Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Dystopian Giveaway Hop!

So if you’re a loyal follower like you should be, you’ll already know that my absolute favorite genre is dystopian. I am a DIEHARD dystopian fanatic. Diehard, I tell you. A couple months back I went all out and had a full-fledged dystopian fling. I not only read dystopian during those long weeks, I breathed it. So as you can guess, this is a very exciting giveaway hop for me. I’m so thrilled to be sharing the love with all my readers. And while I could go on and on about my addiction, as always, I’ll cut it short. I know you want to know what you could win, so just go ahead and take a look:
I know, right?! No book this time- cold, hard cash! Well, almost. The winner gets to pick a dystopian book of choice from those pictured below. I’ve listed a lot of popular dystopians below, but if you win and you want one that’s not on the list (MUST be dystopian literature!), then I will graciously consider your suggested prize. Any prize must be under $15 and from Amazon. Viola! Now enter, as I’m sure you’re eager to do. *grin*
 

  


  














Rules:
US only. Winner contacted via email and must respond within 42 hours before another winner is picked.
Happy Hopping!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

NaNoWriMo, Here I Come!

It’s that time of year again. National Novel Writing Month. That word is currently inciting fear into my heart, because guess what, kids? I’m a procrastinator (not that that’s a new flash or anything). And I have recently been honing my procrastinating skills. Meaning I haven’t planned for this next month of writing AT ALL. I haven’t plotted. I haven’t outlined. I haven’t even named my potential characters. Praise God, I do have a story in mind, one that I’m super excited about, but it’s looking pretty wimpy right now because I haven’t put a lot of thought into it. But that’s what NaNoWriMo is all about. Doing something totally crazy and unplanned for an entire month. And coming out of it with something completely messy and in need of much editing. And golly, it’s so much FUN!
So, because of this huge, busy, insane month coming up, I will not be posting as much as usual. Because when I won’t be doing school or writing till my brain is fried, I’ll be sleeping and eating. I might get some reading done somewhere in there, but I doubt there will be much review-writing or blog-posting. So, at least for a while, I bid you adieu. Think of me when you’re asleep in your warm bed. I will be writing. Think of me when you’re relaxing while watching TV. I will be writing. Think of me when you’re going on a leisurely walk in the park, enjoying the gorgeous fall weather. I will be…yeah, you guessed it: writing. Tis the life of a writer. Embrace it.
And to all you who join me on this courageous journey- I salute you, my fellow novelists! Remember, as you plow through your treacherously messy drafts, that this isn’t all for naught. You’re molding a story that’s your own, in hopes that one day, the world will read it and make it their own, too.  

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #10

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.
Today I’m spotlighting Sirens by Janet Fox, which is due out on shelves everywhere on November 8th from Speak Publishing.

When Jo Winter’s parents send her off to live with her rich cousin on the glittering island of Manhattan, it’s to find a husband and forget about her brother Teddy’s death. But all that glitters is not gold. Caught up in the swirl of her cousin’s bobbed-hair set—and the men that court them—Jo soon realizes that the talk of marriage never stops, and behind the seemingly boundless gains are illicit business endeavors, gangsters, and their molls. Jo would much rather spend time the handsome but quiet Charles, a waiter at the Algonquin Hotel, than drape herself over a bootlegger. But when she befriends a moll to one of the most powerful men in town, Jo begins to uncover secrets—secrets that threaten an empire and could secure Jo’s freedom from her family. Can her newfound power buy her love? Or will it to ruin Jo, and everyone around her?
[Description from Goodreads]
My thoughts:
Flappers. Gangsters. Romance. Secrets. I’m so hopping on this 20’s bandwagon.
What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Drop a note or leave a link in the comments!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the
Well, this week’s assigned topic was Top Ten Books to Get in the Halloween Spirit, but because of personal reasons, my family doesn’t celebrate Halloween. So I mixed it up a little. Today I’ve listed the top ten books I want to read this autumn…“want” being the key word there. No guarantee this is going to happen. (Ha, whenever I write one of these season TBR “Top Tens” and I apologize in advance for not getting around to reading the books on the list, I think of the State Farm commercial: “Life comes at your fast…”)  But hey. I’ll give it a shot.
1) The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie. Because it’s about time I read this one. Oh, and I have it out from the library. That’s a pretty legit reason right there. *wink*
2) The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. This is a pretty controversial book, but I want to read it anyways. Truth or fiction, it sounds like a clincher.
3) Timeless by Alexandra Monir. Cause I kind of have time-travel fever at the moment.
4) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. Everyone raves about Karen and I have read not one of her books. Ever. So it’s about time I start, and Longing is where I’m going to start.
5) Breathe by Sarah Crossman. Under the Never Sky meets The Forsaken. Result: awesomesauce.
6) Whispers in Autumn by Trisha Leigh. One word: aliens.
7) Lucid by Adrienne Stoltz and Ron Bass. I adore the idea of this one (dreaming/parallel world). Haven’t heard a whole lot about it from the blogosphere, but I still can’t wait to get my hands on it.
8) Rockololic by C.J. Skuse. Currently reading this one and loving it so far.
9) Reaction by Jessica Roberts. Got an ARC for a blog tour…can’t wait to continue Heather’s journey!
10) Swipe and Sneak by Evan Angler. *sheepish grin* I’ve been meaning to read these for a month now. Get on it, Shelby! *cracks whip*
Tell me you top ten this Tuesday (how’s that for alliteration?!). Drop a note or leave a link in the comments! 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Interview with Paul Crilley, author of The Lazarus Machine

