Caster Chronicles 2.5!!

Prepare yourself! On (or about) August 2, 2011, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will be releasing Dream Dark, a prequel to the third and HIGHLY anticipated book in the Caster Chronicles, Beautiful Chaos in Kindle/ebook format only. 

 

Synopsis: When Link joined his best friend, Ethan Wate, on a quest through a mysterious network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, he knew the journey would be dangerous. But returning home to Gatlin, South Carolina was just the beginning... 

 

Wounded during a climactic battle, Link discovers that tending his injuries won't be as simple as visiting a doctor and that healing his arm should be the least of his worries. For being bitten by a Supernatural does more than break the skin -- it changes a person, inside and out, turning Link into someone more and more like the dark creature who injured him. 

 

In this never-before-seen short story by New York Times bestselling authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, readers witness Link's heart-racing transformation. Dream Dark is set before the much-anticipated third Beautiful Creatures novel, Beautiful Chaos, and as a special bonus includes an exclusive sneak peek at the first five chapters. 

 

I think it's amazing that they are giving this little tid-bit to us! Authors love to tease us and I, for one, am a sucker for punishment! I can't wait!

Happy Reading! 

Watch Me Judge These Books By Their Covers

Tonight I was doing my usual thing, scrolling through the blogs I follow and searching books on Goodreads.com and I started thinking covers. 

What does it take for a cover to grab you?

For me, personally, a cover must inspire mystery; pique my curiosity. When I look at it I want it to make to say, "What is that???" *as I run to get my greedy hands on it!* Also, I like when a cover has some kind of connection to either the title or the story, but it isn't  necessary. Some covers are abstract, photos of random things yet shown in a  dramatic light maybe, or dripping blood or on fire. Other covers have a, what I think of it as, a "time-period" theme, you are reminded of a time where they wore corsets and petticoats. Below are some covers I thought it would be fun to share my thoughts on:

I really enjoy the Firelight covers. I love the touch of scales around the eyes. The series is about dragons and the first one has the colors of fire and I like that. The second girl even looks like a dragon! Their pupils are perfect, just a touch of that reptile look.

This is a new cover that I came across. It's simple yet it definitely sparks my curiosity. Notice the girl outlined in the in the center, all aglow. I look at it and I think, "Hm. I wonder what the deal is with her and what in the world is Glowing?"

Right off the bat, this book rouses memories of the Secret Garden, a movie I loved as a child. I love the castle in the background and the tease that maybe it's a Cinderella-type story or about a princess living under an evil reigning king or queen yet the title, Entwined, makes me think love triangle.

What I like about this cover is it's connection to the book. It's one of those covers that you may not be able to appreciate until after you've read the story. The model fits the description of the character and the way she's covering her mouth makes me envision her trying to keep hold her secrets in. She's a Liar.

Doesn't she just look dangerous? Naughty? Full of secrets? Teeth is a book of short stories and the look in her eyes just give me a good feeling about the book. 

Another book with a connected cover. In Definitely Dead, Sookie meets a were-tiger, the last of his kind, named Quinn. They have a little fling but it gets a little messy towards the end. All the while Eric Northman is trailing in the background. One of the best in the series.

I saved this one for last because I just stumbled upon it tonight and it is now my new favorite cover, the story sounds really good and it's the next book I can't wait to be released! Calla Lilies are my favorite flower and black ones are pretty cool. The one smoking in the middle is what gets you thinking. Wildefire is about gods and goddesses and  with that it makes you wonder how they all fit together.

What are some of your favorite covers and why?

Caster Chronicles Book Three Title Reveal!!!!!!

Yesterday, Margaret Stohl revealed on the Beautiful Creatures website, the title of the third book in the Caster Chronicles series!

Beautiful Chaos 

Isn't it just...amazing, intriguing and full of promise?? I LOVE it. I have to be honest, I haven't read Beautiful Darkness yet, although I do need to choose my next read...

Ready for more? The cover will be revealed Thursday, March 3rd @ 3pm EST on MTV Hollywood Crush! Click here or the link above to go to the Beautiful Creatures website for more details.

Also on the website, there is talk about "the Beautiful Creatures & series movie adaptation"! I don't know where I was when this information was released because I had no idea? Exclusive news on that will be released with the cover.

Any fans of the Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey? If you're answer was no and you're about to skip this part, I implore you, to please read these books! They are so addictive! I just came across the title of the fourth book in the Drake Chronicles, it's...wait. I should present it like the title above right? I mean, it's only fair. Okay, ready...

Bleeding Hearts

It's set to release November, 2011! I can't wait!

