowingly crosses the line into an elemental world full of vampire-like creatures, shapeshifters, and supernatural grim reapers, she meets Charles, a man who becomes both lover and ally.

But can she trust him?

It’s not until someone nearly kills Sophia that she realizes the only way to unveil the source of her family's curse: abandon her faith or abandon her humanity. If she wants to survive, she must accept who she is, perform dark magic, and fight to the death for her freedom.



Make sure you check out the full tour schedule from the tour organizer and host Dark Mind Tours. There's more reviews, guest posts and interviews in store. Plus, Rebecca Hamilton is kindly giving away an e-book copy of THE FOREVER GIRL and a Forever Girl scented candle throughout the tour.

The next stop is at: Book Savvy Babe on March 15th.


Tour Participation:

13 March, 2012

Upcoming Philadelphia Area Book Events: March 2012

Usually I am green with envy over other states/cities that seem to have book event after book event, while Philly seems to flounder. Well, not this spring. My calendar seems to have a new addition almost every week, and I am really excited about the following events.

Click the bookstore name to go to the event page. I've also set up a Google calendar HERE


Wednesday, March 14th

Patricia Briggs will be at:

Barnes and Noble
301 Main Street
Exton, PA 19341

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3) signing: 7pm






Ally Carter w/ Rachel Hawkins will be at:

Barnes and Noble
210 Commerce Blvd
Fairless Hills, PA 19030

Discussion and Out Of Sight, Out Of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) and Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) signing: 7pm







Friday, March 16th

Ally Carter will be at:

Children's Book World
17 Haverford Station
Haverford, PA 19041

Discussion and Out Of Sight, Out Of Time (Gallagher Girls #5) signing: 7pm


Rachel Hawkins will be at:
Harleysville Books
674 Main Street
Salford Square
Harleysville, PA 19438

Writing Workshop and Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3) signing: 7pm








Saturday, March 17th

Beth Kephart and April Lindner will be at:

Musehouse
7924 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118

Reading and Discussion: 7pm
















Saturday, March 21th

Melissa Jensen will be at:

Penn Bookstore (Barnes and Noble)
3601 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Q and A/Discussion: 6pm

















Saturday, March 24th

Beth Kephart, A.S. King, April Lindner, Keri Mikulski, Elizabeth Mosier, and Susan Campbell Bartoletti will be at:

Teen Book Day sponsored by The Spiral Bookcase
112 Cotton Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127

Workshop/Meet and Greet


K.M. Walton will be at:

Towne Book Center and Cafe
220 Plaza Drive, Suite B-3
Collegeville, PA 19426

Cracked signing: 4:30pm

12 March, 2012

COVER REVEAL: My Super Sweet 16th Century by Rachel Harris

This is another cover reveal that I'm happy to be taking part in here at Read My Mind. I'm really excited about reading the book; the synopsis made me want it to be available RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE. It's no secret that I love Regency/Victorian England novels, but Renaissance Florence is another era that I would love to show up more in books, but especially in YA. MY SUPER SWEET 16TH CENTURY sounds like it will have just the right amount of wit, charm, adventure and romance within its pages.


About The Author
As a teen, I threw raging parties that shook my parents’ walls and created embarrassing fodder for future YA novels.

As an adult, I read and write obsessively, rehash said embarrassing fodder, and dream up characters who become my imaginary friends.

When I'm not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find me homeschooling my two beautiful princesses, hanging out with my amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate.

MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY is my first novel. I did have my own fantabulous Sweet Sixteen in high school. Sadly, it wasn’t televised.



From Good Reads:
On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic
amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Coming September 2012, ENTANGLED PUBLISHING


And here is one of the two excerpts, exclusive to the bloggers taking part in the cover reveal. Enjoy!

***

Alessandra jerks back like I just suggested she prance around the square naked or something. “No! I believe I understand your meaning, and Lorenzo is certainly not my suitor. He is like a brother to me—the three of us grew up together.”

