Linger Book Trailer!

The fabulous Maggie Stiefvater has posted her stop motion trailer for the upcoming release of her book Linger.
If you haven't already read the first in the series Shiver, you absolutely HAVE to pick this book up!!
Check this badass trailer out:

The Character Connection

The Character Connection is hosted by Jen over at The Introverted Reader. It's all about posting about the characters we love or the ones that made a big impression on us.








Perhaps my all time favorite book love, is Acheron Parthenopaeus of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series.
So far, my other book crushes have been YA. This set of books are very much not.
Ash is a staple in all of the Dark Hunter books. It wasn't until book 12 of the series that Ash got to tell his own story. And let me tell you, it was one hell of a story. It rips you to shreds and then makes you squee in pure delight. Words can't express how I love this character, so I'll do my best...


Although he is actually eleven thousand years old, he still gets carded at bars. He is the first ever dark hunter (and their leader of sorts), a demigod and the Final Fate. His entire life as a human he was abused in the most horrible ways imaginable. For most of his immortal life he was tormented and abused by a jealous goddess. His story is quite sad, and yet, somehow sweet little Ash prevails. And, it doesn't hurt that he is also super hot. Oh, Ash, what can't you do?
He hates that he is so attractive (to both males and females) and prefers to fly under the radar. Read his story to find out why. He dyes his hair all sorts of crazy colors, likes to wear leather, has piercings, rides a motorcycle and has the coolest "daughter" demon ever. The exchanges between the two of them are hysterical and sweet. Oh, and did I mention that he volunteers to help under privileged kids?
The best part is, that despite how awful his eleven thousand years have been, he still manages to find love in the unlikeliest of places.
It's definitely worth reading the series to get to know Ash. Now...if only he were real!

The Character Connection

The Character Connection is hosted by Jen over at The Introverted Reader. It's all about posting about the characters we love or the ones that made a big impression on us.

***Warning! Spoiler Alert! If you haven't read The Host, this post could be a mild spoiler!***





This weeks character crush is Ian from The Host by Stephenie Meyer.
I will admit that I am a Twilight series fan. I will also admit that I was one of the people that was eagerly awaiting anything by Stephenie Meyer that I could get my hands on. I was desperate for Breaking Dawn's release and in the meantime, I satisfied my craving with Stephenie's other book, The Host. Yes, this was a while ago, but I still think of Ian from time to time. I don't want to say too much about this book in case you guys haven't read it yet.
It did take a few chapters for me to really get into it, but once I did, it was hard to put down. Ian is the kind of character that just sort of sneaks up on you. You think you like him, but you're not sure you should, and then he proves you were right all along. I love the unexpected love interest!
Read it if you haven't, but be prepared to wait a few chapters for the action to really pick up.

Wonderful Booky Things...and a Hand

Did you ever have a book that you absoutely loved as a child? Not a book as famous as something like Alice in Wonderland or Green Eggs and Ham, but one that perhaps was a little more subtle in it's popularity. I loved to read, even as a kid. There are several books that come to mind that made enough of an impression on me then that I still think about them to this day. In fact, there is one in particular that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
The strange part? Well, apparently the author of said book is a client at the office where I work. I knew he was a writer. I didn't know he was that writer! I guess my childhood memory only goes so far. I remember the book titles and what they are about (mostly) and I remember loving them, but I didn't always remember the author's name. This is one of those cases.
Now I'm getting to the good part. He was in the office yesterday. This is a small office of four employees. I've spoken to him many times during the years that I've worked there. Never about books. My boss just so happened to mention to him that I am working on a kid's series and a YA novel. And he just so happened to want to talk with me. He told me that when he was just starting out, he had the pleasure to meet a very wealthy and well respected children's mystery writer. One day, the writer sat him down and told him he'd like to extend a hand and help in any way possible on his journey to get published. He worked for this writer for a time. And the writer did indeed help him. He went on to publish 13 children's books of his own and won countless awards, including a Newberry book award! He too had become a well respected children's writer.
He looked at me once he was done telling his story and he held out his hand, "This is me extending my hand."
I couldn't believe it. This wonderful man, and wonderful author, was offering me something I never imagined. Advice. Help. Anything I needed. He was confident in me even though he'd never read a word I'd written. He was giving me a chance.
I was, and am, deeply touched by this. So, what did I do? I cried.
I'm still grinning like an idiot...

