Top Ten Tuesday (April 30, 2013)

This is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where each week bloggers share a list of books for the prompt given.

This week the topic is: 

Top Ten Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book

WORDS
 
1. The word "Darkness"-instant pull to pick a book up if this word is in the title.

2. "Blood"-obviously this will attract me because usually it means it is a vampire book.

3. "Sacrifice"-as you can tell there is a theme..I like any dark novels.

4. "Queen"-just because I know it will most likely be a historical novel. You will also see that the example I use has blood in it also...now you know it will have to be good!

5. "Dead"-once again...most likely will be a dark evil novel.

TOPICS

6. Vampires

7. Witches

8. Tudors

9.Shifters

10. Zombies
 

Stacking the Shelves (15)

What is Stacking The Shelves all about?

We are all book lovers and the need to share our enthusiasm is sometimes overwhelming. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you’re anything like me, you are probably hoarding books and even though you are excited about your latest book arrival, it might be a while before you get to review it and Stacking The Shelves is a good way to express your undying enthusiasm for those titles!

How to participate? Just head on over to Tynga's Reviews and sign up!

FOR REVIEW

from Simon and Schuster Audio

 

 GIFTED

from World Book Night U.S. on April 23, 2013 one of our former librarians was giving out one of her favorite books at on of my favorite hangouts, La Barista!

ARC Review: Stolen by Daniel Palmer

Stolen
By: Daniel Palmer
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Format: ARC
Source: publisher in exchange for an honest review

John and Ruby Bodine are living the typical American life. John is trying to launch his online game, One World, and Ruby is a struggling college student. John has also finally emerged from a deep depression after an incident that happened during a mountain climb with his buddies. A trip that left one of them dead and the two survivors just learning to cope with what they had to do. Even though John and Ruby struggle to live day to day, their love is the shiny beacon guiding them to what they know their future can be. Then one day, John discovers a strange patch of skin on Ruby’s foot that sets into motion something they never planned on.

Ruby has an aggressive form of cancer and there is only one treatment. Unfortunately the generic version is unavailable and their current insurance won’t cover the name brand. John feels he has only one option, steal the identity of one of his gamers whose insurance will cover the treatment. He finally finds the perfect one, Elliot and Tanya Uretsky. They pack up and leave their life behind and begin to live their new life as the Urtesky’s.

One day John gets the phone call that he could never dream would happen. The caller says, “My name is Elliot Uretsky, and I believe you stole my identity.” Elliot wants to play a game called Criminal and he wants John and Ruby to be the main players. They can continue using his insurance but they have to pass his tests. They start out easy and John and Ruby think that it is all a prank and they decide not to play this fiend’s game. That is when the bodies start to show up, brutally murdered, they know this guy means business. From here till the end is a tale of suspense and terror. The things that Elliot makes this couple do will blow your mind.

Daniel Palmer’s mind is something I would not want to be living in but I am thankful he is able to put it to paper. Even though this couple commits insurance fraud and as the game goes on some pretty devious things, you as a reader start to cheer for them to somehow win and outsmart the devious villain. Every page is a new twist thrown into the plot and the storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how far John and Ruby will go. Palmer has really outdone himself in his third novel and has solidified himself among some of the great mystery/thriller writers, in my opinion. I know he isn’t going anywhere and I look forward to what his next project will be.

PRE-ORDER STOLEN

Amazon  /  Book Depository  /  Barnes and Noble

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Thought I'd Like MORE/LESS Than I Did

This is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where each week bloggers share a list of books for the prompt given.

This week the topic is: 

Top Ten Books I Thought I'd Like MORE/LESS Than I Did

1. Scorpio Rising by Monique Domovitch-when this was recommended to me I didn't think I would like it based on the synopsis but for some reason it just pulled me once I started reading it.

2. Red Rain by R.L. Stine-thought I couldn't go wrong with a R.L. Stine book but unfortunately this one failed to grab me.

3. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin-I am not a reader of high fantasy and thought I would never be able to follow the storyline. I was surprised at how easily I was able to follow along and the storyline is powerful and you seriously don't know who Martin might kill off..or bring back!

4.  Beauty by Laurell K. Hamilton-was seriously disappointed in this novella but I am a dedicated fan to this series.

5. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James-I had to force myself to finish the first installment in this trilogy. My friends loved it but it just wasn't my cup of tea. There really wasn't anything to set it apart from any other erotica book that I have read.

6.  Dearly Departed by Lia Habel-I was not a huge zombie book reader but Habel made me a fan.

7.  Kiss of the Rose by Kate Pearce-I had really high hopes for this series but it fell flat and I never finished it.

8. Bossypants by Tina Fey-I have never laughed so hard while reading a book. This one had me rolling on the floor.

9. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness-I was a little worried with all the hype around this book but was pleasantly surprised at the journey it took me on.

10. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep-I picked this one up at my local library when I was waiting for some other books to come in. I was floored with how amazing the lead character was and I have been hooked on this series ever since.