Today we’re talking with author Paul Crilley, whose newest sci-fi novel The Lazarus Machine releases November 6th from Prometheus Books.
Thanks for chatting with us today, Paul!
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How has your past influenced your writing?
Um… let’s see. I was born in Scotland and my family moved to South Africa in the late eighties. My parents had a bit of a fickle nature though, and we moved back to Scotland two years later, only to head back to S.A. again, another two years later.
With all the shifting schools (and countries) I found myself gravitating towards books more and more. I started off with the Hardy Boys, and I think they must have had a big influence on my writing, because all my books seem to have some element of mystery in them.
After the Hardy Boys I moved on to Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams. Reading those authors was like discovering a whole new world. They opened up fantasy and science fiction to me. Prachett and Adams were a huge influence on my style. Humor is really important to me. I love weaving it into stories. I haven’t written a full-on comedy, but I like to try and get it in there somehow, through the dialogue or the characters. After that it was onto Tolkien, Tad Williams, the Dragonlance books, Raymond E Feist, and David Eddings.
I started writing my own stories when I was 13, and haven’t looked back since.  I got my first electric typewriter when I was 15. I remember thinking it was the coolest present ever, which probably goes to show how big a geek I am.
2) Who is your favorite character in The Lazarus Machine? How is that person unique, and how do they grow throughout the book?
You’re putting me on the spot! That’s like asking which of your kids is your favorite. But if I had to pick I think it would be Tweed. I love how awkward he is at the beginning, how he has trouble dealing with people in normal society. This isn’t his fault. His father is a con man, and for reasons of his own has kept Tweed pretty sheltered. But he also brought Tweed up to analyze everything, to not let emotion get in the way, so this combination makes Tweed a bit… odd.
3) What’s it like writing a historical novel set in an alternate world? Did you incorporate historical facts in with the fiction, or is your 1895 a completely different one?
There are lots of historical facts in the book, but I use them more as starting-off points. All of Tesla’s inventions were real (at least in the blueprint stage). I just acted as if they had been perfected and built. The same with Babbage’s Analytical Machine. Of course, there’s a lot of science fiction in there as well. In the universe of the book, for example, Viktor Frankenstein was a real person, and his research was commandeered by the British government. All the political figures are real. I’ve just played around with motivations.
4) Ok, I can’t help but ask…upon seeing the cover of The Lazarus Machine and reading its description, my first thought was, “This looks like something from Doctor Who!” Have you ever seen the show before?
Actually, I originally pitched the series as Sherlock Holmes meets Dr. Who, with some Indiana Jones and James Bond thrown in for good measure.
I mean, in the first couple of chapters alone I have a séance that goes wrong, a gang of villains in weird gas masks, a kidnapping, robotic clockwork spiders, Tesla guns, and the main character hanging from a zeppelin a couple of hundred feet above London.
So yeah, I love Dr. Who. I love that kind of adventure story. One of my earliest TV memories is from the 80s, (or was it late seventies?) when Tom Baker fell out of the TARDIS and regenerated into Peter Davison. (Really boring death for a Time Lord, though.) I don’t miss an episode of the new series, and am still trying to decide whether Tennant or Smith is my favorite. My daughter is just getting to the age where she is interested in that kind of show. I can’t wait to sit down and re-watch all the episodes with her.
