www.BookHoundsYA.net

You'd have to have, like, a lentil for a soul to hate wiener dogs. ~Zuzana from The Daughter of Smoke & Bones by Laini Taylor


Friday, September 30, 2011

OC Children's Book Festival SPOTLIGHT: Readings & Signings



11:00 am PJ Haarsma - The Soft Wire
Frank Beddor - Looking Glass Wars Series - Hatter M Graphic Novels
11:30 am Lisi Harrison & Garret - Monster High Dolls Designer, Mattel - Monster High
11:45 am Holly Goldberg Sloan - I’ll Be There
1:00 pm Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan (Fug Girls) - Spoiled
1:15 pm DJ MacHale - Monster Princess - Morpheus Road Series
1:30 pm Kailin Gow - Premiere of NEW Series - Fire Wars
1:45 pm Kami Garcia Reading Beautiful Chaos - Signing Beautiful Creatures/Beautiful Darkness
2:45 pm Hope Larson - Mercury (Graphic Novel)
3:00 pm Lisa Desrochers - Personal Demons and Original Sin
3:15 pm Katie Alender - Bad Girls Don’t Die - From Bad To Cursed
3:30 pm Heather Brewer - The Slayer Chronicles (Penguin)
3:45 pm Nancy Holder - Chicks Kick Butt - Damned (Crusade Ser.) - Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chron.)
4:00 pm Amber Benson - Calliope Reaper Jones Series 1-3 - Blood Stained Sword (Graphic Novel)

If things work out right, I will have *signed* books from the highlighted authors to give away in the upcoming weeks!  

If you plan on going, please find me!  You can send me a tweet @maryinhb!

OC Children's Book Festival SPOTLIGHT: Noon Teen Lit - “Keeping It Real” Panel:



Noon Teen Lit - “Keeping It Real” Panel:

Heidi Kling (Moderator) Sea - Truth and Dare - Visitors Guide To Mystic Falls
Jessi Kirby - Moonglass
Lindsey Leavitt - Sean Griswold’s Head and Princess For Hire Series
Kirsten Hubbard - Like Mandarin
Andrew Smith - Marbury Lens and Stick

I haven't read any of these authors, but can't wait to hear about their books! 

Thursday, September 29, 2011

GIVEAWAY & OC Kids Book Fest SPOTLIGHT: Thirteenth Chime by Emma Michaels *signed*

Description

HATRED NEVER DIES... Destiny has finally found the life that she has always wanted. She is about to finish college, has a fiancé that loves her, and a great summer on the West Coast planned with her friend, Stephanie. But her world is turned upside down when an antique clock mysteriously chimes thirteen times and someone attacks them, sending Stephanie and her mother to the hospital. Alone, and without any help from the police, Destiny has no choice but to turn to the one man she had left behind a year ago - her ex-boyfriend, David. Together, they must solve the riddle of the thirteenth chime before the clock strikes thirteen again. Yet as they face their own past and hearts, a trap over half a century old is waiting for them to become its prey. For revenge, fifty years is never too long... "The Thirteenth Chime" A spine-tingling debut novel from the hottest new author to the scene. Reviews: "Will draw you in and have you hanging on every word!" - Black Fingernailed Reviews http://blackfingernailedreviews.blogspot.com/ "A glimmer of light to this otherwise dank, dark world." -Book Crazy http://www.book-crazy.com "Masterful work!" -Star Shadow http://www.starshadowblog.com "Friday the Thirteenth is a day you should remember because after reading The Thirteenth Chime, it is a day that you will never forget." -Tales of a Teenage Book Lover http://alexreadsbooks.blogspot.com/

About the Author

Emma Michaels has shared her love of books through blogging since 2009 and in 2010 made the change from being the one writing about other authors, to being one of them. With her debut novel, The Thirteenth Chime, she hopes to be able to reach out to other bloggers who strive to become published authors and to let them know that it is possible. She had the goal of one day making it to the top 100 New York Times Bestsellers List and firmly believes that anything is possible if we all work together to make it happen. Living with her small Chihuahua and her fiancé on an island off the coast of Washington State, she hopes to be able to help others through her writing, the way that reading helped her.
Contact Information To see Emma Michaels book reviews and more visit:
EmmaMichaels.Blogspot.com
EmmaMichaels.com
TheThirteenthChime.com http://m.wbx.me/mobile-site-emichaels
Emma@EmmaMichaels.com
Look for more books by Emma Michaels coming soon!


Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 246 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace (August 5, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1453715061
  • ISBN-13: 978-1453715062
Emma is the moderator at the OC Children's Book Festival
2:00pm Teen Lit - “Paranormal Tendencies” Panel:
Emma Michaels (Moderator) - The Thirteenth Chime and Anasazi
Inara Scott - Delacroix Academy
Cindy Pon - Kingdom of Xia Series
Jeff Mariotte - Dark Vengence
Gretchen McNeil - Possess

WANT TO WIN THIS *SIGNED* BOOK?

 Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable  mailing address (PO Boxes OK!)
This ends 10.14.11 midnight Pacific Time and the winner will be chosen by Random.org on 10.15.11.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by ME for ONE WINNER.


Complete the form below!
Follow Me
+1 Leave a comment once daily with an email address
+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE
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+1 Like Win a Book on Facebook HERE
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More Extra Entries for Emma Michaels
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Description

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

About the Author

JACLYN DOLAMORE's first book was Magic Under Glass. She spent her childhood reading as many books as she could lug home from the library and playing elaborate pretend games with her sister. She has a passion for history, thrift stores, vintage dresses, David Bowie, drawing, and organic food. She lives with her partner and two black tabbies.
www.jaclyndolamore.com

Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (October 25, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1599904349
  • ISBN-13: 978-1599904344
I can't wait for this one!  I love Jaclyn's writing style and it will be a long wait until Magic Under Stone is released next April.  I think this will hold me over.  

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

GIVEAWAY & OC Kids Book Fest SPOTLIGHT: School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari *signed*

Description

For the first time--maybe ever--Madeleine, Theo, Lulu, and Garrison are not looking forward to the start of summer, and three little words are to blame: School of Fear. In what they're sure will be the longest and most terrifying six weeks of their lives, the foursome must face their phobias head-on as students of the exclusive and elusive school. There's no homework or exams. But if they don't conquer their fears by the end of the summer, they'll find out just how frightening failing can be.

About the Author

Former Contrafilms Director of Development, Gitty Daneshvari is the author of the adult novel The Makedown. This is Gitty's debut children's book, and it was inspired by her many childhood fears. She hoped that one day they'd help her, and, as it turns out, they have. She lives in New York.

Carrie Gifford spent many years teaching and directing children's theater before starting Red Cap Cards with her husband. Her signature pencil-and-ink style is inspired by her childhood memories. She lives in Los Angeles.

Details

  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (September 7, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316033278
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316033275
Gitty will be heading up the the "IN BE TWEEN" panel at 10am!  The Orange County Children's Book Festival in at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA, this Sunday, 
October 2.

WANT TO WIN THIS *SIGNED* BOOK?

 Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable  mailing address (PO Boxes OK!)
This ends 10.13.11 midnight Pacific Time and the winner will be chosen by Random.org on 10.14.11.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by ME for ONE WINNER.


