Monday, June 10, 2013

[Cover Reveal] A French Star in New York by Anna Adams: Author Bio + Giveaway

Cover Reveal Time!!! In Love with Books is proud to present A French Star in New York by Anna Adams!

A French Star in New York (The French Girl Series #2)
by Anna Adams
Expected Release Date: July 31st, 2013
Cover Reveal Organized by: Itching for Books Blog Tours

Goodreads Synopsis:

Maude thought her life couldn’t get any better: her first music album is a hit, she’s about to meet her extended family and she’s looking forward to her first date with teen pop star, Matt.
But when scandal strikes Maude must part ways with Matt, and watch Soulville Records fall into the hands of an ambitious Alan Lewis, who will stop at nothing to turn Maude into an unparalleled star.

Between glamorous parties, an unauthorized tell-all book, a web of lies, new revelations about her French past and her rivalry with Lindsey Linton attaining a whole new level, Maude must fight for her voice to be heard and decide if being a star is more important than her love for music.

A French Star in New York (The French Girl series #2)

***


A French Girl In New York (The French Girl series#1) 
A French Girl in New York (A French Girl Series #1)
by Anna Adams
Release Date: December 21st, 2012

Goodreads Synopsis:

Maude Laurent is a spirited 16 year- old orphan who grew up in a small, provincial town in the North of France with a passion for piano and a beautiful voice. One day in Paris, she is discovered by an American music producer who takes her to New York to live with him and his close-knit family while producing her first album, with help from teen pop star, Matt. Maude will dive into a new fascinating world discovering New York City, music, family, love and the truth about her past. (Add on Goodreads)




                                  
About the Author: 
Anna Adams is a new YA author who has always loved to read and write. Anna's started writing stories at a young age and her sisters would read and correct the spelling mistakes… and laugh their heads off. Her very first critics.Apart from writing, Anna also loves to sing and  play the piano. She comes from quite a musical family and music has always been a big part of their lives whether it was singing with her sister while doing the dishes (she washed, Anna dried) or forcing her little brother to participate in numerous sing and dance shows Anna choreographed! Anna lives in Paris today but used to live in the States, which she considers to be her second home. After all, home is where the heart is.
Where to find her: Website/ Twitter

 Giveaway

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Good Luck!!! and Happy Reading,
Chloe

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Stacking the Shelves #4


Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, in which bloggers share books (ebook or print) and swag they 've recieved in the past week!

So...what do I have to show you guys this week?:
(all tittles link to Goodreads)

In the Mail/For Review:


An ARC of Bruised by Sarah Skilton (thanks Amulet/Abrams Publishing!!)



Roots and Sprung by Kelbian Noel (thanks Kelbian!) 

Again a HUGE thanks to Ms. Noel and Amulet/Abrams Publishing for sending me the books!

Happy Reading,
Chloe

Tell me what YOU guys got this week :)

Friday, June 7, 2013

[Cover Reveal] Of Darkness and Crowns by Trisha Wolfe: Cover Reveal + Excerpt

Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2)
Release Date: September 1, 2013
Cover artist: Steven Novak
Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours


***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOK ONE***

 Goodreads Synopsis:
The moon goddess has taken up residency within Prince Caben, darkening his mind and soul. Now he hunts the very women he sacrificed his life to save, his conflicting desires for love and power raging a battle within him. Kaliope possesses the key to setting Bale free, and Caben will stop at nothing to see his goddess restored. Even if that means destroying the kingdom he’s sworn to protect, and the infuriating woman who torments his thoughts.


Kaliope, now the leader to the newly formed Nactue Guard, has vowed to save Caben. But with a traitor lurking among her people, and powers she’s unable to fully control, Kaliope’s mission becomes shrouded with doubt. Her new role as watcher over Caben’s kingdom brings a burden she’s unable to bear alone, and appointing the right person in charge of the prince’s affairs has turned a kingdom against the Nactue leader. Saving her stubborn, willful prince from the darkness overtaking him will be the battle of her life, and she needs people she can trust by her side. But bad blood between members of the Nactue obscure Kaliope’s journey, while her feelings for Caben cloud her judgment.

When the time comes to do what she must to destroy the goddess of chaos, will she be able to if it means losing Caben forever?

Book two of the Goddess Wars is told in dual point of view from Kaliope and Caben. New Adult Dark Fantasy, intended for readers 17 years of age and older. 