5) Personally, I would think that the hardest thing about writing science fiction would be making my world convincing and “real” to my readers. What’s the hardest thing for you about writing a sci-fi novel?
For me, the hardest thing is weaving the technology and the history of the world into the story without actually bringing everything to a grinding halt. You have to sneak it in a bit at a time, so the reader isn’t overwhelmed with info dump.
But I actually think writing straight fantasy is harder. I’ve just finished a fantasy YA novel and it was much harder than Tweed and Nightingale or The Invisible Order, because in fantasy you have to invent everything – the history, the various cultures, magic systems etc. With science fiction, or alternate history, you are given feed lines that you can develop as you see fit. Like the stuff about Charles Babbage in the book. He really did come up with plans for the Difference Engine and the Analytical Machine, and it was only lack of funding that stopped it being built. How different would everything be now if he actually had the money?
6) Being science fiction as well as “historical” fiction, I can imagine you did a lot of different research. Tell us a little bit about that.
It was a lot of fun. Especially the stuff about Tesla, (who features heavily in the second book). The man was fascinating, a true visionary who unfortunately became a bit of a laughing stock, eventually looked upon as the crazed scientist. But he had so much to offer science.
A lot of the research was into early computing languages and such. How they used to send instructions to computers by punching holes in cards and inserting the cards into the computers. Primitive stuff, but it worked.
7) What message do you want readers to glean from The Lazarus Machine?
There are a couple in there. One is that you can’t live all in your head, just as you can’t live all in your heart. Tweed is very cerebral, relies on logic and analysis, while Octavia is much more in touch with her feelings, quick to anger, quick to forgive. She constantly berates Tweed for living his life from the outside so to speak, analyzing everything (which is the way he was brought up by his father), instead of experiencing it. It’s sort of like going on holiday and constantly taking photographs instead of looking at what’s right in front of you. He lives life once removed. While Octavia, on the other hand, lives life to the full. But Octavia has to also realize that being ruled by emotions is just as bad. They both have to realize that there is a middle ground and their friendship with each other is what shows them that.
Plus, there is a theme running through the book world regarding technology for the sake of technology. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. Technology and progress should not supersede ethics and morals.
8) The Lazarus Machine is the first book in a series. Can you tell us a little bit about what you’re working on now? Book two, maybe?
Yup. Book two. The working title is The Hollow World, but that is subject to change. It’s not going to be quite as technology-oriented as book one. I’m introducing some - I don’t want to give anything away here – but… mythical elements? Not magic as such, but the unknown. I mean, that’s not such a huge leap, seeing as I already have automatons powered by human souls, but I’m opening up the world a bit. Perhaps a bit of globe-trotting.
I’m really enjoying it, as the hardest part in writing first books is getting the characters to the stage where they are comfortable with each other, where they can joke and chat and all the getting-to-know-you stuff is out of the way. It brings an interesting new dynamic to the characters. In book two, Nightingale and Tweed are much more easy-going with each other. Their relationship is closer to that of Jenny and Carter’s in book one. In fact, that’s why I put Jenny and Carter in the first book, to sort of show readers what Tweed and Nightingale will be once they’ve really gotten to know each other.
So glad you came on the blog today with us!
A pleasure. And thanks for having me!
Connect with Paul here:

Check out the Lazarus Machine here on Goodreads or here on Amazon and be sure and buy it on November 6th!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Interview with Brynna Gabrielson, author of Starkissed

Today we’re chatting with debut and self-published author, Brynna Gabrielson, whose exciting novel, Starkissed, was released in August.
Welcome to the blog, Brynna! So glad we get to chat with you today.
Hello Shelby! No problem, I'm happy to be here.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. (I heard that you finished your MA and are officially a student of the past tense now. Congrats!)
A little about me? Well I'm from British Columbia; Canada originally, though I am currently living in the UK where I, as you said, just finished my Master's Degree in Publishing. I actually just finished two weeks ago, so this studentless life is still pretty new and terrifying. As well as loving reading and writing, I'm hugely addicted to too many television shows and love to travel. I'm also a bit of a shopaholic. Umm...what else can I say? I hate onions and mushrooms with a passion and chocolate is my biggest weakness.
2) Well, what do you know? Chocolate is my kryptonite, also. *wink* Using five adjectives, describe your novel.  
Fluffy, Romantic, Funny, Cute, and Swoonworthy.
3) Just for fun…if you could be kissed by any celebrity, who would it be? How do you think you would react?
Oh, that's a hard one. I'm the queen of celebrity crushes, or at least I was once upon a time. In high school my locker was absolutely plastered with pictures cut out from magazines. My longest standing celeb crush is Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys (blushes), but I don't know if I'd pick him, it might ruin the teenage fantasy. These days I'm a big fan of Chris Hemsworth (aka Thor), though Ryan Gosling is pretty fabulous (what girl wouldn't want to kiss him?)
As for my reaction, in theory I like to think I'd be one of those people who would be oh so cool around a famous person; rationally I know they are just people like you and me, but it probably wouldn't work out quite so well. I'd probably stammer, blush and say something horribly moronic.
4) Ha, that would be me too. Or I’d end up tripping over something and break a bone. In Starkissed, Sydney is initially turned off by Grant’s advances. She would rather it be her crush Colin who is giving her all this attention. But she slowly grows to like Grant. Can you tell us of a time in your life when you thought you wanted one thing, but realized you really wanted something else entirely?
Haha, to be honest I can't really think of anything on the spot. At least nothing meaningful. The other day I regretted getting the carrot cake instead of cheesecake, but I don't think that's a good answer. I guess maybe this past year I've slowly realized that what I really want is to write full time. That was my goal a long time ago, but after trying to get published or get an agent and not succeeding, I slowly convinced myself that I just wanted to work in publishing. However after self-publishing Starkissed and seeing people respond so well to it, I've really started to realize how much writing is still what I want for my life and it’s what I really want to do at the end of the day.
5) *applauds* Good for you! Your book is a fantasy that every female has dreamed of at least once: not only being kissed by a hot movie star, but being pursued by said movie star. Was this fact part of what spurred you to write Starkissed? (Knowing that readers would be able to “relate”…for lack of a better word.) J
Absolutely, that was where I drew most of my inspiration from. It was pretty much my fantasy from the age of 9 on (when I first gazed into the eyes of Nick Carter). I think the main driving factor behind writing Starkissed, however, was just how annoyed I was that the YA market is so stuffed full of all these dark, moody romances (mostly paranormal) and that there really isn't a lot of just funny, cute, romantic books out there for girls to read. As a reader I love to laugh. I wanted to see more Meg Cabot and less Stephanie Meyer.
6) Believe me, the book market could use some more Meg Cabot and a little less Stephanie Meyers. What’s the best advice you can give aspiring authors?
I think I'd say don't be afraid of self-publishing. I spent a lot of time afraid of self-publishing, thinking that traditional publishing was the only valid way to go. I was afraid people would look down on me and my book. But after really researching it and seeing what it has to offer, I've realized that it's an amazing way for authors to reach their audiences and I'm so glad I decided to try it. I've sold more books than I ever thought I would and I'm so excited by the reactions I'm receiving. Starkissed sat on my computer two years doing nothing. Now people are reading it and liking it. As an author that's the best part.
Thanks so much, Brynna! It was a pleasure talking with you!
You can connect with Brynna here:

Be sure to check out Starkissed here on Goodreads or here on Amazon!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday #9

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

So today, I’m going to cheat a little. Well, I wouldn’t necessarily call it cheating as much as being creative. Yeah, that sounds much better. Let’s call it that.
 I say this because my Waiting on Wednesday book is actually a novella. The book I’m spotlighting today is an Under the Never Sky short story simply called Roar and Liv. This short, 60-pager comes out in e-book format on the 30th of this month, and I can’t wait! It will be such a relief to have a little something to read before Through the Ever Night comes out in January. Check out the synopsis from Goodreads for Roar and Liv:
 
Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital—and more brutal—than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever.

