Waiting On Wednesday #014: Liar's Moon by Elizabeth C. Bunce

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

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Liar's Moon by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Release Date: November 1, 2011

From Goodreads.com
Prisons, poisons, and passions combine in a gorgeously written fantasy noir.

As a pickpocket, Digger expects to spend a night in jail every now and then. But she doesn't expect to find Lord Durrel Decath there as well--or to hear he's soon to be executed for killing his wife.

Durrel once saved Digger's life, and when she goes free, she decides to use her skills as a thief, forger, and spy to return the favor. But each new clue only opens up new mysteries. Durrel's late wife had an illegal business on the wrong side of the civil war raging just outside the city gates. Digger keeps finding forbidden magic in places it has no reason to be.

And for a thief in a town full of liars, sometimes it doesn't pay to know the truth.

Wow I haven't done a WoW in a while! This book is the sequel to StarCrossed which was a pretty fantastic book. The writing style was different from what I was used to reading & I probably would not have picked up the book on my own but I'd signed up for a book tour so... And I found that I really liked the book a lot. So I can't wait for the next installment of Digger's adventures! Gorgeous cover too, right?

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

5 Books I Wish I Could Wipe From My Memory -- Then Re-Read

Have you ever read a book that just really rocked you to the core either intellectually, emotionally, or from the pure fun of reading it? Wouldn't you love it if there was some way you could completely wipe the book from your memory and experience it all over again for the first time? There have been many books that I have felt that way about for one reason or another but here is a list of recent YA titles that have left me longing for a re-boot of the same experience.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Firelight and its sequel, Vanish, are both masterfully written books. I had never before read anything about dragons the way Sophie Jordan has designed them. I don't know if that's because there aren't any other books like hers or because I just haven't come across them. But they are magnificent. I sore through the clouds with Jacinda and hit her low, dry spells alongside her. Her intensity and her fierce protectiveness of her family and her pride are written so realistically that I never question her choices even if I don't like them.

The books are full of imagination and romance with a protagonist who is firmly resolved without the need to waver back and forth between men or become melodramatic for any reason. Simply fantastic reads that I wish I could re-savor for the first time.

Kiss & Lies by Lauren Henderson
I have adored the entire 4 book series based on Lauren Henderson's Scarlett Wakefield but Kiss & Lies was by far my most favorite. Probably because Scarlett ends up on quite a few escapades including a stay in a Scottish castle and discovering the identity of the person who murdered the first boy she ever kissed.

I absolutely love anything to do with Scotland and guys in kilts so the whole back drop for most of the book was a real treat. So was the intense and perfect timing of every clue and scene leading up to the final, fantastical reveal. In this book we learn the most about Dan, the boy Scarlett kissed then had die at her feet moments later, and Plum, her arch-nemesis. There is a fabulous little revenge subplot that I totally enjoyed as well.

All in all, the whole series is one deliciously snarky and mysterious thrill ride. I so wish I could ride it again for the first time.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Okay, so I guess by now you've noticed that this list isn't just 5 books really. It's more like the 5 books that brought sequels into my life that I also adore. The same can be said for The Hunger Games because I not only devoured that first book (all but literally eating it), I waited impatiently for the 2 sequels and enjoyed them just as much (with some minor exceptions in Mockingjay, but who's counting).

The Hunger Games was the first book I had picked up from the YA shelf in years. I had been such an avid reader of all things YA back in the 90s (when all we really had were the Great YA Trinity: LJ Smith, RL Stine, and Christopher Pike). And it was because I was so completely drawn in to the entire world and the characters and the intense conflict that I ultimately decided to begin writing again, which then begat my blog as a means to keep my finger on the pulse of current YA trends so as to be fresh and new with my own writing.

Which is a lot of praise without much explanation, I know, but I have a feeling most of you reading this have read The Hunger Games and already know just how ridiculously addictive and fascinating the entire series is on the whole. And you're probably waiting, like I am, very impatiently for the movie. Because my hope is that with the movie I can experience my first sprint through The Hunger Games all over again.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Ah yes, The Maze Runner. With it's super intense world of strange mechanical creatures, brain-blanked boys all living in the center of a maze, and the one girl who appears and sets the entire clockwork life out of whack. Beginning one of the best adventure dystopias I have ever read.

