Spring Fling Giveaway Hop: Win an ARC of Aliens on a Rampage

Welcome to my stop on the Spring Fling Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Eve's Fan Garden

Here's What's up for grabs: 

1 ARC of Aliens on a Rampage by Clete Barrett Smith

David is looking forward to spending another adventure-filled summer at his grandmother's Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast--a vacation hotspot for aliens. But as soon as he meets Grandma's new repairman, an alien named Scratchull, he becomes suspicious. The only problem is that it is difficult to be sneaky when you have a ravenous alien pet attached to you. Even though no one else--including Grandma--thinks that Scratchull is an underhanded handyman, David decides to spy on him. But no one believes David when he discovers that Scratchull really is an evil mastermind with a plot to destroy the planet. Without the help of Grandma and his friends, will David be able to save Earth before it's too late?

Enter after the page break!

Interview with Anna Banks, Author of Of Poseidon

Today I am pleased to welcome author Anna Banks for an interview about her new debut, Of Poseidon!

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .
Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

If it was the Twilight vamps vs the Of Poseidon Syrena, who would win?

Is it bad publicity to say the vamps would win? Vampires are immortal, but the Syrena, though they live for hundreds of years, are mortal. They’re a marine species—flesh (um, hawt flesh in some cases) and blood. But I’m thinking Galen (hawt flesh) is fast enough to escape a vamp attack when his twin sister Rayna inevitably picks a fight with a vamp.
Also, Emma could totally take Bella—does that count?

What will you be doing to celebrate Of Poseidon's release on May 22nd?
I’ll be throwing a launch party at Books A Million in Destin, Florida—the town where Galen and Emma meet in the book. Cake, swag, cake, punch, cake…

Do you have any author "besties" or belong to a critique group?
In the beginning I did belong to a critique group locally, but because of scheduling conflicts I ended up just exchanging emailed pages with a few in the group and I have to say, without them, I would never have made it. Ever. I’m a believer in crit partners and beta readers. You need those eyes to rove over your pages with a fine-tooth comb looking for adverb/punctuation/tense lice. You NEED them. Did I mention you need them? ‘Cause you do.

What can readers expect in Of Poseidon?
I’m getting a lot of “Wow, I didn’t expect this to be as funny as it was.” Well, I guess you should um, expect it to be funny. It’s funnier than the cover lets on, mkay? 
You can also expect a fast pace. Chapter One is basically a giant cannonball into the story. There is no easing in, for all you pansies out there.

What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?
Dude, “the lottery” is so vague. Like, millions? I’d buy the usual mess: a big house with a water slide swirling from my bedroom to the pool, a sixteen car garage full of unique go-karts (semi-trucks, anyone?), and I’d turn a school bus into a saltwater fish tank.
All my security guards would have to dress like those guys who guard that big palace thing in England, only they’d have to smile all the time like creepy clowns.
I’d build a playground for my city, as long as they’d name it Never Evah Land.
I’d send Simon Cowell gifts until he acknowledged me on Twitter.
Also, I’d quit writing and use the rest of my life to prove that Sasquatch really does exist.

Describe Of Poseidon in three words. GO!
Romance. Secrets. Upchuck.

Anna Banks grew up in a small town called Niceville (yes, really). She now lives in Crestview, Florida, with her husband and their daughter. This is her debut novel.

Thanks to Anna for a great interview! Of Poseidon splashes into stores May 22nd, be sure to check it out! 

Of Poseidon

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Release Date ~ 5/22/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Feiwel and Friends
Source ~ Publisher
Purchase: The Book Depository

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

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

  Anna Banks' Of Poseidon was one of the funnest and funniest books I've read in a long time! Though the cover may look like a epic, serious paranormal saga (which it is at some points) it is mostly just a bloody hilarious book that should not be read while eating,. No, seriously. My ARC has lots of food stains because of uncontrollable laughing fits while reading. It is just not a smart idea!

 Emma was a character that I couldn't help but love! I wanted to marry her (apparently the government doesn't look kindly on marrying fictional characters though) when I found out she was a Titanic buff ( I freaking love Titanic), and she was just generally awesome! Plus, her narrative was so dang funny!

  Galen is the kind of love interest that you other love or hate. He's a little clueless to the way the human world works which causes him to sometimes be mean. Personally I found that endearing, but others might want to strangle him!

  The plot in Of Poseidon was really fast paced and there was never a dull moment! It was always entertaining to read!

Banks' writing style was really fun! It was easy to read, but didn't belittle the audience by using small words *cough* like Stephanie Meyer did *cough, cough*.

  I also really liked to read about the Syrena, and their history! It was a unique take on the mermaid legend!

  Of Poseidon was an awesome start to the Syrena series! I look forward to more from Anna Banks!