Set in the harsh but often beautiful world of Veronica Rossi's "unforgettable" Under the Never Sky (Examiner.com), this captivating prequel novella stands on its own for new readers and offers series fans a fascinating look into the character of Roar. Poignant and powerful, Roar and Liv is a love story that will "capture your imagination and your heart." (Justine on Under the Never Sky)
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What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me a link or drop a note in the comments!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Top Ten Favorite Dystopian Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
Today we’re talking about our favorite authors in a particular genre. And as you can see, I picked dystopian. *smirk*
You could say I’m addicted.
In no particular order…
Suzanne Collins
1) Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games). She’s pretty much the queen of dystopians. We all know this and accept it as fact.
2) Lisa Stasse (The Forsaken). Incredible debut author. Can’t wait to see what she brings to the table next.
3) Veronica Roth (Divergent and Insurgent). Author of one of the most unforgettable and epic dystopian series of them all. And she’s barely out of college.  
Marie Lu
4) Veronica Rossi (Under the Never Sky). Her debut novel excited a horde of readers, and her next one should be even more riveting.
5) Lois Lowry (The Giver). Um, what do you mean she shouldn’t be on this list? She is too a dystopian author. She totally deserves some attention on this list. I mean, who else am I to blame give credit for this awful dystopian fever I have?!
6) Marie Lu (Legend). Author/designer. Inspired by Les Miserables, her novel rocked my socks off. The sequel comes out four days after my birthday. I’m not hinting or anything. *wink*  


Tehereh Mafi

7) Tehereh Mafi (Shatter Me). Yet another debut author. Blowing readers minds with Adam’s hotness since 2011.

8) Ally Condie (Matched and Crossed). Author of a beautifully, poetically written “classic” dystopian series. I feel like she kind of set the standard for everyone to follow, because I’m constantly comparing books to Matched.  
9) Elana Johnson (Possession). Wrote a series a bit similar to Matched, but with its own unique twist. Less poetic, more intense. Less delicate, more extreme. And with a glittery cover.
10) Catherine Fisher (Incarceron and Sappique). Author of a half-dystopian, half-steampunk series. Totally mind blowing. I can’t even…they’re just amazing. And therefore, she’s amazing.

Monday, October 15, 2012

I’m So Sure by Jenny B. Jones (The Charmed Life #2)

Published: November 3rd, 2009 (Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Pages: 312

Rating: 4/5
"Think you're having a rough week? Bella's stepdad, a semi-pro wrestler, just signed the entire family up for a reality TV show. Bella's first thought: Kill. Me. Now."
Living in Truman, Oklahoma wasn't 100% miserable for Bella. Sure, she misses Manhattan, couture clothes, and her dad. But she was making new friends at Truman High and almost enjoying her work at the school newspaper. Then the whole stepdad-wrestler-reality-show issue hit and her life is now being splashed across weekly tabloids and broadcast news. As if having a camera crew following her around isn't bad enough, Bella soon discovers a conspiracy against the Truman High prom queen candidates. And the closer she gets to the answer, the more danger she's in.
As her relationship with Luke teeters between friendship and romance, Bella's ex-boyfriend Hunter reappears and vies for Bella's attention. Denying allegations of a love triangle, working to solve the prom queen mystery, and trying to keep her cool on national television finally motivate Bella to start talking--and listening--to God more.
But what comes next has Bella once again screaming: "I'M. SO. SURE."
Bella’s at it again. That is, when she’s not lusting over the newest spring fashion line for Burberry. I’m talking about her awesome crime-busting skills. With her amazing(ly hot) editor-in-chief, Luke, by her side, Bella’s ready for anything Oklahoma could possibly throw her way.
That was before her step-dad turned wrestler signed up to have their lives broadcasted via reality TV. 
Just as she was finally getting adjusted to life in Truman, a camera crew swipes the rug out from under her. Now, as she tries to 1) get a job for an article in the school paper, 2) figure out the male population, and 3) find out who’s out to turn prom into a nightmare, she can smile at the camera while she’s doing so.
Not.
I really enjoyed this second book in the Charmed Life series. Some parts were so laugh-out-loud hilarious. Like more hilarious than usual. *grin* A particular scene involving a disaster at a maxi-pad factory had me rolling on the floor. *coughcough* But I’ll let you find out the details of that little incident.
In So Not Happening, I wasn’t really all that impressed with Luke. I mean, his and Bella’s playful banter was interesting, but I just wasn’t very captivated with him. My reaction to him was completely different in this second book. Suddenly, Luke is hot. And I really liked it. J Looking forward to seeing how their little romance turns out in the third book.
The one and only thing that irritated me a little was the fact that this book seemed a little ridiculous at points. Jenny specializes in humor, sometimes the ridiculous kind, but some parts were just downright silly. As long as you can get past it and not focus on it too much, it shouldn’t really be a big deal.
In conclusion, I’m So Sure was a fantastic sequel to So Not Happening. I doubt I’ll ever get tired of Jenny’s humor. I can’t seem to get enough of it! Hopefully So Over My Head (book three) will prove to be just as entertaining.
Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*
Language: None
Violence: Mild (A nerdy maniac tries to blow up the prom queen.)
Sexual: Mild (A kiss or two and some harmless flirting)

