Book Review: Fairy Godmothers, Inc.

Title: Fairy Godmothers, Inc.
Author: Jennifer Wardell
Genre/s: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fairytale Retelling, Romance

Synopsis:

In a world where fairy tale situations are as much a fact of life as death and taxes, everyone knows hiring Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is the best way to assure that your beautiful daughter or enchanted frog of a grandson will get the happily-ever-after he or she deserves. Sure, sometimes a little love potion is required to make sure those quotas stay up, but what Prince Charming doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Kate, an experienced Fairy Godmother, who’s enough of a romantic to frustrate her rigidly rule-bound boss, has just received a specialty assignment from one of the company’s board of directors. Cinderella—Rellie for short—was placed with an appropriately wicked stepfamily years before, and now needs the dress, ball, and handsome prince to complete her happily-ever-after. The fact that Rellie isn’t sure this is her dream come true—balls are fun, but princes tend to be less interesting than fluffy bunnies—isn’t something management considers a problem.

Complicating things a bit is Jon, the youngest son of the royal family, who meets Kate, and is smitten, but isn’t quite ready yet to reveal his true identity. After all, it’s his older brother Rupert who’s supposed to marry Rellie, which means pretending to be a lowly civil servant will give him the chance to spend more time with Kate. (As long as he can get the ball arranged, and stop Rupert from getting himself into trouble over his “self-actualization” business, he should have the perfect opportunity to explain everything and get started on making a little magic with the Fairy Godmother of his dreams.)

But, of course, things never ever happen as planned.

Book Review: Velveteen

Title: Velveteen
Author: Daniel Marks
Genre/s: Young Adult, Paranormal Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

Velveteen Monroe is dead. At 16, she was kidnapped and murdered by a madman named Bonesaw. But that’s not the problem.

The problem is she landed in purgatory. And while it’s not a fiery inferno, it’s certainly no heaven. It’s gray, ashen, and crumbling more and more by the day, and everyone has a job to do. Which doesn’t leave Velveteen much time to do anything about what’s really on her mind.

Bonesaw.

Velveteen aches to deliver the bloody punishment her killer deserves. And she’s figured out just how to do it. She’ll haunt him for the rest of his days.

It’ll be brutal... and awesome.

But crossing the divide between the living and the dead has devastating consequences. Velveteen’s obsessive haunting cracks the foundations of purgatory and jeopardizes her very soul. A risk she’s willing to take—except fate has just given her reason to stick around: an unreasonably hot and completely off-limits coworker.

Velveteen can’t help herself when it comes to breaking rules... or getting revenge. And she just might be angry enough to take everyone down with her.

Ruby's Fire Book Blitz + Giveaway

There are two things that made me so excited about this Ruby's Fire book blitz. First is because I am a big fan of this series and lastly, because my blurb and blog is featured in the book cover(!!!). I mean, how freakin' awesome is that! So without further ado, I would like the honor to present to you Ruby's Fire.

Title: Ruby's Fire (Fireseed, #2)
Author: Catherine Stine
Publication date: June 26, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Buy: Amazon Paperback | Amazon Kindle

Synopsis:

If everything about you changes, what remains?

Seventeen year-old Ruby, long-pledged to the much older Stiles from the Fireseed desert cult, escapes with only a change of clothes, a pouch of Oblivion Powder and her mute little brother, Thorn. Arriving at The Greening, a boarding school for orphaned teens, she can finally stop running. Or can she? The Greening is not what it seems. Students are rampaging out of control and as she cares for the secret Fireseed crop, she experiences frightening physical changes. She’s ashamed of her attraction to burly, hard-talking Blane, the resident bodyguard, and wonders why she can’t be happy with the gentler Armonk. She’s long considered her great beauty a liability, a thing she’s misused in order to survive. And how is she to stop her dependence on Oblivion to find a real beauty within, using her talent as a maker of salves, when she has nightmares of Stiles without it?