Cover Comments: Awesome cover! I love the water, and she is so PALE! 

In my Mailbox (51)

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Bought: 

Starters by Lissa Price

This looks like a totally original dystopian! So excited to read it!

Gifted:

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

I love Tim Burton, and have to read this before I see the movie!

That's all I got this week! What did you get? Let me know in the comments!

Hemlock

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
Release Date ~ 5/8/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher  ~  Katherine Tegen Books
Source ~ Publisher
Purchase: The Book Depository

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

When I first heard about Hemlock, I was really excited! It sounded like the perfect paranormal book! Even though werewolf books can be a big hit or miss thing for me (most of them time miss), it sounded really good! But when I first got the ARC, it sat on my shelf collecting dust for a while, but when I finally picked it up, I read it in a freaking day! It was 408 pages, so that shows how much I love this book!

  The first thing that stood out to me in it was the main character, Mackenzie. She was a really awesome main character that I loved reading about! I also liked how she acted like a vigilante and did detective work by herself!

  The love triangle in this book was so intense! It was also my favorite love triangle I've read so far this year! Both characters (Jason and Kyle) had great chemistry with Mackenzie, but right now I'm strongly Team Kyle! I just the nice guys I guess!

 The plot in Hemlock was so well done too! With perfect pacing and deft plot development, it never had a dull moment and kept me up way too late (4 am, I think)!

 Hemlock is utterly amazing! I have found a new favorite author in Kathleen Peacock and demand sequels!

Cover Comments: This cover is really nice! I love the hemlock entangled with the title!

Wings

Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Release Date ~ 5/1/2009
Format ~ Hardcover
Publisher ~ Harper Teen
Source ~ Borrowed
Purchase: The Book Depository

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.
Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.
In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

Okay, I'm not going to lie to you. When I first heard about this series my reaction was "eh, who cares?", it did look too interesting to me. But when I received an ARC of Destined, the 4th book in this series from Harper Teen, I figured I should start it so I could review Destined. And Wings was pretty good!

  When I first started Wings is was pretty boring. It didn't get interesting to the 100th page or so. And I am a huge pacing freak! It really pisses me off when a book doesn't have a well rounded plot!


  I did really like Laurel as a main character! She was ambitious, and did not back down when people were mean to her! She was the kind of character you admired in every sense of the word! I hope to read more about her soon!

  Overall I enjoyed Wings, but I am going to need more from the next books!

Cover comments: A nice cover, but utterly forgettable. The colors are nice though!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Release Date ~ 10/23/12
Publisher ~ Simon and Schuster Children's
Add it on Goodreads

Two days after Mara walks into a police station in Miami at the close of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, she is committed for psychiatric treatment for what her parents believe is a mental breakdown. But what seems like a hallucination to everyone else is a chilling reality for Mara. Someone from her past has discovered her strange, disturbing secret and that someone wants her to pay. But she's about to discover that the price is more than she can bear.
Dark and thrilling, suspenseful and passionate, The Evolution of Mara Dyer will have readers breathlessly turning pages to find out what will become of Mara Dyer next.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was my hands down favorite read of 2011! It was just insane and mind boggling!
   And can you look at this cover? It is so pretty and I love the water! It compliments The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer cover so well! And that summary! GAH! ME NEEDS THIS NOW!

Top Ten Favorite Favorite Characters

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the awesome people at The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Favorite Characters

10 - Eden from A Touch Trilogy by Leah Clifford - Eden is such an awesome main character, and I love how sarcastic she is!

9 - President Snow from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins - He and Voldemort are tied for my favorite villain! He is just so cunning and cold!

8 - Voldemort from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - How can someone be this evil? But he was so well written and had such awesome layers of villainy!

7 - Rue from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Aww... little Rue. How did Collins make her be so unforgettable and someone you care about so much in such a short span of the book? I cry EVERY STINKIN' TIME I READ HER DEATH!

6 - Cinna from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins - OMG! How could he be so awesome? Favorite side character ever!

5 - Cas from Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - Favorite guy main protagonist of all time! He is seriously badass!

4 - Simon from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare - Yes, I know I will get a lot of hate from people because I put Simon on this list and not Jace, but I found Simon a really fun character to read about and am glad the newer TMI books are more focused on him!

3 - Tris from The Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth - She is such a wonderfully, flawlessly written character. She has so much depth and is someone you never hesitate to root for!

2 - Tessa from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - God, I love reading about her. She has such a great voice and can kick butt while wearing a corset. That takes skill.

1 - Katniss from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins - I think I'll just let her speak for herself on this one. 

Die for Me

Die for Me by Amy Plum
Release Date ~ 5/10/11
Format ~ Hardcover
Publisher ~ Harper Teen
Source ~ Borrowed
Purchase: The Book Depository

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.
When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.
Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

   Die For Me was a really fun, new take on angels... err... zombies... err... whatever they are... anyway, well I try and figure out if I should call them zombies or angels let's just get on with the review, shall we?