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren (The River of Time #2)

Published: June 1st 2011 (David C. Cook)
Pages: 399
Rating: 5/5

Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”
Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.
But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever. [Description from Goodreads]

First off, I read this book about a month ago, and made the mistake of not taking any notes (darn…what was I thinking?), so just bear with me here. This might be a bumpy ride.
Cascade picks up right where Waterfall left off, with the Betarrini sisters travelling back through time to see their mother. Being an archeologist, she’s completely gung-ho for travelling back to 14th century Italy, which is exactly what Gabi wants to do. Lia, on the other hand…not so much. When they finally get back, much more time has passed for Marcello than it has for the Betarrinis (but don’t worry- he’s not old and senile quite yet). Gabi and Marcello are thrilled to be united again, but with danger lurking behind every, erm, castle, they’re soon swept off to defend the land from their ever-persistent enemies. And this time, there’s no stopping them. With her love belonging to another and her family to protect, Gabi must find great courage in order to overcome the hardships she encounters and make the sacrifice that’s necessary.
I really loved this book. Maybe even more than Waterfall, which is saying something, because I LOVED Waterfall. Lisa’s writing proved to sweep me off again, and once you get going, it’s hard to stop. I have to say, the little tidbits of insight about faith, love, and trusting God are still one of my favorite things. I love how Lisa incorporates them into her book! And oh, the action was lacking in nothing. This second installment was even more intense than the first. Running-for-your-life-from-fatal-enemies kind of intense. There might even be a possibility that said enemies capture one of the Betarrinis. Just a possibility. *shrugs* You know I’m just baiting you, right? And it’s working, isn’t it? I thought so. *wink*
I was even more convinced of Marcello’s love for me for Gabi in Cascade than I was in Waterfall. He’s so perfect it’s almost frustrating. His and Gabi’s relationship got even sweeter in this book…almost to the point of being sickening in some places. That was the only thing that bugged me a little. But I got over it. *grin*
In conclusion, I once again apologize for this messy, unorganized attempt at a review. While my thoughts might be in so much of a jumble that they’re a pain to read, Cascade is a book you do want to read. I felt like it was a solid sequel to Waterfall, and if Torrent (book three) is even a fraction as good as Cascade was, I can’t wait to read it!
Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*
Language: None.
Violence: Moderate (Battle sequences, torture, etc.)
Sexual: Mild (some kissing)

Friday, October 12, 2012

Cover Reveal: Reaction by Jessica Roberts

The dream is over, and reality begins…
I’m sure y’all have heard of Reflection by Jessica Roberts (you can find my review here). The cover of the soon-to-be released sequel, Reaction, is being revealed today, so take a peek and tell me what you think!


{I personally love this cover just as much as I loved the cover of Reflection.}

Reaction: Reflection #2

By Jessica Roberts
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Book Description: (Spoilers if you haven't read Reflection!)
Harmony…
I’ve previously had that in my life, but only once, briefly, a while ago.  It was during the time I’d started my first year of college.  My own apartment, a new old car, and a life free of deadbeat stepfathers, all of which was fulfilling enough.  But if it wasn’t, I also had a best friend, soul mate, and boyfriend all in one.  Yes, life was near perfect.
But one stormy night can change everything…
For many months I rested in a prolonged sleep, fighting for my life.  Well, more than fighting for it, also dreaming of it.  Dreaming of him.  Thank goodness, the dream is over and I’m back in the real world now.  And all I want is for everything to return to the way it was.  But nothing’s the same; most of all, us.
Once again, I find myself at the crossroads of a ruthless battle, this time not for life, but love.  Do I fight for the guy I twice fell for, or do I let her take him away?
About the author:
Jessica Roberts grew up in the San Francisco, California Bay Area where she spent most of her time playing sports alongside her six siblings. She was crowned Miss Teen California her senior year of high school, and went on to Brigham Young University where she graduated in Human Development. Her love of family, church, writing, athletics, and singing and dancing keeps her life busy and fulfilled. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three children.
Twitter username: JRobertsAuthor