Counting...

Three years ago, I felt pain I didn't know I could survive. Three years ago, someone broke my heart. Three years ago, I lost my way, and I didn't know if I could find my way back to myself...

Three months ago, I started following my dreams, and I was terrified. Three months ago, I was dead inside. Three months ago, I met someone, and my heart reawakened.

Three words of advice: Just Let Go.
Three words of reponse: Not yet, please.

One question: Why?

Five years ago, I thought I fell in love...for the first time. It was the greatest feeling to have someone care about me. You see, I didn't grew up with a lot of affection. I grew up with practically a servant, and absent parents. "Love" wasn't a constant gift as a child. When someone finally presented me the one gift I've yearned for, I grasped it tight and never wanted to let go. I held on too tight, the gift threatened to burst. I spiraled south, I fell deep and hard. Then, I hit bottom. The impact was devastating. I fell apart.

Today, I've accomplished many things. I graduated from college, I've made my family proud through a variety of performances that they've missed. I've chased after my dreams, even after the most important person in my life told me I was wasting my time. I silenced the doubts and pushed through, not knowing where I'll end up, or how many times I'll fail. In the middle of all that, I've finally found someone that makes me feel...ALIVE.

One-sided. Blind-sided.
Numbness. Indifference.

It's pointless. It's probably a waste of time. Really, is it? For three years, or maybe most of my life, all I've felt was anger or nothingness. Now I'm able to FEEL something more. Admiration, longing, HAPPINESS. Why would anyone want to take that away from me? It will end someday. It won't last. Of course not. I ALREADY KNOW THAT. A moment of excitement, a moment of joy. I deserve it...even just for a little while. Let me enjoy my daydream before I wake up. Delay the inevitable, just for a little longer... Please...

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Night Demon: Author Interview by Lisa Kessler

Hi everyone! I'm so glad to be one of the stops for Lisa's new release, Night Demon!!! Check out my interview below and don't forget to enter the giveaway!!

Title: Night Demon
Series: Night Series, #2
Author: Lisa Kessler
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: March 18, 2013
Pages: 304
Buy Link: Amazon | BN

Blurb:

Deep within the Yucatan jungle, a demon has awakened...

Gretchen Finch’s job would be much easier if she weren’t alone in the jungle with a brilliant recluse whose every glance sets her on fire. But the more she focuses on her work, the closer she gets to unlocking the mysteries of a terrible creature—the Night Demon—that threatens the world as she knows it. Though her scientific mind tells her it’s impossible, she’s beginning to believe the ancient Mayan tales as the sinister jungle comes alive around her.

Lukas Smith has spent hundreds of years searching for answers to his immortal Night Walker nature. As a series of ancient glyphs become clear, he’s about to find out more than he’d ever hoped, but the more he learns, the more his fate intertwines with the Night Demon, and the harder it becomes to hide his immortal secret from the beautiful, intelligent Gretchen.

Together, they must find a way to stop the inexplicable violence and mass destruction surging across the earth before the Night Demon destroys more than just mankind.

Interview

1. How did you come up with your character names? – I actually came up with Lukas while I was writing Night Walker. When I researched San Diego in the 1700’s I found a note that there were trappers from Russia who migrated into California hunting grizzly bears. After scrolling through lots of Russian names I chose Lukas. I liked the Russian spelling of it. It felt sexy to me… :)

2. Where did you travel to do research for this book? – I took a trip down to Cancun and visited 3 different Mayan ruins: Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Xel-Ha. It was an amazing trip!  I had no idea the ruins were so HUGE and the jungle was so impenetrable!

3. What is it about Mayan history that caught your interest? – I wanted to write a vampire series with a race that began in the Americas instead of in Europe, so I started with the Mayans. Blood was a huge part of their culture, so it ended up being a perfect fit for my Night Walkers.