She resumes walking and I fall in step beside her, understanding there has to be more to the story. And as we near the end of the row, I finally ask, “If you’re not into the guy, then what’s the problem?”
At that same moment, a rich, deep chuckle hits my ears. My stomach involuntarily clenches and my gaze sharpens on the back of this mysterious Lorenzo.

Alessandra sighs. “That is the problem.” She places her hand on my arm and solemnly looks me in the eyes. “You must be careful. Lorenzo is beautiful, and it is not uncommon for a girl to walk away from meeting him with a piece of her heart left behind. But he is just eighteen, and not yet ready for marriage.”

I roll my eyes and laugh, then realize she’s serious. “Yeah, I assure you, there’s no danger on my end. I’m not exactly looking for marriage myself.” Because that would be crazy-town.

Alessandra wrinkles her nose as if she doesn’t believe me, but she removes her hand. We close the distance and Cipriano flashes me an open, honest to goodness, lighthearted smile.

“Lorenzo, this is the cousin I was telling you about.”

Slowly the guy turns and I fall head first into the richest chocolate-brown eyes I’ve ever seen. He blinks and long, luscious lashes feather across his bronzed cheeks. I can feel myself gawking, but I physically can’t drag my eyes away. Lorenzo doesn’t smirk or act all conceited, either. He simply stares back, his eyes casually skimming over me, causing my skin to warm and break out in a whole body tingle.

Time seems to stop, and the sounds of the market mute. Alessandra was right.

This boy is beautiful.

And he’s looking at me.

***


Add To Good Reads

Pre-Order: Barnes and Noble | Amazon


I love the blurred out mansion and estate grounds in the background. I love the dichotomy of the sunglasses and the gown that hint at the time slip aspect of the novel. There's also something attractive about the fact that the girl's face isn't on extreme close-up or missing altogether, like so many YA and romance covers have.

What are your thoughts? Leave 'em in the comments!

10 March, 2012

Bloggiesta Fiesta!



Bloggiesta is coming March 30th - April 1st! This will be the second consecutive year that I'll participate. *Rubbing my hands together in anticipation* I've already started to compile a list of what I want to accomplish, and I'll do a starting line post at the beginning of the event with my goals.

Bloggiesta was initially conceived 3 years ago by Natasha at Maw Books, but will be hosted this year by Suey at It's All About Books. Check out her blog for the details and the sign-up linky.

What the heck is Bloggiesta? Some people may not have heard of it before and have been gamely reading this post, but scratching their head in confusion. Here are the details in Suey's words:


Remember, the level of commitment is up to you. We'd love for you to find lots of time to devote to blogging with us during those three days, but if you have just one day that you can join us, or even just a few hours of one day, please do not hesitate to sign up.
If you decide to participate, here's what you can expect:

to spend time that weekend (as much or as little as your schedule allows) working on your blog

• to create a to do list to share on your blog and link up with other participants

• to hopefully participant in several mini challenges and learn something new

• to connect with other participants through blog hopping or twitter

• to make new blogging friends!

• to come away at the end of the three days with a spiffed up blog!
If all that sounds like something you'd like to do, please write a post letting us know and link up!

OLE!


Who else is joining in? I'd love to hear from other participants or just a word of encouragement in the comment section!

08 March, 2012

ARC Review: Digit by Annabel Monaghan

Book: DIGIT
Author: ANNABEL MONAGHAN
Genre: CONTEMPORARY YA
Published: June 2012, HOUGHTON MIFFLIN BOOKS FOR CHILDREN


Series: none
Source: Around The World ARC Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Farrah "Digit" Higgins may be going to MIT in the fall, but this L.A. high school genius has left her geek self behind in another school district so she can blend in with the popular crowd at Santa Monica High and actually enjoy her senior year. But when Farrah, the daughter of a UCLA math professor, unknowingly cracks a terrorist group's number sequence, her laid-back senior year gets a lot more interesting. Soon she is personally investigating the case, on the run from terrorists, and faking her own kidnapping-- all while trying to convince a young, hot FBI agent to take her seriously. So much for blending in...