Complete the form below!
Follow Me
+1 Leave a comment once daily with an email address
+1 Be my friend on GoodReads HERE
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
+1 Like BookHounds on Facebook HERE 
+1 Like Win a Book on Facebook HERE
+1 you can social network once daily (twitter, blog, facebook) this once, just leave me a link in the comments! 
More Extra Entries for Gitty Daneshvari
+1 Fan on Goodreads HERE
+1 Follow on Twitter HERE



BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin







 Description

Mara Dyer doesn't believe life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.                                                                                                                                                  
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.                                                                                                       
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

About the Author

Michelle Hodkin grew up in South Florida, went to college in New York, and studied law in Michigan. When she isn't writing, she can usually be found prying strange objects from the jaws of one of her three pets. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is her first novel. You can visit her online at michellehodkin.com.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (September 27, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1442421762
  • ISBN-13: 978-1442421769

Monday, September 26, 2011

REVIEW: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton


Description

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger. 
The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.
Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

About the Author

Kiki Hamilton believes in faeries. And magic. Though she has a BA in Business Administration from Washington State University and has run a business with her husband for many years, as well as worked in a variety of management positions for other companies, her first love is writing young adult stories of fantasy and adventure. Kiki lives near Seattle, Washington, where it only rains part of the time. She is a member of The Class of 2k11, The Elevensies and also blogs at The Enchanted Inkpot.

 Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Tor Teen; First Edition edition (September 27, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0765327228
  • ISBN-13: 978-0765327222
SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

***slight spoilers***

The Faerie Ring is not about those circles of mushrooms found in your grass nor is it about fairies dancing about, no, it is about a real ring with a red fiery stone. Tiki is lost in an Oliver Twist-like existence, living with a rag tag group of orphans in Victorian times forced to pick the pockets of the wealthy in order to survive.  She has recently turned sixteen and finds herself trying to steal bread from the royal household, but instead find herself almost caught and hides in a library where two men come in and discuss a ring.  The ring is dropped and like any good thief, she pockets it.  Little does she know that her world may come tumbling down because of this ring and it has special significance to her.

Tiki is street smart and care deeply for her newly found collection of friends that soon turns into a family of sorts. In her quest to support them and keep them well, she is forced to make decisions that may turn out to be a life or death situation.  There are charming characters, page turning chases, evil versus good and some humor thrown in to even everything out.  Reiker is an older, adult pick pocket who knows more than he lets on.  He is definitely one to watch since I am still not sure which side of the fence he is on.  He seems to rescue Tiki at her most vulnerable times but at the same time poses something that might harm her.  I hope the next installment answers the question of exactly what he is to TiKi.  Overall, a nice visit to the land of faery, even though we only see a few glimpses of them in this book.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

GIVEAWAY! Orange County Children's Book Festival October 2

 
 
Do you know about the Teen & YA Stage Giveaway?
 
 

We will be raffling off a set of books (most of the presenting authors are participating) at the end of the day!  

So around 20 - 25 books!!!!

How do you enter?  come over and support your favorite author!  the more authors you support - the more chances of winning!

You get a raffle ticket for EVERY presentation you attend!

So you stop by to see Lisi & Garret show off the Monster High Dolls & Books - One Entry!

You stop by later to see Kami Garcia read from Beautiful Chaos!!!!  One More Entry!!

You return to see Heather Brewer read from the first book in her latest series Slayer Chronicles - Another Entry!!!

....at the end of the day, stop by and see Amber Benson - you remember her from Buffy, the Calliope Reaper series, Among the Ghosts....and you get another entry!!!

We will be drawing the winner at the end of the day - winner doesn't need to be present - so be sure to clearly write your name and phone number on the ticket you deposit in the box - if we can't read it we will draw another ticket until we can!!!

Orange County Children's Book Festival October 2 Schedule

10:00 am Tween Lit - "NEW In-Be-Tween" Panel:
Gitty Daneshvari (Moderator) - School of Fear Series
Greg Taylor - Killer Pizza Series
Helen Stringer - SpellBinder and Midnight Gate
Greg van Eekhout - Kid vs Squid and The Boy At The End Of The World
Mark Jeffreys - Max Quick
11:00 am PJ Haarsma - The Soft Wire
Frank Beddor - Looking Glass Wars Series - Hatter M Graphic Novels
11:30 am Lisi Harrison & Garret - Monster High Dolls Designer, Mattel - Monster High
11:45 am Holly Goldberg Sloan - I’ll Be There