James Dashner has such an imagination! I was absolutely astounded with some of the plot elements and twists that he threw at Thomas and the others. Things I would probably never have dreamed up in a million years (and I'm that annoying chick in the movies accurately predicting what will happen at the end 99 times out of 100). Which to me makes his writing brilliant to the point of addiction.

Some have said that The Maze Runner is the male version of The Hunger Games, and sure they're both somewhat similar at the very very base idea. But there's no comparison. Don't get me wrong. That's not a sleight to The Hunger Games. I just mean the two series are in leagues of their own impressive girth of colorful imagination and intense action/adventure. Now if only they'd make THESE books into movies I could have hope of re-living my time in the Maze & the Scorch all over again. (PS: Wikipedia says it's being shopped as a possible film project so I'm definitely crossing my fingers)!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
As you can probably tell from the majority of my list here, I am head over heels for dystopias. And Wither by Lauren DeStefano is one of the most intricately designed, achingly beautiful and horrifically ugly dystopias I've ever read. The extremes and the layers of this world and the characters are so perfectly woven together that the book is a taut and claustrophobic waltz through madness. And if you think what I'm saying makes it sound as though I didn't actually care for the book, no, just the opposite! Every nuance and twist and turn brings the reader either face to face with the loveliness of Rhine's hope and good heart or the horrors she must fight valiantly against. It's an intense study of what makes people fight to live or give up and die.

I cannot wait for the sequel to be released. Fever promises to be a great follow up to Wither and if it's true that writer's learn, develop, and enhance their craft as they progress through their books, Fever will outshine Wither with even more beauty and horror, life and death. Maybe that will help me enjoy the whole experience of Wither for a second time though it'll never be like the first.

Honorable Mentions
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Dream Smashers by Angela Carlie
Drought by Pam Bachorz
Paranormalcy & Supernaturally by Kiersten White
Shine by Lauren Myracle
Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby
StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce
The Forest of Hands & Teeth Series by Carrie Ryan
Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer

To sum up, basically what I enjoy most in books is being drawn into the world, the characters, and intensity of some sort. The books with a well-balanced amalgamation of all three of those elements are the ones that I truly would love to re-read for the first time. So where is the scientist research methods for erasing books from our minds so we can read them over again for the first time? I'm impatient over here!

What books would you like to wipe from your memory -- then re-read for the first time?

Just Curious: LAS

So I'm curious of all the bloggers & authors who check this page out periodically, which of you might be interested in a writing exercise called Last Author Standing? It's pretty simple. You write a story of a set length (probably not real long) and submit it before a certain deadline. Then they are posted anonymously and readers vote. The authors are then revealed & the author with the least votes is eliminated and the other authors write a new story for the next round. And so it goes until there is a single author standing. The last one, that is.

It would simply be fun and something to drive readers to your blogs to read and vote and interact because it could very easily be fanfiction that you write. Definitely a Twitter tie-in for voting and Teams and what have you.

So... Any interest?

Spread The Word
Are you a writer? Interested in participating in a Last Author Standing competition? Check this out: http://intothemorningreads.blogspot.com/2011/08/just-curious-las.html @intothemornrds

And Don't Forget - Only 2 Days Left!

Amazing! Hunger Games Trailer

It's not enough to fully get a taste but it's something. Enjoy!

Guest Blogger: Raimy-rawr @ Readaraptor!

Hello dearies, here is the third of my fabulous guest bloggers. Please welcome the totally rockin' Raimy-rawr of Readaraptor!!

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Discussion: Swearing in YA

So a couple of weeks back I signed on to twitter, to find the wonderful Keris Stainton, author of Della Says: OMG! (review here) saying that she was going through her book, trying to make changes suggested by her editor. These changes were to do with the swear words in her upcoming Jessie <3’s NYC. After a brief chat with Keris I couldn’t believe that her editor was asking her to change these swear words; why change "pissed" (meaning pissed off, not drunk!) to something else when it wouldn’t sound right for that character, not to me anyway!

