Welcome to Two Chicks on Books!!!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm here to share all things Bookish and also news about Movies, TV Shows, and even Video Games I love! I love to read your comments :)


Friday, March 30, 2012

Insurgent News and Team Candor!!!!!




Today we got the best news! Not only did we get an ARC of Insurgent but we are part of the Candor faction. We were one of the bloggers chosen to lead the Candor faction to victory with our eight other blogger team members our Candor team leader is Kristi from The Story Siren. Make sure to come back April 2nd for the Choosing Ceremony and stay tuned for all news Candor on the tumblr page! http://candorfactionnews.tumblr.com/

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Marked Blog Tour and a Giveaway



Today we are hosting Inara Scott author of The Talents and The Marked. The second book in The Delcriox Academy series is coming out soon! We have a character interview with Jack who just happens to be Jaime’s favorite even if he is a pain in the butt lol. And keep reading because after the interview you’ll have a chance to win a copy of The Marked from Disney and also some swag from us!


Hi everyone! I can’t believe it’s already March 29, and the release of The Marked is only a few days away!  I can’t say thanks enough to Jaime for hosting me as part of The Marked blog tour. For those of you who haven’t read the first book in the series, The Talents, I’m going to try to make this blog post somewhat spoiler free, though really, you should read The Talents before you read The Marked.

A bit of background for those who are new to the series, or those who may need a refresher: In The Talents there are two boys who play major roles: Cam and Jack. Jack is a bit of a bad boy—he’s had a rough life, and it shows. He’s not very fond of authority figures, or rules. Cam, on the other hand, is part of the machinery of Delcroix Academy. He’s a recruiter for the school, and intimately involved in what happens there. Dancia, the heroine, gets mixed up with both.

Now, this interview with Jack was recorded just after The Talents ended. Given that Jack can be a little, shall we say, resistant to authority, I had to do some coercing to get him to talk to me. As you can see, things didn’t go so well...

***

Jack is tall and lean, with unkempt black hair that falls over his forehead, and silvery grey eyes. He slouches low in a chair in front of me, cup of black coffee untouched in front of him. He narrows his gaze to study me, but does not say a word.

ME: Jack, thanks for coming.

JACK: Where’s Dancia?

ME (nervously): Well, she isn’t actually here…I mean, she might be here later, but she’s not actually—

JACK: (stands up) I came because you said I could see Danny. If she’s not here, I’m gone.

ME: Jack, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fool you, I just want to ask you a couple of questions and I knew you wouldn’t come without some encouragement. The truth is, there are a lot of people who care about you, and they want to know what you’ve been doing since the end of The Talents.

Jack pushes back his hair. He jams his hands deep in the pockets of his dark jeans, which hang low on his hips, and sighs.

JACK: I care, why, exactly?

ME: They’re fans. You don’t want to be rude to your fans, do you?

JACK: (snorts) You’re kidding, right? Fans? I think you’ve got me confused with Pretty Boy.

ME: You mean Cam?

JACK: Yeah. Pretty Boy. I hate that guy.

ME: Well, no, they aren’t his fans, actually. They’re yours. I mean, some of them like him, but you’d be surprised. There are a lot of people pulling for you.

JACK: Glad to know someone sees through Pretty Boy’s lies. Can they get those damn Watchers off my back?

ME: (winces) Sorry. Probably not.

JACK: Then really, I appreciate the support, but they aren’t much good to me. Look, if Danny’s not coming, I’ve got to hit the road. I need to find something to eat, and a place to sleep for a couple of hours. They’re always a few steps behind me, and I’ve been here way too long.

ME: Has it been hard?

JACK: *expletive deleted* Seriously? I thought authors were supposed to be smart. I’m living on the street, the only person I care about is deep in the clutches of a group of fascists, I’ve got no one to turn to, and I’m being chased by a posse of crazy stalkers who want me dead. What do you think?

Jack pushes in his chair with enough force to rock the table. Without another word, he pulls open the door, glances both ways, and then takes off running.

ME (whispers): Goodbye, Jack. Take care of yourself.


Thanks Jack you were so um….. awesome! lol ;) And thanks for letting us host you Inara!