Noon Teen Lit - “Keeping It Real” Panel:
Heidi Kling (Moderator) Sea - Truth and Dare - Visitors Guide To Mystic Falls
Jessi Kirby - Moonglass
Lindsey Leavitt - Sean Griswold’s Head and Princess For Hire Series
Kirsten Hubbard - Like Mandarin
Andrew Smith - Marbury Lens and Stick
1:00 pm Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan (Fug Girls) - Spoiled
1:15 pm DJ MacHale - Monster Princess - Morpheus Road Series
1:30 pm Kailin Gow - Premiere of NEW Series - Fire Wars
1:45 pm Kami Garcia Reading Beautiful Chaos - Signing Beautiful Creatures/Beautiful Darkness

2:00pm Teen Lit - “Paranormal Tendencies” Panel:
Emma Michaels (Moderator) - The Thirteenth Chime and Anasazi
Inara Scott - Delacroix Academy
Cindy Pon - Kingdom of Xia Series
Jeff Mariotte - Dark Vengence
Gretchen McNeil - Possess

SPECIAL GUESTS


2:45 pm Hope Larson - Mercury (Graphic Novel)
3:00 pm Lisa Desrochers - Personal Demons and Original Sin
3:15 pm Katie Alender - Bad Girls Don’t Die - From Bad To Cursed
3:30 pm Heather Brewer - The Slayer Chronicles (Penguin)
3:45 pm Nancy Holder - Chicks Kick Butt - Damned (Crusade Ser.) - Unleashed (Wolf Springs Chron.)
4:00 pm Amber Benson - Calliope Reaper Jones Series 1-3 - Blood Stained Sword (Graphic Novel)

I have special posts planned for the highlighted authors!  Look for a few giveaways as well over the next two weeks!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

AND THE WINNER IS: Journal of a Schoolyard Bully by Farley Katz

AUDRA -- audie

An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Lisi Harrison Live at Barnes and Noble, Huntington Beach!

I had the pleasure of attending a signing by Lisi Harrison at my local Barnes and Noble.  If you ever have a chance to attend one of these events, you will be impressed by the children in attendance.  These kids had extremely intelligent questions about character development and the writing process.  Even the moms participated with very few eye rolls from their offspring!

Lisi was there to promote the latest addition to her MONSTER HIGH series, WHERE THERE'S A WOLF, THERE'S A WAY.


A beautiful table was set up for the signing which was complete with character shaped balloons!


(Of course, I took the balloon picture with my cell phone and I can't figure out how to get them posted here!)



Lisi is discussing the new book.  I am new to this video stuff, so I apologize for the quality!

Lisi is also appearing at the OC Children's Book Fest at Orange Coast College on October 2!  I will have a special giveaway of this series.

GIVEAWAY! Banned Books Week Hop

 Banned Book Week! 


The week of 9.24.11 through 10.1.11 is set aside to bring notice to a growing trend in public and school libraries -- pulling literature from circulation based on the actions of a few, not the majority of the public.  Since 1982, the American Library Association has put together campaigns to make everyone aware of the circumstances of this form of censorship.  Some of the books banned are for minor issues like language that was once accepted but is now objectionable.  Instead of personal responsibility, these censors wish to impose their beliefs on everyone. 

I don't believe in censorship of any media.  I think it is a parents' place to make sure their children are consuming appropriate materials.  I don't want someone else telling me what is right for my child, nor do I want to tell anyone what is acceptable for their family.  I let my son read, watch, listen to anything he wanted with a few important guidelines in place.  I reviewed and discussed with him the media he was consuming.  He turned out more advanced, making better choices and incredibly responsible for those decisions.   

Special thanks to Kathy at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and  Jen at I Read Banned Books for putting together this awesome blog hop! 

Now on to the fun part!  These books were challenged in some way, either at a public or school library. Help take a stand against this form of censorship.