So maybe you're not all Drake fans but I know, I KNOW you guys are Mortal Instruments fans! That being said, remember the end of City of Glass, Jace leaves a letter for Clary before he goes out on a dangerous mission? Have you been wondering what he wrote in that letter? Well one way to find out is to purchase your copy of City of Fallen Angels from Barnes & Noble. They, and only they, will be selling copies of COFA with the Jace's letter inside! Click here fore more info.

See the sticker below?

Pretty cool huh? Even though promoting B&N makes me feel like a total trader to Borders. 

Can a girl love both? Time will tell.

Borders Files Chapter 11 Today!

Today I'd like to share tons of book news with you! First, according to the Borders Facebook page, Borders has begun a reorganization through the Chapter 11 process. You can read more about it here at bordersreorganization.com, but they assure us the business will continue as usual both in stores and online. I don't know about you guys, but if my local Borders closes down, I'll have to travel an hour to the nearest Barnes & Noble. That does not sit well with me. Hopefully, we won't have to worry about that anytime soon! On to book news!

Last year I read Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth (my review here) and I enjoyed it so much I've anxiously been awaiting the release of it's sequel. Well the wait won't be much longer! The President's Vampire will be released April 28, 2011!

I'm super excited about this book yet, I'm not crazy about the title or the cover. This looks and sounds like it should have been the first book, not the sequel. Still, I'll be first in line on release day!

Silence. Usually a word associated with peace and serenity. Well today I refer to the title of the next book in the Hush, Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick. Silence (Hush, Hush #3) is expected to be released October 4, 2011 but its cover will be revealed in May!

Do you guys read the Soul Screamers Series? There are four of them out now with number five on its way later this year (October 1st) and it's been titled...If I Die! No cover yet but I hope it stays in the same theme as the others. If you have an ereader, check out Reaper, a Soul Screamers Novella about Tod Hudson, a typical teenager turned grim reaper! His character is introduced in the other books but I'm glad Rachel Vincent decided to highlight him in this ebook exclusive because he is definitely a character worth giving his own story to!

Now, if you're like me, you're always trying to stay on top of all the amazing books that come out or are coming out. One way I keep up with it all is by checking Goodreads.com. While doing so, I found a list of the Most Popular Books Published in 2011, so take a look because there might be something new on there for you!

Mini-Post

Hey Everyone!

So here is a Mini-Post, which for me means telling you about random things that don't really fit together!

First, I'd like to share with you that I just painted my living room and I am in love with it! I went to Home Depot and picked out a can of paint that the more I looked at it, was too lilac-y. I was going for a soft blue. So I went back and the girl mixed it until I was happier with the color. With my chocolate, black and tan furniture, the blue is the perfect addition! Ok, so now that I've got that off my chest, some book news!

A great bloog I like to follow, That Bookish Girl, tells you "How to Build Your Library on a Budget". Different ways to the books you want to read, for a price you can afford!

I was on goodreads.com, my favorite site for all my book info, and came the title of the sequel to Matched by Ally Condie, Crossed. It did not have a cover or synopsis but the expected publish date is November 1, 2011! I also saw the cover for Thirst  No. 4 by Christopher Pike. Again, no synopsis but set to release August 9, 2011. And this time there's a guy sexy guy on the cover! He's most likely Matt from the previous book, whom I hope will be in the spotlight more this time around! Look:

Now, I think I might be little behind with this one but sometimes I have so many books and series that I'm into and want to get into, that I have to intentionally overlook things lest my dosage be increased because I'm so stressed out about how many books I still have to read!! Whew! Anywho.

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead, the first of its sequel, due to release August 23, 2011. For those of you not in know, like me, Bloodlines takes place in the same world as Vampire Academy. Sydney, the Alchemist, is the narrator and Jill, Moroi, plays a big role in the story as well. However, the male role in this book is a surprise but hint that it is a love interest from Vampire Academy! My guess? Adrian. If not, some other love interest I've long forgotten. Oh well, it'll be that much more of a surprise!

Last but not least, of this not-so-mini Mini-Post:

I watched the series premiere of Being Human on the SyFy Channel, Monday @ 9:00EST. It's about a vampire - trying to be on his best behavior, it seems, a werewolf - still coming to turns with his wolfy-ness and a ghost girl - trying to get over being dead. They all live together and as the title implies, I guess they're going to act as though things are as normal as possible. But I get the very strong feeling that there will be nothing normal about what happens to them! I laughed, I cried...I didn't cry. I did enjoy it though. Despite all the conflicts I had trying to record a new show on a Monday night, I will still try to keep up with show weekly.