**this discussion does contain occasional swear words, just thought I'd warn you!**

Swearing in YA is something I’ve briefly mentioned within reviews on this blog and it’s something I feel strongly about. My ONE flaw in Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (review) was that the character didn’t swear, and that it was actually noted that she didn’t. In this example I was really annoyed; the character Sophie said "screw them" and then in the narration actually told the reader that "screw" wasn’t the actual term used, she had used something stronger. I really didn’t like that; why bother putting the different dialogue in there? The reader knew exactly what was said and to me, Sophie’s bad attitude faltered slightly, almost as if she was actually a good girl just trying to look bad-ass.

When I am reading YA I place myself into the shoes of the narrator or main character, just as many people do. I go through what they are going through and sometimes the situation they are in deserves an "OH SHIT!!" That is why I am for swearing in YA. I know for a fact that between the ages of 16-19 every other word out of my mouth was a swear word, and although I’m not saying this should be the case in YA, I am saying that swearing shouldn’t be something that is purposely removed from a situation which it is obviously right for.

I understand that people don’t like swearing, they are perfectly within their right not to swear themselves. Also if you are a parent and you would prefer for your children not to read books with swearing in them, then that is something you need to discuss with them. I was brought up in around swearing; my dad’s favourite saying when he didn’t want to do something was "fuck that for a game of soldiers!" But that didn’t mean I was disrespectful, I knew exactly what the correct situation was for swearing and I would NEVER have sworn at either of my parents or someone with authority.

I believe that in the right context and with the right character swearing is integral to YA literature. It creates a real setting and many kids reading will relate to the book even more because of it. However a book without swearing in it can also be perfectly realistic, but only if the characters are right! If a book doesn’t have any swearing in it at all it doesn’t make it less valid. I don’t believe there is any in 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson (though there is a little in its sequel) but it was still a very good read! Like I say, it all depends on the characters, 13 LBE probably doesn’t have any swearing because it would be out of character for Ginny to swear but if the characters in, Numbers by Rachel Ward, or Rockoholic by CJ Skuse for example didn't swear I don’t believe I would relate to them as much; they’d come across as fakes.

I like swearing in YA, I think it adds to getting to know the character; you can gauge what they are like, make them more real in your head and get closer to them by their attitude and if they swear or not! I don’t think Keris should have to take all of the swears out of her book, especially since I have read it and I can only place about two of them off the top of my head!

I believe swears should (to quote a friend when chatting about this discussion post) "absofuckinlutely" be allowed in YA. This post is my opinion, and I am very happy to read others. A lovely fellow blogger, Jo at Once Upon a Bookcase, voiced her opinion of swearing in YA earlier this week and my opinion of her has not changed just because we don’t agree, she is still pretty awesome! Also Keris has had her say here, so don’t miss that!

What do you think about swearing in YA?!

Guest Blogger: Trish @ Just a YA Girl

Well my lovelies, here is the second of my fabulous guest bloggers today. Please welcome the awesome Trish of Just a YA Girl! Oh & please visit her blog -- it's absolutely gorgeous!

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Sites That Saved My Blogging Life!

I know that when I first started as a book blogger I was more than a little ecstatic over my new pet. I was going to dress up my blog, make it really pretty, and then I was going to do all these amazing tricks with it. I was going to do author interviews, and review all the books I wanted, and it was going to be freaking fantastic!

So, I plunged into the net looking for the perfect outfit. I was at it for three days, then a week. At which point I was ready to hurl my laptop out the window and find a new hobby. The point is that layouts on the net for bloggers suck. You have to look long and hard. So, the first thing that saved my life.

1. Stalking Observing Other Blogs

Most blogs on the net are either created professionally or were put together by the blogger. Normally if the background or layout was free and provided by someone else, then there is a link back to the download site. Look for those link backs on blogs you like. Don’t copy the blog’s layout! That’s just mean. Chances are if you liked one background that you found on that blog, then you will like other backgrounds created by the same people.

