Cover Reveal: Beyond by Mary Ting (Crossroads #3)

Title: Beyond (Crossroads #3)

Author: Mary Ting

Release Date: September 12

Blurb:

               Torn between the past she can't remember and a future she isn’t ready for, Claudia feels at a loss. With unanswered questions, she is certain there is more to her past than just being a venator. Finding the missing pieces in her life won’t be easy because duty calls. When mysterious dark shadows get released, an apocalypse sets in motion. The venators and the alkins must work together once again. Knowing Claudia would be the key to destroying the demons that were released, a familiar stranger appears to protect her. Drawn to the beautiful angel, Claudia finds she must unravel the mysteries of her past in order to help save the world. Who is the angel assisting her and why does she feel a strong connection to him? Time is running out. Will she discover all the secrets before it’s too late?

Teaser:

After I got ready, I opened the double doors and saw Austin standing there. His spread out wings were catching the sun’s rays as they radiated around him and through the layers of his wings. They were like an early morning sunrise giving birth to a new day, pouring their vibrant hues across the land. I had seen them many times before and I don’t know if it was the glow, but I was taken aback by the beauty of this alkin. For a moment there, like déjà vu, I had seen something like this before, but I couldn’t recall what it was.

For more BEYOND teasers check out these blogs:

www.evesfangarden.com

http://insaneaboutbooks.blogspot.com/

http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/

http://wefancybooks.blogspot.com

http://www.betweenthecoversblog.net/

http://totallybookalicious.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.ingasilbergbooks.com/

http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/

www.IloveTeenBooks.blogspot.com

 

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Review: Bared to You by Sylvia Day

 Note: Due to mature & sexual content, this book is intended for readers 18+

Title: Bared to You (Crossfire #1)
Author: Sylvia Day
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Date Published: OUT NOW

Summary: 
"Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness... "
He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I'd never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily...
Gideon "knew. "He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other's most private wounds...and desires.The bonds of his love transformed me, even as i prayed that the torment of our pasts didn't tear us apart... (Goodreads)

 Review: Bared to You kept popping up on my Nook under "Books you might like" (does that say something about my choice in reading? maybe). I read the synopsis and added it to my TBR pile- but when a close blogger friend recommended it, was when I decided it was time to pick up this book. And man, am I glad I did!


Eva, a young lady finding herself amongst the chaos and craziness that is a new life and career in NYC stumbles into a gorgeous man who captures her attention. Little does she know he's one of the most coveted people in NYC

But, the one thing I do know and loved about this book was that it wasn't an immediate "yes I've fallen in love with you" reaction that Eva had. Real life doesn't always work that way- so I thought that this really gave it a good realistic value to the book. Eva is a very strong character; and sticks up for herself when she needs to-and in the beginning when Gideon first approaches her I wanted to fist pump for Eva's reaction. There was a never a time where I thought she was the Damsel in distress and I really admired her for that. Women are usually written as weak or as someone who is tough as nails and I think Eva is the latter; it's a suiting personality that has developed from the secretive past she's had to cover up.

Gideon on the other hand is just... SWOON worthy! But there's also a part of him that is mysterious & of course what can i say... we all love a little mystery yes? Keeps up intrigued and interested. I didn't always agree with Gideon but that doesn't mean to say I agreed with Eva either. The way they would both handle a minor fight would frustrate me- but the reunion of the two would always end in fireworks ;) 

This book has a great plot. There weren't a ton of exaggerated events and I enjoyed the subtleties that came and gone. Bared to You is steamy, sexy, titillating and intriguing! Do I think it's for everyone? No. If you enjoy romance and erotica then this book is a must read, but it is also turning into a great love story, and who doesn't like those? 18+ due to the themes and sexual content. 

 I am definitely looking forward to continuing on with the thrilling romance of Eva and Gideon with the next book in the series called Reflected in You...  


 Be on the look out for the next book in The Crossfire Series: Reflected in You which is out Fall 2012

Sylvia's Blog

Goodreads: Book Page

Goodreads Authors Page

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Book Review: Never Fall Down By Patricia McCormick plus GIVEAWAY

Name: Never Fall Down
Author: Patricia McCormick
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: 2nd August 2012

Summary: When soldiers arrive at his hometown in Cambodia, Arn is just a kid, dancing to rock 'n' roll, hustling for spare change, and selling ice cream with his brother. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, his life is changed forever. Arn is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp: working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children, weak from hunger, malaria, or sheer exhaustion, dying before his eyes. He sees prisoners marched to a nearby mango grove, never to return. And he learns to be invisible to the sadistic Khmer Rouge, who can give or take away life on a whim. 

One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn's never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. In order to survive, he must quickly master the strange revolutionary songs the soldiers demand - and steal food to keep the other kids alive. This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to be liberated from the Khmer Rouge, Arn is handed a gun and forced to become a soldier. He lives by the simple credo: Over and over I tell myself one thing: never fall down. 
Based on the true story of Arn Chorn-Pond, this is an achingly raw and powerful novel about a child of war who becomes a man of peace, from National Book Award finalist Patricia McCormick.