4. What's a typical day for you? – I get up in the morning and catch up on email and social media. I try to get a load of dishes going and then it’s back to the computer to edit. I do most of my writing at night. I always feel more creative after dark…

5. Do you have special foods/drinks when you're writing? – Gum! And I’m not a polite gum chewer while I’m writing! LOL I chomp it like a cow, but it really helps me focus. Toward the end of a book, when I’m writing in long chunks of time, racing for the ending, the gum wrappers on my desk are a little scary! LOL

6. Any last words to our readers? – Thank you!  I really appreciate every reader!  Without you my stories and characters would never come alive.  They’d be all sad and mopey in a closet, hoping someone would read them!    So from all my characters, thank you for spending time with them…

Thanks for having me on the blog, Arianne!!!
Lisa

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Review: The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

Title: The Indigo Spell
Series: Bloodlines, #3
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razor Bill
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Pages: 432
Buy Link: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb
:
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Review

Yet another reason why I love Richelle Mead and this spin-off series! This book was filled with love, confusion, struggle for control, and finally, surrender.

Sydney really got herself in too deep this time! In just three books, so much has changed in Sydney. The development of her character was interesting because she kept evolving and surprising the readers. Despite her aversion to magic, she'd come to accept that this is part of her destiny, and NOTHING in her world was a coincidence.

Adrian Ivashkov. Gosh, this guy could exist and that would have been enough. I didn't expect the Adrian in this book AT ALL. In the original series, he was the troublemaker, the guy who no one believed in. But then, Sydney came into his life, and he was changed for good. He wanted to be a better person, and a cheesy one at that. I just loved how the author developed Adrian's character and made him seem more human than anyone in the book. Of course, I still love the fact that he's a vampire, but really, being a Moroi, he's not much of a badass. He couldn't even do anything to save Sydney when she was in trouble. A little speed and super strength would have been nice, but I guess that's for another series.

page 29
"I'm going to just go on loving you, even if it's hopeless."

Marcus was the character was hyped up the most leading to the release of this book. He wasn't that much of a character. All that hype didn't really live up to the character that I read in the book. In fact, I barely noticed him! Granted he had a Hollywood smile and charm, but really, what's that compared to the Moroi?

Ms. Terwilliger was still crazy, but she was more serious in this book. She definitely seemed like a different person than she was in the last book. She was more focused on protecting Sydney and pushing her to do more and more magic. I'm not sure whether I like her now or when she was scatter-brained.

The twists and turns of this book was not as exciting. I did, however, enjoyed the romance of it all. If this was a book all about Adrian, I would have been just as happy ;)

Check out my favorite scenes :)

Sydney: "You can be Jet if you want, but we are not posing as a couple again."
Adrian: "Are you sure? Because I've got a lot more terms of endearment to use. Honey pie. Sugarplum. Bread pudding."
Sydney: "Why are they all high-calorie foods? And bread pudding isn't really that romantic."
Adrian: "Do you want me to call you celery stick instead? It just doesn't inspire the same warm and fuzzy feelings."

Sydney: "That didn't go so well."
Adrian: "I don't know, Sage. You threw yourself in the line of pepper spray for me. You must like me just a little bit."

Adrian: "I got you a replacement. I mean, I know there's no real substitute, but I wanted to get you something. And don't start about not being able to accept some fancy gift. It cost me five dollars from a street vendor, and I'm pretty sure the chain is brass."

Sydney could see a tiny pattern of silver flowers on its surface.

Sydney: "The vendor didn't do that. That's your handiwork."
Adrian: "Well...I know you're into simple stuff, but I've always got to have some embellishment."
Sydney: "Why'd you choose morning glories?"
Adrian: "Because I'm not the biggest fan of lilies."

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Character Interview: Terra by Gretchen Powell

Title: Terra

Series: Terrestrials, #1

Author: Gretchen Powell

Publisher: Hopewell Media, LLC

Release Date: November 2, 2012

Pages: 286

Buy Links: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb:

A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl struggling to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.

A discovery that will change everything.

In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.

Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own, and with him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.

