Top Ten Tuesday (86)- Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read For The First Time In 2016

Hi thanks for stopping by!!! And welcome to my Top 10 Tuesday post! 

Thanks to the lovely ladies at The Broke And The Bookish for creating this weekly meme!

Here's this week's topic.

I picked December 6's topic on accident lol but may as well keep it: Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read For The First Time In 2016

I'll link to their goodreads pages so you can see their books.


1.  Amanda Bouchet. She writes adult high fantasy and it's freaking awesome!

2. Elise Kova. She's an indie author but don't let that stop you. She wrote the Air Awakens series which I binge read in 5 days! She writes a lot like my favorite author Maria V. Snyder. Her fantasy is amazing and she has a new steampunk fantasy that I just read and loved!

3. K.A. Linde. Yes another indie author but her Affiliate series blew me away! It's like The Selection (but better) and with magic!

4. S.J. Kincaid. Yup I'd never read her before The Diabolic and now I must read all her other books!

5. Kerri Maniscalco. She's a debut author but is well deserving to be on this list. Her book Stalking Jack the Ripper was awesome and I usually don't enjoy straight historical books.

6.  Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon. Their Doon series was another I had always wanted to read but hadn't until this year and I'm so happy I did! It was soooo good!

7. Amy Harmon. And another indie but her book The Bird And The Sword is everything I look for in a great high fantasy!

8. C.L. Wilson. She writes adult romantic fantasy and wow it is awesome and smexy! I loved the first book in her Weathermages of Mystral series (book 2 needs to come soon!) and had to buy her Tarien Soul books right after!

9. Lisa Maxwell. Unhooked was the first book by Lisa I read and I loved it! I need to read the rest of her books now!

10. Sarah Fine. Impostor Queen was the first book of Sarah's I read. Sadly I didn't like the sequel/companion novel but Sarah has a ton more books I want to read.

So what about you? Who are some new to you authors you read? And I probably won't be doing top tens lists for the rest of December since we have our Top 10 event at the end of the month and a couple of the topics are similar!! 

Hugs,

Jaime

Top Ten Tuesday (66)- Ten Books I Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed

Hi thanks for stopping by!!! And welcome to my Top 10 Tuesday post! 

Thanks to the lovely ladies at The Broke And The Bookish for creating this weekly meme!

Here's this week's topic.

May 24:  Ten Books I Feel Differently About After Time Has Passed (less love, more love, complicated feelings, indifference, thought it was great in a genre until you became more well read in that genre etc.)

This is probably going to end up being mostly books I don't like but I'm hoping to add a few that I ended up liking more too. But that might be hard since books I don't like usually stay that way.

1. RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard. When I first read this one I really loved it but as time passed I realized it was just ok and I hated the sequel.

2. THE FORBIDDEN WISH by Jessica Khoury. While I rated this one 3 stars because I actually finished the book now I really wish that I hadn't. I really didn't like this book.

3. GLASS SWORD by Victoria Aveyard. I rated this higher when I finished it but after a week or so I realized how much I hated this one. I really wish I would have DNF'd this one too.

4. THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine. When I read this I loved it but as time has passed it's become just an ok book to me and I don't even know if I'll pick up the sequel.

5. The whole TWILIGHT SERIES. Ok don't hate on me for this let me explain. I will always be appreciative for this series for getting me back into reading and also getting me to read YA books. But honestly this series isn't that great. I loved it when I read it but, after reading so many other YA books that were awesome I now know that the writing was just mediocre.

6. ILLUMINAE by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman. When I read this some things really pissed me off about it like all the uses of quotes or phrases from movies but the more distance I put between myself and the book I started to really love it! I gave this one 4 stars but am seriously considering upping it to a 5.