The Character Connection

The Character Connection is hosted by Jen over at The Introverted Reader.
It's all about posting about the characters we love or the ones that made a big impression on us.







This weeks favorite character crush is Sam from the absolutely gorgeous book Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I am in love with Maggie's writing - as well as a few of her characters. But we'll save the others for another post...
Today it's all about Sam. He is the kind of guy that you just can't help but have a crush on. Where was this kind of guy when I was a teen? Once again, I find myself crushing on the guy with the tortured past, the ones that need love but think they don't deserve it.
There is something achingly familiar about Sam. Grace has met him before, but when she finds out where and how, she is pulled in to a world she didn't know existed.
I highly recommend reading this book. The next in the series, Linger, is due out this July. This is the book that I am most anticipating so far this year! So, if you haven't already, pick this one up and fall in love...

New Favorite Character Meme

Jen over at The Introverted Reader has started a new meme where we can all swoon over our favorite characters. This is going to be so much fun! Check out the details on her page. But just to give you a quick taste, here's how she described it:
We all have characters we love. Let's spotlight these fantastic creations! Whether you want to be friends with them or you have a full-blown crush on them, you know you love them and want everyone else to love them too!

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick



This week's favorite book crush is Patch from the fabulous book, Hush, Hush, Becca Fitzpatrick's debut novel. Doesn't seeing this gorgeous cover just make you want to pick up this book? One of my favorite reads so far this year. I can't wait for the next installment, Crescendo, due out this November! Something about guys with tortured pasts...I just love them and want to fix their little broken hearts. You absolutely must add this to your TBR pile if you haven't already!

New Covers Released

Wow! Two books I am SO looking forward to have released their covers!


Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices series - Prequels to The Mortal Instruments series) by Cassandra Clare


Torment (Fallen series) by Lauren Kate

Check It

http://bbpcon.blogspot.com/

Merry Un-Birthday to Me!

I am a terrible mother. I almost forgot again! Somehow September came and went without me acknowledging that I'd been blogging for 1 year! So, I promised I'd say something at the 1 1/2 year mark to make up for it. Better late than never, eh?
So, happy late birthday, Heart of Darkness blog! Yay me! :)
And a special thanks to those of you who have followed and commented. I'll try to do better this September when we turn 2...

Look What the Book Fairy Left Me (7)

I know I promised myself I wasn't going to buy any more new books for a while. But that what addicts do. We make promises that we have no intention of keeping. Besides, I had to celebrate the new book shelves my husband is going to be building me very soon!


Old Magic by Marianne Curley
Jarrod Thornton is mesmerizing,
but Kate Warren doesn't know why.
The moment the new guy walks into the room, Kate senses something strange and intense about him. Something supernatural. Her instincts are proven correct a few minutes later when, bullied by his classmates, Jarrod unknowingly conjures up a freak thunderstorm inside their classroom.
Jarrod doesn't believe in the paranormal. When Kate tries to convince him that he has extraordinary powers that need to be harnessed, he only puts up with her "hocus pocus" notions because he finds her captivating. However, the dangerous, uncontrolled strengthening of his gift finally convinces Jarrod that he must take Kate's theories seriously. Together, they embark on a remarkable journey -- one which will unravel the mystery that has haunted Jarrod's family for generations and pit the teens against immense forces in a battle to undo the past and reshape the future.


Scorched by Sharon Ashwood
Ex-detective Macmillan has a taste for bad girls, but his last lover really took the cake—and his humanity. Now a half-demon, Mac’s lost his friends, his family, and his job. Then a beguiling vampire asks for his help to find her son. Suddenly, Mac has a case to work—one that leads him deep into the supernatural prison where Mac learns that cracking the case will cost him his last scrap of humanity.