The first book in debut author Gretchen Powell's anticipated Terrestrials series, Terra catapults you through a story filled with blood-pumping action, intrigue, and surprising twists that will both wrench and warm your heart. As the hidden truths of this world unfold, new dangers that loom on the horizon are sure to leave you waiting breathlessly for the sequel.

Character Interview

1. Can you introduce yourself? What is your name, and how old are you? 

Um, sure. Hi, I’m Mica, and I’m almost fourteen. My birthday’s coming up pretty soon, actually!

2. Were you named after anybody, or for any specific reason?

Well, if you want to get all technical, Mica is actually my middle name. My full name is Auron Mica Rhodon. My dad’s name was Auron. I guess my parents were kinda into family names, since my sister Terra got my mom’s name as her middle name.

3. Can you tell us a little about your family?

There’s not really a whole lot to tell at this point. Mom died when I was really little—like, I don’t really even remember her at all. And then my dad… well, I guess he was so sad about it that he had to leave. Gran took care of us for a long time after that, but of course, she got old. So now it’s just Terra and me. But don’t think this is some pitiful orphans thing, or anything! We’ve got an okay thing going for us. It works, y’know?

4. What's your favorite memory of your sister?

My favorite memory…? Ummmm, I dunno… maybe that time when she threw a handful of glug at the TV. Prime Laraby was talking about possible plans for terrestrial education reform and she got so pissed she just—splat! Hit him right in the face. Of course, she wasn’t quite as happy when she had to clean it up, but it was pretty funny at the time.

5. What's the most annoying thing about your sister?

I can only say one thing? Aw man, this one’s hard! Okay, okay, let me think. I dunno, I mean, I guess sometimes she can be kinda overprotective. Like, she’s only brought me out scaving with her a couple of times, and she’s always keeping tabs on me… I get that it comes from a good place and all, but I can take care of myself, y’know? Eh, whatcha gonna do.

6. If you could have any job (either in the skycities or in the groundworld), what would it be?

Well, are we talking like, in a dream world where I *can* have any job I wanted in the skycities? Because you know, it’s not exactly like there are scores of opportunities for me up there. But I guess if I could do whatever I wanted, maybe I’d want to be a guardsman. I mean, not like, the boring ones that get stationed down here, but part of the elite classes that get sent on special missions and hunt down raiders and all that cool stuff. I dunno. I mean, I know I could never really be one—you have to be accepted into the Academy, and terrestrials just generally, uh, don’t—but it’s cool to think about.

7. Where is your favorite place to go in Sixteen, and what's your favorite way to spend time there?

I love being down by the docks. There’s not really a whole lot to do over there, but it’s just really pretty… especially around sunset. The sky gets all pinkish and orange I bet it’d be pretty romantic, actually, if you went there with someone…

8. Oh, is that so? So, are there any particular girls you’d like to take? I promise I won't tell anyone.

Oh, when it comes to me, there’s only Juni—I mean, wait, no! Shut up! Whatever.

9. What's the most difficult adjustment you've had to make since Terra found the machine?

Oh man, hands down, it’s the attention! Everyone at school, the kids who used to just ignore me, or try to bribe me to do their homework for them, they all want to hang out now! It’s crazy. I mean, I know the reason behind it all—I’m not stupid—but it’s still kinda nice to be so popular. So, sure, it’s been a difficult adjustment, but not exactly a bad one, y’know? Plus, Juniper has been way more… well, you know… whatever.

10. Adam and Terra...there's totally something going on there. Do you think Adam is a good match for your sister?

Pshhh, I don’t know anything about all that… I mean, Adam is awesome. So, I don’t know if they’d be a good match, since he is so much cooler than my sister, hahaha. But, fine, I’ll be serious. I think… even though she’d probably never admit it herself, having him around… makes her happy. And of course I just want Terra to be happy.

11. If you found your own machine and suddenly had thousands of credits in the bank, what's the first thing you would buy?

Oh man, what wouldn’t I buy? A rockin’ transport vehicle, every single issue of the MegaDeathload Planetary Defenders comics, a lifetime supply of food so we’ll never have to battle for glug at the Rationing again… okay, well, maybe there wouldn’t be enough money for that, but I’m sure there are pleeeenty of things I could think of to buy.

