Capture ( Cryptid Tales #2 ) Blog hop stop and Giveaway!

Haven't read Reveal ( Book #1 of the Cryptid tales series ) ? Go HERE  To read my review! Then hop back over to this post to have a chance to win a Ebook of BOTH Reveal AND Capture :)

This action packed story picks up right where Reveal left off with Shay realizing that someone she holds close may not be totally lost. But can Hugh, her cryptid mate, protect her from the evil Malsumis? Or will she fall victim to his horrible plans?
One this is for sure, Shay is in for the fight of her life.

 Again: Hooray for a cover that has a "feel" that matches the story! Intense.Dark.And Beautiful :) 


Capture starts off with intensity, picking up where Reveal ends. Prom night, Terror.. and Running for their lives!

 Thankfully, Hugh knows of a safe haven. A place where the darkness cannot track them. Here is where we meet a multitude of new Cryptids! Why and how you ask? Oh ya know... Shay just kinda invited them in * shrug* But it turns out it's all for the best. They need an army. Shay and Hugh may have a destiny. But it won't matter if they can't survive long enough to fulfill it !


I loved Capture. It was filled with so much action, adventure and love that, well I could not put it down! Less than 2 hours after opening it up, I closed it with shock on my face, Wanting more! 


In this part of the story we learn that Cryptids are not just super special humans that can shift into animals. But much more diverse. A harpy who I grew to love. A lizard like man, A Moth man- ya you read right! Oh and Centars! As well as so many more. It was awesome! I was giddy with excitement getting to learn about each different cryptid and their "quirks" right along with Shay. 

#2 in Brina Courtney's Cryptid Tales series will have you laughing, gripping the pages, swooning, and going " What the heck" In a short time period and leave you begging for more. Like me .. I ... Need... MORE lol

What do I wish there was more of in Capture?.. PAGES >.<  It was over so quickly. But I can't deny that it was a well rounded story for it's length. 

This Series WILL have a big fan base. I predict it.. It will happen. Such an interesting tale, with a plethora of characters and twists.. cannot be overlooked !

So you want to read it right? I know you do ;) Well here is your chance! Brina Courtney is offering up Ebooks of BOTH Reveal AND Capture on Each blog hop stop! And it's international since we will be giving the winner a code to purchase it free through Smashwords.com ! 

Make sure to visit each blog hop stop! Each will be giving away an ebook bundle! more chances to Win!

Reveal ( Cryptid Tales Book #1 )

I seriously enjoyed Both Reveal and Capture! So glad I was able to join in this blog hop and now share this series with you! This Blog hop is for Capture, But if you are like I was.. you may not have read Reveal yet! 

So First. A review of Book # 1 :) 

Shay Tafford's childhood has been fatherless, filled instead with memories of speaking to those who have passed on. She does this while hiding her unique ability from those living around her. She can't tell her best friend, or her brother, and she definitely can't confide in her psychologist mother for fear of her mom locking her up.That's why it's been comforting to have Jeremy, a seventy year old child ghost, as her confidante. But recently he's been absent, perhaps lost as her father is. When Shay meets Hugh, the boy she's had a crush on for weeks, and finds he can speak to ghosts too she's just starting to find a normalcy in her life. But as Hugh reveals the truth to Shay, about who she really is and about what it is she can do, he erases all chances she had at a normal existence. Turns out talking to ghosts is just scratching the surface of her genetically engineered gifts. Shay learns she may be part of an age old prophecy that could save an entire race of beings. But can she?

Now there is the threat of an attack from a dark force with unlimited power and she must decide if she accepts her fate as a part of the prophecy. Can Shay and Hugh defeat this evil and save the people they love, before they too are lost forever?

 Let's look at the cover first.. can you say Eerie ? Dark and intense, and really gives you a feel for the story. It also matches up with the story really well! Shay's Favorite Color is purple, and her eyes slowly turn yellow/gold throughout the story. It also has a haunting feel to it. We know from the books description that Shay can talk to ghosts! So I feel like the cover Really suits the book. 


So when reading the description of Reveal, I thought " Oh cool! A "Ghost story" " As it only hints at the added supernatural aspect to come. I feel like. readers should maybe be given a little bit more info about what is to come... 

