NaNoWriMo Anyone?

NaNoWriMo Anyone?

So, tomorrow is November 1 and most writers, or hopeful writers, know what this huge ordeal is. 50,000 words in 30 days? Sounds impossible, right? Well, it's not...though last years work is still being edited and revised and added to and... Well, anyway, I finished, so I'm off to go again. I have a story in my head, some plotting and outlining done, but ZERO words written. 

I'd like to say I might post snippets and what-not, but I probably won't because this project is near and dear to my heart, parts of my real life are written into it and I'm not ready to share yet. However, I will absolutely keep you updated on my progress and Kelly M will be reading as I write, maybe we can get her to throw in her opinion once in a while...who knows!

So who else is joining in? Will you give us a hint as to what you'll be writing about? I'm going edgy contemporary...how about you?

~Kristin
If you need a writing buddy - find me
kristin73

{A Kelly Coffee Review} The Orphan Factory by James & Lance Morcan

Title: The Orphan Factory
Series: The Orphan Trilogy (#2)
Author: James & Lance Morcan
Publisher: Sterling Gates
Genre: Action/Suspense

Synopsis:

An epic, atmospheric story that begins with twenty three genetically superior orphans being groomed to become elite spies in Chicago’s Pedemont Orphanage and concludes with a political assassination deep in the Amazon jungle.

The Orphan Factory, a coming-of-age spy thriller novel, is book two in The Orphan Trilogy and a prequel to The Ninth Orphan. Go on another frenetic journey with the ninth-born orphan as he busts out of the clandestine orphanage he knew as home and goes on the run across America.

In the late 1970’s, in Chicago, Illinois, the secretive Omega Agency initiates the Pedemont Project – a radical experiment utilizing genetic engineering technologies – to create twenty three orphan babies with the plan to turn them into the world’s most effective assassins.

One of the prodigies will rebel: meet Number Nine, an orphan with a mind of his own.

In 1998, when Nine reaches adulthood and graduates with honors from the Pedemont Orphanage, he is already an adept of the deadly espionage arts. Ordered by his Omega masters to assassinate a survivor of the Jonestown tragedy in Guyana’s Amazon rainforest, Nine is forced to draw upon all of his advanced training just to stay alive.

 This is the second book in the Orphan Trilogy series, even though it's a prequel. I enjoyed this second installment, but it took a bit to get there. The beginning starts slow, with a goodly amount of (often repetitive) exposition. There's a lot more telling than showing going on. However, once Nine makes up his mind to leave, the book begins to move, reminding me why I plowed through the first book so quickly. The details about how he makes his way, his decision-making, and watching the characters feels not unlike reading a movie script. It's very clear, easy to picture and definitely keeps you reading. 

The following plot and action pulls the reader along, almost without realizing it. The suspense and tension is well-done, the sense of danger immediate. There is a rather unfortunate epilogue tacked on that sort of killed my enthusiasm for another book in this world, but overall, a satisfying read. If you enjoy action/suspense novels or conspiracy theories, you'll enjoy "The Orphan Factory."

{Release Blitz & #Giveaway} Shifter by Kailin Gow

WoooHooo! Today is the Release Day for Shifter (Wicked Woods: Book 6) by Kailin Gow.

And, how do we celebrate? With a giveaway...that's how! Read a bit about Shifter, scroll down to the bottom, check out the links, and enter the Rafflecopter!

Title: Shifter 

Series: Wicked Woods, Book 6

Author: Kailin Gow

Release Day: Kailin Gow

Blurb:

The Final Showdown.  The threat to Wicked and to Palisor forces Briony into the inevitable, an alliance with Josh, the Werewolf King.   As Josh’s role becomes clearer in Palisor, and the people are demanding higher security, Briony is forced to make the most important decision in her life.  The worlds of the Wicked and Palisor collide in this stunning conclusion to the Wicked Woods series, winner in Best Horror for the International Book Awards.






Read the internationally-award-winning book series by Kailin Gow that has been optioned to become a web series.

Wicked Woods
Shimmer
Silver
Sight
Silence
Shifter

 About Kailin Gow:

Kailin Gow is the author of over 100 books, with the majority of them for young adults. Her most popular series are:  The Frost Series, PULSE Series, Desire Series, Wicked Woods, Steampunk Scarlett Novels, and more.  A full-time author, she is also a producer, having worked in radio, television, and film.  She grew up in Southern California, lived in Texas and England, and had traveled extensively around the world.

Links:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | All books on Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spooktacular #Giveaway Hop - What's your favorite Halloween Read?

Who wants to win a couple Spooktacular books? Well, because Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Diary of a Bookworm, we've got around 400 blog all linked up for 400ish giveaways! Do several a day, so you can enter as many as possible.

We're even going up a day early! Extra Time!