7. HALF BAD by Sally Green. I rated this a 3 but now that I think on it this book really sucked.

8. THE WINNERS CURSE by Marie Rutkoski. I DNF'd this book the first time I read it but a few friends kept pushing me to pick it back up. I ended up liking it at the time but now that I think about it I wish I never would have picked it back up. I am just not a fan of this authors writing style I DNF'd all of her other books that I tried.

9. SHADES OF EARTH by Beth Revis. It's been years since I've thought about this book! When I read it I rated it a 5 but now that I think on it, that book really pissed me off it wasn't a good finale. So yeah had to add this one.

10. TIGER LILY by Jodi Lynn Anderson. My god what was I thinking rating this 3 stars???? Man I freaking hate this book! I guess my hatred has grown over the years for it.

So what about you? What are some of your go to websites? And check back next week for my Ten Beach Reads and since I don't read contemporary lol I don't have any so this will be a tens list of my upcoming TBR books I would definitely read at the beach!

Hugs,

Jaime

Blog Tour- THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine An Interview and A Giveaway!

I am so excited to be hosting a spot on blog tour for THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine. I freaking loved this book and can't wait for it's sequel! I really can't wait for you all to read it! I have an interview with Sarah to share with you today! And make sure to enter the giveaway! 

Haven't heard of THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN? Check it out!

Title: THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN

Author: Sarah Fine

Release Date: January 5^th, 2016

Pages: 432

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books 

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes& Noble | iBooks

Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

Check out this map that will be in the book! It was designed by Leo Hartas!

Now on to the interview!

Hi Sarah! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books! I loved THE IMPOSTSOR QUEEN and I know my readers will as well and am so happy that you could stop by for a visit!

For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN and the characters?

The Impostor Queen is the story of a “chosen one” who finds out … she isn’t. Elli, the protagonist, has been raised her whole life to believe that she is going to be queen, and a supremely powerful one at that. She thinks of herself as a vessel waiting to be filled. I immensely enjoyed writing about her development when those expectations simply aren’t 

borne out.

One thing that’s really important to me is writing characters in context instead of allowing them to have perspectives they couldn’t possibly have given their surroundings, upbringing, and beliefs. It’s easy to see Elli as overly naïve, until you really ponder how someone raised in that environment would really think. Professionally (as a child psychologist), I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this as I work with parents to understand the internal lives of their children. It’s quite difficult to take on the perspective of a person who has such a limited understanding of the world, not because of lack of intelligence, but due to lack of experience. Once you have a larger perspective, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to think without that knowledge to guide you. So that was actually quite challenging as I told this story! But, in writing Elli and her journey, I tried my darnedest to remain within her realm of reality and experience. I hope readers are satisfied with the results!

Did you always plan for this to be a duology? Is there a title for book 2 yet?

No, I didn’t plan for it to be a duology, but I do have a clear vision of the full story I’d like to tell. 

And Book 2 does have a title: The Cursed Queen. I’m really excited to share it with everyone.

Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

I hardly EVER write characters based on people I know. I feel it constrains the imagination. There is only one exception to that, but that was a character from Of Metal and Wishes.

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

I’ve just finished Isaac’s Storm: A Man, A Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, by Erik Larson, and am currently reading Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic, by Sam Quinones. I’m also picking my way through Shadow Cities by Robert Neuwirth, which is a fascinating read about urban squatters around the world. I read a lot of nonfiction and am very often inspired by it. In fact, in December I read a history of the French Revolution and biographies of Robespierre and Stalin, and I anticipate that wisps of those men and different times will entangle and find their way into one of my upcoming books.

Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend?

Oh, honestly, I’ve never gotten over Dimitri Belikov from Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. Lots of runners up, but he has held the title for years, and I doubt he’ll ever relinquish it.

Lightning Round Questions

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter, though I’ve neglected it lately

Favorite superhero? Wonder Woman

Favorite TV show? Banshee

Sweet or salty? Salty

Any phobias? Parallel parking and also, being crushed.

Song you can’t get enough of right now? Emperor’s New Clothes by Panic! At the Disco

Upcoming movie you’re most looking forward to? Is it too early to be anticipating Star Wars, Episode 8?

Thanks so much Sarah for answering my questions! 

ABOUT SARAH FINE:

I’m the author of several books for teens, including Of Metal and Wishes (McElderry/Simon & Schuster) and its sequel, Of Dreams and Rust, the Guards of the Shadowlands YA urban fantasy series (Skyscape/Amazon Children’s Publishing), and The Impostor Queen (McElderry, January 2016).

I’m also the co-author (with Walter Jury) of two YA sci-fi thrillers published by Putnam/Penguin: Scanand its sequel Burn. My first adult urban fantasy romance series, Servants of Fate, includes Marked,Claimed, and Fated, all published by 47North in 2015, and my second adult UF series — The Reliquary, kicks off in summer 2016. When I’m not writing, I’m psychologizing. Sometimes I do both at the same time. The results are unpredictable.

LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Giveaway Details:

3 Finished Copies of THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week 1:

1/18: Two Chicks on Books - Q&A

1/19: The Irish Banana Review - Guest Post

1/20: Bookmark Lit - Cover Colors

1/21: Bibliobibuli YA - Review

1/22: No BS Book Reviews - Polyvore Collage

Week 2:

1/25: What Sarah Read - Review

1/26: Supernatural Snark - Review

1/27: Paperback Princess - Review

1/28: Eater of Books - Top 10

1/29: Lili's Reflections - Review

Dying To Read (123)- THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine

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!

I am so stoked with all the high fantasy books coming out in 2016 and this one is no exception!

Title: THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN

Author: Sarah Fine

Release Date: January 5, 2016

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Pages: 336
Formats: Hardcover & eBook

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iBooks 

Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed. 

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

Top Ten Tuesday (2)- Top New Series I Want To Start

Hi and welcome to my Top 10 Tuesday post! Looks like I'll be sticking with this one for a while since I enjoyed last week's post!

Thanks to the lovely ladies at The Broke And The Bookish for creating this weekly meme!

Here's this week's topic.

October 21: Top New Series I Want To Start (New..let's say within the last year or two)

1. Moira Rhodes THE DUST LANDS TRILOGY is my number 1. I have heard such good things about this series but just haven't gotten around to reading it. 

2. Cinda Williams Chima's THE SEVEN REALMS SERIES. I know I'm horrible high fantasy fan I need to remedy this one soon. Everyone keeps telling me how awesome it is!

3. Aimee Carter's THE BLACKCOAT REBELLION series. I really wanted to read book 1 PAWN but it was an ebook I had and forgot about it. I just got book 2 so I need to buy the first book now.

4. Sarah Fine's GUARDS OF SHADOWLANDS SERIES. This is another one I keep hearing great thing about.

5. Tamara Ireland Stone's TIME BETWEEN US SERIES. I love a good time travel story I even have the books. I just haven't had the time to read them.

6. Kendare Blake's GODDESS WAR SERIES. And her ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD SERIES. I have no idea why I haven't read these I do have all the books. Another one I just haven't found the time for.

7. Tessa Gratton's THE UNITED STATES OF ASGARD SERIES. I love Norse myth and I really need to get this one!

8. Robin Bridges KATERINA SERIES. *Disclaimer* I've read the first 2 but I really need to finish this one. I can't believe I haven't yet.

9. Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon's DOON SERIES. I have no idea why I haven't read these I do have  the books. Another one I just haven't found the time for.

10. Kristen Simmons' ARTICLE 5 SERIES.I have no idea why I haven't read these I do have all the books. Another one I just haven't found the time for.


So this is just a bit of my list there's plenty more but I kept it to 10. What about you? What are some places books have made you want to visit?

And come back next week for Top Ten Books/Movies To Read Or Watch To Get In The Halloween Spirit OR Top Ten Characters Who I Would Totally Want To Be For Halloween!

Hugs,
Jaime