I used Nymphont for my layout. She is amazing and talented and has so many beautiful layouts for the picking. If her work isn’t to your taste, here’s some more linkies for you: Makin’ Cute Blogs (this place is awesome! Also has easy to follow tutorials.), Cutest Blog on the Block, Simply Chic Blogs.

2. Googling Learning Code

Yeah, I know. Code sucks. But the truth of the matter is you have to know it. It will make your life a whole lot easier. I’m not saying you have to enroll in a class at the university. No, but you do need to know the basics. I learned this personally via many sleepless nights. Be very specific about your question when you Google and you shall receive your answer :)

3. Stalking Established Blogs, Listening to My Elders

The book blogging community is really warm and friendly. A lot of established bloggers have sections on their blogs where they post frequently asked questions about blogging and tips. Rachel at Parajunkee’s View has Book Blogging 101 every Thursday, as well as a book blogging methods, morals, gaining followers, technical help (this is where the code comes in) and some misc. section. She also has a separate design website, Parajunkee Design where has a few more design tips to share under html & design tutorials. As you can tell I have stalked learnt many things from that wonderful woman. Kristi at the Story Siren is another great blogger with a book blogging help section under blog help. She has wonderful advice and is really friendly. I ♥ her as much as I do Parajunkee.

4. Commenting My Little Heart Out

Blogging is incredibly social and, as a newbie, nobody will know you exist unless you speak up. The best way to do that is comment. Comment, comment, comment! There’s an unspoken rule in the book blogging world. You comment nicely on my blog, I comment on yours. Pretty simple. Keep in mind that you need to actually say something more than just “Great comment! Follow me back!” that’s considered spam and most bloggers ignore such comments. A way to advertise your blog and to be nice about it is to include a link back to your blog. This is one of those code things. I use it all the time. Put your nickname and then below type this (a href=”yourblogurl”)Your blog name(/a) but replace the ( ) with < >.

Another thing I learned is that meme’s were my best friend. Sometimes. Most bloggers have mixed feelings about meme’s. They either love them or hate them. As a new blogger it’s a great way to get your name out there, but don’t go overboard. There are meme’s for everyday of the week and most book bloggers ignore blogs that have nothing but meme’s and no reviews. I try to keep a balance. I do Manga Mondays, Waiting on Wednesday, and IMM on Sunday. Here’s a list of meme’s that you could participate in.

Monday- It’s Monday what are you reading?

Tue- Tune in Tuesday, Teaser Tuesday

Wed- WWW Wednesday, Waiting On Wednesday

Thur- Book Trailer Thursday, The Time Will Come

Fri- Follow Friday, Book Blogger Hop, TGIF, Friday Fun

Sat- Saturday Book Swap, A Year Gone By

Sun- In My Mailbox,

5. Have fun!

Really. Blogging is hard work, but it’s a blast. I love blogging. I love it because I meet people from all over the world with the same passion as me. You can’t beat that. When creating the buttons for your site, when talking books, and when commenting have fun! Seriously. Be yourself and enjoy it. That’s what gets people to read your blog. Not how pretty it is or how many meme’s you participate in, but by how much you love what you are doing.

Guest Blogger: NC @ Truly Bookish

Hey all! I know, I know. I've been super lazy with the blahs about updating even though I promised I would. Don't hate me! :D Anyhoo, in the meantime, I have a bunch of fabulous guest bloggers visiting for the next few days. I hope you enjoy what they have to say. I know I do!

Without further ado, please welcome the always fantastic NC from Truly Bookish!

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Trends in YA Fiction

Hi everyone. My name is NC and I blog at Truly Bookish where I review mostly young adult (YA) fiction with a smattering of adult fiction. My favorite genres are paranormal and dystopia. I have been blogging for approximately seven months and consider myself a newish blogger because I still have so much to learn about the blogging world.