When George Axiom, wealthy mogul of Vegas-by-the-Sea offers a huge cash prize for the winner of a student contest, Ruby is hopeful she might collect the prize to rescue her family and friends from what she now knows is a dangerous cult. But when Stiles comes to reclaim her, and Thorn sickens after creating the most astonishing contest project of all, the world Ruby knows is changed forever. This romantic fantasy set in 2099 on earth has a crafty heroine in Ruby, and a swoonworthy cast, which will surely appeal to the YA and new adult audience.

EXCERPT

        I crawl into bed exhausted in a good way. I’ve eaten, I’ve gotten exercise, and I’ve managed to fend off Blane. I’ve checked on Thorn and Radius seems to be leaving him alone. Bea hasn’t said anything truly nasty to me today, though she’s rolled toward the wall again without a word. Now she’s breathing steadily with a soft snore. 

        Progress, I may not even need Oblivion tonight. 

        But as I lay there, staring out at the orange-streaked sky and the distant, blinking stars, my mind sinks to a dreadful reverie. I’m standing in front of the garden shelf where the red leaves are trapped under those wide stones. The Fireseed seems to be emitting a high-pitched wail. Blane is there too and he’s pressing his face into mine, his lips biting at my own lips. His meaty arms trap me. He shoves me down on top of Fireseed stalks that crack and split, sending out more high-pitched whees. As Blane’s weight pushes hard against my chest, his face becomes Stiles’—the flared nostrils, bloodshot eyes and accusing stare. “You are mine,” Stiles says. “How dare you…”

        I bolt upright, sending such a flurry of fearful energy into the air that Bea chokes in her sleep. Coughing, she turns my way and returns to her steady breathing.

        Her eyes could snap open at any second. She could steal my bag of Oblivion or knock it from my hands, scattering the powder over the floor. It would be lost forever. I hold my breath as I pad across the room, reach for the velvety sack in my cloak and feel the reassuring give of the powder. It’s diminishing with every dose, and I won’t be able to make more here. I need to ration it carefully. My heart hammering, I flutter into the bathroom, inch open the drawstring and shake a line onto my wrist. I inhale greedily, desperately.

       Stumbling back to bed, there’s only enough time to thrust the precious bag inside my pillowcase before sweat erupts on my upper lip and my eyes roll up. 

        Then I bump off swollen ridges of pain as I fall deeply into never.

About the Author:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Catherine Stine writes YA, New Adult and middle grade fiction. Her YA futuristic thriller, Fireseed One, illustrated by the author won finalist spots in both YA and Science Fiction in the 2013 USA Book News International Book Awards. It was also granted a 2013 Bronze Wishing Shelf Book Award and a 2013 Indie Reader Approved notable stamp. Her YA Refugees, earned a New York Public Library Best Book. Middle grade novels include A Girl’s Best Friend. 

Fireseed One sequel, Ruby’s Fire is earning advance praise from reviewers and authors:

“Ruby's Fire, returns to the sun-scorched earth of Fireseed One. In this long-awaited sequel, Stine delivers a thrilling adventure led by a new and exciting cast of characters. Ruby, Armonk, Thorn and Blane are memorable, and the romance is really well handled. Favorite quote: " It feels wrong to lean on Armonk right now with Blane staring at me, a hungry, lonely look in his eye. It’s as if he’s never been hugged, never been fed, never been loved..." ” -YAs the Word

More and more, Catherine enjoys writing speculative tales where her imagination has wild and free reign. She has taught creative writing workshops at the Philadelphia Writing Conference, Missouri University Summer Abroad, The New School and in her own ongoing NYC writing workshop. She loves her readers, and enjoys blogging.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

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Behind the Scenes: Interview with Heidi Loney + Giveaway

Behind the Scenes is a new blog event of Books For YA! where we spotlight the authors and their works.

For today's behind the scenes, I would love to introduce to you our very special guest, the author of Ravenous, Heidi Loney! 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sure! I am a Young Adult writer from Toronto Canada. I just released my debut novel, Ravenous (Ancestry 1) a dystopian thriller and I am currently penning the follow up book Ancestor (Ancestry 2). Before I began writing, I studied theatre and worked as a costume designer. I am married and have two little boys.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? Do you wanted to become a writer ever since?