My Review:
From the very beginning, DIGIT appealed to me. I liked the idea of a smart teen with an extreme affinity for numbers, patterns, codes and things like that. When I read beyond the first few pages and found that Monaghan had also written in normal parents (not absentee or with extreme issues of their own), I really started to like DIGIT. This is a novel that balances out some of the other YA books I've read where smart girls are "geeks" or play the sidekick. It balances out the YA books with rubbish parents and very serious issues. While issues-driven books have their place, DIGIT was a refreshing change.

This book was a fun and funny short read. I did think the plot was slightly predicable, but not so much that I didn't want to finish or care about the journey to the end. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel, but the mystery and suspense was not a tightrope walk, by any means. I figured out where the story was going to end up. I did have a bit of a "meh" attitude about the romance. Funny how I don't mind sexuality in YA, but sexuality between a minor and a 21+ just doesn't sit right with me.

Monaghan created a character in Digit that steals the show with her slightly snarky, slightly sarcastic, slightly vulnerable, but always intelligent voice. The chapter headings were laugh-inducing, but despite the humor that permeated DIGIT, it was not without it poignant moments that served to show both Digit's maturity and fear because of her skill and the situation she found herself in.

Mathletes can save the world from a terrorist plot, just as well as a trained federal agent, and Digit proves she has the tenacity and temerity to do it with a snappy attitude and a Fibonacci code. DIGIT is a solid contemporary YA, and despite my one issue with the romance, I do feel that it could still be appropriate for younger readers, as well as teen readers, and readers looking for a lighter vacation or beach read type of novel.

3.5/5 for plot
4/5 for characters
3.5/5 for language

My Rating: 11/15 (3 stars) Recommend

Bewitching Book Tour Promo: A Sliver Of Shadow by Allison Pang + Giveaway


I am very happy to welcome Allison Pang to Read My Mind today. She's the author of A BRUSH OF DARKNESS, the first novel in the Abby Sinclair series, and A SLIVER OF SHADOW, which continues the series. I personally loved both books. Check out my review of A SLIVER OF SHADOW.

Allison has provided an excerpt from the first chapter of A SLIVER OF SHADOW, so read on to get a taste of this fantastically imagined urban fantasy.


About The Author
A marine biologist in a former life, Allison Pang turned to a life of crime to finance her wild spending habits and need to collect Faberge eggs. A cat thief of notable repute, she spends her days sleeping and nights scaling walls and wooing dancing boys... Well, at least the marine biology part is true. But she was taloned by a hawk once.  She also loves Hello Kitty, sparkly shoes, and gorgeous violinists.

She spends her days in Northern Virginia working as a cube grunt and her nights waiting on her kids and cats, punctuated by the occasional husbandly serenade. Sometimes she even manages to write. Mostly she just makes it up as she goes.




Chapter One Excerpt

“Run, Abby.”

Sonja’s warning slid around me with a wash of power. Startled, I shot up from where I huddled beneath a cluster of fallen logs, decayed bark scattering as a set of claws shredded my hiding place. I ducked, the sharpened talons slicing the air with a deadly whistle.

Grinding my teeth, I narrowed my eyes and concentrated, letting my own form shift. Small, furry, fast . . .

Hare.

The Dreaming rippled. I bounded away, sleek and long, haunches bunching and then springing forward to propel me into the darkness. Sonja’s low growl of frustration echoed behind me. I didn’t know exactly what form she’d taken, but my rapidly twitching nose instantly recognized the acrid scent of something feline.

The urge to go to ground vibrated through my little body, but I pushed forward, leaves sliding beneath my paws. All around me were shadows as my nails dug into the moist earth. The scenery blurred past in a haze of ragweed and pine trees, needles brushing my fur. I couldn’t hear Sonja anymore and I paused, my ears rotating to cup the darkness.