Due to its controversial subject matter, Speak has often been challenged. In the Platinum Edition of Speak, released 2006, Anderson spoke out against censorship. In material printed at the end of the novel, following an interview regarding the content of the book, Anderson wrote:
But censoring books that deal with difficult, adolescent issues does not protect anybody. Quite the opposite. It leaves kids in the darkness and makes them vulnerable. Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance. Our children cannot afford to have the truth of the world withheld from them.


In February 2008, the book was removed from school libraries in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The decision to ban the book was challenged by the National Coalition Against Censorship.





WANT TO WIN THE ABOVE BOOKS?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address
Contest ends on 10.1.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 10.2.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen
This giveaway is sponsored by ME for ONE winner FOR THE ABOVE BOOKS
Please note:  these books are used, but in good condition.
PLEASE NOTE:  If postage is extremely expensive for me to mail these books, I may opt to give the winner a $15 credit at The Book Depository.

Complete the below form
Follow Me
Extra Entries
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
+1 Like Win A Book on Facebook HERE
+1 for social networking this giveaway and leave me a link ONE TIME ONLY
+1 Leave a comment about which book is your favorite banned book.





Thursday, September 22, 2011

REVIEW: Dreamland by Alyson Noel

Description

Riley’s finding that the afterlife can be a lonely place when all you do is focus on work. So she goes to the place where dreams happen, hoping to find a way to contact her sister, Ever. She meets the director, who tells her about the two ways to send dreams. As a Dream Jumper, a person can jump into a dreamer’s dream, share a message, and participate. As a Dreamweaver, an entire dream can be created in a studio and sent to the dreamer. But Dreamweaving was outlawed decades ago, and the studio was boarded up. Thinking it’s her only way to reach out to her sister, Riley goes in search of the old studio. There she finds a ghost boy, who’s been creating and sending nightmares to people for years. In order to stop him and reach out to Ever, Riley is going to have to confront and overcome her own fears.

About the Author

Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Faking 19, Art Geeks and Prom Queens, Laguna Cove, Fly Me to the Moon, Kiss & Blog, Saving Zoë, Cruel Summer, and The Immortals series including Evermore, Blue Moon, Shadowland, Dark Flame, and Night Star, as well as the Immortals spin-off series beginning with Radiance. With over 2 million copies in print in the US alone, her books have been published in 35 countries and have won awards including the National Reader's Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, NYPL Stuff for the Teenage, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, and Reviewer's Choice 2007 Top Ten, and have been chosen for the CBS Early Show's "Give the Gift of Reading" segment, and selected for Seventeen Magazine's "Hot List" and Beach Book Club Pick. She lives in Laguna Beach, California.

Details

  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Square Fish; First Edition edition (September 13, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0312563752
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312563752
SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

**slight spoilers**

Riley Bloom has a habit of overstepping boundaries, finding herself in places she doesn't belong or shouldn't be.  None of that has stopped her before and in the third installment of Riley's adventures in the Here and Now, she finds herself trying to reach out to her sister, Ever.  She desperately craves becoming a teen and wishes she still had Ever in her life to guide her and offer advice. In some ways, Riley has matured incredibly, yet she still thinks impulsively, acts without thinking things through and speaks exactly what is on her mind.  Not bad traits, but all together, they tend to push people away.  Slowly, Riley is finding her place in the after life.

This series is really special and I love recommending it to younger readers.  It hits on a lot of topics like self acceptance, the ability to learn from your mistakes, as well as the important concept of maturity.  I loved the fact that Riley realizes her mistakes and learns from them.  She finds herself drawn to Dreamland, a place where people can connect with the earth bound and finds her wishing she can communicated and get advice from his sister.  She is still craving that all important birthday to become a teenager.  She accidentally wanders into Dreamland, which she is told to avoid, and finds a hurt boy that really needs help letting go of that hurt, but finds her temper gets the best of her in trying to help him.  I really can't wait until the next installment.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: Magic in Manhattan #1 by Sarah Mlynowski

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Description

What if all your wishes could come true? Blink your eyes, drink a fizzing pink potion, and poof! Life is perfect. That’s Rachel’s situation. Except she’s not the one who suddenly has magical powers. Her younger sister is. And as Rachel would tell you, spellbooks are wasted on the young!