I wanted to be an architect like Mike Brady on the Brady Bunch (I’m definitely dating myself with that reference). He designed and built houses. To be an architect, however, you have to have a science background, something that I was never very good at. So, I found other ways to be creative. I drew, made models, sewed and wrote plays.

What inspired you to write Ravenous?

I was working on another thriller novel, when I came up with the idea for Ravenous. I love dystopian fiction, and so while I was on a summer vacation with my family, I wrote a rough draft of what would eventually become the novel.

Where did the idea of this dystopian world comes from?

An idea came to me one day while having a shower. What would the world be like if it was illegal to be fat? From there, I kept asking myself more questions like, why would it be illegal? Why would the government do such a thing and how could they get away with it? Once I started answering those questions, I had the outline for my book.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? What was the easiest?

The hardest part of writing the book is the editing process. I had to scrap a few major story lines that didn’t work, and that was hard to do. The easiest part was the research. I love that part, and it comes very naturally to me, as I love to learn new things.

What's your favorite scene or part in your book?

I think my favourite scene is the harvest festival, where Billy and Calla get to slow down for once and actually have some fun. The majority of the book they are escaping the bad guys or fighting the infected, so it’s a great opportunity for them to have a little bit of romance.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating this books?

I have to like the story I am writing. At one point, I tried to take Ravenous in a completely different direction with a military dictatorship, but I hated the story. I prefer that in Ravenous, the people want this society. Some people may not like it, but many, actually prefer it. That’s scarier in my mind.

Which of your characters would you say you're more similar with? And why?

I’m definitely more like Madge. I’m very social like she is and love to make new friends wherever I can. I also love to cook!

If you could talk to one of your characters, who would it be and what will you say to them?

I think that I would talk to Calla. She’s been through a lot, but she has this inner strength that will carry her through. There is so much more that she will discover about herself and her past, but this will only give her more strength to get the job done. I would tell her that she is strong and smart and that she has people who really love her. She just has to believe in herself.

Give 3 reasons why people should buy and read Ravenous?

This is a hard one, since it’s my own book! But here are 3 reasons:

•  Lots of action that include mad scientists and living zombies!
•  I think I have created a realistic world that readers can relate to with themes of over-population, global warming and hunger.
• There is a little bit of romance thrown in during the slower bits. And Billy is hot, hot, hot!

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I love hearing from readers, either by friending me on Goodreads or Twitter or emailing me directly. I’ve met some great people this way so far!

About the Author:
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Heidi Loney lives in Toronto with her husband and two children. Before beginning her writing career, Heidi studied theatre at Ryerson University and worked as a costumer in many of Toronto's theatres. She spends much of her time blogging, drinking coffee and crafting, not necessarily in that order.

Title: Ravenous (Ancestry #1)
Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Thriller
Buy this on: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis:

Overpopulation throttles the world’s food supply. In 2050, the government of the Americas introduces the Food Crisis Act—new measures that create a system for growing and rationing food.

Calla Ryan is pretty much your average teen, except for enduring hunger every day of her life. One morning, new sensors at her high school determine that she exceeds the weight limit of the State, and they send her north to a “fat camp” or re-education centre.

Calla begins to realize the centre holds many secrets. Her counsellor dies mysteriously, and new shipments of recruits are the picture of health. Finally, Calla becomes a guinea pig for a dangerous lab experiment.

On the outside, a virus that began overseas has now made its way to the Americas with deadly consequences.

Calla must run from her captors, escaping to the far north with help from the facility’s chef and fellow inmates Billy and Madge. And to complicate things, the infected are very hungry.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Le Rules:

• Open Internationally 
• Must be 13+ to enter
• Winners will be notified via email
• A new winner will be chosen if a response is not received within 48 hours
• Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  I'm going to check the entries so please follow the directions correctly.
• Contest ends July 15, 2013

THE PRIZE

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Blood Moon Tour: ARC Review + Giveaway

Title: Blood Moon(Moonlight Trilogy #1)
Author: Teri Harman
Genre/s: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Amazon | B&N | Goodreads 

Synopsis:

Willa dreams of true events and her best friend is a ghost. Simon can heal any wound with a touch and senses others’ emotions, intentions. All their lives they’ve felt alone in their bizarre abilities, hiding behind a facade of normalcy, wondering why and how. The night Simon walks into the Twelve Acres Diner and meets Willa face to face, in a swirl of electric heat, they are bound to one another and glimpse the magic of who they are.

