Guest Post: Brodi Ashton (Author of Everneath)

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:: ABOUT THE AUTHOR ::

Brodi Ashton received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in international relations from the London School of Economics. Brodi has an active following on her blog, which can be found at www.brodiashton.blogspot.com. She lives in Utah with her family. Everneath is her debut novel.

For more info on Brodi, visit her sites:

-Website

-Twitter

-Facebook

-GoodReads

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:: GUEST POST ::

1) What inspired your latest novel, Everneath?

BA: It was a mixture of a real life event from my high school years and a lifelong love of mythology. Either that, or a re-run of Gilligan's Island.

2) If you could re-name your book title, what would you choose?

BA: When I was writing it, I called it BROKEN, because that was how I pictured the main character Nikki when she first returns to her high school at the beginning of the book.

3) How long did it take you to write Everneath?

BA: Did you have any quirks while writing it? It took me a solid year to write it and revise it with my critique group. As for quirks, I listened to the song FALLING SLOWLY by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova about a billion times while I was drafting. I also inhaled my weight in cinnamon bears.

4) If you could hang out with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

BA: Cole. He is so deliciously evil and conflicted. We could have fun for a while, as long as I could tear myself away. Which, when it comes to Cole, is not as easy as it sounds.

5) Do you have any words for your current and future readers?

BA: I'm just so grateful I have current and future readers! I hope you like EVERNEATH. If you do, send me an email! If you don't... keep it to yourself. Kidding. :)

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:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::

Summary: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen. As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen. Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton.

Purchase it here:

Amazon / Kindle / B&N-Nook / Book Depository

Book Trailer:

Thank you Brodi for taking the time out to guest post on my blog!

Books For Thought: Bad Boy or Nice Boy in Books?

Books For Thought is a feature where I post a book-related question up for discussion. I am open to all opinions and enjoy reading diverse comments from my lovely followers. I look forward to picking your minds!

Have a question idea? Share it here and I'll feature your blog in this post.

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Are you more attracted to the bad boy or the nice boy in books?

My Answer: *Puts head down* Honestly, the bad boy. I always have a mini crush on the nice guy, but for some reason I'd rather date the bad boy who treats you like poop haha. It's just the whole vibe that surrounds them that makes the attraction mysterious. Half the time you could also see that the bad boy also has a sweet side buried somewhere in his heart, so it helps build the likability factor as you peel away the layers.

What are your bookish thoughts?

Say Bye to Your Comfort Zone: Ironskin by Tina Connolly

Sometimes stepping out of your reading comfort zone is hard, well at least for me. I've been a dedicated YA reader and never really had the urge to try something new. Well, this year that changes. I will primarily still read my first love in YA, but I want to spice it up with who knows maybe some paranormal romance?

Anywho, this meme, "Say Bye to Your Comfort Zone" will feature a book I'd like to possibly read and who knows maybe it'll catch your eye too. :)

I'd love to hear which book you've been thinking about breaking your reading comfort zone, so make sure you share it with us all by commenting.

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Ironskin (Ironskin, #1) by Tina Connolly

Release Date: October 2012

Publisher: Tor Books

Summary: Jane Eliot wears an iron mask. It's the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain -- the ironskin. Now Jane returns to the war-torn country to help a fey-cursed child. Helping the unruly Dorie suppress her curse is hard enough -- she certainly didn't expect to fall for the girl's father, the enigmatic artist Mr. Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio -- and come out as beautiful as the fey. Jane knows he cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things are true? Step by step Jane must unlock the secrets of her new life -- and discover just how far she will go to become whole again.

My Reason: Firstly, holy smokes that cover is strikingly beautiful! Also, the summary sounds very unique, especially the whole iron mask concept. Yes, Leonardo Dicaprio played a similar role in a movie, but I haven't seen it with a girl before. I'm really intrigued, I'm looking forward to reading this start to the Ironskin series.

Tantalizing Future YA Releases!

Tantalizing Future YA Releases is a weekly feature where I showcase upcoming YA covers. All titles are linked to GoodReads for summary details. Also, please note that covers may not be final. If changes occur I will replace the covers with the new versions.