Yes, yes, of course world peace and cures for horrible diseases are important. But so is dancing without looking like she’s being electrocuted, winning back her best friend, stopping her dad’s wedding, and finding a date for Spring Fling.

Rachel’s not bewitched. Yet. . . .

About the Author

After graduating from McGill University with an honors degree in English, Sarah Mlynowski spent several years working for a publishing company in Toronto. Her novels have received glowing praise. She lives in New York City.

This book contains the first two books in the series! 

Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 608 pages
  • Publisher: Ember (May 8, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385742320
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385742320

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

GIVEAWAY! Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Description

Pearl is your typical sixteen-year-old vampire—until the night a unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. Now she’s experiencing a number of alarming symptoms: noticing her own reflection, feeling sympathy for a human victim, and being able to withstand the sun. Pearl’s immunity to sunlight thrills her family, who enroll her in high school so she can lure home tasty friends. Pearl quickly discovers that high school is very similar to vampire culture with its rigid rules, clear social hierarchy, and a might-makes-right attitude. But having a conscience makes it hard to cope with an evil plot the Vampire King has in store for the local humans. Will Pearl overcome her bloodsucking instincts in favor of her newly acquired conscience? This acerbic antidote to other vampire romances is rife with gorgeous vampires, handsome were-unicorns, high school drama, and lots of action!

About the Author

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of the young adult novels Enchanted Ivy and Ice, as well as the middle grade novels Into the Wild and Out of the Wild. She has twice been a finalist for SWFA's Andre Norton Award, for both Ice and Into the Wild. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children. Visit her at sarahbethdurst.com.

Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (September 13, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1442423730
  • ISBN-13: 978-1442423732
WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK ? 

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address
Contest ends on 10.8.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 10.9.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by the author and ME with ONE new book available.


Complete the below form
Follow Me
Extra Entries
+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 
+1 Like BookHounds on Facebook HERE 
+1 Like WIN A BOOK on Facebook HERE
+1 Be my friend on Goodreads HERE
+1 for social networking  this giveaway and leave me a link (blog, twitter, facebook, etc) once daily
+1 Leave a comment -- you can do this daily, just leave me an email address!
More extra entries for Sarah Beth Durst
+1 Fan on GoodReads HERE
+1 Follow the blog HERE *GFC friendly
+1 Follow on Twitter HERE
+1 Friend on Facebook HERE

BONUS QUESTION:  What is the name of the dog that chewed up her mother's copy of Drink Slay Love?
*you can find the answer on her blog!

    AND THE WINNER IS: After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven Wedel ARC





    RICKI -- rickimc
    Be sure to stop by READING CHALLENGED here 

    An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
    Thanks to all who entered.
    PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

    BOOK TRAILER TUESDAY: Monster High by Lisi Harrison





    Don't forget Lisi will be at the Huntington Beach Barnes and Noble on Wednesday,  September 21 at 7PM.

    Monday, September 19, 2011

    Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

     ARGHHHH me doggies! 

    In case you need help, check out this video!

    REVIEW: Enthralled edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong

    Product Description

    A journey may take hundreds of miles, or it may cover the distance between duty and desire.
    Sixteen of today’s hottest writers of paranormal tales weave stories on a common theme of journeying. Authors such as Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Melissa Marr return to the beloved worlds of their bestselling series, while others, like Claudia Gray, Kami Garcia, and Margaret Stohl, create new landscapes and characters. But whether they’re writing about vampires, faeries, angels, or other magical beings, each author explores the strength and resilience of the human heart.
    Suspenseful, funny, or romantic, the stories in Enthralled will leave you moved.