  The main highlight of Die For Me for me (haha) were the characters! Kate was an awesome main character that I really liked and enjoyed reading about, because she was so interesting and had such a great perspective! Vincent was also really awesome, and let me tell you, Kate and Vincent are PERFECT for each other, best book romance I've read for a while! And the villain was so chilling and just plan freaky, I wanted to run and hide under my pillow!

The settings in Amy Plum's Die for Me were so grand and had so many great details! Plum made it feel like you were walking the streets of Paris with Kate! One of the lushest settings I've ever read!

The one thing I have to say that I didn't like about Die for Me was the pacing. It turned this into a 4 star read instead of a 5 star read. It felt like it was "HECK YEAH, OMG THIS IS AWESOME!!!" for about 50 pages then 100 pages of just pure fluff without any plot development. I know I complain about this kind of stuff in reviews a lot, but seriously, if you're going to write a book, make at least 80% of the novel be about advancement in the plot.

 Die For Me was overall a good start to the Revenant series, but I'll be expecting more from the rest of the series. Still worth a read though!

Cover Comments: I really love the Paris skyline and how everything is red (besides the city). It seems like that goes with Paris nicely.

Insurgent

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Release Date ~ 5/1/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Katheryn Tegan Books
Source ~ Publisher For Review
Purchase: The Book Depository

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

   When I got this book, I screamed. It was happy dance festival. I WAS SO EXCITED TO READ IT! Then I opened it and started reading... and I tell you, it was worth the screams!

    Insurgent starts where Divergent left off, with Tris riding a train to Amity headquarters with adrenaline pumping through her. This was a little hard for me to like at first, because I forgot a lot of what had happened in Divergent and there wasn't any real back story. But thankfully I went to Down The Rabbit Hole's Happily Ever Endings page and read what happened in Divergent. So thank you, Happily Ever Endings team!  With the story fresh in my mind I was able to sit down and simply enjoy the ride!

   Tris continues to grow and develop in Insurgent and has became one of my new favorite YA heroines! She was crafted perfectly! Along with Four, who we learn more about and who also develops a lot more, plus a villain that you will love to hate!
The relationship between Tris and Four in this book was amazing! With just the right amount of tension, it was perfect. And unlike many other YA books that have the "insta-love" aspect, this one was actually believable!

Insurgent also had the most well depicted, detailed settings! They were utterly extraordinary! Can't say too much more about them though, as that would be spoilery!

  This book is also the KING of cliffhanger endings! I cannot believe what just went down, and I am literally freaking out about it! I demand a 3rd book! NOW, Ms. Roth!

   Complete with deft plot development and a stellar cast of characters, Insurgent will stay in my mind for a long, long time.

Cover Comments: The gray sky really goes well with the city skyline, and the Amity faction symbol is so cool!

In my Mailbox (50)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

For Review:

Aliens on a Rampage by Clete Barrett Smith

I already had a copy of this one, but suddenly another showed up, so I'll probably give it away or swap it.

From Bloggers:

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

(Thanks to Sophia from The Book Basement)

This one looks amazing and sounds totally unique! 

Bought:

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

I've read Wings and liked it and have Spells and Destined but needed this one!

That's what I got in my mailbox this week, what did you get? Let me know in the comments!

Showers of Books Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Shower of Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and  One A Day YA

Here's what's up for grabs:

1 Copy of The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Enter after the page break.

NOTE: THE RAFFLECOPTER FOR HAS BROKE. IF YOUR ENTRY WAS BEFORE 5:20 PM PST, 4/20 PLEASE REENTER. THANK YOU.

The Other Life

The Other Life by Susan Winnacker
Release Date ~ 5/1/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~  Marshall Cavendish
Source ~ Around the World Tours
Purchase: The Book Depository

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d seen daylight. One-fifth of my life.
Sherry and her family have lived sealed in a bunker in the garden since things went wrong up above. Her grandfather has been in the freezer for the last three months, her parents are at each other’s throats and two minutes ago they ran out of food.
Sherry and her father leave the safety of the bunker and find a devastated and empty LA, smashed to pieces by bombs and haunted by ‘Weepers’ - rabid humans infected with a weaponized rabies virus.
While searching for food in a supermarket, Sherry’s father disappears and Sherry is saved by Joshua, a boy-hunter. He takes her to Safe-haven, a tumble-down vineyard in the hills outside LA, where a handful of other survivors are picking up the pieces of their ‘other lives’. As she falls in love for the first time, Sherry must save her father, stay alive and keep Joshua safe when his desire for vengeance threatens them all.