Got a random piece of news you'd like to share? Comment below!

Good news and bad news...then GREAT NEWS!

Hello Everyone! I've missed you so!

I've got goods news and bad news but then I've got something to cheer us all up! The good news is that I finally got my computer back! The new keys are great and it feels nice to be able to just type without having to worry about the missing keys. The bad news is that it appears while someone was handling my computer, they dropped it. The lower right corner is broken and the edges are sharp, I keep scraping my hand and arm on it. Luckily, it is still covered by warranty and they're paying for S&H both ways this time.

Sooo, to distract me from this disappointment, here's the great news. While I was out of the blogosphere, those agonizing two weeks, something amazing happened! The cover of Cassandra Clare's fourth installment in the Mortal Instruments Series, City of Fallen Angels, was revealed...and I am in love!!!!

 

Isn't it gorgeous?! I love Clary's hair, flying wildly around her, it makes her look magical. Like her hair is floating alive with it. I like the hint of runes on  her body, too. Simon looks strong and confident. Ready. For whatever!

There's more! If you've been living under a rock or maybe half-under a rock (like me, who is a little late), City of Bones, the first book of the Mortal Instruments Series is set to come to the big screen! That's right...Jace...big screen. Lily Collins has already been cast to play Clary Fray!

She's definitely channeling Clary with the curly hair! I'm very happy with this choice but even more excited to see who will be picked to play Jace! I don't know what I'm looking for, but I'll know it when I see it! Click here more movie updates on Cassandra Clare's website.

NEW COVERS!

So while I was looking at my To-Read list on Goodreads, I noticed that new covers have been released, so since I'm such a nice and giving person, I'll share them with you!

You're welcome!

New Finds!

I don't know if this post qualifies for "Waiting on Wednesday" because I'm not really up on the memes, which is why I chose not to name this post as such.

Regardless, I did find out about these two great books, courtesy of the authors Melinda Metz and Laura J. Burns (link to their website).

CRAVE tells the story of Shay, a terminally ill girl, who begins receiving a new type of transfusion. The transfusions give her visions of a vampire's life. Could he be real? (Semi-spoiler: Yes, yes he could!) Crave is scheduled to be released September 21, 2010 in paperback, so keep a look out!

ECHOES (Fingerprints #1-3) Rae can touch any object and hear what whoever touched it before her was thinking! When she hears that someone is planning to hurt her, she teams up with Anthony to find out who. Echoes is out on shelves now, so hurry and get your copy!

Check out the full synopses for both these books by clicking on the links!

I've been offered copies of both Crave and Echoes by Melinda Metz for reviews and I'm really excited! Thanks Melinda!

Sharing is Caring!

So I was browsing around Goodreads.com and found a couple of books that sounded pretty interesting and I thought I'd share them with you!

First I found Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, to-be-released October 19, 2010. Now I know that this isn't a new find for a lot of you. I've come across this book a few times but never really gave it a close look. The cover is really pretty. I love the shades of blue and purple and calla lilies are my favorite flower and the blood drops on them send promises of butt-kicking action! Calla Tor is destined to be a great warrior for her kind once she reaches her 18th bday. BUT...she meets a boy who changes everything. Sounds a wee bit predictable but sometimes I like a story that goes exactly where I want it to...and sometimes I like to be surprised!

My second find is The Vampiric Housewife by Kristin Marquette, to-be-released October 22, 2010. This is about a town of vampires living day to day lives as any one of us would, except they live in the 1950's. Until one day a vampiric housewife, discovers a secret that forces them to run from the comforts of their home, to the unknown world outside. I could kind of see this story as a tv show so I thought it might be a fun, quick read.

I Should Have Known!

After I read Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris, I was happy, yet...not happy. You can find my review here. I was afraid that there wasn't another one to follow. I really thought that Dead in the Family was the last in the series, so how happy was I when I found out that #11 in the series is going to be released May 26, 2011! I know, I know...How could they make us wait so long??!!?? It's so unfair! The book doesn't have a title or a cover yet, but I can't wait to find out what they are!

Look What I Found

Thanks to a new blogger friend Jess at The Tales Compendium, I found out about a great looking book titled Halo by Alexandra Adornetto coming out September 14, 2010.  First of all, the cover is gorgeous and if that doesn't grab your attention right away, then the storyline should. Check it out:

Three angels are sent down to bring food to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will be not be strong enough to save anyone - especially herself from the Dark Forces.

Is love a great enough power against evil?

If you want to know a little more about it, you should check out Jess' review at thetalescompendium.blogspot.com.