Happy Holidays - Personal Update

  It's that wonderful time of year again. No wait, I'm not being sarcastic. I love December, the only problem is that it goes so fast, and I always forget that I wanted to start getting ready for Christmas earlier in November. If any of you are anything like me (and I really hope there are some of you) than you are still scurrying around trying to get everything ready for THE perfect Christmas too. That being said..... My blog has suffered a bit this month and that makes me sad. Plus, I still have a ton of books to review that I read this past year. So, to ensure that I get as many of them posted as possible I will be doing a series of flash reviews. These are shorter reviews that get right to the heart of the matter, did I or did I not like this book.  Luckily for me I read some great books this year. Some of the reviews you will see coming up soon: Delirium, Wither, Awake, Hex Hall, Demon Glass, Nothing, Heavenly, Clarity, and quite a few more. Good Luck to all of you that are still getting ready and congratulations to all of you that are sitting back drinking hot cocoa enjoying the fact that you are all done. Happy Holidays!

Neurotic Thoughts on Tangled Tides (Blog Tour)

Tangled Tides
Author: Karen Amanda Hooper
Released: November 25, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Published by: Rhemelda
Source: Publisher for blog tour
Pages: 328
Summary from Goodreads: Yara Jones doesn’t believe in sea monsters—until she becomes one.

When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.

Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people—until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process—or she might open the gateway to a love that’s deeper than the oceans.

Young Adult fans of Mermaids, Selkies, Sirens and Gorgons will love this tale of the sacrifice one makes for genuine love. Love that could be lost at any moment to the ever-changing tides.

My Thoughts:

Confession time: I wasn't entirely sure it was my best idea to read and review Tangled Tides for a blog tour. I thought maybe it had a 50/50 shot at either being pretty good or pretty bad, but I was intrigued by that cover. I can't say I LOVE the cover but there is something about it that always makes me do a double take. I'm so, so, so glad that I gave Tangled Tides a chance because not only was it not bad, it was fantastic!

There were a few times where the romance feels a bit intense and a little over the top, but I have to admit I usually like that. I loved when the couple even made fun of their overly romantic dialogue at one point. There are quite a few twists and turns in the plot that I figured out ahead of time and quite a few that I didn't. The writing was very easy to read and flowed beautifully. The characters were as believable as paranormal characters can be, and I absolutely adored all of the side characters. I was so into Yara's life that I ended up dreaming about being a mermaid the night I finished the book. I loved the overall feel of hope and love can conquer all feelings that I had while reading this book.

I am definitely recommending this book to anyone that loves smiling, laughing and crying while they read, and to lovers of paranormal romance, mermaids, hot mermen, sweet mermen, and anyone who wanted to or still wants to be Ariel. Curl up, get cozy and prepare to have some fun!




Author Website: http://www.karenamandahooper.com
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/Karen_Hooper
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKaren


Amazon: http://amzn.com/1936850435
Rhemalda Bookstore: http://tiny.cc/BuyTangledTides
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tangled-tides-karen-amanda-hooper/1035791101?ean=9781936850433&itm=1&usri=tangled%252btides

Neurotic Thoughts on Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Released: September 29, 2011
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Published by: Dutton
Source: My wonderful local library
Pages: 338
ISBN: 0525423281

Summary from Goodreads:
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. 

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Stephanie Perkins has done it again!  I don't know how Perkins writes in such a way that I swear I feel whatever her character is feeling (as silly as it sounds). Lola feels breathless and I can't seem to breathe. Her heart is racing and I feel like mine is too (even though it wasn't really). More than Anna, Lola and the Boy Next Door have captured my heart. 

The characters in this book are simply amazing. From Lola with her costumes, wigs, and eyelashes everyday to Max and his bad-boy tattooed self, all the way to her wonderfully amazing  dads. To top off a great cast of characters we have Cricket, possibly my favorite book boy ever! Oh wow! He is just want I would want in a boy (if I were 16 again and not married!) Sweet, thoughtful, respectful, and of course super easy on the eyes,. 

The pace of this book was perfect. I couldn't put the book down, and I don't think there was one moment that my thoughts strayed from the story. OK, yes, I realize that I am gushing but really.... I LOVED THIS BOOK! 