I didn't expect The Other Life to be amazing. I didn't expect it to be one of the best dystopian books I've ever read. But it was.
  The Other Life was different then the typical books in this genre. It wasn't about a corrupted society, but about a world where there are only a handful of people left... at least in the LA area. The survivors are trying to survive, despite the 'weepers', beastly humans infected by a virus like the rabies, but worse. It is in this bleak setting that one of the most heart-pounding stories takes place.
   I thought the world created by Winnacker was PERFECT. It seemed so hopeless, even more so then The Hunger Games. I can't wait to read about what else happens.
  The action was so fast-paced, because you never knew when someone was going to die. It felt like the weepers were hunting the humans, even though Joshua calls himself the hunter
   I really don't know what else to say about this book, because it's pretty hard to describe. You really need to read it to appreciate just how good it is. Needless to say, I can't wait for book two!

Cover Comments: I like this cover! It's bleak , just like the book. And who's that person in the background?
This book counts in the following reading challenges:

Dystopian Reading Challenge: 7
Debut Author Challenge: 7
ARC Reading Challenge: 11
1st in a Series Reading Challenge: 7

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
Release Date ~ 7/3/12
Publisher ~ Harper Tenn
Add It On Goodreads

When a vampire shows up at Mel’s high school, it’s up to Mel to keep her best friend from falling in love with him. Add a mysterious disappearance, a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and poignant.

This looks like a hilarious parody on Twilight, and basically every other vampire book out there, from two of YA's most entertaining authors. I cannot wait to read it, it looks amazing!!
What are you waiting for on this lovely Wednesday? Let me know in the comments!

No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

The purpose of this hop is just to thank your readers and not make them do ANYTHING to enter your giveaway, so if you don't usually enter giveaways because of all the hoops you have to jump through, this one is totally hoop-jumping free :)

Here's What's up for grabs:

1 Book Under $12 From The Book Depository

Enter after the page break!

The Girl in the Steel Corset

Note: I am away on a class trip from the 16th - 20th. The blog is having minimal management done by Juhina from Maji Bookshelf. All comments, tweets, and emails will be read/answered when I get back Friday. Happy reading! 
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Release Date ~ 4/24/11
Format ~ Hardcover
Publisher ~ Harlequin Teen
Source ~ Publisher for Review
Purchase: The Book Depository

She thought there was something wrong with her. She was right. Finley Jayne has known for quite some time that she isn’t ‘normal,’ but when she beats up the son of her employer and is forced to flee, she stumbles into a world where there are bigger freaks than her. They take her in, treat her like family and demand her trust. How can Finley trust them when she can’t trust herself? And why is she drawn to the powerful Griffin as well as the dangerous Jack? She has to get herself under control before she gets into trouble she can’t get out of.

Griffin King is one of the most powerful men in Britain but he couldn’t save his best friend from almost dying. He is determined to save Finley and help her become the person he knows she can be, but there’s evil afoot in London. Machines have attacked humans under the orders of a nefarious criminal called The Machinist. He has sworn to protect his country against such a threat, but he’s never faced any foe like this. However, when he discovers The Machinist’s connection to his past, Griffin vows to end the villain once and for all — but he’ll need the help of all his friends, including the beautiful Finley Jayne – the girl in the steel corset.

   Kady Cross's The Girl in the Steel Corset was Sherlock Holmes (the new movie version) meets The Infernal Devices. That means, by nature it was really incredible!

    It didn't start off slow, in fact, there was a lot of action in the first 80 or so pages. The problem? The problems weren't really introduced til page 100, which caused all that action to be pretty much meaningless. But after page 100 it was a whirlwind of plot development, character transformation, and epic fight scenes that will have you on the end of your seat. *puts seat out from under you* *you fall* Mwhahahaha!

  The main character, Finley Jane, was really someone that I grew to like. In fact, she may be one of my new favorite YA heroines! She didn't whine when the problem came along, something so many other books suffer from.

   I don't like love triangles in most books, but in The Girl in the Steel Corset, I really enjoyed the tension between Finley and her love interest Jack and Griffin. I'm team Griffin though (I don't really like the bad boys too much) but both characters were really well written!

   The Girl in the Steel Corset is exactly what a steampunk should be! A really fun, interesting, and quick paced read that will leave you guessing!

Cover Comments: The red dress goes nicely with the gray steel corset!

This book counts in the following reading challenges:
Review Copy Clean-up Reading Challenge : 4
TBR Pile Reading Challenge: 9
ARC Reading Challenge: 18
Steampunk Reading Challenge: 2
1st in a Series Reading Challenge: 15

April New Release Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the April New Release Giveaway Hop hosted by Book Twirps and Refracted Light Reviews

Here's What's Up For Grabs:

Your Choice of These Books:

Enter after the page break!