My Birthday/500 Follower Giveaway

It's my Birthday!!  One of the best gifts I've received is having over 500 followers!  I hope all of them have enjoyed at least one or two of my ramblings and reviews.  I appreciate EVERY one of you!

So to show my appreciation and to celebrate the 7th anniversary of my 29th birthday I'm giving away TWO prizes I, myself, would love.  Just fill out that adorable little rafflecopter.  Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review for Flock by Wendy Delsol

Picture and Synopsis from goodreads.com

Having barely survived an eleventh grade of adventures rivaling any mythological tale, human Stork Katla Leblanc is hoping for an ordinary senior year. But when two Icelandic exchange students turn up at Norse Falls High, an uneventful school year seems out of the question. 

Although tricked into the initial deal, Katla is constrained by a celestial bargain that puts everyone—including her boyfriend, Jack, and best friend, Penny—at risk. She’ll have to use her wits, her wit, her soul-delivering powers, and a few out-of-this-world colleagues to fend off a disaster of epic proportions.

My Thoughts:

I've said this before about this series, it is so original!  I love it.  The covers are so beautiful; "frosting" on the cake.  Yep, I punned it, so what!  Once again we have Kat in a messy situation with some Nordic baddies.  The modern references, as in the previous books, hit just the right spot to make the book relatable.  One thing I really missed was Kat's inner dialogue.  She didn't seem to have as much in this book as she did in the others.  We don't see as much interaction with Kat & Jack either.  This is a bit sad because if you read the first two books you absolutely fall in love with Jack as well as their relationship.  I enjoyed Marik and Jinky coming back in this book.  Watching Kat & Jinky's relationship evolve was interesting.  I desperately wish Kat and Jack didn't need to lose what they did (no I won't say anymore as to avoid spoilers), but I see it had to be.  I hope maybe we'll see another series where they might get it back.  Over all, I think this was a great end to an amazing series.  I want to reiterate...if you are looking for something different in the YA genre read this series!  

4.5

Here are links to my reviews for the first two books in the series:

Stork

Frost

The authors website is http://www.wendydelsol.com/

You will also love:

 

Love In Bloom Giveaway Hop

Lots of LOVE to Portrait of A Book & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting this wonderful give away.  

For my stop on the hop I'm giving away any book by Sarah Dessen.  I love all her books.

or

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles


This giveaway ends on MY Birthday!  If I can reach 500 followers by then I'm holding ANOTHER giveaway!
So, tell your friends!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Author L.M. Pruitt

Synopsis from goodreads.com

Cari Gravier might have learned the town's big secret, but some things remain constant: the Old Town Cafe, blackberry harvesting, and the shaky relationship with her ex-husband, Mike Sullivan.

But there's more change in the wind, the kind even half blind Old Willis can see. The seeds of the past--betrayal, violence, and heartbreak--are ready for harvest.

And some sleeping dogs just won't stay down....

I have mentioned in the past that I have 3 favorite Indy authors.  You can NOT believe how excited I am to have one of them on my blog today!  Harvest Moon Rising, book two in the Moon Rising series, has just been released and I have the privilege of asking L.M. a few questions about it and some other juicy things.  You can see my reviews for her books on my goodreads page if you're curious, but to save you some time...they're all 5 stars!!

Welcome L.M. Pruitt!

1. You write some amazing female characters.  Who are your inspirations for these kick-butt ladies?  


If I had to pinpoint a source of inspiration for Cari, it would be pretty much every female figure in my life—including myself, because I think writers always end up putting something of themselves into characters. I see a lot of my grandmother in Cari’s mom and a lot of my mom in Mike’s mom. Mrs. Declarancy and Maisie are essentially every church lady I’ve ever known. There’s just a lot of personalities combining to make these women, lol.


2. When it came to writing Harvest Moon Rising, what was the biggest challenge you came up against?


Deadline. I hate deadlines. Besides that, it was the overwhelming amount of emotional trauma everyone was going through. Even when you shut off and disconnect, it can still take a toll.


3. Ok, when I read Harvest Moon Rising the song that played in my head concerning Cari & Mike was Burn Like the Sun by Cross Canadian Ragweed.  Is there a song you would put to the book or any certain character?


I mentioned this on my blog a few weeks ago, but I kept hearing I’m Moving On, by Rascal Flatts. And since HMR has been in editing, I’ve heard a new song from the latest Carrie Underwood CD, Wine After Whiskey, which also seems to sum up their relationship.


4. It’s quite apparent you know how to write the complexity of human emotions and relationships, many authors lack in this area.   Does this come naturally to you or did you have to take some courses?


No, it’s all natural, lol. I’m not sure if it’s a gift or a curse to be honest. I sat here and tried to figure out where it comes from and I don’t have a single clue. The closest I can guess is that, like other writers, what I write is sometimes a source of therapy. What I can’t express in day to day life comes out on the page, which can sometimes be messy and sometimes be amazing.


5. Do you have a pre or post writing ritual?  Something quirky or weird?


I wish I could say yes. But I can’t. The weirdest I get is listening to music or having a DVD on with the director’s commentary running.


6. Do you plan on dabbling in any new paranormal categories?  If so, can you give us any hints?


I have a new series coming out next year, Winged, that I’m super excited about. It pretty much takes the conventional view of angels and demons and so on and throws it on its ear.


7. Out of all the male characters you have written, who’s your book boyfriend?  


None of mine, lol. Okay, kind of a lie, but none of them by themselves. I’d say the closest would be a mixture of Mike from Moon Rising and Jack from the Frankie Post series. Theo’s too nice for me, lol.

Fantastic!  Thanks L.M.!  

Now, if you haven't read any of her books I'm telling you, you are missing out!  Below you'll find L.M.'s pic. along with some author info.  I'm also going to make it super easy for you to buy her books by linking to amazon.  How sweet am I?!

L.M. Pruitt has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember. A native of Florida with a love of New Orleans, she has the uncanny ability to find humor in most things and would probably kill a plastic plant. She is the author of the Jude Magdalyn Series as well as New Moon Rising, featuring Cari Gravier, and Taken, featuring Frankie Post. She is currently at work on the next book in the Jude Magdalyn series, Shades of Blood, due out June 2012. Ms. Pruitt makes her home in Florida with two cats--one smart, the other not so much.

http://www.lmpruitt.blogspot.com

You will also love:

  

 

Review for Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Picture and synopsis from goodreads.com

Starting over sucks.When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.And then he opened his mouth.Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me.You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.

The last few months I have found myself in a reading slump. It has been extremely distressing.  Reading is my escape.  As it is for so many others it's my happy place.  I have started and put down more books in the last few months than I have in several years put together.  I can't blame the books, not all of them at least.  I was beginning to think I'd lost my passion for reading.  

Thanks to Jennifer and Obsidian for pulling me out of that black pit of frustration!  This book was just what I needed.  Jennifer has written a story I immediately fell in love with.  Both Daemon and Katy are brilliant, strong characters who don't take crap from each other or anyone else.  Their love/hate relationship was H-O-T, HOT!  I feel the tension between them like static electricity waiting to shock you.  Like Katy, I wanted to hate Daemon for being such a jerk.  Yet, I got enough of a glimpse into his motivation for such enraging behavior that I just couldn't do it.  
The story is paced perfect with spectacular adventure and some delicious make out scenes. ~insert waggling eyebrows~
I have yet to see any bad reviews for this book or any of Jennifer's books actually.  What a testament to such a talented author.  I am 100% hooked.  I've even joined a Daemon Invasion street team, go DaemonsDreamers!!  I will be delving into her Covenant series next.