About the Author:

Half-Chinese and the daughter of a US diplomat, Gretchen Powell spent her childhood growing up in far-off places. She made it all the way to her mid-twenties whilst maintaining her deep-seated love for young adult novels, so she decided to write one of her own.

Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully.

When she isn't writing young adult dystopian science fiction, Gretchen also writes a successful healthy living blog, entitled Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!

She lives in Northern Virginia with her two adorable miniature schnauzers. They wear many sweaters.

Visit her website and writing blog at http://www.gretchenpowell.com.

Links

My website: http://www.gretchenpowell.com

My Twitter: https://twitter.com/gretchenpowell

My Facebook: http://facebook.com/gretchenpowellauthor

My Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6609859.Gretchen_Powell

Terra on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AM714Y2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AM714Y2&linkCode=as2&tag=hoishthgr-20

Terra on B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/terra-gretchen-powell/1113940012?ean=2940015746945&isbn=2940015746945

Terra on Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Terra/book-bzDB0YgKbUaplqLC0UHwzw/page1.html?s=2KXYtblZu0-PN1UMw1VLaQ&r=1

Terra on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/terra-terrestrials-1/id595631740?mt=11

Terra on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16720478-terra

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I Forgot My Own Birthday!!!

I just remembered something important!!!

My blogoversary came and went and I forgot all about it! Can I say crazy? Okay, so, how should I celebrate? Anyone have any ideas? :) I'm belated 10 days! Yikes!

Sorry everyone, I'm all scatter-brained. So much going on right now.

-Arianne

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Interview: Silver Hollow by Jennifer Silverwood

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts. I've been so busy and I haven't had anything interesting to talk about here. Today, I have a promo and interview for Silver Hollow. I just love the cover! Check it out!

Title: Silver Hollow
Author: Jennifer Silverwood
Publisher: SilverWoodSketches
Release Date: December 10, 2012
Pages: 378
Buy Links: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Kindle) | Smashwords

Blurb:

Amie Wentworth writes paranormal romances, not because she is looking for a degree in ectoplasm, but because she’s got bills to pay. Ever since her parents’ car crash, she has been led a reclusive life and trusted books more than people. Not even a letter from her long-lost uncle, begging her to visit, gives Amie incentive for anything other than ire – until she is stabbed in an alley and brought back to life by a mysterious stranger.

After crossing the Atlantic to her father’s homeland, Amie is dragged into the very sort of tale she is used to selling. Silver Hollow is a place of ancient traditions and supernatural dangers, where everything is the opposite of what it seems and few escape sane.

To make matters worse, the man who saved her life keeps turning up and her would-be-murderer is still at large.

But when she comes face to face with the ugly truth, will she too be sucked into her father’s madness? Or will she discover that madness is just another name for honesty?

Interview

1. The cover is so beautiful. Did you have any say in it?

Thanks! The cover art was done by Najla Qamber, and if you haven’t checked out her site you’re missing out. Here’s the link for anyone who wants to see more awesome sauce: http://www.najlaqamberdesigns.com/

And I think Naj would agree when I say it was a team effort. I hunted down over a dozen different stock images, hoping to find the right model/look and castle for the background. This part wasn’t quite as hard as hers, though. She took those images and transported me to Silver Hollow.

2. How did you come up with the title of the book?

Originally the title belonged to another book. And later I was pulling my hair out trying to think of a good title for Amie’s story when I came across “Silver Hollow.” It just clicked and that was that. :)

3. How long have you been writing for?

I wrote my first short stories when I was nine and given my grandpa’s old punch-typewriter. But I started writing serious books in high school, old drabble that will thankfully, never be published.

4. Did you ever keep a journal?

Oh yes! There are at least a dozen of them lying around in my room. I started my first when I was six years old and have kept diaries and journals most of my life since. Journal time has been exchanged for real writing time, recently, however.