Ok on to the giveaway! It’s simple the grand prize winner will win a copy of The Marked from Disney and some swag from us and there will be a runner up who will win some swag that Inara is sending to us! So fill out the rafflecopter form! J


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Add The Talents and The Marked to your goodreads shelves!

Buy The Talents (note The Talents is the new name, the old one below is the same. It used to be The Candidates) and The Marked now!


Monday, March 26, 2012

Jaime's Review of Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock



Hemlock
Kathleen Peacock
Hardcover: 416 pages
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (Harper Collins)
ISBN: 0062048651
Source: ARC from Publisher
Rating: Liked

From Goodreads.
Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.


Let me start this review by saying I do not like werewolf books and normally I wouldn’t have read this but, the idea of werewolves being known made me intrigued and I have had a few friends that have said this was the best book they’ve read so far this year. Well that being said I still don’t like werewolf books; and I would have rated this a so-so but, the story itself was well written and if I imagined it without the werewolves as strictly a murder mystery with a paranormal aspect to it I’d have to say I quite enjoyed it.

One of the many things I did like about this book was there was a sort of love triangle but the MC Mac was so oblivious to it I found it endearing I mean this chick was totally clueless it was pretty funny. The story had some really good twists and turns but I did find them to be predictable I figured out who the “killer” was in a sense about halfway through. One of my favorite characters in the book wasn’t even a main character he was more of a sideline guy until the end. I did think that Mac was a pretty cool heroine she fought for what she believed in and I swear this chick thrives on danger because she was always in a sticky situation. I would have liked to have seen more on one of the main boys, Kyle, I really liked him but I think I would have like to have known more about him. The other Jason I personally thought was a jerk but whatever. Like I said overall the story was good and if there’s a sequel I’ll read it because I like Kathleen’s writing.

I chose a passage with my favorite guy Trey because he makes me smile. There’s a word missing because of spoilery.

“We’re not moving until you tell me what’s going on.”

I shook my head. Given how close Trey had come to ……, I wasn’t sure standing up to him was the smartest idea. But I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t tell Trey the things that were going through my head—not when I might be wrong.

I summoned every ounce of stubbornness anyone had ever accused me of having. “I can’t tell you anything until I talk to Amy’s parents, so, the way I see it, you have two choices. You can play keep-away with the keys and I’ll take my chances trying to walk the rest of the way, or you can come with me and wait while I talk to them.”

“And if I don’t like either choice?” Trey glared at me, waiting for me to back down.

My heart jackhammered in my chest and I broke out in a cold sweat, but I didn’t look away. By Hemlock standards, Trey was tough. But I hadn’t been raised by Hemlock standards.

After three minutes, when I still showed no signs of backing down, Trey muttered a string of curses. 
“You know, sometimes I think you might actually be as tough as you think you are.” He moved his hand away so I could start the car. “You are going to tell me what all of this is about after you talk to them.” It was an order, not a request.

I started the car without comment.

Fans of the werewolf genre will love this book!

Add Hemlock to your Goodreads shelves.

Pre- Order it now!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Jaime's Review of Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins



Spellbound
Rachel Hawkins
Hardcover: 336 pages
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
ISBN: 1423121325
Source: Bought
Rating: Loved

From Goodreads.
Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

This is another series that came to an end that I wish it hadn’t. I love Rachel Hawkins writing and I could have lived in Sophie’s world indefinitely! After the cliffhanger that ended Demonglass, with all of our mouths hanging wide open and us saying “WTH?” I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Spellbound no, I mean seriously I kinda stalked my mail box that day waiting for it to magically appear. Then when it did I sat down and started reading. I forgot about eating, I forgot about housework, I just had to read to see what happened to Sophie and Archer and all of her friends and family. Boy was it an amazing book!

I love that Rachel has written a series about witches, demons, vampires, and their hunters but has done it so that there is humor involved and trust me Spellbound like its predecessors Hex Hall and Demonglass has tons of laughs. It also has tons of swoon worthy moments between Sophie and Archer and some really sweet ones between her and Cal. Basically this story has everything romance, danger, mystery, friendship, and humor. It’s the perfect kind of story. The perfect ending!!!! I don’t want to say anything that spoils it so I’m not going to go into story details I just wanted you all to know how beautiful this was and to go get it now if you don’t have it already.