There is one scene where Anna mentions (yes! Anna and St. Claire are in this book) how it is so much easier to write a movie review for a movie that she doesn't like than it is to write one for a movie you love. I find this to be very true. When I love a book I have a hard time articulating what it was that made me love it, I just love it! However, when I don't like a book I have no trouble picking every apart every little thing that I didn't like. All this just to say "I LOVE THIS BOOK!" End gush. 

Obviously I highly recommend this book!

REVIEW: Static by Tawny Stokes

Static
Author: Tawny Stokes
Released: August 12, 2011
Genre: YA Paranormal
Published by: CreateSpace
Source: Bewitching Book Tours
Pages: 296
ISBN: 1463723067

Summary from Goodreads:
Be careful what you listen to.... 

During the summer before her senior year, 17 year old band groupie, Salem Vale, has been following her favorite punk rockers, Malice, from gig to gig hoping that one night she might get backstage and meet the sinisterly sexy guys. She’s been saving her virginity for the lead singer Thane. One fateful evening she gets her wish. It’s a dream come true. 

Except the dream turns to a nightmare when she wakes up in a dumpster, tossed away like yesterday’s trash, with no memory of what happened the night before. She feels strange, different, as if something is trying to get out. Soon she realizes she’s changing…turning into something not quite human. 

Now a hunger deep inside claws at her to feed, to siphon energy from those around her. Before she can do just that, Trevor, the band’s roadie shows up and stops her from killing. With his help she learns to control the hunger inside, because he’s just like her. And in return he wants her help to do one little thing… 

Help him kill the members of Malice.

My Thoughts:


I have recently had the immense pleasure of reading not one, but two books by Tawny Stokes, and I can tell you I will be waiting for more. Her writing is edgy and intense, fast paced and fun. I love how Stokes is able to write a book that can be so dark one page, and have me chuckling the next. Static is a book like no other that I have read before, and I have to say it was pretty frickin awesome.

Salem starts off as this star-struck girl that just wants to meet the lead singer of her favorite band and sleep with him. Really? I mean who makes that their life's goal? I have never understood how people can get so totally obsessed with "stars. Anyway... moving on from that mini rant. Once Salem meets her obsession she realizes that he isn't all she thought he would be and she finds her self in a situation that she can't explain. Later on in the book Stokes provides a reason for Salem's obsessive behavior and all is happy in my mind again. Gritty and suspenseful Static might just be your next up to late reading to function the next day book. I know I am adding Tawny Stokes to my must read this author's books list.


Word of Warning: It is my opinion that Static is probably best for mature young adult readers.


You can get a copy of Static at:
Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords

Earth Angel, Guest Post and Give Away by E.Van Lowe

Cover Envy

They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s face it, we all do it.  I’m as guilty of this as the next person, but when my novel Boyfriend From Hell hit the bookstore shelves in September, I became guilty of something else—cover envy.  That twinge of jealousy you get when you see an awesome book cover and wish that cover was on your book.

It’s not that I didn’t like the original cover for Boyfriend From Hell, I did like it.  But when I wrote the book I envisioned a more beautiful cover.  Covers like Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick or Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.  I am a fan of pretty things.  
The reviews for Boyfriend From Hell were good.  But some time in mid-October sales began to slump.  It was then I convinced my publisher I needed a new look for both Boyfriend From Hell and Earth Angel.  Enter Adara Rosalie, an amazing artist with a mastery of Photoshop.  The first thing that struck me when I looked at Adara’s portfolio was how beautiful her work was.
I contacted Adara (also known as Jayde), and was lucky enough to catch her between commissions.  She liked what the books were about and went to work.  A month after she began, and twenty or so prototypes in,  Adara presented  me the cover for Earth Angel.   “Stop,” I said.  “This is it.  You don’t need to go any further.” I sent the cover off to my publisher who was elated.  A few days later she presented me with the Boyfriend From Hell cover.  And guess what happened?  I was cured of my cover envy.  Aren’t they beautiful?
What’s going on between the covers ain’t too shabby either. You can check out both books on my website http://evanlowe.com/. There’s even a free sample of Boyfriend From Hell on the home page so you can try it before you but it.  While you’re there please click on the buttons to follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Fan Page.If you’d like to see more of Adara’s work you can see it here: http://www.redbubble.com/people/jayderosalie

Boyfriend from Hell

By E Van Lowe

Genre: Paranormal YA

Book 1

Aww, Hell No!

Fifteen year-old Megan Barnett and her single mom, Suze, have a special relationship—they are friends, close friends, who do almost everything together.