The faintest breeze caught my attention, and I instinctively flattened against the grass as Sonja swooped past, this time in the shape of a barred owl.

She wheeled, but I bolted, aiming for the tinkling stream nearby. Shedding the last vestige of the hare, I leapt toward the surface, my skin sluicing into scales as I slithered into the depths. My gills opened to shunt out the water, gravel scraping my pink salmon belly.

“Good! Very good.” Sonja applauded from the banks. The succubus had shifted into her more human form, the bloodred feathers of her wings shining in the moonlight of the Dreaming. Her skin had an alabaster purity that could never be matched by anything mortal. Between the hidden depths of her dark eyes and the scarlet wings, she seemed more fallen angel waif than daemon seductress. “You can come out now, Abby. I think that’s enough for tonight.”

My tail flicked me through the current as I changed again, pulling together the part of what made me, me. Emerging from the water, I squeezed the drops from my hair and pushed it from my face. “I’m getting better.” I wrapped the Dreaming around me until I was dressed in a pair of jeans and a shirt.

Sonja nodded cautiously, smoothing out the wrinkles of her own tank dress. “You are, but you’re still barely tapping your potential.” She gestured around us with a hint of irritation. “These are your Dreams. You limit yourself to your own sense of physics. Becoming a rabbit was fine and you’ve certainly improved your shifting ability—but why not change the ground, or the trees?” She yanked on a damp ringlet of my hair. “Why waste time with this when you could instantly dry it? If you’re ever going to really, truly defeat your nightmares, you’re going to need more than just a few parlor tricks.”

“I don’t think that way. You know that. We’ve been through this how many times now?” I concentrated on the water flowing over my toes before giving her a wan smile. “Have patience with me. I’m new to this.” One dark brow rose at me sourly, but she let the lie pass without comment.
In truth it had been over six months—six very long months. She was frustrated, I was frustrated. I’d been banging my head against the metaphysical equivalent of a brick wall in my attempts to break free from the confines of everything I’d ever known in an effort to make sense of the dark shadows of my inner psyche—which often took the form of vicious, man-eating sharks.

My nightmares certainly hadn’t paid the slightest bit of attention either way.

If it hadn’t been for a certain incubus awakening me to the existence of the Dreaming nearly eight months ago, I would have continued to experience my familiar nightly cycle of waking up from the intimate practice of having the flesh shredded from my bones. That should have meant something.

On the other hand, sometimes ignorance really was bliss. Discovering that I could visit the place where my dreams occurred was one thing. Being told I could potentially bring my nightmares to life was something else entirely.

I understood Brystion’s motivation of having his sister teach me the finer points of Dreaming—we weren’t exactly dating anymore, and my chances of focusing long enough past the hurt of his
leaving was a bit of a toss-up. I couldn’t argue against the need to control myself better, though I wasn’t sure Sonja saw me as anything more than a chore.

Still. The faint scent of the sea rolled past us as though to emphasize the point and I shuddered. Dreams or not, I had no wish to see the sharks again anytime soon.

The succubus sighed at my woeful expression. “You’ll get there. You just need to concentrate.”

I waggled my nose, annoyed. I might not quite grasp everything she tried to teach me, but I wasn’t completely ignorant. “Is that all there is to it, Endora?” My eyes narrowed as I stared at her, the power rushing through me, a thin rivulet of the Dreaming taking form in my mind.

A small change, perhaps.


Thanks to the generosity of Allison Pang and Bewitching Book Tours, there is a rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of this post where 10 (yes TEN!) lucky tour followers will win a copy of A SLIVER OF SHADOW.


From Good Reads:
Just when her new life as a TouchStone — a mortal bound to help OtherFolk cross between Faery and human worlds — seems to be settling down, Abby Sinclair is left in charge when the Protectorate, Moira, leaves for the Faery Court. And when the Protectorate’s away…let’s just say things spiral out of control when a spell on Abby backfires and the Faery Queen declares the Doors between their worlds officially closed.