I did want to share a passage between Sophie and Archer.

“Stop it,” I said, jerking our joined hands. “Cal’s my friend. That’s it. You’re the guy I ----“
Love, I wanted to say. Buy the word froze on my tongue, and I ended up saying, “Want. Choose. Whatever.”

He held my gaze, and his dark eyes were as serious as I’d ever seen them. “Maybe I shouldn’t be.”

Shocked, I leaned away from him. “What does that mean?”

“It’s just… If you were with him, you’d be happier. Better off.”

Okay, now I was getting angry. “That’s really not for you to decide. And if you feel that way, maybe you should just go ahead and give me the ‘It’s Not You, It’s Me’ speech right now”

To my surprise, Archer smiled. “That’s the thing, though.” He said. “I can’t. I could stand it if you left me, but I don’t think there’s any way I could leave you.”

I blinked at him. “You are so screwed up.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

Add Spellbound to your Goodreads shelves.

Buy it now!


Thursday, March 22, 2012

Jaime's Review of Destined by Aprilynne Pike




Destined
Aprilynne Pike
Hardcover: 320 pages
Release Date; May 1, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
ISBN: 0061668125
Source: ARC from the publisher
Rating: Really Liked

From Goodreads.
Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and she is working with Klea to conquer and destroy Avalon. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares for a fight she never thought she would have to face.

Filled with heart-pounding action, sweeping romance, and higher stakes at every turn, Destined is the series conclusion that readers have been clamoring for—with a twist that will leave them breathless.


Destined the conclusion to the Wings series was everything I hoped for and more! After Illusions which I liked but nothing really happened till the very end; Destined picks up and it’s non-stop action and danger. What I loved about this is that the humans get a chance to finally shine!  Not that I don’t love Laurel and Tam because I do but, I always thought Chelsea was a bright character that should have been used more and she finally gets her chance to be kick ass! Let me just say this I am and always have been team Tammani but, in Destined I found a new found respect and admiration in David his character I think is put through the wringer worse than any of them and you get to see him grow into a person I think you will all love by the end. There is a letter he writes……I won’t say where or when that literally tore me to shreds I couldn’t believe he had me crying like that.

The story itself was almost completely in Avalon which was awesome because I like the land that Aprilynne created there’s also more Camelot/Arthurian Legend in the story. Let’s face it y’all know I’m a crazy fan of that stuff (Hello Team Merlin) ;) oh and let me just clear this up quickly I didn’t hate Klea I understood her motives and yeah she may have been the bad guy but she had her reasons oh and Yuki might have been obnoxious but I liked her too!

I chose a passage that has David in it because I loved the meaning. It’s a symbol for much bigger things.

“Now David Lawson,” Jamison said, “Avalon needs your help. Not only are you human—with the ability to wield the sword--- but I can sense your bravery, your strength, and especially, your loyalty. I know what you have done for Laurel in your world; standing by her when it meant risking your life. Even entering Avalon today took great courage. I suspect you have much in common with that young man Arthur, and I believe it is your destiny to save us all.”

Chelsea was soaking up the scene with eager eyes.

Tammani looked horrified.

Laurel knew what Jamison was going to ask, and wanted to stop him, to tell David that he should refuse--- that he didn’t have to do this; that being around her had hurt him enough already. He didn’t need to be a soldier for Avalon, too.

“David, with the name of kings,” Jamison said formally, “it is time to discover if you are the hero Laurel has always thought you to be. Will you join us in defending Avalon?”

Ok I’ll leave it there but what do you think? What does David say and what sword is that????

Add Destined to your Goodreads shelves.

Pre-Order Destined!