***Excerpt (Caben’s POV)***

The Crusher grinds to a halt. I’m propelled forward, and my head smacks the low-hanging ceiling of the front compartment.
“Damn, you fool!” I palm my throbbing forehead, eyeing the driver of the Crusher—the machines I now call by their Otherworlder name.
“Sorry, my liege,” he says, backing against his seat, farther away from the glowing ribbons circling my fingers. 
Ignoring him, I study the luminous white—like the surface of the moon—crawling beneath my skin, and marvel at the power. My power. Had I possessed it that day the Cavan Army forced me from my home, they never could have done so easily. But then, I never would have obtained this power. Ironic. 
“Just drive,” I tell him. I take a seat on the front bench, away from the foul stench emanating from the back compartment—our diversion tactic that will gain me entry into my palace, where I know she’s being kept.
The glow beneath my skin illuminates brighter, reminding me of her skin. I curl my fingers into a tight ball.
The battle up ahead is only part of my plan, one that I know Kaliope will fall for. I need the reserves away from the palace. Then we’ll take care of her Nactue once we’re inside. My back molars clamp down hard at the thought of her—a mix of something like fire and nausea invading my stomach.
At one time, I felt things for the black-haired beauty. I chuckle to myself. Well, at least my groin did. Just thinking of her body makes me ache, and I have to adjust myself. But that was when I was weak, when I only thought and felt with that weakness. As much as I hated my father for thinking me too feeble to rule, he was right. I was pathetic.
Bale freed me. Released the part of me that I kept buried, locked away deep down, and I no longer fear anything. I think of everything that once made me shudder or quake with dread and laugh. It’s so simple.
Without fear, there is only freedom.
Power.
And if I free Bale completely, releasing her from within my being and making her corporeal, she’ll bestow me with even more power. I don’t care what the dark goddess does or where she goes once I restore Empress Iana’s relic. I don’t give a damn what happens to the maggoty Otherworlders or their realm.
I just want her out of my mind. And I want the power.
Then I’ll set my sights on Perinya, and on gaining what’s mine.
A deep cackle fills my head, deep and sultry.
“Quiet, woman.” I roll my eyes. We’ve come to a compromise, the goddess and I, that she may remain within my mind, but she’s to keep quiet. I got tired of her constant lectures and angry rants about her sisters. She does stay silent…for the most part. But the sooner I get her out of my head, the better.
Having a woman fill your thoughts is a weakness in itself. A sudden flash of a smiling, laughing Kal blurs my vision, and I shake my head.
There’s only one way to rid my thoughts of that woman.
Kill her.
“Burrow, leach,” I command the driver. “We’re coming up on the battle. Go underground.”
“Yes, my liege.”
Tonight, I plot. Find a way into the capital of Perinya and into my home. And then take back what’s mine. The goddess can have what she wants. I’m only interested in claiming what’s mine.
No one will ever take anything away from me again.
Don’t get in my way, Kal.
I shake my head harder, trying to quiet the pesky thoughts that always spring up when I think of her. Something left over from before—a residual feeling, an effect she has on me.
It won’t be there much longer. I smile, and Bale laughs.

***

Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars #1)
Release Date: April 19th 2013

Goodreads Synopsis:
In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

Of Silver and Beasts is on sale right now for only $.99.  Get your copy here:
 photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg  photo KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg

Where to find Trisha:

***Bonus Material***
Don’t miss out on the bonus scene of Astarte’s Wrath – Bath Scene in Xarion’s POV

Feature and Follow Friday #6

Gain New Blog Followers
Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme that allows bloggers to gain new followers and get to know each other. The meme is hosted by Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View and Alison at Alison Can Read.
If you'd like to follow me you may do it via GFC (I'm a little scared about this one since hearing the rumors...), Linky, Bloglovin or subscribe by email (you can do more than one if you want!), all are located on the right. Say "hi!" in the comments, and let me know your a new follower, leave a link to your blog and I'll be sure to follow back!

RULES
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
    • (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

    • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.

    • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.

    • If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed.

    • Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”

    • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers.

    • If you’re new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: Have you broken up with a series? If so which one and why?