Author Interview + Giveaway: The Selkie Sorceress by Sophie Moss

I would like to welcome Sophie Moss to my blog today!  

I know your third book in the Seal Island series, The Selkie Sorceress is set to release April 25, 2013 and I really want to talk about that. But first, I’d like my readers to know a little about you. 

1. What is your favorite quality about yourself?

I am incredibly self-motivated…sometimes to a fault. J I often have to remind myself to take breaks.

2. What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?  

Finishing my first trilogy!

We’re going to talk about this book that you’ve written, but first, let us learn a little about how you got your start in writing.

3. How has your upbringing influenced your writing?  

I’ve always been a voracious reader. I was raised on fairy tales and classics like A Wrinkle in Time, The Hobbit, and Narnia so my childhood was steeped in magic and fantasy. I started reading romance novels in college and thought it would be fun to combine my two loves (fantasy and romance) in my first trilogy!

4. What inspired you to write your first book?

When I was studying abroad in Ireland, I visited a remote island that completely stole my heart. I was mesmerized by the beautiful scenery, the friendly islanders, and the quaint village. After I left, I couldn’t get it out of my mind and I knew I had to write about it. Soon after returning to the States, I discovered the selkie legends of Ireland and I knew I’d found the perfect magical element to weave into a contemporary romance!

Okay, now we can get to talking about The Selkie Sorceress. 

5. Tell us about a little bit about The Selkie Sorceress.

The Selkie Sorceress is the third story in the Seal Island Trilogy. It’s a contemporary fantasy romance featuring American detective Sam Holt and clairvoyant Irish artist Glenna McClure, two secondary characters from The Selkie Spell and The Selkie Enchantress. The romance is sizzling, the magic is over-the-top, and the mystery includes plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats!

6. How did you develop your plot and characters?

I already knew a lot about Sam and Glenna from the first two books, but I deepened their characters during the outline process through extensive interviews. Plot and characters really go hand-in-hand for me, so I mostly focus on what each character wants, why they want it, and why they can’t have it. Since it’s a romance, the hero and heroine’s goals are usually in direct conflict, so that makes the story really fun to write! 

7. How important do you think villains are in a story?

Very important! The villain in The Selkie Sorceress is actually the heroine’s mother. Moira adds a really interesting dynamic to the story, especially since she’s hell-bent on making sure her daughter never finds true love!

8. How do you come up the titles of your books?

Coming up with a catchy title is always a challenge. It took me a long time to come up with the title for my first book, The Selkie Spell. Once I had the first one, the second and third titles were a little easier to come up with.

9. Have you started your next project yet? If so, can you tell us anything about it?

I have several ideas brewing, but I haven’t settled on one yet. Whatever it is, it’ll be romantic. 

10. Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers?

I love my readers! I’m so thankful for every single person who has picked up my stories and let me know they enjoyed them. I’m so excited to finally share Sam and Glenna’s story with everyone!

BONUS FUN QUESTIONS 

What is your favorite TV show?

I have three! Once Upon a Time, Revenge, and Downton Abbey

What is your favorite late night snack?

Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup

What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

Inishbofin Island, Ireland ~ my inspiration for the Seal Island Trilogy

If you got a parrot for a pet, what phrase would you be sure to teach it to say?  

“Time to take a break now, Sophie.” 

Are you a morning person or a night owl?  

Morning person.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Several years ago, I spent a summer in Galway. I fell in love with the people, the music, and the colorful shops lining the cobblestone streets of the vibrant coastal city. But it was a chance trip to the mysterious windswept island of Inishbofin that inspired my Seal Island Trilogy.

An avid reader of fairy tales, I first learned of the selkie legend through the children's movie, The Secret of Roan Inish.  Captivated by the idea of seals who can transform into beautiful women, I've been writing about selkies ever since.

When I'm not writing about Ireland or day-dreaming about Ireland, I'm fiddling in my garden, searching for four-leaf clovers, and trying to convince a friend to share a Guinness with me at lunch.

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook  /  Pinterest

 

ABOUT THE SELKIE SORCERESS

American detective Sam Holt has a knack for finding people who shouldn’t be found. When his last case almost killed an innocent woman, he swore off detective work forever. But when this same woman asks him for one last investigation—to find her husband’s long lost mother—Sam cannot refuse. Clairvoyant Irish artist Glenna McClure will do anything to stop Sam, even if it means teaming up with a powerful sorceress who she knows she cannot trust. But when the petals of a mysterious night-blooming rose begin to turn black, Glenna realizes that an even darker force is at work. To protect the people she loves, Glenna will have to face a terrible curse that has haunted her all her life before the final petal fades to ash.

Amazon

THE TRILOGY

  GIVEAWAY

Sophie is giving away one e-copy of The Selkie Sorceress to a lucky reader of my blog. Just enter the Rafflecopter form below. Ends May 6. International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway