Blog Tour- TRANSCENDENT by Lesley Livingston and a Giveaway!

Hey y'all! I have an awesome music post from Lesley Livingston, author of amazing books and her newest TRANSCENDENT, the finale to the Starling series is no different! I loved every page! Ooh and of course I've included my favorite YouTube videos. Oh and stick around for the giveaway!
Haven't heard of NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE Check it out!

Title: TRANSCENDENT 

Author: Lesley Livingston

Pub. Date: December 23, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 352

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audoibook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

LOVE CONQUERS

On a storm-swept terrace high above the streets of Manhattan, Mason Starling holds the fate of the world in her hands as her beloved Fennrys lies bleeding at her feet, his life hanging in the balance. The ancient Norse prophecy of Ragnarok stands poised on the knife edge of fulfillment. Mason’s transformation into a Valkyrie—a chooser of the slain and the one who will ultimately bring about the end of the world—is complete. Still, she remains determined to thwart her father’s apocalyptic desires. Whatever is to come, it won’t happen because of what the prophecy foretold, or what Gunnar Starling has planned, or what the fates have already decided. What happens next will be up to Mason and the Fennrys Wolf. The world had better hope they haven’t reached the limits of what their souls and swords can survive.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, and set in the same universe as Lesley Livingston’s much-loved WONDROUS STRANGE trilogy, with roots in Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and Celtic myths and legends, this thrilling conclusion to the acclaimed Starling trilogy is filled to the hilt with sweeping adventure and soaring romance. 

Grab STARLING Book 1 in the series now for only $1.99!

Now on to the post! Just a warning this is a long one because Lesley is my music soul mate so I've posted quite a few videos!

TRANSCENDENT PLAYLIST

As I mentioned before, during the tour for DESCENDANT, I listen to music a lot when I’m writing. Sometimes it helps to block out the outside world so I can focus on the one in my head, and sometimes it helps to inspire a certain scene. Sometimes, it’s just fun listening to songs my characters might have on shuffle play. Well, the shiny purple iPod was hard at work again for the final installment of the Starling Saga. Here’s a selection. Enjoy!

1.  RIDE OF THEVALKYRIES – Richard Wagner

Yes. I did that. I went there. So did Mason.

2.  IF I EVER LEAVE THIS WORLD ALIVE – Flogging Molly (One of Jaime's all time favorite songs!)

Well, Fenn, you keep giving it your best shot… I love this song for its grim cheeriness – and for lyrics like: “So in a word don’t shed a tear/ I’ll be here when it all gets weird”. Because, y’know… it get’s weird.

3.  PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE – Queen (HIGHLANDER!!!! That is all! Oh and Jaime loves Queen!)

I think this is probably the song that Rory CRANKS in his dorm room. And then he air guitars like a maniac. ’Cause, y’know… maniac.

4.  LIVIN’ ON THE EDGE – Aerosmith (What a cutie Ed Furlong was)

Hey. It’s the apocalypse. Aren’t we all?

5.  HEROES – David Bowie (Jaime loves David Bowie!)

Huh. Maybe it won’t be the apocalypse after all. Not if there are heroes….

6. WISH YOU WERE HERE – Pink Floyd (One of Jaime's all time favorite songs)

Now where did those heroes get to?! I could imagine this song drifting out on a thin breeze over the last battlefield of Valgrind before any of the warriors arrived…

7.  HAWKMOON 269 – U2

Borderline obsessive love runs rampant in this book, it seems, and that is what this song is all about. Plus with all those thundering tympanis, it just seems to be sounding out an approaching storm. A big one. Really, really big.

8. THE HOUNDS OF WINTER – Sting

You might think this would be a song for Fennrys, but you’d be wrong. This is, rather, Gunnar Starling’s theme song. And the face that haunts his cold days and colder nights is that of his lost, beloved wife, Yelena. It explains a lot about him, actually. Not that that’s a good thing…

9.  AFTERGLOW – INXS

Oh… Roth.

10.  DO YA – Electric Light Orchestra

Probably a good tune to crank up on Cal’s Maserati’s sound system while on the way to Valgrind. A loud, loopy acknowledgement that there is way more to this world than meets the eye. And that, hey, weird happens. Right, Heather?

11.  BORN TO BE WILD –Steppenwolf

No, I did not choose this song just for its word-play potential. Okay – not entirely, anyway. It’s also a really great pre-battle motivational warm up tune!

12.  WEAPON OF CHOICE – Fatboy Slim (Jaime loves Chris Walken's dancing in this video lol)

If Gunnar had a bit more of a sense of humor, this might be closer to how his telephone conversation could have gone with Mason. As it is, she’s still definitely his weapon of choice. And now she’s going to have to choose: “You can go with this/ Or you can go with that/ You can go with this/ Or you can go with that…”

13.  LEARNING TO FLY – Pink Floyd

Because Mason Starling is going to have to learn the difference between falling and flying before this is all over.

Thanks for sharing Lesley!!! I freaking love this playlist!!!!

About Lesley:

Lesley Livingston is a writer and actress living in Toronto. She has a master's degree in English from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in Arthurian Literature and Shakespeare. She frequently performs with the Tempest Theatre Group, of which she is a co-founder. She is also the author of WONDROUS STRANGE and DARKLIGHT.

You can visit Lesley online at www.lesleylivingston.com

Website /Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest/Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

(4) winners will receive a finished copy of TRANSCENDENT US/Canada Only 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the Tour Schedule for more awesome posts!

Week One:

12/15/2014- Wholly Books- Review

12/16/2014- Reading YA Rocks- Interview

12/17/2014- Reading Lark- Review

12/18/2014- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

12/19/2014- Please Feed The Bookworm-Review

Week Two:

12/22/2014- Parajunkee- Interview

12/23/2014- Wishful Endings- Review

12/24/2014- Mom With A Kindle- Interview

12/25/2014- Crossroad Reviews - Review

12/26/2014- Bewitched Bookworms- Guest Post

Just because :D

Blog Tour- DESCENDANT by Lesley Livingston Playlist and a Giveaway

I love Lesley Livingston and her books and I love music and so does Lesley so today I get to share a playlist with you for DESCENDANT. And of course I'll embed YouTube videos of my favorite ones and there's a giveaway as well so check below.

Title: Descendant (Starling #2)

Author: Lesley Livingston

Pub. Date: August 27, 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 336

Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads

The last thing Mason Starling remembers is the train crossing a bridge. An explosion . . . a blinding light . . . then darkness. Now she is alone, stranded in Asgard—the realm of Norse legend—and the only way for her to get home is to find the Spear of Odin, a powerful relic left behind by vanished gods.

The Fennrys Wolf knows all about Asgard. He was once trapped there. And he’ll do whatever it takes to find the girl who’s stolen his heart and bring her back—even if it means a treacherous descent into the Underworld. But time is running out, and Fenn knows something Mason doesn’t: If she takes up the Spear, she’ll set in motion a terrible prophecy. And she won’t just return to her world . . . she’ll destroy it.

In this pulse-pounding sequel to Starling, Lesley Livingston delivers another electrifying blend of nonstop action and undeniable romance that will leave readers breathless.

Now on to this awesome playlist!

DESCENDANT PLAYLIST

I listen to music a lot when I’m writing. Sometimes it helps to block out the outside world so I can focus on the one in my head, and sometimes it helps to inspire a certain scene. Sometimes, it’s just fun listening to songs my characters might have on shuffle play. Here is a selection from the playlist I have on my shiny purple iPod for DESCENDANT. Enjoy!

1. NEW YORK – U2

This is just the song to get me into the mood to write about the city. A feeling of setting more than anything specific. Plus I love way that it goes from cool and relaxed to frantic and driving in an instant. Kind of like Mason’s world.

2. IMMIGRANT SONG – Led Zeppelin 

Okay, maybe I’m being slightly Captain Obvious here with this choice, but how can I not include the ultimate Viking warrior anthem? Seriously. With a line like “Fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!” And those initial screaming Robert Plant vocals sound like approaching draugr to me. And to Fennrys. 

3. PUMPED UP KICKS - Foster the People

This is such a Rory song. It just is. Right down to the attitude. And the bullet.

4. BREATHING UNDER WATER -  Metric

There seem to be an awful lot of things lurking, breathing under water, in the rivers surrounding the island of Manhattan. I thought that maybe they needed their own playlist entry. Mostly because I want them to be nice to me. Nice underwater breathing things… play nice now.

5. DOG DAYS ARE OVER - Florence and the Machine

“Happiness hit her like a train on a track”? It sure did. Poor Mason…

6. ALL THESE THINGS THAT I’VE DONE – The Killers

There’s pretty much something for every character in DESCENDANT in this song. Read the book, then read the lyrics, and then tell me I’m not right. Better yet? Tell Fennrys I’m not right!

7. ELECTRICAL STORM – U2 

A song for Mason and Fennrys. Full of ache and longing… the charged, eerie sensation of a sky filled with lightning. And the particularly fitting lyrics: “You're in my mind all of the time/ I know that's not enough/
If the sky can crack, there must be some way back/ For love and only love…”

8. CUPID - Sam Cooke

One for Heather. An oldie, but a goodie! I can actually picture her cranking this song up in her dorm room and dancing to it all alone. Heather digs irony.

9. CAN’T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD – Electric Light Orchestra

And one for Cal. Next time an Ocean’s daughter calls your name? Put in ear plugs! Then you won’t have this problem.

10. WORLD ON FIRE - Sara McLachlan

Mason probably hums this one in her sleep. It’s a lovely melodic counterpoint to her nightmares and yet still manages to remind her incessantly about the impending end of the world!

11. THE CHOSEN ONE – Bryan Ferry

This one’s for Roth. Sad and strange and brooding and quiet. A song of foreboding.

12. GOODBYE BLUE SKY – Pink Floyd

A particularly fitting song for an approaching apocalypse, no? Yes!

13. I WILL FIND YOU – Clannad

Because Fenn will find you, Mason. At least, he’d better…

About Lesley:

Lesley Livingston is a writer and actress living in Toronto. She has a master's degree in English from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in Arthurian Literature and Shakespeare. She frequently performs with the Tempest Theatre Group, of which she is a co-founder. She is also the author of WONDROUS STRANGE and DARKLIGHT.
You can visit Lesley online at www.lesleylivingston.com

Website /Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

2 signed sets of STARLING & DESCENDANT Us/Canada Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the Tour Schedule!

8/19/2013- The Happy Booker- Guest Post

8/20/2013- Bewitched Bookworms- Interview

8/21/2013- IceyBooks- Review

8/22/2013- Tater's Tall Tails- Guest Post

8/23/2013- [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E.]- Review

8/26/2013- Fiktshun- Character Interview Fennrys

8/27/2013- Wholly Books- Review

8/28/2013- Book Jems- Review

8/29/2013- Two Chicks on Books- Guest Post

8/30/2013- About to Read- Interview

Swoon Thursday (9)- Descendant by Lesley Livingston

Ok so you said you’d like me to keep doing Swoon Thursdays and I am here to please! Thanks to the lovely ladies at YA Bound for this awesome meme! I love being able to a share swoon-worthy snippet with you!

So this week I’ve decided to share a swoon-worthy scene from the book I just finished a couple days ago! I freaking loved this book and I know you all will too!

DESCENDANT by Lesley Livingston

This book is awesome and the scene I’m going to share is sexy and sweet I adore Fenn so much I wish I could be Mason!

The way he kissed her back, she could feel that he was just as ravenous. As they pressed against each other, everything else fell away. All Mason could feel was Fenrys’s lips as they moved over hers, his hands—fingers strong and splayed wide, roaming over her back and shoulders as if he needed to touch as much of her as he could all at once—and the beating of his heart as they fell back into the bed of leaves beneath them. The broken walls that sheltered them loomed like the battlements of a medieval fortress, and overhead, Mason thought she saw stars peeking through. The lonely cry of a hunting owl echoed in the distance, the firelight cast Fenn’s profile in crimson and shadows, and Mason felt as though she had fallen into the pages of a fairy tale. Even prefaced by all the madness that had led to that moment, she could hardly find cause for complaint. She just gave herself over to passionately kissing her handsome prince.

So what did you think? Does this make you want to add it to you TBR? I’d love to hear what you think!

Dying to Read (21)- Descendant by Lesley Livingston

Hey y’all thanks for stopping by to see my Dying to Read post and of course as always I have to give credit to the lovely Jill over at Breaking the Spine for the Waiting on Wednesday Meme!

This week the book I’m dying to read is Descendant by Lesley Livingston!!!!! I’m seriously in need of this book! I am super in love with Fenn and I can’t wait to read more of his story and Mason’s especially after that killer ending Lesley left us with ugh! 

Descendant (Starling #2)

Lesley Livingston

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: HarperTeen

ISBN: 0062063103

Goodreads

Amazon/Barnes& Noble/The Book Depository

The last thing Mason Starling remembers is the train crossing a bridge. An explosion . . . a blinding light . . . then darkness. Now she is alone, stranded in Asgard—the realm of Norse legend—and the only way for her to get home is to find the Spear of Odin, a powerful relic left behind by vanished gods.

The Fennrys Wolf knows all about Asgard. He was once trapped there. And he’ll do whatever it takes to find the girl who’s stolen his heart and bring her back—even if it means a treacherous descent into the Underworld. But time is running out, and Fenn knows something Mason doesn’t: If she takes up the Spear, she’ll set in motion a terrible prophecy. And she won’t just return to her world . . . she’ll destroy it.

In this pulse-pounding sequel to Starling, Lesley Livingston delivers another electrifying blend of nonstop action and undeniable romance that will leave readers breathless.

So what do you think? Will you be adding this to your pile? What are you dying to read this week?

Valkyrie Rising Blog Tour Review and Giveaway!

Hey y’all! Thanks for stopping by my stop on the Valkyrie Rising Blog Tour! I have a review of this awesome book for you today. So check it out and fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter the giveaway for a signed copy of Valkyrie Rising!

Valkyrie Rising

Ingrid Paulson

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0062025724

Source: ARC from the Publisher

Rating: Loved

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

From Goodreads.

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.                                 What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.                                                                                      Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age..

I loved this book so much! I was a little disappointed to find out that it is a stand-alone though, because I definitely would have loved to read more about this world! I thought Ingrid’s take on Norse Myth was awesome! If you’ve read any of my other reviews on books that have mythology involved y’all should know that it’s a favorite subject of mine. All mythology! I especially like Celtic and Norse since that’s part of my heritage. I loved the Valkyries and meeting Loki whom I knew even before he introduced himself the trickster was an awesome character! I wanted to see more of Odin though and meet more of the gods from Midgard (hence the reasons for another book lol)

Ok so I think one thing I loved about this book was the love interest Tuck. And not just because he’s smoking hot (which he is and he’s such a smooth talker lol) but, because he’s literally the boy next door and, her older brother’s best friend! So it’s not an insta-love story. This thing between them has been growing for years even though Ellie may not realize it and they both may fight it, they belong together! It’s so sweet and one thing I wanted to see more of was their relationship and how it progresses hence the anger for this being a stand-alone lol.

So of course I chose a scene between Tuck and Ellie because yeah I’m kinda in love with that dude.

“Crazy about you, Ells,” Tuck said, breaking away and kissing my forehead. “Been fighting it for as long as I can remember.” He towed me toward the front of the house, but I dragged my feet, not ready for the night to begin and seriously needing a moment to fix my shirt.

“Why? Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“Scared.”

“Of what? Me?”

“You don’t go after your best friends little sister.” His voice was strained. “Especially when he’s Graham. No one was ever good enough for you.”

Even though I dreaded the answer, given that he’d used past tense, I had to ask, “So what’s different now?”

“Nothing.”

We both knew he was lying. There was an army of bloodthirsty Valkyries standing between us and Graham’s disapproval. Valkyries who might very kill all three of us before the night was out. If I pushed my line of questioning any further I wouldn’t like the answers I got.

Ok if I was Ellie I’d be saying screw my older brother! LOL So Valkyrie Rising came out two days ago what are you waiting for? Go buy it!!!!!

Author Spotlight

Ingrid Paulson lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter and enjoys long-distance running, eavesdropping, and watching science documentaries. She has always loved books and writing short stories, but was surprised one day to discover the story she was working on wasn't so short any more. VALKYRIE RISING is Ingrid's first novel.

Ingrid's grandmother might actually be a Valkyrie; she's still waiting for her to come clean.

You can visit Ingrid on the web at www.ingridepaulson.com

or 

Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jaime's Review of Starling By Lesley Livingston

Starling

Lesley Livingston

Hardcover: 352 pages

Release Date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0062063073

Source: ARC from the Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review

Rating: Obsessed

From Goodreads.

"Love is just the beginning... of the end." Mason Starling is a champion fencer for Gosforth Academy, but she’s never had to fight for her life. Until now. When a ferocious storm rips through Manhattan and unleashes terrifying creatures onto Gosforth’s campus, Mason barely escapes alive. Without help from the mysterious stranger who appeared in the midst of the storm, she might not have made it at all. But now, in the aftermath, Mason’s life begins to spin dramatically, mystically out of control, and the only one who seems able to help her is the stranger who can remember nothing but his name: Fennrys Wolf. As Mason and Fenn uncover more about Fenn’s past and the strange events that surround them, they realize that Mason’s family — and its dark allegiance to the ancient Norse gods — is at the center of everything. A predetermined fate seems to be closing in on Mason, but is it possible to change one’s destiny? Readers who fell in love with Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange trilogy and those who love Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series will be captivated by the sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action of Starling.

Have you ever read a book where you were completely in love with one guy and then out of nowhere someone creeps up on you and you end up falling for him too? Well that happened to me in Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange series with Fennrys Wolf. Don’t get me wrong I still adore Sonny but, Fenn just captured a big piece of my heart. So when I found out that Fenn was getting his own book?!?! I literally jumped for joy!!!! I was really hoping something good would happen for him because well….. let’s just say he got the short end of the deal in Tempestuous.

So now that I’ve rambled on to my review. Starling was everything I expected it to be! Lesley is an amazing writer and I love that she brought so many areas of mythology to light. The story mainly has Norse myth but there’s some Greek, Celtic, Egyptian, as well as some others I can’t quite remember right now lol. I adored the MC Mase she’s a pretty badass chick and when we first see Fenn he’s fighting beasts naked! Yep you read that right he’s stark freaking naked fighting beasts with his sword! (Minds out of the gutter!) I mean an actual sword made of metal lol. Ok sorry had to take a moment to *swoon* back to it.

So there’s this prophecy and together Fenn and Mase have to try and stop it or really bad things will happen. Like end of the world bad things. And her family is playing a big role in this prophecy. I hated her dad, and one of her brothers is a total douche; her other brother? I really liked him and if Fenn didn’t have my heart Roth definitely would. Mase has this…. I guess I would call her a friend Heather and she is freaking hilarious she has some of the best lines in the book! I mean check this “I think the real Cupid is probably more like some psycho juvie with dark glasses and a taser.” Ok yeah I’m done proclaiming my love for this book since that is what this review turned out to be a rambling love-fest. Let’s just say I am completely obsessed and can’t wait for book 2 because some crazy things happen towards the end!

I had a really hard time picking a passage to share I had like 20 post-it’s in this one but I think I picked a pretty good one ;)

For a moment, everyone just stood around. Then a heavy knock on the door overhead made them all jump.

“Let me in,” came a gruff voice.

“No way, man!” Rory exclaimed.

Toby hesitated.

“Let him in, Toby!” Mason said. “He just saved us!”

The fencing master stood there, torn.

“Toby?” Heather looked at him.

“Aw, Hell…”

Toby wrenched the pipe out of the door’s ring handles as Rory shook his head in disgust. The stranger heaved the door open and climbed down, pulling the door shut behind him. At the bottom, he leaned heavily on the stair ladder for support, breathing harshly. In the beam from Toby’s flashlight, all of the contours of his body stood out in sharp relief. He looked like a Michelangelo sculpture, Mason thought.

“Bar the door,” he said.

“Do it,” Toby barked at Rory, handing him the metal pipe. “And somebody find Beowulf here some pants.”

“It’s Fennrys Wolf,” the young man rasped. “And yeah…pants would be nice.”

So um *clears throat* yeah this one is a MUST READ!!!!! LOL J

Add it to tour Goodreads shelves.

Pre-order it NOW!