Across town a witch is held prisoner in the derelict basement of an old Victorian house. One night as it rains, she dares to reach her filthy, scarred hand out the window. Willa, walking home from work, recognizes the pathetic hand from a recent, terrible dream.

After a daring rescue of the witch, Willa and Simon are catapulted into the alluring but dangerous world of witchcraft and the magic of The Six Gifts. Answers to all their questions are within reach, but they’ve stepped into the middle of a deadly fight for the Powers of the Earth. Do they stay, risk their lives on the promise of power, or walk away?

Teri Harman's groundbreaking debut novel, the first installment in The Moonlight Trilogy, completely reinvents the modern concept of witches and magic. With its authentic translation of the history of witches into a fresh and entertaining package with unprecedented characterization, Blood Moon is sure to capture readers from the first page.

Book Review: Scapemaker

Title: Scapemaker
Author: Steven Cypert
Genre/s: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy

Synopsis:

Matthew is the son of Mr. Nicholas Namely, a local high school teacher. But unbeknownst to Matthew, his father is a dreamscaper whose classroom is connected to the dream-world. From his classroom, his students enter the halls of Scapemaker, a dream-world high school for young dreamscapers.

Following a couple of heartfelt tragic events, Matthew is compelled to investigate the unbelievable mysteries surrounding those events and is propelled into a whole new world. Matthew and his mother, Mae, are soon coerced into moving across the country for his father's strange medical needs. While attending his new school, Matthew comes to know the secrets that Daedree, an annoying girl from his former high school, has locked away. Matthew also meets Amber, a beautiful enigmatic girl who leads him to Mr. Xoner's classroom. While there, he learns the art of dreamscaping (which has been in the Namely bloodline for thousands of years).

Matthew will come to know of Nox Celare, otherwise known as The Sandman, who is after a special element called Magineum. Neck deep in skinwalkers, sandsleepers, zombies, soul feeders, ghosts, dream-world criminals known as “night terrors” and more, Matthew learns he is in over his head. Matthew must not only solve the mysteries surrounding those tragic events, but he will also have to protect the Magineum with his life and find a way to be with the one girl of his dreams. Filled with secrecy, mystery and a forbidden tangle of young love, this new life will lead Matthew to unbelievable characters with the most extraordinary abilities he could never have imagined.

Scapemaker will keep you grounded in the real world while at the same time make the fantastical world around it that much more possible and enduring. This tale of young adult paranormal fantasy will keep you guessing and wanting more.

Book Review: This Is What Happy Looks Like

Title: This Is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Genre/s: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

Book Review: Entwined

Title: Entwined
Author: Heather Dixon
Genre/s: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Fairytale Retelling

Synopsis:

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Book Review: Requiem

Title:  Requiem (Delirium #3)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre/s: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Romance

Synopsis:

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Book Review: A Shade of Vampire

Title: A Shade of Vampire
Author: Bella Forrest
Genre/s: Young Adult, Paranormal Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

On the evening of Sofia Claremont's seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.

A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood. 

She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.

An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet.

She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.

Sofia's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn when she is the one selected out of hundreds of girls to join the harem of Derek Novak, the dark royal Prince.

Despite his addiction to power and obsessive thirst for her blood, Sofia soon realizes that the safest place on the island is within his quarters, and she must do all within her power to win him over if she is to survive even one more night.

Will she succeed? ...or is she destined to the same fate that all other girls have met at the hands of the Novaks?

Book Review: Dr. Frankenstein's Daughter

Title: Dr. Frankenstein's Daughter
Author: Suzanne Weyn
Genre/s: Young Adult, Horror, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Synopsis:

A new generation is creating a monster....

Giselle and Ingrid are the twin daughters of Doctor Victor Frankenstein, but they are very different people, and when they inherit his castle in the Orkney Islands, Giselle dreams of holding parties and inviting society -- but Ingrid is fascinated by her father's forbidden experiments.