A: Theres probably a couple but the ones that stand out to me are The House of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast and The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson. I loved The House of Night Series when it first started but after book 5.... IDK I just went horrible, I've missed so much of it, now I think its on like book 100 :) And The Maximum Ride Series, read 5 pages of the fourth book and you'll know.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Half-Blood (Covenant, #1)Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date: October 18th, 2011
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Format: ebook
Pages: 281
Source: Library
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Amazon/B&N/Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis:
The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck. (Add on Goodreads)


                                                                 Review:

The Story

OH! MY! GOD! I loved this book!!! I really did. Usually I would not give the first book of a series 5 Stars but this book is a definite exception. Well first of all, I thought the story was very well paced. Some people might have considered it slow, but for the first book in the series I like for an author to allow time for readers to get to know the characters.

In the book, after some unfortunate events, Alex is forced to go back to the Covenant; a school for Hematoi and Half-bloods. She must train with Aiden, a pure-blood, and stay out of trouble so that she can continue training to become a sentinel and graduate. Actually the more I think about it the plot has some resemblance to Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. Though not enough for it to be a problem. Of course she later finds out that there is something VERY special about her that could make Alex a target for diamons, but I won't tell you because I try my best to do spoiler free reviews (sorry!) :)

The Writing

I really like JLA's writing, I mean I'm no expert when it comes to whose a great writer and whatnot but I felt that her writing style allowed me to get lost in the book and see it almost like a movie. Something that I tend to be picky about is how writers write a teenagers dialogue in a book. When they start trying to make them sound to 'hip' and 'cool', that's when I just have to put the book down. Just. No. So I appreciate when writer like JLA doesn't over analyze how they THINK a teen would talk; they just write and it comes off more realistic.

The Characters

It's a little early to say but at the moment I love Alex. She has everything I love for a character in a book to have: attitude, smart-mouthed (in a funny way) and tough. She reminds me a little of Rose from the Vampire Academy before Rose started getting on my nerves.

Aiden is just aaahhh....great! He really is. I like how sweet and caring he is of Alex. And of course the whole "forbidden love" keeps things interesting.

I also really like Seth as well. I tried not to, because I can't stand when a possible love interest in a book is a total jerk and the girl is still attracted to him. AND Seth does have some jerkish qualities but I couldn't help but love the scenes with him and Alex. I can already feel a love triangle brewing. And I'm sorry but I'm a sucker for love triangles.

Caleb, another great character, is the loyal friend of Alex. I think my favorite part about their friendship, is that they're just friends. I starting to get a little tired of friends turing into boyfriends in Young Adult Fiction. It shows that its possible to for a girl and guy to be friends and it stay that way.

The Good

EVERYTHING! The romance, the characters, the plot, the writing, everything! For me to really love a book  it has to have characters that I can be invested. And I am definitely invested in Alex, Aiden and Seth. I found myself re-reading passages just for the fun of it. Here's two of many of my favorite quotes:
                                  
                                  Alex: "How come you smile when you knock me down?"
                                      Aiden: "It's the little things that make me happy."
          
          "Need covers itself with love, but need...need is never love. Always beware of the one who needs you. There is always a want behind a need, you see."
The Bad

Nothing that really stands out to me. I mean I guess it could have had a faster pace, but that's not really something that bothers me. I think it had its purpose and the action filled ending totally made up for it.

My Final Thoughts

My first 5 star review, Yay! I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who loves YA Fantasy or just a good read in general. Sadly, now I just have to wait to get the other books :( but enough about me go and get this book!

Happy Reading!,
Chloe

Tell me what you thought of the review in the comments section :)

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

[Cover Reveal] Red Threads by Stacey J. Mitchell: Cover Reveal + Giveaway



Publication date: 12 June 2013


Twenty-six-year-old Lily Robinson has her dream job in a museum, a great boyfriend, and is happy with her life – until the day she starts seeing red threads growing out of the chests of those around her. That same day Lily meets a stranger who seems to know her and understand what she is seeing. Lily doesn't believe him when he says she has a special ability, and it's only when he saves her life that she accepts something very strange is happening to her. Lily's life is rapidly turned upside-down when she gets thrown into the world of fate and meets the beings who influence it. Can she learn to control her ability to help herself and those around her who need it most? Will she actually want to when she finds out what she has to do? The first novel in the Fateliner series, Red Threads is a contemporary fantasy that looks at how fate can change lives and relationships in an instant.




Find the author....




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