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• Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross (EgmontUSA, 4/10/12)
• Grim by Anna Waggener (Scholastic Press, 6/1/12)

• The Glimpse by Claire Merle (Faber & Faber (UK), June 7, 2012)
• Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer (Balzer + Bray, 6/26/12)

• Glitch (Glitch, #1) by Heather Anastasiu (St. Martin's Griffin, 8/7/12)
• Silver by Talia Vanc (Flux, 9/8/12)

• Vanquished (Crusade, #3) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié (Simon Pulse, 8/28/12)
• Rage Within (Dark Inside, #2) by Jeyn Roberts (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 9/4/12)

• 34 Pieces of You by Carmen Rodrigues (Simon Pulse, 9/4/12)
• The Dead Girls Detective Agency by Suzy Cox (HarperTeen, 9/18/12)

• What's Left of Me (Hybrid, #1) by Kat Zhang (HarperTeen, 9/18/12)
• Butter by Erin Lange (Bloomsbury, 10/2/12)

• Exiled (Immortal Essence, #1) by RaShelle Workman (Polished Pen Press, 10/3/12)
• Blind Spot by Laura Ellen (Harcourt Children's Books, 10/23/12)

• Flutter by Gina Link (Random House Books for Young Readers, 10/23/12)
• Sapphire Blue (Edelstein Trilogie, #2) by Kerstin Gier (Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 10/30/12)

• Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler (Sourcebooks Fire, 10/2012)
• The Diviners (Diviners, #1) by Libba Bray (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 11/6/12)

• Inbetween (Kissed by Death, #1) by Tara A. Fuller (Entangled Publishing, August 7, 2012)

IN MY MAILBOX (Feb. 7, 2012)

Credit goes to: Kristi from The Story Siren for 'In My Mailbox' / Inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie

For Review:

-The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison

-The Alchemy of Forever (Incarnation, #1) by Avery Williams

-Trafficked by Kim Purcell

-The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

-Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

-The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George

-Everlasting (Kissed by an Angel, #5) by Elizabeth Chandler

-A Beautiful Evil (Gods & Monsters, #2) by Kelly Keaton

-Plunked by Michael Northrop

Many Thanks To: EgmontUSA, Simon & Schuster, Penguin, HarperCollins, and Macmillan

I'd love to hear what you got, so leave a comment!

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:: Book Trailers of the Week ::

:: Song of the Week ::

My First Broadway Experience: Wicked

Last Saturday, my husband and I, went to see Wicked on Broadway. Since I am a New Yorker, it's a must to see a broadway show, I don't know why it took me this long! From first sight, I fell in love with the acting, music and artistic quality behind the whole spectacle. I love Wizard of Oz, so I knew this untold story would be amazingly creative.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that my husband actually loved it just as much as me. He's the type that first thought it would be too girly. But, luckily he fell in love with the story too. The concept is so amazing that it's not only for girls, but boys too. It's truly a fun show that I recommend you all see if you're in New York.

I know some of you will be at BEA this year, I urge you to see a broadway show. It's an experience like no other, the fun you'll have throughout the musical will last you a lifetime.

The 'green' witch played by Jackie Burns, blew me away! Her singing ability was so emotionally moving, that I found myself getting goosebumps throughout her numbers.

As for the actress who played Glinda, she was so entertaining and funny. The chemistry between the two was undeniably infectious. I actually found a clip on YouTube of one of my favorite songs, Defying Gravity.

Check it out below:

I simply cannot wait to see another broadway show. Does anyone have any thoughts on which one I should see next?

Say Bye to Your Comfort Zone: The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Sometimes stepping out of your reading comfort zone is hard, well at least for me. I've been a dedicated YA reader and never really had the urge to try something new. Well, this year that changes. I will primarily still read my first love in YA, but I want to spice it up with who knows maybe some paranormal romance?

Anywho, this meme, "Say Bye to Your Comfort Zone" will feature a book I'd like to possibly read and who knows maybe it'll catch your eye too. :)

I'd love to hear which book you've been thinking about breaking your reading comfort zone, so make sure you share it with us all by commenting.