This is bk 2 in the Dark Forgotten series. I couldn't find bk 1 anywhere, so I will probably end up getting that online at some point...


Angel's Blood (A Guild Hunters Novel) by Nalini Singh
Nalini Singh introduces readers to a world of beauty and bloodlust, where angels hold sway over vampires.
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael. But this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break.


Archangel's Kiss (A Guild Hunters Novel) by Nalini Singh
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel-and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena...


Gone (Final book in the Dream Catcher series) by Lisa McMann
Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she’d made her peace with it. But she can’t handle dragging Cabel down with her.
She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He’s amazing. And she’s a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves: She has to disappear. And it’s going to kill them both.
Then a stranger enters her life — and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she’d ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out. . . .

I've already finished this one (before I was able to do this post). I thought the idea behind the series was very original. There were some good points that I really enjoyed. But, overall, I was kind of left feeling...indifferent, I guess you could say. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. All three of the books are very short, quick reads. My advice? Check them out at your local library.


The Sight by David Clement-Davies
In an epic tale of good and evil, legend and history, and the blessing and curse of an extraordinary gift of the Sight (an ability to see through others' minds and into the future), David Clement-Davies obliges the many fans of Fire Bringer with a new fantasy novel. The Sight features a Transylvanian wolf clan faced with the terrifying changes brought about by Morgra, a bitter she-wolf determined to fulfill an ancient legend in order to have supreme power over all Vargs (wolves). Young Larka, a white wolf pup born with the Sight, embarks with her brother Fell and the rest of her family on an extraordinary quest for truth and salvation, with shocking consequences that even the most astute reader may not foresee. Clement-Davies's multilayered and elaborate plot will keep young readers riveted for hours on end, drawing on Christianity, fairy tales, and mythology in a colossal allegory and cautionary tale for its human audience.

This is one of those books that I wasn't too sure about. I pick it up everytime I go to the book store and then, inevitably, I find something I think I want more and put this one back. Not this time. I'm really excited to read the next book in this series, Fell. In fact, I almost bought it before I even paid attention to the fact that it was a part 2! Gotta read part 1 first, though.


Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...

* all of the book descriptions were taken from goodreads.com

A Very Happy Unbirthday to You!

Thanks so much, Shauna, for awarding my blog! :)

Look What the Book Fairy Left Me (6)

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I went to visit my mother in law for her birthday. She's recently moved into this 110 yr old house that was filled with untold treasures. Below you will see some of the treasures I was allowed to keep! I can't really think of anything better...


The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850)
My most prized find! It's seen better days, but is still in pretty good shape. The cover is embossed. Very neat!



Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1911)
One of my most exciting finds...








Helen's Babies by John Habberton (1881)
This is one that I've never heard of and haven't yet researched (I've since googled an apparently is was intended for adults but became a children's classic!), but the cover was so pretty I couldn't pass it up. The cover page looks hand stamped, and likely is. I am just in awe...


The Works of Edgar Allen Poe
Standard Classics (1933) Vols 1-10, embossed covers
Something I couldn't capture with the camera is the beautiful drawing inside each of the covers. I wish I could share.


The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson
Standard Classics (1930) Vols 1-10, embossed covers, includes Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde




Little Masterpieces 6 Vols (1901)
Includes volumes by Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne








World's Greatest Literature Vol 1 & 2
Spencer Press (1936) Last of the Mohicans by Thackery, Vanity Fair by Cooper



This one is a little worse for wear. It's in the worst shape.
The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1856)
AND! It has this awesome drawing of the author...actually most of these old books have this and it is very very neat!! There's a very fine peice of tissue paper separating the picture from the title page to prevent the ink from transferring.






David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (1920)




Of course, I couldn't take pictures of ALL the books I got, but these were some of the neatest finds...There was also a book of Shakespeare's works from 1911, The Complete Poetical Works of John Milton from 1899 and many many more! And this doesn't even include any of the crazy old medical books that were left there by the man who built the home. There were books about insanity and surgery and all sorts of nifty stuff. When I went to visit my mother in law that day, I certainly wasn't expecting a treasure trove of books! It was so exciting for me being the bibliophile that I am. And yes, there were even a few tears of pure joy...I'm not ashamed to admit it! :)

Here's the old house built at the turn of the century 1900s. A doctor built the house for his growing family of 10 children! Only one of those children decided to marry and have a family of their own. One daughter remained living in the home until her death in 2008, this was the only home she'd known. She was a teacher, and these were her books. Thank you, Ms. Parker. (photo of her as a young woman below)
You can still see the old servants house out to the side. One side was for the cook, the other was for the gardner. It has been used mostly for storage for quite some time but still had the original fireplace mantels and old bedframes. There were countless other little treasures all over the place.
Next time I go I want to check out the cellar and the attic. I can only imagine what kind of coolness I may find!!

How Do You Know You're Going to Do Something Until You Do It?

"An artist's only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else's." - JD Salinger

JD Salinger 1919-2010

Thank you for your brilliant writing...

"I hope to hell that when I do die somebody has the sense to just dump me in the river or something. Anything except sticking me in a goddam cemetary. People coming and putting a bunch of flowers on your stomach on Sunday, and all that crap. Who wants flowers when you're dead? Nobody." - JD Salinger, Catcher in the Rye

I've Fallen Again...

I know, pretty cheesy, but I can't help myself. I finished Fallen by Lauren Kate this weekend. Don't have much to say other than, I loved it! I had an idea what the book was about when I picked it up. Or at least I thought I did...This book was nothing like I expected but everything I wanted! I love it when a book surprises me. The cover is gorgeous and so is the book. I definitley recommend this one!
Here's what Goodreads has as the book description:
There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Divine Reading

I finished The Dark Divine by Bree Despain, this weekend. And it was truly divine! I was a little surprised to find out exactly what the story was about. But that's a good thing. I love surprises and this one didn't disappoint!
I really had all sorts of things going through my mind as to what this story was about after having read the book jacket information. And from all those crazy dark places that my mind was going to, I came up with a new story idea of my own. Like I needed another one of those right now! Now my poor little brain doesn't know which story to concentrate on. I am bound and determined to finish my first novel this year. April will be two years - two years!! - that I've been working on it. I will be happy just to complete the full first draft and perhaps let it sit (before revising) while my mind works on all these other characters in my head.
Anywho, this is Bree's debut novel and it was a great way to start off my 2010! If you haven't already, definitely pick this one up.

Not Too Rampant over Rampant

Be warned that this post has some mild spoilers.
I wanted to wait a few days after I finished reading this book to let it stew. I thought maybe if I waited my perception would change slightly as I'd have time to think it over a bit.
Yeah...not so much. I still feel pretty much the same way as when I was 100 pages from finishing, then almost finished, then finished. And that feeling is this - I was disappointed. I hate to say that. There were definitely good points about the book; The concept is phenomenal. The writing itself is good. But it was just the delivery that was slightly lacking and extremely slow at times. On a few occasions I almost quit reading. I seriously can't stand to start a book and not finish. I always want to give it a fair shot. Who knows? Some books really redeem themselves at the end of it all. This one didn't really do that for me.
When a story has SO much background information that you feel almost overwhelmed by the amount of info, I get lost - and not in the good way. I get that there are a few different kinds of unicorns. I get that there was an old Order of chicks that hunted them. Ok. Some explanation is necessary. But not the amount of explanation in this book. It slowed the story pace way down for me and just felt like I myself was doing the research, not reading a fun and interesting book about these characters and creatures. There were also a few scenarios in the story that were a little unbelievable. Sure, this is a fantasy story about killer unicorns. That "unbelievable" aspect is acceptable and understandable. But when things go down at the Order and leadership is questioned and changes hands (more than once), do these parents really just sit back and accept all this craziness with out asking a lot of questions or raising some kind of hell? Seriously? I don't know...I guess if they were willing to let their 12 and 16 year olds train to hunt killer unicorns they must just be cool with anything.
And just when the book started to pick up and get a little exciting and interesting - it was over. So, now I am left to contemplate whether or not I care enough about these characters to read the sequel when it comes out later this year. I don't like not knowing for sure that I want to continue.
I'd be interested to hear any other opinions from folks who have read this book...
And please don't let this deter you from reading if you haven't already. Maybe I am just a bit of a book snob. Your opinion may be different - and if it is (or isn't), I'd love to hear about it.

Reflections and Resolutions

I wanted to put up a post of my favorite twelve books of 2009. But, despite the fact that I read tons of books, I couldn't actually find twelve favorites that really excited me enough to be considered a favorite. So, instead of just posting my FAVORITE 2009 books, I will include a few that I consider great books and would still recommend people to read (some of these books may not have actually been published in 2009, but I read them in 2009, so they make the list).

1. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
2. Fire by Kristin Cashore
3. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
5. Need by Carrie Jones
6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Jones
7. Intertwined by Gena Showalter
8. Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
9. Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater
10. City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments book 3) by Cassandra Clare
11. City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments book 2) by Cassandra Clare
12. City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments book 1) by Cassandra Clare

I've tried my best to put those in order, starting with my favorite. It's a close call between Shiver and Fire. I am in love with both Maggie's and Kristin's writing styles. Simply gorgeous! If you haven't read any of these books in 2009, definitely pick them up for 2010.

And now that I am done reflecting on the books I've read, I think it's time to look ahead. I have come up with a few resolutions that I hope I can stick to in 2010.

1. Write more = finish draft 1 of novel!!
2. Exercise more, lose a little weight (that means actually using the gym membership I'm paying for and probably riding the bike my husband bought for me)
3. Pay off some debt! = decrease stress level

How about you? Any favorite books of 2009 that I didn't mention? Any good resolutions for the new year?

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! Have fun and be safe!

Look What the Book Fairy Left Me (5)

The Book Fairy and Santa conspired this year to bring me some good books. Unfortunately, Santa did not make me the book shelves that I wanted for above the closets in my bedroom. I've run out of floor space. Now I'm going up for storage! :) Of course, my husband/aka Santa, is thrilled by this idea.
I got a pretty good haul this Christmas! I seriously need two of me just to read all the books in my TBR pile. But I am not complaining...



Deadly Little Lies (A Touch Novel) by Laurie Faria Stolarz
this is the sequel to Deadly Little Secret, which is in my TBR pile.
Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, the mysterious new boy at school who turned out to have a very mysterious gift--pyschometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben's romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry, and experiencing her own strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have somehow rubbed off on her. Can the power of psychometry be transferred?
Even once Ben returns to school, Camelia can't get close enough to share her secret with him. Despite the romantic tension between them, Ben remains aloof, avoiding contact. Then when an unexpected kiss leads to a frightening argument, Camelia makes the painful decision to let Ben go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at work, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't. Adam is easygoing, and seems to really care about her.
But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events upturns secrets from Ben's past--and Adam's. Someone is lying, and it's up to Camelia to figure out who-before it's too late.

Shadowland by Alyson Noel
This is the third in the Immortals series. I enjoyed the first two, so I am excited to see how this new book unfolds. From the book description, it appears there are going to be some twists. I'm a little bummed only because some of what I've read from the book description is a little similar to the book I am writing. But that's ok...hasn't stopped me yet!
Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives—and fought off the world’s darkest enemies—so they could be together forever. But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen…one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death—plunging Damen into the Shadowland. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick—and gets help from an unexpected source…a surfer named Jude.
Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She’s always believed Damen to be her soulmate and one true love—and she still believes it to be true. But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever’s connection with Jude grows stronger—and tests her love for Damen like never before…

Fallen by Lauren Kate
I absolutely love the cover of this one! Ever since I saw it, I've wanted it. Hope the inside holds up to the outside.
There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
I grew up in SC (although, I believe the town in this book is fictional), so I'm intrigued to read a fantasy in that setting.
There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.
Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.