If you read and love YA like I do, you will have noticed a few trends that have been around for awhile including vampires, werewolves, faerie books and dystopia. This year, I have noticed a few more trends that I absolutely love and I have linked the books to their Goodreads page:

Greek Mythology
For years, Rick Riordan thrilled us with his middle grade Percy Jackson books but now we have a whole new group of demigods to read about. These demigods are a little older and a lot more swoon worthy than their middle grade counterparts. If you are into mythology, check out Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton, and the upcoming Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs.

Hades and Persephone
Even though they fall under the category of Greek myth, Hades and Persephone have inspired a few books as well which is interesting because the actual story of this couple is not very romantic with the kidnapping and Persephone’s mother, Demeter, angrily cursing the Earth with famine.  Books based on the timeless couple include Falling Under by Gwen Hayes, The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, Abandon by Meg Cabot and the upcoming Everneath by Brodi Ashton.

Attractive Zombies
I know I am in the minority here but zombies creep me out! Years ago I watched a zombie movie, 28 Days Later, and it gave me horrible nightmares. I have avoided zombies since. This year, however, zombies are really attractive and some of them are nice too! Fine, these books have the scary types of zombies too but I like the nice ones…. Check out Die for Me by Amy Plum, the upcoming Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel and Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey.

So what trends are you loving right now and what books did I miss? Let us know so we can all update out to be read piles!

One Year Blogiversary Giveaway

Well, I guess today, one year ago, this blog was conceived and brought to fruition as a little bit of this and that. Today it is still a rather hodge podge affair but I have met a lot of awesome bloggers & authors that I love & adore. To all of you who have been here from the beginning or strayed in along the way, thank you.

And in thanks to you, and to those of you who recently helped me reach (and go beyond) 200 followers (a number I am proud of because they are loyal, wonderful followers), I am cleaning off my ARC shelf & giving them to you!

There will be 3 winners chosen at random with Random.org. The first place winner will get a choice of 2 ARCs from the list. The second and third place winners will have their choice of 1 ARC from the list.

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
Shine by Lauren Myracle
Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Chime by Franny Billingsley
Flip by Martyn Bedford
Want To Go Private by Sarah Darer Littman
Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

Rules
Entrants need to be 13 years old or older.
Open to US only.
The deadline is: CLOSED

To Enter, Fill Out The Form HERE.

Indie Author Week: Anne Michaud

And now for a woman who saved my life (well, not literaly, but literarily at least). Anne Michaud is stopping in to tell us a story & it's a good one!

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Kelly Green

Foam bubbled through her red strands, hair tangled with seaweed and sand clusters. The shredded remains of her dress rolled with the crashing waves. Caught in a fishing net, she faced the abyss of the sea, flesh bloated and skin a pale shade of green.

Coastal town fishermen finding the body of
Miss Green. "That's our Kelly."

"She the girl?" asked the fisherman holding his net full of fish and a dead body. "She the one?"

"Who'd you want her to be? Sure it's her." Their voices lost in the seagulls above and the deadly waters below. Her corpse danced as the net neared the shore.

Another fisherman waited, boots deep in the tide. "Yep, it's her all right. That's our Kelly." Guilt rose in the seamen's chests, remembering her atop the white cliffs. Not the first or the last they hadn't stopped from jumping.

*

"Think it's pretty, Mamma?" Kelly twirled in her dress made specially for the occasion. A sharp shade of green, her favorite. "Think I'll be the prettiest?" She tilted her head at the mirror, scrutinizing the details by the hem: sparkling gems with embroidery. She recognized her mother's craft, the only soul in the village with enough patience and skill.

"Don't you let it go to your head, girl. Don't want town folks to think you're vain." Mamma straightened Kelly before kneeling to mend the bad pleat hidden by the sash.

The Fishwives sat by the fire, carefully watching Kelly's every move, listening to every word. "I wonder, Mamma..." Barely fourteen and dreaming of Jacob on his boat, sweat mixed with seawater. "I wonder if anyone will want to dance with me but miss their chance. Too shy or afraid to ask me or something." Jacob's smile at last year's harvest ball brought hers back. Strong, he'd make a fine husband.

"You can't go on living with ifs and maybes, Kelly." Mamma's head bowed to the needle and thread jabbing the fabric, and Kelly noticed the gray mixed with red. Her mother's hair used to be like hers, before Kelly got picked.