“But come on, guys, she’s my mother… Can I really tell her that while we’re snuggled up on the sofa watching Spider Man Three, I’m secretly undressing James Franco with my eyes?  Of course not…”

The special bond takes a turn for the worse when Suze decides to start dating again.  She hasn’t had a man in her life since Megan’s father left ten years ago.  

Enter two mysterious young men, Megan’s new classmate, sinfully attractive bad boy, Guy Matson, and the dangerously handsome art dealer, Armando.  Before long Megan and Suze both wind up in steamy relationships.  But neither of the handsome guys is quite what he seems.  In fact, one of them is Satan, with his sights set on a new bride.  Megan has precious little time to figure out how to stop him.  If she doesn’t, either Megan or Suze are quite literally going to HELL.

Boyfriend From Hell is the first book in the Falling Angels Saga from the author of the gruesomely hilarious, Never Slow Dance With A Zombie

www.whitewhiskerbooks.com

Earth Angel

By E Van Lowe

Genre: Paranormal YA

Book 2

Heaven Can Wait!

Just because Megan Barnett recently defeated Satan, has a fantastic new best friend, and has won the love of deliciously handsome, Guy Matson, doesn’t mean her troubles are over.  Far from it.  For Megan doesn’t realize it, but in her possession is a powerful weapon, a weapon sought after by both angels and demons and everything in between.  They will do ANYTHING to get it.

In E. Van Lowe’s humorous, romantic and thrilling sequel to Boyfriend From Hell, Megan winds up in a gripping life or death battle to save herself, the boy she loves, and all of mankind from unthinkable evil.

Megan Barnett has recently defeated Satan, found a fantastic new best friend, and has won the heart of deliciously handsome, Guy Matson.  But that doesn’t mean her troubles are over.  Far from it.  For Megan doesn’t realize that she is in possession of a powerful paranormal weapon, a weapon sought after by both angels, demons and everything in between.  

In E. Van Lowe’s romantic yet thrilling sequel to Boyfriend From Hell, Megan finds herself in a gripping life or death battle to save the boy she loves, and all of mankind from unthinkable evil.

Earth Angel is now available at Amazon

Sadly I can't find it on Barnes and Noble yet.

YouTube Trailer: http://youtu.be/39hI9rmwI5A

About The Author

E. Van Lowe is an author, television writer, screenwriter, Playwright and Producer who has written and produced such shows as The Cosby Show, Even Stevens, and Homeboys In Outer Space.  He has been nominated for both an Emmy and an Academy Award.  Van Lowe recently stepped into the young adult fiction genre with his comedic novel,Never Slow Dance With A Zombie.  It was a selection of the Scholastic Book Club, and a nominee for an ALA Award.  Boyfriend From Hell is Van Lowe’s second YA novel.

www.evanlowe.com 

http://vanlowe.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/E-Van-Lowe/152364748167154

My Thoughts on Earth Angel

If you haven't noticed, I am a HUGE fan of E.Van Lowe's Falling Angels Saga! HUGE! Lowe has done an incredible job of writing the characters in this book. Megan, the main character, starts out as this incredibly self absorbed teenage girl that continues to grow into an amazing kick-ass, selfless heroine. Megan's mom, Suze,  both impresses me and infuriates me all in the same book. Guy is perfect and then, well... he isn't. That's what I love about these characters, they are wonderfully and perfectly flawed. Boyfriend from Hell and Earth Angel are both quick, fun reads packed with romance, action and humor. This is definitely a book you will want to start early because you won't want to put it down once you start. I do have one giant complaint Mr. Lowe, I can't believe you left us hanging the way you did at the end of Earth Angel!!!! If you haven't read the Falling Angels Saga you are seriously missing out. I can't recommend these books enough. 

Okay so now onto the giveaway!! The very best part of this post I'm sure. E. Van Lowe is giving away ebook copies of both Boyfriend from Hell and Earth Angel to one of my lucky readers. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or @ me on twitter "I want to win E's books!" @mybookaffair. That's it super easy right?  

PLUS If you follow the link below you can enter for a chance to win a copy of both books signed by E. Van Lowe. Good Luck!!!! 

link to form

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHpxT19yYlBzZmlGRmJleGRWdUc3clE6MQ

 Hey Wait! Don't forget to leave a comment to win your ecopies of both Boyfriend from Hell and Earth Angel.