    About the Author

    Melissa Marr is the New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series of young adult novels: Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows, and Darkest Mercy. She currently lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her family. Graveminder is her first adult novel.

    Details

    • Reading level: Young Adult
    • Paperback: 464 pages
    • Publisher: HarperCollins (September 20, 2011)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0062015788
    • ISBN-13: 978-0062015785
    SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS


    MY THOUGHTS
    LOVED IT

    Here are the stories contained in this anthology which all take some form of a detour. 

    Giovanni’s Farewell by Claudia Gray
    This will leave you wanting more:  twins develop supernatural powers while in Rome and have an adventure.

    Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan
    You will be extremely familiar with the post apocalyptic world here if you have read Carrie's previous zombie books.  This one is just as creepy and follows two sisters who are barricaded in a remote home and are found by brothers who get quite a surprise by the older sister.

    IV League by Margaret Stohl
    Southern Gothic moves to the Northeast as a vampire tries to attend Harvard with her "normal" friend. 

    Red Run by Kami Garcia
    Seriously, seriously creepy.  A girl is searching for her boyfriend and comes face to face with a ghost who is haunting Red Run Road.  The story has a nice and unexpected twist when the ghost turns out to be something else.

    Things About Love by Jackson Pearce
    Something new!  This is a nice little romance with a twist that is told from the point of view of a genie and the boy she is sent to protect.  I adored this sweet story.

    Niederwald by Rachel Vincent 

    Ahhh, yes!  Sabine and Emma take a road trip from Soul Screamers.  Sabine is one of my favorite characters and her bad attitude is almost put in the background in this story.  A must read for fans of the series since  a bit more about Kaylee is revealed.

    A Mortal Winter King  by Melissa Marr
    Donia and Keenan take a vacation!  They try to make it normal, but of course that doesn't work out when Donia tries to be human again. This left me wanting more.

    Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong
    I haven't read the last book in the series with Chloe but this one brings out a bit more of  Derek and explains what happens to Tori when she finds out what happened to her father.

     
    Let’s Get This Undead Show on the Road by Sarah Rees Brennan
    ADORED this one! I am a huge fan so to read more words by Sarah Ress Brennan is a pleasure.  This one follows a boy band with a vampire lead singer and the corrupt manager that treats him like a second class citizen. 

    Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready
    The first story I immediately turned to was Jeri Smith Ready's Bridge where Logan contacts his brother, who is deeply depressed and considering suicide since he feels responsible in part for Logan's death. The story is told in free verse which is amazing considering the effort it takes to contain a lot of thought in so few words.  This is a must read for any Shade/Shift fan.

    Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting
    I haven't read this series yet, but the story was a nice start for me.  I will have to go back and check this one out.

    Leaving by Ally Condie

    I liked this one as well.  I haven't read anything by her before and this was a nice introduction.

    At the Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday
    Anyone who can take girl scouts and make them into cannibals, a van full of cross dressing vampires and evil ghosts,  well, that has my vote!  This one is very humorous and amazingly action packed for a quick read.  I want more!

    Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson
    A new type of love story for me in which gargoyles are the main feature.  This is a very sweet story about a girl gargoyle who finds love.  This would be wonderful to be a full feature.

    The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    Jess'  sister Krissy needs to follow her impulses even if that means racing off in the middle of the night.  I wish this one had a bit more conclusion.

    Automatic by Rachel Caine.
    I have Caine's whole series sitting here and I haven't read them.  The story goes into detail about Michael and  a new machine that dispense blood like a coke machine at Amelie's request. The blood's preservatives have interesting effects on Michael.

    Saturday, September 17, 2011

    IN PERSON: Lisi Harrison @ B&N HB CA Wed. 9.21.11 7pm

    HEY LOCALS! 

    If you live in the OC,, plan on meeting me at:

    Wednesday September 21, 2011 7:00 PM

    Huntington Beach
    Bella Terra
    7881 Edinger Ave. #110
    Huntington Beach, CA 92647
    714-897-8781
     
    I would love to see you there!  
     