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Untouched Blog Tour: Q&A with Jus Accardo plus Giveaway

We are super excited to have the lovely Jus Accardo today on the blog. She’s the author of Touch (a Denazen Series Novel), an absolutely fabulous book that Patricia read last year. Untouched which is a novella from Kale’s POV, will be out on March 27th  in e-book format. So we’ve asked Jus to answer a few questions and she has kindly agreed to do so. So without further delay here we go…

Jus: Thanks for having me J !
Two Chicks: For those out there who’ve not read Touch, can you tell us what it’s about?
Jus: Short and sweet version: A seventeen year old adrenalin junkie goes on the run with her father’s best assassin, igniting a war between the company that owns him, and a rogue group trying to bring them down.
Two Chicks: How did you decide that you wanted to write a book in the paranormal genre?
Jus: I’ve always loved the paranormal, and I’ve always loved to write. It was a no-brainer. Other than several horse and dog themes stories I wrote as a child (horrible, horrible stories that will forever stay locked away in a box that’s hidden in a lose floor board of a secret room), everything I’ve ever written has been infused with some kind of paranormal. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Two Chicks: What made you want to write Untouched as a novella for this series?
Jus: I really had never given any thought to writing a novella. My editor and agent suggested I do one, and the rest is history!
Two Chicks: And we are so happy that you did! How did you come up with the titles for the Denazen series (Touch, Untouched and Toxic so far)?
Jus: TOUCH was born with the help of my crit partner, Heather. It was originally titled REAPER (those of you who have read it will understand why ;) ) But with so many books floating around at the time it was being queried about reapers, she thought it gave agents the wrong idea—which she was totally right about.
UNTOUCHED was born from the genius of my editor, Liz. She’d asked me for title suggestions and I had nothing. Like, echo in a large stadium kind of nothing. Crickets, dead air, yadda yadda—you get the picture. She suggested UNTOUCHED and it was like, BAM. There it is.
And TOXIC… *huge grin* Toxic just kind of named itself. And it is perfect. Its literal, it’s symbolic… I can’t wait to hear what readers think!
(Two Chicks: We can’t wait to read it!!)
Two Chicks: Who was your favorite character to write and why? Who was your least favorite or gave you the most trouble?
Jus: Dez was my fave to write hands down. She’s everything I wish I’d been at her age. Confident, self reliant, and brave. Writing her was the most fun I’ve had with a character in a long time.
If I had to pick a hardest, I’d have to say writing UNTOUCHED from Kale’s POV gave me the most trouble. And it’s not so much that it was hard… Dez and Kale are so different—which is one of the things I love about them as a couple. But going from Dez to Kale was a bit of a shock to my system. Kale isn’t snarky and views things in a totally different—almost pure—way. It definitely took me a pass or two until I was happy with it.
Two Chicks: Do you ever get writer’s block and if so how do you deal with that?
Jus: It happens—though thankfully not a lot. When I do find my brain all stopped up, I either listen to music or go for a run. Sometimes I bake, but I try to avoid that. It usually involves chocolate cupcakes and I’m the only one who eats chocolate in this house… Do the math… Yeah.
Two Chicks: What are you working on now?
Jus: I’ve just wrapped up the first book in a new series, and now I’m working on the second novella in the Denazen series—which has been SO much fun. It’s about a character who isn’t Dez or Kale. Anyone wanna guess?
Two Chicks: What do you do when you’re not writing?
Jus: I love to cook, and I get out with the dogs and go hiking behind the house whenever the weather allows it. I’m also a huge gamer geek. I’ve been playing World of Warcraft since like right after it came out. :D

We want to know you better questions:

Two Chicks: Do you believe love can last forever?
Jus: I really think it can—if the right two people find each other! I was very lucky, I found my forever person when I was only eighteen.
Two Chicks: If you could learn any language, which would you choose and why?
Jus: I’d learn Italian. I know a few choice words—none of them useable in polite company—and would love to learn more. I have tons of family in Naples and I’d love to go there one day and be able to chit chat :D
Two Chicks: If you could have dinner with any author, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Jus: Hmm. I’m gonna go with Poe. I love the dark stuff and he made such a strong impression on me when I was a kid. I’d love to buy him a sandwich and a beer and pick his brain a bit.
Two Chicks: Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Jus: Stitch!
Two Chicks: What is the last book you read?
Jus: I finished Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones a few weeks ago and I’m currently reading Doubletake by Rob Thurman. (both awesome and you should check them out if you haven’t already!!!)
Two Chicks: Chocolate or vanilla?
Jus: Both—smushed together! Come on, admit it. Everyone loves ice cream soup!
Two Chicks: Breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Jus: Well, I’m allergic to eggs so that limits breakfast, and I’m not usually hungry till after four so definitely dinner.
Two Chicks: Sunrise or sunset?
Jus: You can’t beat facing an awesome sunrise as the day stretches out before you.
Two Chicks: Cats or dogs?
 Jus: Dogs. I’m pro shelter dogs all the way. I have three large, lazy ones of my own and I couldn’t see my life without them! (go out and adopt a dog!)

Untouched 
(A Denazen Novella 1.5)
Author: Jus Accardo
Release Date:  March 27th, 2012
ePub ISBN: 9781620611166
Publisher:  Entangled Publishing
Until he met Dez, Kale’s days were filled with violence and death. He was used as a weapon of destruction by the power hungry men of Denazen. He’s a Six. A person with an abnormal ability. Some people call them gifts, but not Kale. Kale’s touch means instant death.
But now there’s Dez, the girl he can touch, and they’re hunting down Sixes and warning them about Denazen. Kale is learning about the world outside captivity and trying to put his dark past behind him. But they underestimated how badly Denazen wanted him back.
When Dez sacrifices herself to save the new Six they’d rescued from falling into the corp’s hands, Kale is lost. Denazen has brought out its best to get the job done. Samsen, a nightmare from Kale’s past—the only person he’s ever truly feared—has come for them, and it soon becomes obvious he has his own twisted agenda.
Kale will need all his training to get Dez back and ensure they make it out, free—and alive. But will it be enough?

Add Untouched to your TBR pile on Goodreads Touch, the first novel in the Denazen series, is set to re-release in mass market on June 12th (Complete with additional scenes from Kale’s POV!). You can pre-order your copy here.


Toxic (Denazen 2) hits shelves on September 11th 2012

Give Jus a yell on Twitter, or visit her on Facebook, and her website

If you like to win an e-book of Untouched be sure to enter below: 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Jaime's Review of Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins



Sweet Evil
Wendy Higgins
Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 0062085611
Source: ARC from the publisher
Rating:  Obsessed


From Goodreads.
What if there were teens whose lives literally 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 forces Anna to face the reality that hope and love are not options for her kind. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?


Remember a while back when I said I was over Angel books? I still am but this book is a big, huge, colossal, mind blowing exception to that statement above!  I didn’t just love this book I was so crazy about it that I made everyone I know that had a copy pick it up and start reading! I may have even tweeted a small teaser to draw them in ;)

On to the book I rarely say this but if there was a book world I wanted to live in this would be one of those books and not only that, I’d want to be Anna. I really liked her she is the epitome of “the good girl” but after finding out some shocking things she learns it’s ok to let loose a bit and, she figures how to walk the line between both good and evil. She has such inner strength and conviction I loved that about her. I also loved that she isn’t afraid to stand up for her beliefs and defend herself and her friends even if it means she would be hurt.

Enter the most amazing boy Kaiden Rowe I fell in love with him on page 11(I will post an excerpt from this page below) and I think Anna did too! He’s a drummer, dark hair, smoldering blue eyes, and he has an English accent. He actually reminded me of someone from my past. Kaiden is all of those things and soo much more he’s dangerous but he’s also protective and, he’s really funny he had me smiling ear to ear quite a bit. Not to mention swooning in almost every scene he was in!

The story was amazingly well written and I couldn’t get enough of it I actually took a “me” day to finish it. Now I’m not so happily waiting that long year for the next book. I don’t re-read many books but this one will definitely be one that I do and probably more than once!

So here’s my promised teaser excerpt from page 11 the page where I fell for Kaiden Rowe.

There was an intensity to the way he played, like he was unleashing his passion into the music and nothing else mattered. He was feeling it, lost in it, and he was good. A light sheen of sweat shone on his arms and face, dampening and darkening the hair at his temples.