Cryptids: Part Human, part animal. Hugh is part of a particular race that can can shift into a cat, as well as use other special abilities such as hearing or seeing ghosts. Shay soon learns she is part of this "cryptid race" as well, which is what gives her the ability to see and speak with ghosts. Hugh kinda springs this on her.. in a.. not so endearing way lol.. So I was a bit on the fence about how much I really liked him.. then again, I think Shay felt this way as well!

I loved this unique take on shapeshifters ! At first I thought it was just going to be about your average shapeshifters. People who can shift into different animals. Cat's, Dogs, Birds.. ect.. but we soon find out Shay and Hugh's race is just one of many! 

Brina Courtney shares with readers a  vibrant story about a girl coming to terms with who and what she really is. While keeping us on our toes with exciting twists and interesting knowledge about Ghosts and cryptids! 


There were few different sides to this story. One part of the story is based about the Ghosts, One around Cryptids, and one around the scientific aspect of it all. A few times I felt like I was reading 3 different stories at once. But then it pulls itself together and blends into this intense story that I couldn't get enough of. 

 There were very few things that bothered me. Such as feeling like I was reading multiple stories, and the fact that I wanted a little bit more knowledge on scientific aspect of the story. 


I think that this series has been greatly overlooked because it is not backed by some big publishing company. But I see it's awesome potential and I believe others will as well! 

I hope that more people read and share this story and give it the spot light that it deserves!

Rating: 4/5

Now that I have you hooked- hop over to my Review of Capture ( Book #2 ) and enter to win a ebook copy of BOTH Reveal AND Capture ! :D HERE

Meeting Destiny Tour Stop and Giveaway!

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.

I just have to say I love this cover. It really lets the reader in on what they should expect!  Romance. True love, Destiny, everything one could want in a swoon-worthy book.
Plus just a hint of the supernatural ;) 

What do you think guys? What makes you look at a cover and be like... "oooo romance" without being overly cheesy? Is it the colors? A ' Look in their eyes' the styling? 


I think this one was set up wonderfully, qued me in that I should be up for a sweet romance without being overly "romancy" 


Am I making sense? haha who knows. I make sense to me! 

Anyway. if you are looking for a super sweet romance, with just enough action and paranormal to keep you on your toes, pick this one up! Oh and hey guess what. The Author Nancy Straight is giving away signed copies all over this blog tour! 30 signed books are up for grabs ! WOW. So... Scroll down a bit. Cause one is getting given away here ;) ( sorry international awesome people! only open to US and CA this time! )

I have been lucky enough to get involved with a few different Blog Tours and hops recently! Many Thanks To Heather over at SupaGurl Books for hosting these awesome tours!

Make sure you stop by her blog for awesomeness, and Bloggers - She is awesome to work with!

Author Event: Kimberly Derting

My Tuesday night was full of ups and downs, But overall still AWESOME because I got to meet great people and talk about books :)

To start the night off myself and some other bloggers and Author Lisa Burstein were to meet up for coffee and chatting! ... Well.. They did.. I got epicly lost with my friend and got there with only like 5 mins left >.< But I got to say Hi to Lisa and she gave me these great bookmarks : )

I don't read many contemporaries, But she is an Oregon author, and super fun! So.. I WILL be reading this one soon :) They actually released it like 3 weeks early on B&N.com and Amazon !
I hope I get to chat with her more! There is talk of planning a book club or simple get together every now and then :) Really hope so cause I need more in person book talks! 

Then we all headed over to Powells :) I got to sit and chat more with Vy from Vy's Blog Candace from Candace's Book Blog Sarah from Novel Novice and Mel from A Shot in The Arm. I loved meeting these lovely ladies! I really hope we get to meet up more soon! Go check out their awesome blogs!


I then saw Mel chatting it up with a familiar face . Walked over all shy like to say and and of course - Hello Kimberly Derting! Then -after double checking so I didn't make a fool of myself, walked up to Colleen Houck ( author of The Tigers Curse ) to say a "um" filled hello >.< I wanted to get to chat with her more! But we kinda got kicked out early due to the power shorting out haha.. that was special. 