So, I'm giving you a few books to choose from. Some are new releases everyone's been waiting for and a few will just make awesome Halloween reads. Two winners can pick on novel from the books below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway HAPPY HALLOWEEN HOPPING!
FOR THE COMPLETE LINKY, JUST PRESS...SEE MORE BELOW.

{A Kristin A Review} Covet by Melissa Darnell

Sorry my review is late guys, but this book is made of everything awesome, from witches to vampires to keepers!

Title: Covet

Series: The Clann Series #2

Author: Melissa Darnell

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Publication Date: September 25, 2012

Website    Goodreads     Twitter     Facebook

Amazon     Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Dangerous to be together. Painful to be apart.Savannah Colbert knows she broke up with Tristan Coleman for the right reasons. Most of all, to keep from killing him with her new vampire abilities. But try telling her heart. Now, lost in a sea of hostile Clann faces, Sav tries to come to terms with what she's becoming and what that means for her future. And that someone is doing their best to bully her into making a terrible mistake.

Tristan can't believe Sav won't even talk to him. If being apart is her decision, fine. Just don't expect him to honor it. But even as he prepares to fight for the girl he loves, forces beyond their control take them both in directions neither could have foreseen or prepared for.

A reckoning is coming…and not everyone will survive.

So, I haven't read Crave, book 1 in The Clann Series, but I seriously loved Covet! Every page was filled with twists and turns, love and friendship, allies and enemies. Some of my intuitions were right, others were completely out of this universe.

I want to start by saying, Ms. Darnell created a group of multifaceted characters, both primary and secondary. Anne is one of the strongest female characters I've read about in a long time. She's a true friend to Savannah and the girl knows how to keep a secret. Ron is a protector and stands by Sav's side, regardless of his relationship mishaps with Anne. I'm interested to find out more of what happens to Emily in book 3, until then, I'll have to settle for knowing she holds some intrigue to her.

My first opinion of this book is that it is filled with parents trying too hard to protect their children from the truth while simultaneously pushing them into danger because they do not possess the knowledge, skills, or facts to protect themselves. The conclusion of the book did not alter my opinion one smidgen. 

Tristan's family and the Clann refuse to allow him to see Savannah with "because we said so" as their reasoning. Okay, so Sav's half-vampire and Tristan knows it, what neither understand is why they're still being forced to abide by laws which are, quite literally, centuries old. 

The vampire counsel tells Sav she must stay away from Tristan, but it's not until horrific events come to pass that she finds out exactly why. Luckily for her, she has her dad to help guide and protect her. Sav's father seems to be the only adult in the entire book who has half a clue. Her mother isn't too terrible, but best I can tell, she's spent nearly 17 years keeping Savannah from her destiny only to be completely blindsided by before mentioned horrific events.

I truly enjoyed the first half of the book, but when I reached the 50% mark, I was enthralled. It was a battle for me to put down the book and shut my eyes both nights. I loved Sav and her spunky attitude. She refused to skip school and let the Clann win. She embraced her vampire side, eventually, then she became empowered by her witchiness. Dylan and the Brat Twins became little more than annoying little flees to Sav, even without Tristan by her side. 

Ms. Darnell certainly knows how to keep her readers' attention and throws more WTH moments than teenagers reading Shakespeare. Come on...everyone knows you don't appreciate the classics until you're much older. The pace picks up nicely toward the middle of the book, making it near impossible to put down. Tristan's and Savannah's thoughts are portrayed nicely through alternating first-person POVs. I always love seeing both sides of a story. Leaves less guessing on my part.

And, hey, if you want a small glimpse into what to expect from Consume, book #3, run by HERE and read my interview with Melissa Darnell and enter to win a prize package from HarlequinTeen.

I obtained Covet from NetGalley and HarlequinTeen in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual blog tour.

{A Kristin A Review} Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon
Series: Of Poseidon #1
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: MacMillan
Imprint: A Feiwel and Friends Book
Publication Date: May 22, 2012
Source: Purchased from Barnes & Noble

Goodreads   Website   Twitter   Facebook

Amazon   Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:


Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

What? Kristin's writing a review? Has the world ended? Well, no...not yet, but give those Zombies time. Until then, let's talk about my new favorite Mermaid, oops *smiles apologetically to Galen*, I mean Syrena book...Of Poseidon.

I'm not exactly sure what I expected from this book, but it turned out much different than I thought. My newest reading obsession has been Greek Mythology and when you see a book called Of Poseidon, you think Greek Mythology, right? However, Ms. Banks put her own spin on the lore and created something even better.

The idea of there being two races of Syrena, one led by Poseidon, the other by Triton. The two races agreed on very little and were, in fact, in some semblance of war. Even at that, once every three generations a direct descendant from Poseidon's crew and Triton's crew marry to assure both races survive. Poseidon's children can control fish, guiding them to any Syrena who might need to feed in extreme circumstances. When Galen intervenes in an accident where Emma sends a bull shark packing, he knows he's been guided to something extremely rare and talented. Question is: who is she and who are her parents, because the last direct descendant of Poseidon was killed before her marriage to Galen's older brother, Grom.

From the first page, Ms. Banks had me laughing so hard I cried. Emma was a klutz  but for a good reason. As mentioned in the synopsis, she's a fish-out-of-water trying to navigate her way on land. She's never known about her heritage, so she's completely unaware of her ability to compel fish to do her bidding. As a young child, she had a near-drowning incident where she "imagined" catfish saved her. I wouldn't say Emma hates water, because her and her friend Chloe take a trip to Florida and swim in the ocean. Also, she lives on the Jersey Shore and frequently swims with her friends. I would say she's very cautious of the water. She respects its unwavering power.

"Uh, we didn't get your name. Did you get his name, Emma?" she asks, as if on cue.

"I tried, Chloe. But he wouldn't tell me, so I tackled him," I say, rolling my eyes.
-Chloe and Emma, Page 4

Galen's sister, Rayna, is a Royal Pain in the A$$! Seriously. She and Galen are even Royals...I didn't just make that up. But I loved Rayna for reasons I don't even understand. Maybe because I felt like she was fighting so hard to be normal somewhere. In the ocean she's a Royal whose choices have already been made for her, though she's unaware of her fate. On land, she's temperamental and downright bitchy. Although, I got the feeling that she cared much more than she let on. There are times when I felt she said or did certain things to reveal secrets or truths her brother wasn't willing to tell Emma. No matter what, I loved Rayna and it's quite possibly because she's a lot like me. Just ask my husband, I'm prone to tell people things I think they need to know, even when he's sure his mom absolutely does not need to know. *grins devilishly*

"Why are you still here, Galen? It's obvious she's just a pathetic human who couldn't even save her own friend. Course, we know how bloodthirsty they are, how little a reason they need to kill each other. Maybe she let her die on purpose." ... Rayna's smile is vicious when she says, "Oh, yes, I do, Emma. I know exactly what I'm talking about. You. Killed. Chloe."

I've never been in a fight before. Technically though, this won't count as a fight--this will be murder. For the first time in my life, precision replaces clumsiness. - Emma and Rayna, page 100

Then, there's Galen's best friend, Toraf. He's so sweet and protective over the girls, but a huge amount sneaky. I mean, he went to Galen's brother and became "mated" with a very feisty princess without even telling her. Who does that? Apparently, creatures who live beneath in the sea. He's also a very talented tracker, sent on a mission to find a Syrena who is believed to be a hidden member of Poseidon's family. As Galen and Emma become closer, everyone hopes the girl he hunts exists, otherwise Emma is going to be Grom's mate...though, this is another secret the boys are hiding.

Galen laughs. "How do you know about Batman?"

"I saw him on that black square in your living room. He can do all sorts of things other humans can't do. Maybe Emma is like him." - Galen and Toraf, page 176

Galen has been appointed as a type of ambassador with the humans in case they should ever need to know the Syrena exist, so he's a little more acquainted with human ways. Rayna and Toraf are hysterically uninformed though. Often lending comedic dialog and scenarios to intense scenes.

He brushes his lips against hers, cutting her off. They're softer than he ever imagined. And it's not enough. Moving his hand from her jawline to entwine it in her damp locks, he pulls her to him. She tips up on her toes to meet him and as he lifts her from the ground, she folds her arms around his neck. Just as hungry for him as he is for her, she opens her mouth for a deeper kiss, pressing her soft curves into him. And Galen decides there is nothing better than kissing Emma. - Page 265

Okay...that's my last tease, just know there's much more that happens after this moment, because a happily ever after never happens in the first book of a series, right?

I have only one complaint, okay - not complaint, confusion about the writing of the book. It's told from Emma's and Galen's POV, which is fan-freaking-tastic, but Emma's is in first person and Galen's is in third-limited. I've never seen this done before and only wonder what the reasoning is. Most of the time, when multiple POV's are used, they're in first person. The writing didn't interrupt the story, mainly just left me curious. If anyone has an answer...let me know.

I loved the cuteness of this story, the innocent sweetness twisted with humor and heart-ache. The secrets, the lies, the destinies of those involved. I appreciated Emma's few moments of weakness in an appropriate place, and thrived on her strength throughout the rest of the book. Galen left me wanting more. Always more.

My suggestion - if you're looking for a funny and entertaining read, run straight out and buy Of Poseidon. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

{Blog Tour and #Giveaway} Covet by Melissa Darnell - Author Interview

(Review to be posted later today)

Interview with Melissa Darnell

1.Why did you decided to write about Vampires?  Some say Vampires are getting old, some say Vampire themed books never get old.