Never before had I felt such instant physical attraction. The power if it was jarring. I’d noticed when guys had nice features, sure, but I was usually distracted by their emotions.

Now, with the drummer’s absence of an aura, I was able to watch the muscles in his biceps and forearms flex as he slammed the drumsticks down in a whirlwind of precise movement. The beat was intoxicating, bumping each nerve ending inside of me. His whole body moved fluidly, jumping with the force of the beat, his face looked focused and sure.

I looked again at the red starburst on his chest. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen. I doubted he felt lustful at that moment, with his utter concentration on the music. It was weird. The song came to an end with one last crash of the cymbals; then he twirled the drumsticks in his fingers before tucking them under his arm. Jay was cheering, along with the rest of the crowd. I stood in absolute awe.

Ok so enough with the teaser what did you think? I seriously cannot wait for you all to get your hands on a copy of Sweet Evil!!!

Add it to your Goodreads shelves.

Pre-order your copy today!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Watch the Under The Never Sky Trailer

Ok so Jaime loves this book!!!! Especially Roar and we just found this trailer on MTV's Hollywood Crush site. It is amazing and we think it captures the book and characters perfectly!!!! 


If you haven't read this book yet what are you waiting for????? Go buy it now!


Onyx Talisman Blog Tour and a Kindle Giveaway



Hey welcome to the first stop on the Onyx Talisman blog tour! While everyone else during the tour will be posting a review of The Onyx Talisman and a little something special for Brenda I thought I’d kick it off a little differently. This is Jaime BTW J

I beta read Onyx for Brenda and it was an amazing end to this much beloved series and I can’t wait for all of you to read it as well! So here’s the first thing I want to talk about The new covers they are absolutely gorgeous and Brenda being very thoughtful waited until the series was over so those of you with the older covers can have 3 that match!
So here’s the new covers!




The next thing I want to do is what the other blogs are doing as well. I asked them to write a letter to Brenda or a character in the Talisman Series. I chose Brenda.

Dear Brenda,
This will be quick but, I just wanted to thank you for writing amazing books and asking me to beta read them. I am very happy to be able to consider you a friend and I hope that you know your friendship means the world to me! I also wanted to thank you for mentioning me in your books and asking us to host the tour along with the chats! Ooh and for accidentally naming a character in Everblue after me lol. I know we’re going to have a blast in Chicago at RT we’ve got to get some pizza J
Lets go get coffee soon!
                                                                                       Hugs,
                                                                                      Jaime
Brenda is also having a giveaway for a kindle, signed copies of Onyx, and some e-books so if you want to enter fill out the rafflecopter form!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Make sure to check out the rest of the tour stops to see who they wrote their letters to!
March 21-  Live to Read
March 22- YA Bookmark
March 24- Proud Book Nerd
March 26- Yara @ Once Upon A Twilight
March 28- Kristie Cook
March 29- Nightly Reading
March 30- VLSimplicity
April 1-  Red House Books
April 2- Reader Girls

Pure Blog Tour Stop with Jaime's Review of Pure

We are today’s Pure Blog Tour Stop. We have both read Pure and totally loved it. Check out our reviews below and then enter to win:  

  

Pure
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Paperback:  320 pages
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: April 2, 2012
ISBN: 0983157227
Source: ARC from the publisher
Rating: LOVED

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.




Jaime’s review….

After reading Half Blood I didn’t think there was any way that Jennifer could top it but, then I picked up Pure and holy crap this book is sooo much better than the first! I have no idea how to review this without spoiling anything but I’m going to try my hardest.

Pure picks up pretty close to the ending of Half Blood Alex is back in school and everything seems to be going as good as it can for her. She’s got her friends and two incredibly hot boys Aiden and Seth both training her. While Aiden pushes her away Seth reels her in and I really liked Seth in book 1 but his gentleness and protectiveness not to mention his sarcastic humor made me like him even more. Notice I didn’t say love I usually love a bad boy like Seth but for once I am still completely in love with the distant brooding Aiden St. Delphi. You can feel the passion and need radiating off of him from just a look and even though he and Alex fight their feelings you can tell he truly loves her. He practically tells her that if she just understood Greek lol.