Kimberly got up to talk and goodess, she made us all laugh so much! In fact my friend that came with me said multiple times through her laughter " She is adorable!" lol 


Much of the talk was focused around the Body Finder series. Which sadly, I haven't read :( But I did find out some fun facts for you :) 

One Of the weirdest things Kimberly has ever googled for her book is : How hard you have to saw/hack to get through someones leg!

She says she keeps expecting law enforcement to show up at her door if they ever check out all her searches. 

Her favorite book is what she calles " The Murder Book " which is filled with all kinds of gore! Crime scene footage, autopsy stuff and more. Apparently she asked her Husband for it for their anniversary. He said no, 

but she eventually got it for Christmas

The "flower" you see on the Cover of The Body Finder, is actually a cloth creation, and was originally intended for another book! Can you guess? I did! 

Wings by Aprilynne Pike! 

It was meant to represent the MC ( Laurel )'s wings in the story. 

But I have to say , I love the switch up! 

OH Also- For those who did not know it The Last Echo is NOT the last in the Body Finder Series. Just kind of an unfortunate title that wasn't realized till after the fact haha. #4 in the series has already been written, And Kimberly says she can even picture more in the future!

Last but not least I have decided we need to get Kimberly some of those Shower/bathtub Crayons :) She mentioned that she comes up with ideas in the most inconvenient of places! Such as In the Shower or Driving - Well Kimberly, partial problem solved! 

After much fun and chatting, There was a *POP* ... and the lights went out >.< 

They did not come back on. 

We all got in line and got our books signed in the dark! 

I got a gorgeous Last Echo bookmark and Nail polish! 

 The Employees proceeded to .. kick us out early... super sad face.. I mean.. I get it. But They were pretty much like " get your books signed and go" :( 

BUT I had a great time still and would do it all again! 

 

 NorthWestern Bloggers!! --- and little bookworms to be ;) 

Oh side note, The infinity scarf I am wearing was decorated by my sister, 

and it has one of my favorite quotes on it! 

" Anyone who says they have only one life to live, must not know how to read!"

In My Mailbox

 

Purchased

I Forgot this one last week ! Shame on me >.< Cause it's awesome. AND I get to meet the Author Kimberly Derting on Tuesday! YAY :D

You can read my Review for The Pledge HERE

So excited! These lovely authors will be near me for a tour on May 4th ! It's the Spring Into The Future Tour! Anna Carey ( author of Eve ) and Cynthia Hand ( Author of Unearthly ) will also be there! Working on getting their books now!


You can read my review of Shatter Me HERE


 For Review


Huge thanks to St.Martins Press for sending me this one!


You can read my review HERE

 YAY :D Big thanks to the publishers and Netgalley - House of night will be the first Graphic novel read on my nook- Curious!


From the Authors for Giveaways!
Just the swag - not the books lol

 

I am super excited for everything I got! and can't wait to share Reviews and swag with you all! 

What did you get this week?! Share in the comments or leave a link to your IMM ! :D

The Hunt

Hardcover, 1st USA Edition, 293 pages

Expected publication: May 8th 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin

* A copy of this book was provided by St.Martins press in exchange for an honest review*

Don’t Sweat.  Don’t Laugh.  Don’t draw attention to yourself.  And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

This story started out.. weird.. just.. so weird! haha I knew they were supposed to be vampires.. but the way they acted, their habits, nervous ticks  and the way they .. ermm.. mate? Was just so incredibly odd I started to think they were more alien like. SexyTimes + Elbows and Ears = Me being extremely confused. Goodness. I can't lie. There were a few scenes in the beginning where eyebrows were raised and "WTH" was said many a time. 

Thankfully, I was able to overlook these oddities and move on with the story, and I am so glad I did! 


The story was insane, in a good way. The fact that Gene is crazy enough to live.. right in the midst of those that want to eat him, was a constant shock. Learning all he had to do to blend in. I could never do it. No laughing, No Sweating, No drinking water, basically, all human habits are thrown out the window and instead he has to be consciously aware of every emotion, and react the way a vampire does. Think something is funny? Forget about laughter- instead scratch your wrist. You have to give Gene kudo's.. he plays the part pretty well considering. 