I started writing about vampires back in 2008 when the vamp trend was really starting to take off. Since then, I’ll admit there are a LOT more vamp stories out there. However, Tristan and Savannah’s story is about much more than just vamps, and this particular species of vamps is different from your typical vampire. For instance, because I wanted my vamps to be different, I gave them unique origins—their creator is Lilith, the rumored first wife of Adam, which makes them more a demon/vampire hybrid that can drain energy with a bite or a kiss. They can only be killed by a stake to the heart, fire, or decapitation. And because their vampirism is more like a disease, they retain their souls, so no religious items, buildings, or sacred ground has any adverse affects on them. If these vampires go to Hell after death, it is only due to their choices and actions and not what they are.

The Clann Series also features several other paranormal, otherworldly groups besides just vamps. Another major player in the series is the Clann, a group of families who come from Irish druid ancestors with magic abilities that are dependent on their individual energy levels as well as energy they can pull from or give back to the earth. The Clann is the natural-born enemies of the vampires due to their ability to kill vampires with nothing more than a thought or a flick of the wrist. But their powerful, energy-laced blood is also the biggest temptation for vampires.

Mix the two groups’ abilities, and you get our heroine Savannah, a teen who, thanks to her rule-breaking parents, now has to learn how to handle not one but two sets of crazy abilities and issues while being a hated and feared outcast of the Clann. Throw in Tristan, our hero from the Clann and its expected future leader, and you’ve got a strong Romeo and Juliet story grounded in very dangerous circumstances outside the lovers’ control with a whole lot of obstacles they have to face both individually as well as together as a couple. With each book in the Clann Series, these obstacles get bigger and bigger, extending way beyond just Tristan and Savannah to affect not only all the vamps and Clann descendants worldwide, but even the humans who have no knowledge of either the vamps or the Clann.

The Clann Series also revolves around things way deeper than just vamps and witches. It’s about love...for your family, your friends, your soulmate, and yourself. It’s about figuring out what’s most important in your life, and how to juggle those priorities. It’s about having dreams and sometimes, deciding whether to let go of them. It’s about dealing with constant temptation, learning to recognize what is truly right from wrong, and how to successfully walk that line between them. It’s about learning how to deal with the consequences of the choices we make, and how to forgive ourselves when we mess up. Beyond anything paranormal, these issues are things that every one of us face every day of our lives, and I think readers of the Clann Series are going to be able to look beyond the otherworldly elements to the very human and relatable challenges this series’ characters face.

2. How do you go about research for your books. Did you just make up the lore of the Crave series by yourself, or do you base them on some old lore? 

I based my Clann Series vampires on old legends of Lilith, and the Clann on old Irish druid lore and legend.

3. What is the allure of writing about forbidden love for you? 

Everyone thinks you should go after true love. Why wouldn’t you? We all dream of not only finding but also instinctively recognizing that soulmate when we meet them. But once that person becomes off limits to you because being with them could mean life or death for a lot of people you care about, it’s not such a simple matter anymore. Would you have the strength to walk away from a love like that?

To me, forbidden love is one of the most solid obstacles for true love. When you find someone who seems to be your soulmate, who you enjoy talking with as well as dancing with and kissing, when that person is your friend as well as your boyfriend or girlfriend, you have to have some serious reasons why you shouldn’t be together. Forbidden love does that and then some, because it pits your romantic love against the love and respect you have for your family. It makes you question whether that romance is selfish, especially if the consequences of that relationship could cause actual harm to the people you care about. It takes a lot of strength and personal sacrifice to walk away from true love.

4. What is your favorite character to write, and which one is the most complicated for you?

To me, writing about Savannah is easier, but not because she’s a female. It’s because she’s self sacrificing. She understands the bigger picture and intrinsically cares about the feelings of others, maybe too much! If she had been raised to be more selfish and strong willed, it would be so much easier for her to go after only what she wants regardless of whether it means breaking the rules and jeopardizing her loved ones. But she wasn’t raised to be like that. She loves her family, and they love her, and she was taught from birth to have strong values and morals. And because of that background and familial love, she really tries to resist Tristan, whereas others might not even try. She also faces letting go of a dream, which I can also imminently relate to because I’ve faced the same issue (as have so many of us probably).

Tristan is harder for me to write, and yet equally as fun, because he has a lot of traits I wish I had. One of those is his hardcore romantic sensibilities. After bowing down to his parents’ wishes for years, his love for Savannah proves to be his breaking point. He tries to resist his feelings for her at first, but eventually he realizes that he values the love he and Savannah share more than anything else on the planet. And that includes his family. To him, it seems that if his parents really loved him, they would want him to be happy. He thinks Savannah should never have been made off limits to him in the first place, and those kinds of rules need to be changed. His “bigger picture” is all about changing the world if it doesn’t make sense or doesn’t work. But he doesn’t always immediately see how his idea of what is right or wrong is based on his personal needs and desires instead of what is better for the greater good of others. He doesn’t care if being with Savannah is dangerous to him or the peace treaty between the Clann and the vamps. He will risk everything to be with her, even his own life. Her love is everything, and nothing else matters. That takes a whole lot of willpower and a certain kind of narrowed vision that is harder for me to relate to, but I think also appeals to the hardcore romantics out there (including me!).

5. Could you tease us with what we can expect in book 3 of the Crave series? 

The obstacles Tristan and Savannah have to face in Consume are going to be bigger and crazier than anything they’ve ever had to deal with before. This time, it’s no longer about just their love, though of course that will also be tested right down to its very foundation. In Consume, it’s also going to be about the entire world as they know it falling apart. No one will be in control of their lives anymore. Dreams will be shattered. Some forms of love will be tested and lost, while others will be redefined and saved. Every character in this book will have to face their worst fears and redefine who they are individually as well as the relationships they have with each of their loved ones. And no one will be safe in this book (and I mean absolutely no one!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links:

Amazon    Barnes & Noble

Social Links:

Goodreads    Facebook    Twitter    Website

{A Kelly M Review}: The Rise Of Nine by Pittacus Lore

Title: The Rise Of Nine
Series: The Lorien Legacies
Author: Pittacus Lore
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: HarperCollins

Synopsis:

Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.

But so are they.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They caught me in New York--but I escaped.
I am Number Six.
They want to finish what they started.
But they'll have to fight us first.



So I was walking casually past the book store, adamant that I wasn’t going to go in, because I was so behind on books that I had to read! I turned my head, ever so slightly just to have a lil peak at the new releases and then I saw The Rise Of Nine. All my good sense left me. I ran into the store and bought it without even blinking. Thank God is all I have to say. This was by far THE BEST one of the Lorien Legacies so far. I absolutely adored this book from start to finish. I was so excited because we finally got to read more about Nine. He and Six are my two absolute favourite and let me say, I’m rooting for them to get together. Awesome + Awesomeness = Awesomesauce!!

Nine is the most awesome Garde next to Six. His legacies are amazing and he is just so arrogant and cocky that I had to love him and besides, so far with the guys I only had to compare him to Four, whom I am not a fan of. He is a whiny little baby through most of the book and just couldn’t stop talking about Sarah  and blah blah, yadda yadda, shut your face. So Nine made the book for me.

So it starts where we left off. Four is recuperating from the force field that he tried to run through to save Sam from inside the Mog cave. He and Nine are on the run to get as far away from the Mogs as possible and Six, Seven and Ten are on their way to find Eight in India. If he is even there. There was so much action in this book and that is something I love immensely.  I don’t like when a book drags on in the middle. This wasn’t the case. There were so many fights. People got captured and people escaped. Some died and some came back from the dead, just barely though.

You also meet the super villain in this book, which is awesome. Even though it’s only for a small fight scene at the end. I’m glad we got a glimpse of him. It changed things a lil bit. Luckily Four improved and I ended up really liking him! There is a huge huge huge HUGE twist in the story! I was like excuse me? Dafuq did I just read?? It was a complete shocker for me, and even though you think you know, you don’t really know, you know? And yes that was very confusing but you get the idea

The Lorien Legacies comes highly recommended. If you want a fast-paced, action-filled, jaw dropping, kid forgetting book, read this series just so you can read The Rise Of Nine!

~Only the very weak minded refuse to

be influenced by literature and poetry- Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel

{New Look}

Hey everybody!

So Kristin and I decided we wanted to change the blog design to something we both liked, since pink is so not our thing! Low and behold we both like the gothic like stuff!! So we set across searching until we found the right one. As you can see we already did. We absolutely love it, now we would like to know if you all feel the same. We wanted to be different since there are so many pink blogs out there!! This design fits both of our personalities and likes so much better. Now we hope you all love it as much as we do!!!

~Only the very weak minded refuse to
be influenced by literature and poetry- Cassandra Clare (Infernal Devices)

{A Kelly Coffee Review} The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan

Title: The Heroes of Olympus: The Demigod Diaries
Series: Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Hyperion Book HC

Synopsis: What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn't take kindly to intruders? How exactly are Leo, Piper, and Jason supposed to find a runaway table, dodge a band of party-loving Maenads" ("who just might be a little psychotic), and stave off a massive explosion...all in one hour or less?

With his trademark wit and creativity, Rick Riordan answers these questions and more in three never-before-seen short stories that provide vital back-story to the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson books. Original art, enlightening character interviews and profiles, puzzles, and a quiz add to the fun in this action-packed collection.

Overall impression of this collection: The whole lot was fun. It was a quick and easy read, entertaining. I'll give a brief review of each short story.

The Diary of Luke Castellan: This one was interesting, a glimpse back before the original Percy Jackson novels. It gives a certain intensity and makes the innate danger of being a half-blood much more real. Seeing these Luke and Thalia when they're literally living hand-to-mouth trying to survive monsters was a nice addition.