I can’t get into the plot much but let me tell you this was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster! One minute I’d be bawling my eyes out, the next laughing my butt off, and the next biting the inside of my cheek with anticipation! I couldn’t tell who the bad guys were in this one besides the daimon’s; everyone seemed suspicious and some pretty horrible things happen. No I will not tell you what or whom because I’m still not sure of some of it myself. Just read the book when it comes out.

And closing here’s a small scene to entice you more.
“I know how brave you are, Alex. But you don’t always have to be. It’s okay every once in a while to let someone else be brave for you. There’s no loss in dignity in that. Not for you. You’ve already proven that you have more dignity than even a pure-blood can muster.”
I kind of wondered where that had come from. “You must be high off sugar or something.”
Aiden laughed. “You don’t see what we see, Alex. Even the times you’re being utterly ridiculous about something or when you’re just standing around, doing nothing, it’s hard not to notice. As a pure-blood it’s the last thing I should notice.” His eyes flickered shut, long lashes fanned his cheeks before his eyes reopened to reveal intense sliver. “I don’t think you have a clue.”
The world outside the car ceased to exist. “What don’t I have a clue about?”


Ok so I know that got you pumped up to read more! Pure comes out April 2nd so go pre-order it now. Follow Jennifer on twitter and check out her blog she runs some pretty sweet contests!



GIVEAWAY:  To gain an entry in either/both of the tour giveaways for Pure, leave a comment here letting us know whether you are Team Aiden or Team Seth and why. Then go to StuckInBooks and/or A Cupcake and a Latte with this link to complete your entry.
You can check out the rest of the tour stops here and use the hashtag #PureTourJLA on Twitter.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Jaime's Review of Dreaming Awake by Gwen Hayes



Dreaming Awake
Gwen Hayes
Paperback: 336 pages
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: NAL Trade (Penguin)
ISBN: 0451235541
Source: Finished copy from the Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review.
Rating: Loved


From Goodreads.
She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…


I read Falling Under and Dreaming Awake back to back and I have to admit where I liked Falling Under I loved Dreaming Awake! This is the rare case where the second book is better than the first. In book one I fell for Haden but really didn’t like Theia too much until the end in book 2 I really loved Theia she became so courageous and I liked that her attitude changed and she became more comfortable in her own skin. I always liked her friends especially Donny she reminded me a lot of myself.

This story was magical if you like dancing skeletons, faceless people, and women who have been cut apart and sewn back together which I do. It was the perfect amount of creepy for me. This was a sort of fairy tale but the handsome prince was a demon/human hybrid and the heroine was definitely not sweet or good (at least in book 2) and I loved that. I enjoy regular fairy tales, but I really liked the grittiness of this and that Up is literally Down; and stepping through the rabbit hole took you to a place of horror and pain but that it still had beauty. I believe this is the finale in the series but if Gwen chose to write more about Haden, Theia, and all of their friends I would definitely pick it up! I couldn't help but fall under!

I quoting a scene between Haden and Theia because I liked that even though things weren’t all sunshine and puppies they still loved each other.

Anger warmed my face and I turned away. “It sounds like you’re just mad I beat you to it.”

Haden grasped my wrist, pulling my attention back to him. “I would have come back to you.”

I twisted from his hand. “Unless you died.” He wanted to look away then, but I silently dared him to keep the eye contact. “You were going to rush headlong into some kind of war. What would happen to me---to all of us--- if you didn’t come back?”

“It’s a chance I have to take.”

He hadn’t used past tense. “you’re still going through with it?”

He closed his eyes. Getting that small distance from me made his words seem sharper, more forceful. 
“I will make sure she can no longer threaten you or those you care about. If it’s the last thing I do, I promise you that.”

I wanted to throw something, hit something. “I hate that you lied to me… that you’ve been lying.” I thought about how hard it had been to break ties with him when all along he’d been planning on doing the same.

“I lied because I love you. Everything I do is because I love you.”

Add Dreaming Awake to your Goodreads shelves.

Buy it now!

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