The characters in this story were very well done. Gene was a dynamic character, strong, yet he has obvious weaknesses making him feel real. The surrounding characters were insanely creepy. I could easily picture the blood running down their chins as they tore at their raw meet dinners. See them foaming at the mouth as they catch so much a glimpse of a Heper ( human) on TV. They were ruthless, and it was perfect. 

Another great thing about this story is that it is definitely one I can confidently recommend to a guy, which I can't always say about most books I read and review. It was dark, gritty, and intense, and while there is some romance it is not the focal point, the focal point is simply SURVIVE. 

It does start off with a Hunger games kinda feel to it * please don't smack me for comparing ! >.< * that I am sure many will notice.  A highly publicized fight to the death, with randomly chosen hunters who are immediately sent off for initiation and training.. and some characters that felt familiar to me. But it veers off and comes into it's own in a thrilling and creepy way.  I know many people hate it when books are compared to each other in such a way. But hey. This is an honest review, and it's something I noticed and feel other readers will as well.


The Hunt was faced paced and awesome, propelling me forward with each new twist. And the ending? Just right!- not a total cliff hanger, but definitely left me shocked! Aside from the oddities that still have my mind boggled, this story exceeded my expectations. I can't wait till it is out in the world!

A HUGE thanks to St. Martins Press for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

Rating 4/5 

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Warped

Hardcover, 339 pages

Published January 11th 2011

 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

 Tessa doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But there's something weird about the dusty unicorn tapestry she discovers in a box of old books. She finds the creature woven within it compelling and frightening. After the tapestry comes into her possession, Tessa experiences dreams of the past and scenes from a brutal hunt that she herself participated in. When she accidentally pulls a thread from the tapestry, Tessa releases a terrible centuries old secret. She also meets William de Chaucy, an irresistible 16th-century nobleman. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. Together, they must correct the wrongs of the past. But then the Fates step in, making a tangled mess of Tessa's life. Now everyone she loves will be destroyed unless Tessa does their bidding and defeats a cruel and crafty ancient enemy.

I could not have chosen a more perfect time to read this book. I wanted something that was lighthearted, with just enough of an edge. I wanted something to pull me back in to some of the fantasy I have been missing. Warped was a wonderful blend of it all. 


The way the story is set up is interesting, alternating at times back and forth between the present day, and the past, showing the readers the how and why Willian De Chaucy became the unicorn in the tapestry. This style bothers me in some stories, but was well done in this one, not overly confusing or filled with unneeded knowledge.


William and Tessa were a fun match up. plenty of bickering and just enough sweet romance. Not really instalove, but more, a well done insta chemestry?

It was very interesting the way Maurissa Guibord wove mythology into her tale. The three fates were strange and intriguing characters, solely focused on getting their missing threads back. Wouldn't want to tick those sisters off >.< . Grey Lily was a character I still am on the fence about. She was evil for sure, but I feel like as a reader, I didn't know enough of her story. While I understand she was not the main focus, I kind of felt like at times she was just thrown in there and we were expected to remember all about her and how evil she is. 


The few inconsistencies I found were not enough to pull me away from this wonderfully fantastical tale. Romance and Whimsy woven together with history and evil. It may not be for everyone. I was in the mood for such a book and finished it in the course of a few hours. I was happy and content when I finished it, glad to know it was not the beginning to a sequel. Though I wouldn't mind some more short stories on the Tessa and Will together :) It had a definite ending that didn't leave me truly wanting. 


I hope to see more from this author in the future! I am always looking for books I can just curl up and relax with :) 

Rating 5/5

Waiting on Wednesday

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

Hardcover, 370 pages

Expected publication: September 11th 2012  

Random House Books for Young Readers

#1. Yes. I look further into a book most of the time based on their cover. and this one is AWESOME! I love that it's pure artwork and not photography!
#1 It sounds gothic, and creepy... and I am seriously looking forward to it!

What are you looking forward to this Wednesday ? :) 

350 Follower giveaway! ( International )

As a new blogger I try not to let "follower numbers" mean so much to me. But I can't lie that it's not fun to watch the numbers grow and meet so many more awesome book friends! I know this isn't a nice round number.. But It's one that has been in my head since I started blogging >.< Why? Because a publisher told me to contact them again when my blog got to this number. So it kinda stuck with me. So.. To say thank you and to just remind you all that I LOVE having you here on my blog with me. I am holding an

INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY

I know all my giveaways are not international, sorry guys I can't help it! Swag and ARCs would just be too much to send out of the U.S. BUT the Amazing Book Depo ships to most places for free! So check the list HERE   and Make sure they ship to your country - I hope they do! 