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The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Release Date: Available Now Online

Summary: Women have been known to lament, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." For Johnny Smith, the problem is, "Always a Best Man, never a groom." At age 33, housepainter Johnny has been Best Man eight times. The ultimate man's man, Johnny loves the Mets, the Jets, his weekly poker game, and the hula girl lamp that hangs over his basement pool table. Johnny has the instant affection of nearly every man he meets, but one thing he doesn't have is a woman to share his life with, and he wants that desperately. When Johnny meets District Attorney Helen Troy, he decides to renounce his bro-magnet ways in order to impress her. With the aid and advice of his friends and family, soon he's transforming his wardrobe, buying throw pillows, ditching the hula girl lamp, getting a cat and even changing his name to the more mature-sounding John. And through it all, he's pretending to have no interest in sports, which Helen claims to abhor. As things heat up with Helen, the questions arise: Will Johnny finally get the girl? And, if he's successful in that pursuit, who will he be now that he's no longer really himself? THE BRO-MAGNET is a rollicking comedic novel about what one man is willing to give up for the sake of love.

My Reason: Who loves Lauren Baratz-Logsted? I sure do! If you're not familiar with this great author, she's written these YA books: Crazy Beautiful, The Education of Bet, The Twin's Daughter, amongst others. Now Lauren has written her first romantic comedy for adults in over three years. She has it available online, if you'd like to read a free sample, go here. It sounds like an interesting book, especially seeing a different perspective from a guy who is looking to be a groom one day.

Cover Reveal Alert: Yesterday by C. K. Kelly Martin

Hey my lovely followers! I haven't posted in a week and a half, but starting today I'll try my best to go back to regular scheduling. Today I bring you C.K. Kelly Martin's latest novel cover reveal of Yesterday.

There is something quite intriguing about the mysterious chaos taking place around the image. Even though I can't find a summary for it, I feel like it's going to be a dystopian read, which is one of my favorite genres. Anywho, enough blabbing, please feel free to tell me what you think of Martin's new book.

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Yesterday by C.K. Kelly Martin

Published by: Random House Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September 25, 2012

( Add to GoodReads )

Korean Drama Love: Flower Boy Ramyun Shop

Some of you who know me outside of reading books, know that I am obsessed with Korean dramas. I decided to post about them once in a while just to keep my love for blogging going. I'll be sporadically posting about dramas that I've previously watched or am currently drooling over.

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My current love for the past week has been this drama:

Flower Boy Ramyun Shop

I mean this drama is absolutely addictive! I simply cannot stop watching it. Every moment of my free time has been spent laughing, crying and smiling at my TV screen. The characters are lovable and the guys are just *sighs* so damn dreamy.

This is what the drama is about:

Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah) is a University student preparing for her civil service exam with the dream of being a high school teacher. She accidentally encounters Cha Chi Soo (Jung Il Woo), an arrogant son of the biggest food conglomerate in Korea. Both of them end up working at a ramen shop run by the lazy Choi Kang Hyuk (Lee Ki Woo). This romantic comedy deals with "pretty boys", who with good looks and individuality, operate a ramen shop with lively college girls and experience the happenings of daily life. -- HanCinema

Check out the trailer:

Interested in watching? Check out these sites for episodes with english subtitles!

http://www.mysoju.com/korean-drama/flower-boy-ramyun-shop/

http://www.epdrama.com/drama/flower-boy-ramyun-shop/

http://www.dramafever.com/drama/4044/1/Flower_Boy_Ramen_Shop/?ap=1

Giveaway Time: ARC of Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

I have an extra ARC copy of Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey so what better way to pass it along than a giveaway for my awesome followers!

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:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::

Summary: It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?

:: GIVEAWAY ::

-One person will win an ARC of Jessica Rules the Dark Side.

-You must be at least 13 years old to enter.

-This contest is open to U.S. residents only.

-Deadline ends on January 22, 2012.

!! FILL OUT FORM TO ENTER !!

Books for Thought: Which books in 2011 stood out to you?

Previously known as Monday's Question of the Day, Books For Thought is a feature where I post a book-related question up for discussion. I am open to all opinions and enjoy reading diverse comments from my lovely followers. I look forward to picking your minds!

Have a question idea? Share it here and I'll feature your blog in this post.

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Which books stood out to you in 2011?

My Response: Last year was jammed pack with great titles. Since I slacked on writing a post on the 'best books of 2011,' I'll take advantage of this discussion where I'll share with you my top five picks. I look forward to seeing which books you enjoyed, maybe I missed some read worthy titles that I should read in 2012. Okay here goes my list, in no particular order...

:: ONE ::

Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna, #1) by Kendare Blake

(GoodReads / My Review)

:: TWO ::

Dead Rules by Randy Russell

(GoodReads / My Review)

:: THREE ::

Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth

(GoodReads / My Review)

:: FOUR ::

Enclave (Razorland, #1) by Ann Aguirre

(GoodReads / My Review)

:: FIVE ::

Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1) by Lauren DeStefano

(GoodReads / My Review)

What are your bookish thoughts?

Guest Post: Emma Carlson Berne (Author of Still Waters)

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:: ABOUT THE AUTHOR ::

As a teenager, Emma Carlson Berne spent most her time reading Edith Wharton and Somerset Maugham. Occasionally, she would take a break for some Thomas Hardy. She was not voted prom queen. Emma grew up in Ohio in a house with a creepy little closet in the attic. She went to a small high school, made a lot of unfortunate fashion choices, and escaped to the University of Wisconsin as soon as possible. She now lives in Cincinnati, where she drinks quite a bit of coffee and sometimes writes.

For more info on Emma, visit her sites:

-Website

-Twitter

-Facebook

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:: GUEST POST ::

The Worst Lies I Ever Told

by Emma Carlson Berne

STILL WATERS starts with a lie and the lying continues right through. I don’t want to give away too much, but at the beginning, the only way Hannah can leave town with Colin is by telling her mother a really big, complicated lie. Then she conceals the vacation destination from Colin—which isn’t exactly a lie, but is a deception. And then there’s the lie that. . .well, I don’t want to say any more but basically, the lies just keep on going, right until the end.

So, naturally, all of this got me thinking about lies in general, and the lies I’ve told in particular—especially to my parents.

I have two particularly bad lies—I have to preface this by saying that I was actually a pretty obedient kid and a fairly good teenager. My worst lie from childhood was this sort of weeks-long deception involving my report card. This would have been middle school, and I was horrified to have received a C- in math. I did not want my parents to see this, so I stuffed the report card into the back of my locker. I had no intention of showing it to my parents, ever. Then, to my dismay, I saw that the school had posted “Report Cards, 4/30” or some such, on the notice board outside the school—right off the street where my parents drove every day. I walked around in a cold sweat for about two weeks before my parents finally saw the sign, and asked me for the report card. Then I had to extract it, all crumpled, from the back of my locker. And of course, all the waiting, and the fall-out from the deception, was way worse than just showing it to them in the first place.

My second big lie is from when I was sixteen, and it’s a little more similar to Hannah’s. I’d been sort of seeing a guy who was like a full ten years older than me. In retrospect, I don’t know why a man of twenty-six was interested in a sixteen year-old (actually I do), but at the time, it seemed not at all creepy, just really, really exciting. So, my parents found out and I was expressly forbidden to see him—huge blow-out fight involving screaming and slamming car doors—and so after this, I lied, just flat-out lied to my mother when this guy wanted me to drive to a city three hours away with him one day. I did it, and I can’t even remember where I told her I was going, but I sure as hell didn’t tell her I’d be three hours away with this guy for the whole day.

Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever told her—until now. Sorry, Mom.

How about you? What’s your worst lie ever?

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:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::

Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne

Reading Level: Young Adult

Release Date: December 20, 2011

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 240

Summary: Hannah can't wait to sneak off for a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Colin. He’s leaving for college soon, and Hannah wants their trip to the lake house to be one they’ll never forget. But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit...off. They can't find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone's been living there, even though it's been deserted for years. And Colin doesn’t seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin’s dark side, and her own safety. Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.

Purchase it here:

Amazon / Kindle / B&N / Nook / Book Depository