Review: Now when I attended a blogger brunch at Random House they spoke about 'Never Fall Down'.
Sitting in that room I was thinking woah this is going to be one hell of a rollercoaster ride, but one I know I'm going to want to read.
Not even two chapters in and I'm feeling such intense emotion towards Arn, his family and his way of life and that sure as hell wasn't the worst of it.
Arn is 11 years old and he's looking out for his family. At 11 I would never have had the strength he's shown. He's brave, naïve and very strong.
This novel is heartbreaking, yet compelling. You're appalled and saddened by what you're reading but you just can't help continuing with Arn's story. You could probably finish this novel in a day but due to the emotion you will have to space it out, as it's just too hard to read.
Losing a love one is hard at any age, but being so young and seeing so much pain and losing so many close friends and family it's just devastating.
It's saddening seeing how Arn and his family must survive and that is all he is doing with his childhood surviving.
NO one should have to drink urine because they're that thirsty.
This novel has you on the edge of your seat and all you want is for Arn to reunite with his family and survive these chilling refugee camps. It really made me think, stuff like this really happens and it still happens. The saddest thing is that it does still happen.
This quote stuck out for me and summed up Arn's life. "All the time you fighting, you think only of how to survive. All the time you survive, you wonder why you don't die....Now, in America, I don't have to fight. I don't have to survive. I can chose a new thing: to live."
I love that Patricia has added a note from the author, it's heartbreaking to know that Arn Chorn Pond's distressing story of survival is a true story.

This novel will make you appreciate what you have and it will make you realise just how lucky you are.
I enjoyed this book on a very emotional level so I would like to pass my arc on to one of our fab followers so please leave a comment stating why you would love to have my arc. As always please leave us your name and email address so the winner can be contacted.

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A random week indeed (Casey)

Hey guys so me, Hayley and Andrea are doing something new today. We thought we would literally every week about just what we have been up to in the "real" world and maybe you guys will get to know us more so here's my week

Pretty much started of weird through out the week. London is turning into a crazy place at the moment with all the olympic stuff. Im expecting the worse. But anyway yeah so weird things have happened this week for example I was coming home from work the other day and I saw this weird CLOUD! It looked like a gush of fire coming to get us all very creepy. The wonders of the world indeed ha!

So I work in Camden in London. Camden is very well known for its out landish people, clothing and just craziness. I was on my way to work and just had to take this pic! 10am in the morning! He's ready to rock out indeed lol

So to ad to the more weird. I live in an apartment and I look out the window onto my grass and some random banksy grass wannabe has tried to design a bird of some sort with dirt! Yes only in London ladies and gentlemen ha.

We can't not talk about this bipolar weather here in the UK.

Yes it's 25c in the UK which is HOT! I don't know what that is in America but I could almost probably boil an egg on a car roof. Literally it was FREEZING two days ago and now it's hot as fudge! Bipolar weather indeed lol I live the rain just as long as I'm not stuck in it ha!

As I was enjoying the hot weather for the hour it lasted I decided to do some window shopping and check out this awesome vintage camera from Japan I found £20! CHEAP.

I'll leave you with a pic a took yesterday of the moon! Byeee mwah x

p.s sorry for the lack of posts from me! my internet is down so waiting for new one! got an awesome video coming soon too! xx

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Blog Tour: Witchstruck By Victoria Lamb plus International GIVEAWAY

Name: Witchstruck

Author: Victoria Lamb

Publisher: Random House
Release date: July 2012

Summary: Meg Lytton has always known of her dark and powerful gift. Raised a student of the old magick by her Aunt Jane, casting the circle to see visions of the future and concocting spells from herbs and bones has always been as natural to Meg as breathing. But there has never been a more dangerous time to practise the craft, for it is 1554, and the sentence for any woman branded a witch is hanging, or burning at the stake.
Sent to the ruined, isolated palace of Woodstock to serve the disgraced Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and half-sister of Queen Mary, Meg discovers her skills are of interest to the outcast princess, who is desperate to know if she will ever claim the throne. But Meg's existence becomes more dangerous every day, with the constant threat of exposure by the ruthless witchfinder Marcus Dent, and the arrival of a young Spanish priest, Alejandro de Castillo, to whom Meg is irresistibly drawn - despite their very different attitudes to her secret.
Thrilling and fast-paced, this is the first unputdownable story in a bewitching new series.

Review:
On hearing the summary of this novel it immediately had me desperate for a copy.
I have always truly loved the Tudors-dating back to my school days I really enjoyed studying it.
So for a series to be based on that time I was in awe.
The imagery and description of 'Witchstruck' has you on the edge of your seat.
It made me feel like a Tudor girl, minus the corset.
It's also made me long for a beautiful dress, that would be so tight I'd hardly breathe.
In meeting Meg I instantly loved her.
She's loveable, yet naïve and she also does the best she can for those she cares about.
The tension between Meg and witchfinder Marcus Dent is intense and hauntingly terrifying.
He's a horrible excuse of a man and poor Meg suffers so much at his hands.
Bereavement, betrayal, near-death and abuse are just a few things she suffers thanks to Dent.
At the beginning I thought Princess Elizabeth was a bit stuck-up.
But as the story went on the bond between her and Meg intensified. Then as a reader I started feeling differently about her.