Without further Ado.. I am giving away.. 1 pre- order of .... * Drum Roll * 

What if there were teens whose lives depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Tenderhearted Southern girl, Anna Whitt, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip to meet her father forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. When she confronts her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

This book releases on May 1st ! So it will be shipped out shortly after the contest ends! Just make sure to fill out the rafflecopter form IN FULL to enter :D Good luck!

As this is a Follower giveaway it is one of the rare times I will require that you follow the blog. I love getting new followers :) But if you are new I hope that you enter because you are actually interested in visiting again :D

In My Mailbox

Purchased

For Review 

From The Author 
Can't wait to read it! I was so excited to get a message from her!

From Netgalley
Netgalley Rocks, that's all there is to it >.<

Won
Won from the author  Kady Cross  In a twitter giveaway !
signed ARC 
I LOVED Girl in the steel Corset, cannot wait to read #2! AND Kady has offered up some swag to share in giveaway soon!

 

Won From the Author Lola James in a twitter giveaway
signed bookmarks and a awesome bumper sticker!

Gifted

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Signed!
Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Signed!
Blessed by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Signed!
Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney
Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer
Shadow of the moon by Rachel Hawthorne
Signed!
The Calling by Kelly Armstrong
Halflings by Heather Burch
Prophecy of the sister by Michelle Zink
Original sin by Lisa Desrochers


And then the swag! AH ! The awesome buttons! And she sent doubles which means I get to share!

 And a clockwork prince Tshirt!

I cannot even begin to thank The wonderful friend and blogger who sent me this box of goodies! I really needed a pick me up this week and she had me dancing around >.< So THANK YOU Julie ! Go check out her blog http://www.juliemurphywrites.com/


Then Jessirae over at Words, Pages and Books sent me these two awesome bookmarks to add to my collection! I need to meet her and Hug her!

 I cannot thank everyone enough. I was having a rough week and being able to talk to all of you has helped me through it! Thank you everyone!

Masque Of The Red Death

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by Harper Collins

ISBN:0062107798 (ISBN13: 9780062107794)

 Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

*Eyes open wide, jaw drops* 

This book was amazing! Beautiful, dark, rich and intense. When I turned the last page, I felt so many emotions, but most of all I felt the need, not want, NEED for more. 

It starts off pulling you right into the darkness of the story; the plague, and all the death and horrors that come with it. It was shocking at first. Araby reacts in the way I did in my head, but the surrounding characters feel almost emotionless.. like it's simply everyday life. I suppose that is how it might become. People would grow accustom to seeing these horrors all the time. 


Bethany Griffin is an author who doesn't write down to Teens. What I mean is; the style of writing, and the content, is intense, and real. It does not shy away from the harshness that this world would create. Drugs and death are a part of this world. It is not toned down for the sake of it being a YA novel. 


The characters were strong. I enjoyed watching Araby struggle to understand her feelings, both for the love interests in the story, and for the moral dilemmas that are thrown her way. Will and Elliot are strong in very different ways. Will the soft and sweet, Elliot the Intense and daring. Both also have strong faults. The love triangle isn't what I would call typical. It's not *Bam* Instalove for everyone. I found myself going back and forth between how I felt about both boys, much the same I think as how Araby felt. 


I liked the fact that the love interest is not the focal point of the story, and a boy is not the factor that makes Araby begin to stand up for what she believes. 


Masque Of The Red Death is a brilliant story. It will pull readers in, shock them, enrapture them, and have them begging for more! 


I anxiously await the next book, dying to know what else Bethany Griffin has up her sleeve !

Rating: 5/5

* Keep an eye out for my swag giveaway in the next month or so! I have some gorgeous bookmarks bracelets, AND an ARC to giveaway ! :D *

I.M.M ...Kinda

I.M.M 

But WAIT it's not what you think! I didn't get anything in my mailbox this week >.< ( sad panda ) So this week I am replacing it with what I shall call "In My Mind" featuring YA book themed art!! 