Percy Jackson and the Staff of Hermes: Another fun aside. This one allows us to see a glimpse between the end of the last Percy Jackson book and the first Heroes of Olympus. It gives us a story where Percy and Annabeth are a couple. And they're fun, having to fix the problems of careless gods and still very much themselves.

Leo Valdez and the Quest for Buford: This was my least favorite of the collection, although you get to see Piper, Leo and Jason (before he disappears). Another sort of zany adventure that demonstrates Riordan's creativity. The Maenads annoyed me and I'm not as fond of this trio as I am the original one. Still good.

Son of Magic: This is the clincher. Actually written by his son, Haley, this is the only one that actually adds substance to the universe, rather than amusing interludes and it's the one that pushes this book to 5 stars. This story had me entranced. The characters were well-built, the detail wonderful and the insights into the world and how things work and some of the fall-out for the losing side of The Last Olympian were fantastic. If this kid can write like this at 16, I want to read more of his stuff when he gets older. The others were cute fluff, this one could be the base of a book. Heck, I want it to be the base of a book. I want more Alabaster. I want to know him and go on a journey with him. While the other shorts made me smile, this one made my fingers itch for the next book of the series.

So, overall, mostly fluffy additions to the series with a true gem at the end.

{Book Blast} Silent Song by Ron C Nieto - Win a $50 giftcard

Silent Song by Ron C. Nieto

The princess of the school, Alice, is keeping a secret that could strip her of her high school fame. She is obsessed with the school’s outcast, Keith, but not just him – his music.


Since the inspiration for the song hit, Keith can’t get it out of his mind. The song must be played; it demands to be played. He knows the music is changing him, but he is unable to stop it.


Music has the ability to move you, enlighten you, and take you to places you have never dreamed of. And this particular piece? It has a life of its own and makes you forget who you really are.


As Keith and Alice learn of one another to the notes of that one perfect tune, they can overlook their roles and discover who they could be together. But they also discover someone else is listening and intends on keeping Keith to herself, possibly for an eternity.

Book Trailer:

A few reviews:
“I am not sure at which point I fell in love with this story. It pulled me in from the first page, but at one point I discovered I was no longer reading the book but devouring the book. I could not put it down.”
Read the full review over at JennReneeRead


“Silent Song is one of those books that you sit down to read and because you are thrown into the story so quickly before you know it you have finished the book. I love it when that happens!”
Read the full review over at Bending the Spine


“If you love stories featuring real characters, music, theatre, and a cute cat, Silent Song is the book for you. Ron C. Nieto’s debut novel is endearing and YA fans should experience Silent Song for themselves.”
Read the full review over at Reader Girls


“There is a bit of everything in this book..contemporary , paranormal, plenty of Mean Girl bits with Lina the Bitch Queen, so it should appeal to a wide range of readers. Silent Song was Ron C Nieto’s debut Novel, I will definitely be on the look out for more from her in the future.”
Read the full review over at Dreaming Dreams no Mortal ever Dared


Barnes & Noble     Amazon

About the Author:

Ron C. Nieto is a fantasy and romance author who has been writing in her secluded fortress for the longest time. Recently, she had a talk with her cat and decided that she should share her creations, because it was selfish to hoard them all for herself.
If you would like to know more about her, please visit her website.

Links

Twitter ~ GoodReads ~ Author Website

During October, Ron will be running a small giveaway to thank people who purchased the book. More info can be found here: http://www.roncnieto.com/?p=131

Giveaway Details:
Author Ron Nieto is providing 1 lucky winner with a $50 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 10/18/12

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

{A Kelly Coffee Review} Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title: Time Untime
Series: Dark Hunter #17
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Synopsis: The Mayans aren’t the only ones with a 2012 prophecy…

Long before recorded history, there was a Keetoowah warrior so feared that everyone trembled before his wrath. Only a brutal betrayal by the one closest to him could defeat him. But not even death was the end of a man so strong.

The Time Untime approaches…

Kateri Avani has been plagued her entire life with dreams she doesn’t understand. Images of places she’s never been and of a man she’s never seen. Her quest for answers has driven her to Las Vegas where she hopes to finally silence the demons in her mind.

What she never anticipates is coming face to face with the warrior who has haunted her her entire life. One who belongs to a world the scientist in her refuses to believe is real.

Ren Waya came back from the dead to keep the prophecy he began from coming true and ending the world. For thousands of years, he has fought the same evil that once possessed him. But now that evil has found the one person he can’t fight. The one person who, against his will, holds the most sacred part of him.

His heart.

But if he doesn’t kill Kateri, the deadliest of evils will reemerge and destroy everyone else on the planet. It was a sacrifice he made once.

Will he be able to make it again?

Okay, I am an unabashed Sherrilyn Kenyon fan. Her books usually come out and are done within the next day or so with me, so Time Untime left me a little confused. There were things I liked a great deal about it--mostly Ren--but there were things that I liked rather less. I managed to put this book down for a couple weeks and kind of forget about it. Not sure I've ever done that with an SK book before. There is a lot of old, old history in it, and I'm a history buff, so it's cool, but even for me and my love of things old and crazy names, keeping things straight in this book was occasionally a bit of a challenge. I especially got sort of confused when we go from Cherokee history to Mayan and exactly how that all tied together. The other thing this book did that bugged me was it got a little long-winded. Towards the end you have a number of nearly page-long paragraphs which are not only preachy, they're repetitive. At the end of the day, I'm not quite sure the mix of Maya and Cherokee worked for me, and that was disappointing. I mean, the name of the book is Time Untime, but it's mentioned early, then nearly forgotten--so much so that by the time I picked the book up again, I thought the one mention I saw of it was the first time I'd seen it. Maybe it was implied for a good portion of the novel, but not referred to enough. It was sort of "generic apocalypse, must stop the end of the world" feeling than a specific "this is the Time Untime" deal.

The pacing is good. When I was reading, I was in it, but Time Untime never had me so wrapped up that I could not walk away. Neither did it give me that keyed up feeling that a really good suspense or action scene will. It was a good read, but not the level I'm used to. I'm ready to get back to the Greeks and Atlanteans.

{Waiting on Wednesday}: Double Edition, Again!

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, it spotlights upcoming releases that we are dying to read

Title: Undeadly
Series: The Reaper Diaries #1
Author: Michelle Veil
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Release Date: November 20th 2012
Goodreads

Synopsis:

The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper-and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she’s shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath. Who seems to hate her guts.

Rath will be watching closely to be sure she completes her first assignment-reaping Rick, the boy who should have died. The boy she still wants to be with. To make matters worse, students at the academy start turning up catatonic, and accusations fly-against Molly. The only way out of this mess? To go through hell. Literally.

Title: Frost Fire
Series: Tortured Elements #1
Author: Olivia Rivers
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release Date: November 2012
Goodreads

Synopsis:
“Magic is just like love, Allai. It won’t wait for permission before it destroys you.”

Like sand in an hourglass, Allai’s future is dwindling away. She’s spent her entire life fighting the Mages who threaten humanity, and dreams of someday eradicating magic. But all it takes is an anonymous phone call for the truth to spill out: Allai is the one thing she despises most.

She’s a Mage.

Though ancient law mandates Allai’s death, she still has one last chance of survival. His name is Drake Rhaize, and he swears he can lead Allai to a sanctuary for Mages. Allai hasn’t seen Drake in years, but she remembers him as the Demon boy who used to hold her close and softly whisper that he’d keep her safe. But Drake has changed since then: He’s now suspected of murder, and has been out-casted for betraying his own kind.

While Allai doesn’t trust Drake, she has no choice but to put her life in his hands and hope he can get her to safety. Because Allai’s father has hired a pack of Demons to bring her back to him, dead or alive–and Demons never stop the hunt.

"Frost Fire" is a YA Paranormal Romance intended for ages 14+.

I am so happy I came across these two books. They sound Amazing and can't wait for them to be release.

{Happy Release Day} Flukes by Nichole Chase

Welcome to the Release Day of Flukes by Nichole Chase. Now, for those of you who don't know, when I first started blogging, well over a year now, I found some awesome sauce self-published authors. Nichole Chase is one of them. I've read Mortal Obligation and Mortal Defiance. I still need to read Immortal Grave and Flukes. I have the utmost faith that I will love ANYTHING she writes! Plus, I have a thing for authors who are just so darned nice!

Buy Links for Nichole's Books

Flukes     Amazon     Barnes & Noble (Will get link when available)

Mortal Obligation:     Amazon     Barnes & Noble

Mortal Defiance:      Amazon     Barnes & Noble     

Immortal Grave      Amazon     Barnes & Noble

Blurb:

Flukes:

Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea, and buried just as deep. When court appointed community service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal sanctuary, everyone is on high alert. It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise line contract.

Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community service gig cleaning fish crap. No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heart strings.

When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold onto all that really matters.

Author Info: 

Nichole Chase is a daydreamer.

No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule.

For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs. Well, no longer She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic toddler, crazy dog, and two cats.

Nichole is the author of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Flukes, and the upcoming Suddenly Royal. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

Find Nichole:

Website     Blog     Twitter     Facebook

{Musing Mondays} October 8, 2012

This is the first Musing Monday that I have participated in and it is hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading.

This week’s musing — courtesy of http://ladywithbooks.wordpress.com– asks…

Do you have a favorite series? Do you have a favorite book out of that series?


Why yes, I have a few "favorite series." I'm one of those goofy people who is too nosy to put a series down, even if I dislike it at a certain points. Series make me feel connected to the characters and I need to know their well-being. I need closure. That being said, very few of these series make it onto my favorites list.

One of my favorite series, hands down, is the Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning. The good news is, she's writing more a few more books revolving around her Fae world. The first one - Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel (Fae World #1) is due out October 30th. I've worn my nails into the quick waiting on this one.

Shadow Fever was my favorite of this collection.

***ADULT CONTENT - NOT YA***

The Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine - Though I admit to being a couple behind one this series. I need to get to the last two very soon. Nothing's ever great in Morganville at the close of any book. I must check in on Shane and Claire, soon. And I can't pick a favorite here...they're all so good.

Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber - I honestly think my favorite of all is The Coffin Club.

And, last, but never least - The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer - Like most of the other people I know, Eclipse was my favorite book because Bella finally made a decision and stood up for herself.

What about you? What are your favorite series? You favorite book from that series?

{Book Spotlight} Shadow of the Blood Moon by Robin P Waldrop

Title: Shadow of the Blood Moon
Series: Blood Moon #2
Author: Robin P Waldrop
Self-Published

Book Blurb: 

Genevieve Labreck is back with a score to settle. Her mom has been kidnapped by Zane, hybrid and all-around monster.  Rumors fly that Gen’s mom is holed away in Prague, a city recognized by humans for its serene beauty and intense culture, but Gen and Will know something humans don’t. Prague is haunted by dark, evil forces.

Can Gen and Will save her mom, or will they be too late? 

Some will live, others will fall. At what price do you walk away from those you love?

Amazon     AmazonUK     Barnes and Noble     Smashwords 

*****************************************************************************

EXCERPT:

I hadn’t been asleep long when the creaking sound of a door nearby startled me awake. I lay still, listening. After hearing the extremely slow, almost non-existent heartbeat downstairs, I figured William had come back.

I had just rolled over and closed my eyes again when something jerked me from the bed by my hair and threw me across the room. My back slammed against the wall, leaving a large busted place in the plaster. I slid down the wall, shook my head to clear it, then jumped up and scanned the room. I tried to see my attacker, but couldn’t.

An icy hand grabbed my arm and hurled me through the window, glass shattered all around me. I hit the lower roof and rolled. I scrambled, trying to grasp anything to stop my fall, forgetting I couldn’t die. My hand caught the gutter, but as my body fell over the edge, the metal broke away from the house, sending me head first onto the brick patio below. When I hit the ground I landed on my arm and shoulder. The impact dislocated my elbow and jammed a large jagged piece of glass through the back of my shoulder.

After I jumped to my feet, I popped my elbow back in place, and pulled out the chunk of glass, sickened by the soft sucking sound it made. Bright red liquid oozed from the cut as it started to heal. Trying to spot my attacker, I inhaled deeply through my nose. They were definitely close by. I couldn’t see anyone, but I could damn sure smell them. They reeked of rotting tissue and death, which turned my stomach. A vampire could withstand many things, but puss-filled blood wasn’t one of them.

The brightness of the new day and the heat from the sun drained my strength. I think my attacker had known it. I eased backward in the direction of the house, making sure not to let my guard down while I headed for shade. By the time I reached the back door, I felt sure whoever tried to kill me had gone as the stench had disappeared.

An uneasiness overwhelmed me. Why would someone attack me and then run away when they clearly had gotten the better of me? I couldn’t fight what I couldn’t see.

My head snapped to the side when I heard tires squealing. I couldn’t tell if they were coming or going until I heard a door slam and the sound of William’s voice call my name. I grabbed the knob, but found the back door locked.

“William. I’m out here,” I yelled, and banged on the door. He must have heard my racing heart and known I was in trouble. I heard him scream my name.

He yelled my name one last time before he snatched open the back door.

“Oh William, thank God you’re here. Something attacked me.” I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist, thankful he’d gotten back.

William didn’t bother to hold me. Instead, he reached behind his back and grabbed my hands, then jerked me inside the house. His massive grip made my arms throb, but nothing could hurt nearly as bad as the words he spoke. “What did you do, Genevieve?” His eyes turned a terrifying black, again, and the look on his face said he wanted to kill me. His gaze flitted between my eyes and my hands, then he released me. He spun on his heel and stormed into the kitchen.

  

*******************************************************************************
Haven't read book 1 - Ties to the Blood Moon? Links below! 

Ties to the Blood Moon: Blood Moon Series #1

Blurb:

Genevieve is a teenage girl who moves in with her aunt in Alaska after the death of her mother. Soon after her arrival she learns the things she was raised to believe only existed in fairytales are in fact a big part of her history. When it gets to be too much she seeks refuge in the arms of her new boyfriend, William, only to find out he's not who she thought he was either.

 

Goodreads     Amazon      Barnes and Noble     Smashwords

Audiobook      Audiobook UK