Books I bought with Santa money!
First Test by Tamora Pierce


I've heard such great things about her as a writer and I am always interested in reading about strong female characters, so I am hopeful that this is a good book. The problem I have discovered, which probably isnt really much of a problem at all, is that this book is set in the world of Tortall and apparently there is another series of books Ms. Pierce has written set in this world with some of the same characters. Of course, the other series precedes this one, so I am torn on whether or not I should try to pick up that other series first. It isn't necessary, according to the book jacket, but it would be nice to be familiar with some of the characters that are mentioned in this newer series.
Ten years after the proclamation that girls are eligible for a page's training at the court of King Jonathan of Tortall, 10-year-old Keladry applies and is accepted, but on probation, a condition never forced on male applicants. Resolutely accepting the challenge, the hostility of the royal training master, and harassment by fellow pages, Kel makes her way through this difficult year. Trained from early childhood by stoic Yamani warriors, she is capable of hiding her feelings, fearless in a fight, and willing to work hard to develop the necessary physical capacity. Her sympathy and support for the underdog and her sense of chivalry earn her the admiration of a group of fellow pages. She also befriends the sparrows that live outside her window and wins over a difficult horse. Kel performs well in her first real battle and is grudgingly allowed to stay for another year of training. The medieval/magical world of Tortall has been the setting for eight of the author's titles; in First Test, the first of a new series, this fantasy world is clear and well developed, allowing the book to stand on its own. Characters who may be familiar to readers of the previous titles are reintroduced successfully or remain on the sidelines. The scrappy Kel is an appealing and believable girl whose struggles to integrate a formerly all-male world are both familiar and freshly told.

My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers series) by Rachel Vincent


The sequel to My Soul to Take, the third book is due out any day now...
I have these in my TBR pile. So many books, not enough time!
The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld — a consequence they can’t possibly understand. Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk....

Darklight by Lesley Livingston


sequel to Wondorous Strange, both of which are in my TBR pile...are you seeing a recurring theme here? :)
Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was Faerie royalty, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved New York City from a rampaging Faerie war band. When a terrifying encounter in Central Park sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful—but cut short. For they’ve been plunged into a game of Faerie deception and wavering allegiances in which the next move could topple a kingdom...or part them forever.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain


Bree's debut novel. I came across this one purely by accident. I can't wait to read it.
Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.
The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.
The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

And there you have it! A very long list. Can't wait to dig in!
Did you get anything good for Christmas?

*book descriptions were taken from amazon.com and goodreads.com

I Think I'm In Love...Again

What can I say? I've gone and done it again. I've fallen in love with a book...
I want to remain spoiler free so that the rest of you who haven't already fallen for this book can enjoy it in it's entirety. If you haven't picked this book up - DO! It's awesome. If I could only choose two words to describe it they would be: exciting and sexy! And did I mention how gorgeous the cover is?! I could barely put it down, and when I had to I was devastated. You know a book is good when you get so emotionally involved in the characters - that's all I'm going to say about that...

Here's what goodreads.com has to say about it:
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

This is author Becca Fitzpatrick's debut novel, and it's a beauty! I am so stoked for the sequel, Crescendo, due out in the Fall.
So, hopefully Santa will be bringing all of us books for Christmas this year...it's not too late to ask for this one.

Things That Made Me Smile Today

Just a quick post to squee about a few things that make me smile.
Tonight was the finale of SYTYCD!! And, guess who was there dancing his little booty off? That's right! Legacy! But, really, the entire show was great - minus a few of those musical performances. It made me smile to get to see some of those awesome dances again.
I was excited that my 3 faves of the final 6 came to be the final 3. I was only slightly bummed that they won in reverse order for me. I really would've liked to see Kathryn or Jakob win it all, but Russell was just precious.
On to the second thing that made me smile today:
this!
Thing Three:

A book that will be on next week's Look What the Book Fairy Left Me post; Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne.
Is there anything that made you smile today?