Why "In My Mind" ? Because it's all about how readers/artists picture scenes and characters in books! We all see/read things differently and I love it!

Up this week:

Margot Wood from The Real Faux Photographer 

( DONT GO PEEK AT HER SITE - YET )

She has been working on a series of YA lit inspired Photography, 

and it continues to blow me away! 

Here are 2 few of my favorites :) 

Can You guess what 2 books these photos were inspired by!? Try and guess in the comments below! Come on guys. Don't Cheat! let's have fun :) 

If you have already seen her blog please don't "play" feel free to leave comments- Just don't give away the answers!

Then afterwards, drop by her blog and see if you were right! She has more YA inspired photography to share!

I love these so much I know I will be buying a set of prints once the series is done! >.< I love Bookish art!

Do you know an artist you would like to see featured? Send me a link or message so I can chat with them!

Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

If you have not read Vampire Academy: Slight Spoiler Warning

To read my review of Vampire Academy Book #1 Go HERE

Paperback, 327 pages

 Published April 10th 2008 by Razorbill

ISBN: 1595141758 (ISBN13: 9781595141750)

Edition language:English

original title: Frostbite

 Series:Vampire Academy #2

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose...

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...

Usually when I read a series, they are either steadily good/great, or gradually/rapidly declining.  It was amazing to come across a series that so dramatically INCREASED in my view just by the second book.


I am super happy to say I am now a Vampire Academy fan !


If you read my review of book #1 you will remember I said I had to put it down many times and keep coming back to it. That while it was enjoyable. SOMETHING seemed to be missing. This was not the case with Frostbite. I sat down to read around midnight, I was done around 3am. I could .. not..stop..reading!


The characters seem to come more into their own. - Though Lissa is still a bit absent in this story, I liked her a little bit more for growing more of a spine and standing up for herself and her beliefs. Rose, though still a little annoying at times, Definitely grew into a stronger character and I still loved her witty attitude. Though.. I have a hard time putting up with how she handles her love interests.. I can at the same time, understand why she does what she does. I'm not a "teen" now.. but I remember high school.. and I definitely acted like her at times when it came to guys. So in that aspect it was the believability that helped me continue to enjoy her character.


We get to see more of Mason and Christian in this story! Both great characters, and have a strong impact on Rose and Lissa.


Dimitri ... Oh Dimitri.. He wouldn't be too old for me ;) but I still have a hard time being ok with the "relationship" between him and Rose. Though, with the way this story is written, and the culture that they have both grown up with.. i can see it being more ok than well.. current ? I think once she hits 18 I will be more ok with it ( Just a personal opinion )


We meet a new character. Adrian.. he is one of those Bad boys you love to have love/hate feelings for lol. Snarky/fun comments, swoon worthy actions.. but at the same time you just want to smack him! ;)


There is Definitely some swoon worthy moments in this one! As well as some WTH?! ones.
We get to learn more about the Strigoi and Moroi and their powers, and get some good action/ thriller scenes as well!


All in All Frostbite was a HUGE step up for me. Now I am Impatiently awaiting having # 3 in my hands!

Rating: 4/5 ! 

What are your thoughts? Have you read Vampire academy #1? Or the whole series? If you have read the whole series do you feel that it continues to progress and get better?

 

Foreign Cover Friday: Shiver

Foreign Cover Friday

It's back! For now anyway >.< This one is harder for me to keep up on because many of my favorite books do not have foreign editions, or they are the same covers! So this week I branched out and found a book that I WANT to read, and omg... these covers just make me want to read it sooner!

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

 Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

 English #1                                            English #2

 German #1                                          German #2

 French                                                Italian

 Bulgarian                                    Indonesian

 Swedish                                         Turkish  

Polish

There is ALOT of variety here! So I will not talk about each and every one.. but gosh. THEY ROCK !

My top 3 are- in no particular order: 

Turkish- Similar to the english #1 cover but I like that the wolf is more dominant!

German #1- So artistic! feels like a fairytale <3

Italian- So Simple and to the point!

I just love how striking they all are! 

What about you!? Vote in the poll below to share!

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?

If you haven't read this book- do the covers make you want to now?!