The results are disastrous for both sides: OtherFolk trapped in the mortal world are beginning to fade, while Faerie is on the brink of war with the daemons of Hell. Along with her brooding elven prince Talivar and sexy incubus Brystion, Abby ventures to the CrossRoads in an attempt to override the Queen’s magic. But nothing in this beautiful, dangerous realm will compare to the discoveries she’s making about her past, her destiny, and what she will sacrifice for those she loves.

Purchase book at:

Available formats: Print (Mass Market Paperback), NookBook, epub, Kindle



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tour Participation:

Bewitching Book Tour Review: A Sliver of Shadow by Allison Pang

Book: A SLIVER OF SHADOW
Author: ALLISON PANG
Genre: URBAN FANTASY
Published: February 2012, POCKET


Series: Abby Sinclair series #2
A Brush of Darkness (Abby Sinclair #1)
Source: Bewitching Book Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Just when her new life as a TouchStone — a mortal bound to help OtherFolk cross between Faery and human worlds — seems to be settling down, Abby Sinclair is left in charge when the Protectorate, Moira, leaves for the Faery Court. And when the Protectorate’s away…let’s just say things spiral out of control when a spell on Abby backfires and the Faery Queen declares the Doors between their worlds officially closed.

The results are disastrous for both sides: OtherFolk trapped in the mortal world are beginning to fade, while Faerie is on the brink of war with the daemons of Hell. Along with her brooding elven prince Talivar and sexy incubus Brystion, Abby ventures to the CrossRoads in an attempt to override the Queen’s magic. But nothing in this beautiful, dangerous realm will compare to the discoveries she’s making about her past, her destiny, and what she will sacrifice for those she loves.


My Review:
Last year, I read A BRUSH OF DARKNESS and was totally bowled over. Urban fantasy wasn't something that I read much of before 2011. I had been used to reading science-fiction and fantasy. But, I found that I loved the darker and intricately created worlds of urban fantasy. I am very glad that I found my way into Abby Sinclair's world.

Allison Pang has almost redefined the urban fantasy heroine. Here, Abby is not a perfectly created woman. An accident has left her somewhat handicapped and suffering from seizures. But, it is her courage that makes her so appealing. In Abby's world, humans (especially ones with her unique power of being able to TouchStone) are like rare commodities to the Fae. She finds herself in the middle, which is not necessarily where she wants to be.

In the first book, Abby meets Brystion. I don't want to spoil too much, but I'll say that their relationship is pretty doomed, and Abby ends up hurt. In A SLIVER OF SHADOW, Brystion shows up again, and while he isn't in much of the first part of the book, his part in Abby's life is important. I liked how Pang weaved him back into the story. Though a more important plotline is introduced, and followed, I always thought that Abby and Brystion's parting in A BRUSH OF DARKNESS wasn't permanent.

Where Pang took Abby and the other great characters this time around (I seriously love Phin, Melanie, and new to the story, Talivar) was just as much of a roller coaster as the first time. See, there is action involved, but A SLIVER OF SHADOWS is a journey. The words just sucked me in and the characters are so real and tangible.

A SLIVER OF SHADOWS is a great example of urban fantasy, involving some twisted aspects of the Fae mythology that makes it engaging and unique. There's just the right mix of Alice down the rabbit hole, pop culture fantasy nods (Mordor, anyone?), and witty and emotional dialog from the characters.

If you haven't started the series yet, pick up A BRUSH OF DARKNESS for Phin, the horny unicorn alone. You'll definitely want second helpings with A SLIVER OF SHADOW. And, you'll definitely keep coming back to the series for the ensemble cast and the adventures, I promise.

4.5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14/15 (4.5 stars)

Must Read, if you liked:

The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams
Kindling The Moon by Jenn Bennett
Dead On The Delta by Stacey Jay
Hunted By The Others by Jess Haines


Find the author at:
Website | Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | Books-A-Million | Amazon

Available formats: Print (Mass Market Paperback), NookBook, epub, Kindle

Tour Participation:

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