This book will have you on the edge of your seat.
I nearly missed my stop on the bus and could've overdone my lunch break.
You'd be hooked and eager to find out what was next.
The tension between Meg and the young Spanish priest, Alejandro was intense, confusing and lustful.
The sexual tension between the pair is apparent from their very first encounter.
What I truly loved about 'Witchstruck' was how intense and compelling it was.
Such an awesome way to start a thrilling new series, I am eager for more.

So today the fabulous Witchstruck blog tour stops here with us at Dark Readers.

Witchstruck is Victoria's first YA series and I must say this is a very good start.

Meg's journal Take what you will into the circle to work magick. It matters not if an object be of iron or wood or stone, so long as you may work well with it. Whatever does not work should be thanked and laid aside. You are not yet ready for it. From Hecate's Book * Stay within the circle when the powers press hard against you. The circle can be a safe haven between worlds, but its strength comes from you. If the magick will not be worked that night, respectfully dispel the circle and withdraw. No magick except the dark can be forced to come. From Aunt Jane's Book of Shadows. * At summer's end, lay down a holly branch for the sun god and mourn his passing. Light a red candle at sunset. Call on Gog and Magog to guard the seeds that sleep in winter. The old gods should not be neglected. From Hecate's Book. * Aunt Jane told me this once: A new witch should use an old cauldron, and better one that is also used for cooking. Not only will it hide your craft from those who watch, but its loyalty is strengthened with every meal it makes for you. * Never sleep under a hawthorn bush, for the spirits that dwell there may steal your soul and leave your body empty. Yet never cause a hawthorn to be felled. The death of a hawthorn brings bad luck, twelve times twelve. From Aunt Jane's Book of Shadows. * To call down rain, use an iron vessel. For sun, a golden or wooden bowl. Take these to a high place. For rain, pour water over a white stone and leave to steep while the Moon passes through the constellations of Cancer or Pisces. For sun, burn a pinch or three of dried oak bark and yew needles while the Moon is in Aries or Leo.Works best with dried yew needles. * To turn an enemy to friendship, say their name over a blue flower or candle within the circle and open your heart to them under its protection. Wear blue in their presence. Speak to them three times in kindness. If this does not draw them to you, beware and protect yourself. I have tried this. It did not work.

Now are you excited for Witchstruck? It is available now.

For your chance to win a copy of the fantastic Tudor based Witch series just tell us why you should win?

Can you please leave us your email address with your comment so we can contact the lucky winner.

This competition is INTERNATIONAL, so get commenting.

Victoria is on Twitter @VictoriaLamb1

Here official website is http://www.victorialambbooks.com 

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Book Review: Hunting Lila By Sarah Alderson

Title: Hunting Lila
Author: Sarah Alderson
UK publisher: Simon and Schuster
Release date: Out Now

Summary:17-year-old Lila has two secrets she’s prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, Alex, since forever.


After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust—her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organization called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they’ve found them.

Review: Hunting Lila has been on my radar for awhile. At the book store I work at, I always tend stare at the cover but never got around to reading it! I finally did and I want to slap myself for not reading it sooner

Amazing, exciting, gripping, sexy, epic. Are just some of the reasons why I love this book!

The characters are my favorite part of this book. Lila is such a treat. The way author Sarah Alderson has written Lila is so original. I could read Lila as a character forever! She has that personality where you can just relate to her all the time.

The romance aspect in Hunting Lila is truly addicting. I feel it's just the right amount and very entertaining. You swoon through it especially when Alex is introduced and his character develops. At this moment, Alex is definitely a top in my YA boyfriend pick, HE'S MINE I TELL YOU. Sarah has made Alex the perfect YA love interest. He's the bad boy, sexy, kind, beautiful...can't get enough. I believe any ready will absolutely love him.

I think the plot is very original. Moving things with your eyes is an awesome power; I have loved it ever since Road Daul did it in Matilda. Sarah has put her own epic spin on it!

Sarah's words are so vivid and capture your imagination so much that it's almost like watching a movie.

You're taken through a romp from the cold wet London to the hot and exciting place that is LA where everything isn't as it seems! Read Hunting Lila! 

GoodReads- Hunting Lila

GoodReads- Author Page

Author Website

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Letterbox love #7

Hey guys! It's Casey here! Ok so basically I received loads and LOADS of books this week! It would take me forever to write all the ones I got but I'll say I got them from Simon and Schuster, Hot keys, Atom, Random house, Mira, Scholastic and Macmillan! Thanks publishers! Xx

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