*

The ballots rustled in the wind, the Mason jar half-filled with names. The First Fishwife cleared her throat and read the chosen piece of paper.

"Kelly," she read as the village of four hundred gasped. "Kelly Green."

Kelly approached the altar with her head held high, knowing once She chose you, you obeyed. Mamma cried a little, probably because her days would be lonesome with Dad and Timmy out fishing.

"A proud, proud day to secure the fate of so many," the First Fishwife proclaimed as she regained control of the small crowd. "God will be happy for such a gift and will give us plenty for the year to come."

Kelly's future lay with the sea, her soul to melt with the waves and her voice to crash on the shore, shouting her name so no one would forget her sacrifice.

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The Book

This anthology includes Anne's novelette Misery of Me,
a delicious tale of a drug-addicted vampire falling in love.

The Author

Anne Michaud is an author of many talents, especially getting distracted by depressing music and dark things. After hundreds of hours spent on studying and making films, she changed her mind and started writing. Her latest novelette Misery of Me is available on Amazon and Cutting Block Press' website. And don't forget to visit Anne's website!

Random Acts of Kindness: August 2011

I have been wanting to take part in Random Acts of Kindness ever since I first heard about it. But running the New Books for New Bloggers site, I was already spending money to send books to people so I didn't think I could afford to do this too. Now that New Books for New Bloggers is closed, I'm jumping into the fray!

Random Acts of Kindness allows others in the blogosphere to fulfill other bloggers' reading wishes. I think this is a fantastic idea and can't want to be a part of it. I'm looking forward to making some reading wishes come true!

Check out my wishlist here.

Also check out the Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway this month - $20 Gift Card to Amazon!

Indie Author Week: Megg Jensen

Another amazing indie author is stopping by today to give us a little peek inside her head. Please welcome Megg Jensen, author of The Cloud Prophet Trilogy & The Swarm Trilogy!

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Why I Will Never Write About One of My True Loves

They say, “Write what you know,” but that’s one piece of advice I tend to ignore. Yes, my novels are traditional fantasy, or what I like to call medieval dystopian, and I do have a degree in medieval history. While my upcoming novel, Sleepers (Book One: The Swarm Trilogy) features a main character who is an expert in martial arts, and I have years of experience in taekwondo, I still don’t consider that writing about something I know. If you read my blog, you know I’m a teeny bit obsessed with shoes. But one thing I don’t talk about is dancing, even though it’s one of the biggest loves in my life.

Before kids, my husband, Tim, and I went dancing six nights a week. More often than not we were swing dancing, though ballroom came in a close second. It’s the only form of exercise I truly enjoy and ten years and two kids later, I miss it so much. Going out six nights a week just isn’t in the cards anymore.

Dancing was an integral part of my life during my 20s and I often wondered how I could translate that into my writing. Unfortunately every time I sat down at the laptop to write about dance, I never felt like I could capture the adrenaline rush I felt each time I spun in place, sometimes hitting seven or more rotations, or kicked my way across the dance floor with a partner leading my every step. How could I ever describe the way the wind combed through my hair during a lindy hop swing out or how my calves burned after a dizzying east coast swing routine?

If I couldn’t get the essence of swing dancing on paper, I didn’t want to write about it. To me, that would be like wrapping my heart in newspaper and dumping it at your feet. If my heart can’t be wrapped in a Tiffany box and set under a tree on Christmas morning, then I think I’ll keep it to myself. To me, dancing is too precious to be thrown on the page without giving it the proper treatment and I’m not sure I can put pure joy on paper.

All is not lost, though. A friend of mine, Eugene Ramos, is an award-winning screenwriter. He’s considering adapting Anathema into a screenplay. When I asked him what changes he was considering making (as we all know, novels change when they’re adapted into film), he told me he wanted to add a dance scene. My heart fluttered. No one danced in my novel, but maybe, just maybe, some of my characters might find their way to the dance floor in the screenplay. I simply cannot wait.

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The Book

An adoptee raised in a foreign land, sixteen-year-old Lianne was content with her life as handmaiden to the queen, until a spell cast on her at birth activated. Now she's filled with uncontrollable rage and access to magic she thought had been bled from her people years ago. Even her years of secret training in elite hand-to-hand combat and meditation can’t calm the fires raging inside her.

Her heart is torn between two boys, the one she’s always loved and the one who always ignored her. But when the kingdom threatens to tear itself apart due to rumors surrounding the queen’s alleged affair, who will Lianne protect and who will she destroy?

-- from Goodreads.com

The Author

Megg Jensen followed up her debut release of Anathema (Book One: Cloud Prophet Trilogy) with Oubliette (Book Two: Cloud Prophet Trilogy) in June of 2011. Severed, the final novel in the trilogy will release in the fall of 2011. Megg is also releasing the first novel of a new series, Sleepers (Book One: The Swarm Trilogy) this summer. You can hang out with her on Facebook, Twitter, her website, and on Goodreads. Since Megg’s books are for sale just about everywhere, she’s compiled a handy list of outlets on her website.

Indie Author Week: Angela Carlie

Checking in today for Indie Author Week is one of my favorite indie authors, Angela Carlie! She's written a few great reads including the upcoming Loramendi's Story which I'm reading right now & thoroughly enjoying!

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Random Tips to Survive Arachnigeddon

Arachnigeddon is just around the corner. It’s true. Spiders are multiplying at an astronomical rate, and guess what? They’re tired of being stomped on.

We must prepare ourselves for the Spider Wars in order to survive. I’ve taken some time to outline a few ways you can help save yourself from the end of the world by spider.

1. Don’t rely on bug spray to save you. It used to be the number one way, outside of smashing, to kill a spider dead. Not anymore. They’ve evolved to only grow larger when exposed to the poison.
2. Don’t hug or make-out with strangers. If you forget this step and find yourself hugging a sexy someone you just met and feel a poke in your neck, run for help immediately. While normally a poke is a good thing, this one may just cost you your life. Some rare spiders have the ability transform into the image of a human. That poke may very well be its fangs shooting you up with enough venom to liquefy your inners to make a most excellent meal for your new friend.
3. Store rope for emergencies. If you need to tow your car out of a ditch, you’ll need some rope handy. Spiders have the ability to weave a rope like web sticky enough to keep you anchored until the spider is ready to liquefy you. Unless you are suicidal, never use the rope from a stranger because it may be your last tow effort ever.
4. If you find yourself running from death by a spider, throw someone wearing silk in the spider’s path. They tend to go after those people first.
5. Are you male? It would be wise for you not to fall for a female spider. The courtship may be fun for a few seconds, but then you won’t remember it at all because she’ll most likely be eating your brains out before the ritual is over.

Before you step on that spider, remember they outnumber humans and will rise up against us in the near future. I know this sounds totally farfetched, but I have a hunch that it will happen toward the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. Good luck!

Oh, and since there is a limited amount of time left, you may want to take advantage of it by reading a couple of my books: Dream Smashers, Land of Corn Chips, or the soon to be released Loramendi’s Story (A Lords of Shifters Novel). All are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. Other awesome YA titles can be found at www.darksidepublishing.com

 

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The Book

Lora wants nothing more than to be the wind behind sexy windsurfer Chance's sails. But fulfilling that wish just became...complicated. After seventeen years of normal life, someone wants Lora and her family dead. And the attempted massacre isn't nearly as strange as the reason behind it.

The Author

Angela Carlie writes young adult and middle grade fiction. When she's not writing, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading and traveling. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and son.

Indie Author Week: LM Long

Today we have the fabulous LM Long, author of Founder, here to kick off Indie Author Week! Check out her book and the prize pack she's giving away based on elements of Founder.

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     It's two o'clock in the morning and I'm in hiding.

     Some girls might be in a club, sparkly and shining, pumping fist to a thumping rhythm. Some girls might be drunk, in the back of a police car, hunched over and groaning- mascara running lines down their face. Some girls are doing things they're going to regret in the morning, walking home with heels in their hand.

     Smart girls are asleep.

     I am not a smart girl. I am not asleep.

     Remember when you were twelve and your mom would tell you to shut that light off, close that book, go to sleep? And you would say, "just one more chapter, puh-lease?"

     That was me for as long as I can remember. Except now I'm all grown up. There is no mom forcing me to close my book.

     However, I am married. Hence the hiding.

     My husband doesn't understand the obsession. Book obsession. My drug of choice.

     There used to be interventions now and then. He would find them under the bed, behind the couch, stuffed in the closet. He would box them up and insist I donate them to a new home.

     I remember having my first baby, her birth day. She spent most of the time sleeping or eating.

     I spent most of the time nursing or reading.

     It was heavenly. I got through three books that day.

     My mother visited me in the hospital. My daughter was asleep in her crib and I was in the middle of rereading Matilda.

     You know, she said, "you're not going to be able to read as much with children."

     My husband looked relieved and I just scoffed at her.

     I have three children now, and I read as much as ever.

     It's the sleep I've had to give up.

     It's two o'clock in the morning, and I'm praying the light from my iPad doesn't give me away.

     It's two o'clock in the morning, and I'm in hiding.

 

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The Book

They've been waiting for decades.
Hidden deep in the Amazon.
Financed by thousands.
A colony called Founder.
And one girl is about to unravel it all.
-- from Goodreads.com

The Author

LM Long is the sleep deprived author of Founder, a contemporary Young Adult Novel set in the Amazon Jungle, and based loosely on a true event. You can see more information on her website here (http://www.lmlong.com). Founder is available for purchase through Amazon and all e-readers. Visit LM Long's goodreads site.

The Giveaway

Fill out this form to win a prize pack of awesome themed swag based on the book Founder by LM Long! The Deadline is: CLOSED

Hey -- Long Time No See!

MISS ME?

It's been forever since I've blogged here, I know. I've realized that after a year of this (well, almost) that I've had my fill of reading the books that are newly released and reviewing them here. I originally started this blog so that I could delve into the YA book blogosphere, keep my pulse on what was happening so that when I wrote I would be able to be fresh and not redundant.

I have met a ton of awesome bloggers and authors and others. I have been totally blessed to have loyal followers and friends because of this blog. I love you guys completely!

BUT DON'T WORRY

This is not to say that I'm closing down my blog. Not a chance. I am however hitting the reboot button and going in a new direction. I am going to begin focusing less on reviewing and shift more toward reading, writing, the blogosphere, authors (especially the wonderful indie authors you'll see featured this week), and YA books on the whole. I'll probably toss in the odd review here and there but it won't be the main idea behind my blog.

So basically, in a nut shell, my blog will become more about me and what I am interested in within the YA book world, as opposed to reporting on what and how I read. If that makes sense.

And I will not fault you if you decide to unfollow me. Not one bit. Blogging, for me, is about enjoying the process of producing content for people who want to read it. And for getting my thoughts out there. If you aren't interested in the new format that's perfectly okay! I hope you'll stay, but if not, I understand.

BREAKDOWN OF A REBOOT

Week One
That said, starting tomorrow I will be rebooting Into The Morning Reads with probably a slightly different name and kicking off my blogiversary month with a feature that is near and dear to my heart: Indie Author Week. Look forward to great slices of life from authors I love and think you should love too! Oh yeah, and I'll be announcing the winner of the Passion contest. Sorry it's taken me so long, you guys made it so tough for me to choose!

Week Two
The next week I will be posting another feature near and dear to my heart as well: YA Bloggers Who Write YA Stories.

Week Three
I will also be depositing the last of my reviews (for a while) in the third week. Watch for the following:

Bliss by Lauren Myracle
Kiss of Death by Lauren Henderson
Past Midnight Series by Mara Purnhagen
The Girl Who Was On Fire Edited by Leah Wilson
Ushers Inc. by Rusty Fisher
Want to Go Private by Sarah Darer Littman

Week Four
Daily Blogiversary Giveaways

So that's a wrap I suppose. I love feedback so if you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to leave me a comment!