    If you can't be there with me, please post a question  in the comments you would like me to ask Lisi for you! 



    Description

    The frighteningly hip teenage children of the world's most famous monsters have gathered together under one roof...to brave the horrors of high school!

    Always overshadowed by her six brothers and her fab friends, Clawdeen Wolf plans to finally strut her stuff in the spotlight at her upcoming Sweet Sixteen bash. But after The Ghoul Next Door goes viral, it's into the woods for the family Wolf. Clawdeen goes stir crazy lying low at her family's B&B with her annoying brothers until Lala shows up to keep her company. But is the vamp flirting with Claude?!

    About the Author

    Lisi Harrison was the Senior Director of Production Development at MTV, and was responsible for creating and developing original programming for air on MTV. She also served as Head Writer for MTV Production and before that had her own column in Jane Magazine.

    Lisi lives in Laguna Beach, California, and is currently working on the next Monster High book.

    Details

    • Reading level: Young Adult
    • Hardcover: 256 pages
    • Publisher: Poppy (September 20, 2011)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0316099198
    • ISBN-13: 978-0316099196

    Thursday, September 15, 2011

    GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs


    Description

    Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.
    Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.
    Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they’re triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.
    These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful Gorgon maligned in myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

    About the Author

    Tera Lynn Childs (Authora neo) is a newly discovered species of author fish who always dreamed of being a mermaid, but never got closer than a career as a competitive swimmer. She loves to spend as much time as possible in and around water (right up until her fingertips turn all pruney) in the vain hope that one day her legs will magically turn into fins. When stuck on land, Authora neo can be found writing in coffee shops across the country, prowling for cool mermaid gear on Etsy, and spending way too much time online.

    Details

    • Reading level: Young Adult
    • Hardcover: 352 pages
    • Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (September 6, 2011)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0062001817
    • ISBN-13: 978-0062001818
    SOURCE:  PUBLISHER

    MY THOUGHTS
    ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

    We are first introduced to Gretchen, who is quite busy attending high school during the day and kicking demon butt at night.  Gretchen has pretty much been abandoned by who she thinks are her parents.  Then we meet geeky Grace who knows she is adopted and has a loving family.  Her family moves to San Francisco in order for her to attend a prestigious  private school where her already stellar computer skills can be improved.   Finally, Greer is tracked down after Gretchen and Grace meet and start putting things together after they meet in a nightclub and recognize they look just alike.  Greer has no clue she is adopted by her rich parents and thinks the monsters she has been seeing are some kind of mental breakdown.  All three girls are descended from Medusa and have special gifts.   Each have seen monsters appear during their childhood and how each deals with it is very telling.  Gretchen kicks their butt, Grace pushes the thoughts away while Greer buries them.

    The set up for this trilogy is just brilliant and I can't wait until the next one is released next fall.  This is a much more mature book than Childs' other books and probably better suited for teens since there is some violence and language.  Parental control is pretty much on the back burner here as well, but in order for the story to work, it is necessary.  I mean, how can you kick demon butt if you always have to be home in time for dinner?  There is so much empowerment for these three teens and I have my fingers crossed that the next installment will continue to show their growth, both physically and mentally.  I really liked how each one of the triplets is a unique individual, yet still have traits that are common among them.  This promises to be a wonderful trilogy!

    WANT TO WIN THIS arc BOOK ? 

    Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address
    Contest ends on 10.1.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 10.2.11
    Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
    This giveaway is sponsored by ME with ONE arc available.


    Complete the below form
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    Wednesday, September 14, 2011

    AND THE WINNER IS: The Familiars 1 & 2 by Adam Jay Epstien & Andrew Jacobson




    CHRIS -- christinebails

     
    An email has been sent to the lucky person named above (first part of their email address in case my note ends up in spam).  The winner  has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
    Thanks to all who entered.
    PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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