5. Anything you'd like to ask our readers?

Would anyone like to read a sequel to Silver Hollow? And if so, what would you want to see further explored?

About the Author:

Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it's the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town.

After attending three different universities without managing to square a degree, she decided to the next logical thing; become a writer. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas.

She is the author of the Heaven's Edge series and Silver Hollow. 

To stay tuned, please have a gander at her website

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Book Blogger Confessions: Giveaways

This meme was originated by bloggers from Tiger's All Consuming Media and For What It's Worth. This meme occurs every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month to allow bloggers to vent, share an opinion, or offer a solution to a common problem.

Today's topic is:

Giveaways: As a blogger, how do you feel about extra entries, required entries etc? Do you have a system to choose/announce winners and keep prizes organized? What method works best for you when hosting a giveaway? (Rafflecopter/Google Doc's or other)

What do you do about people who enter your giveaways but don't follow instructions exactly?

Have you ever had problems hosting a giveaway sponsored by an author or publisher who is supposed to send the prize to the winner and doesn't? How have you handled these issues?

As a prize winner - what do you do if your prize never arrives? Do you contact the blogger or just let it go?

My Answer:

Extra entries are awesome, but there are times when they are just too much. When the form is way too long, there's too much in there. I have staples, if you may, for entries: Tweet the giveaway, follow a twitter account, follow a Facebook account, follow the hosting blog, leave a blog comment, and sometimes, a free entry. Anything besides those are just annoying sometimes. 

I also dislike those giveaways where a bunch of bloggers are involved and so all their information are on the form so that the entrants can follow all of them. Oh my goodness. Too much.

When I host a giveaway myself, I make sure it is tour-wide. I have my own blog tour services, and it is mandatory that the authors accept a tour-wide giveaway as opposed to individual blog giveaways. One giveaway form, and one person to choose the winner (giveaway host). It's easier that way.

The method I use is Rafflecopter. I like it, the end :)

When I'm choose a winner, I check their entry first. If I find that they didn't follow the instructions or I can't find the required entry that they supposedly entered, I disqualify them and choose a new winner. No questions asked. I'm too busy to worry about people who can't follow simple directions. (Sorry if that sounds mean!)

I have not had a problem with authors/publishers who didn't send the stated prize. If it does happen, I think I would just gift the prize myself IF it's not too much for me to spend on.

As a winner, if the prize doesn't arrive, then I contact the blogger. Depending on the prize itself, I may or may not continue to pursue it.

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Review: Family Secrets by Stephanie Amox

Title: Family Secrets
Series: The Lumina Saga, #2
Author: Stephanie Amox
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: January 9, 2012
Pages: 232
Buy Link: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb:

Wailea, Maui would be a paradise by just about anyone’s standards. Caitlin and Leah are no different. They are living like rock stars with Talon and Jace in one of the poshest hotels on the island. Just when they think things can’t possibly get any better—everything falls apart. Their short lived paradise is ripped out from under them. Once again, they are on the run.

A mysterious man appears and attempts to drive a wedge between Caitlin and Talon. He whisks her away to an ancient world where she is treated like a princess yet held completely against her will. She is shown events, consequences and affairs she never dreamed possible. Will the secrets of her family destroy her happiness, or will she rely on her instincts to find a way back to the life she found with Talon?

Review

I really do like this series. This book is such a quick and easy read. It's quite a page-turner, too!

I was left hanging from the first book, so I was glad to pick it up in this book where they left off. As before, it was such a joy to read about Caitlin, Leah, Talon, and Jace. I like that the men were very protective of the ladies, while the ladies had the men wrapped around their fingers.

There were moments where it was very romantic. However, there were also moments that just made me so mad! I guess that's a good thing :)

Caitlin and Leah were typical teenagers who didn't want to be caged and told what to do. I also didn't appreciate Talon and Jace keeping secrets from them. I mean, really, if everyone was honest with each other, they wouldn't be in danger as they were in the book. Lesson learned: life is easier when no one keeps secrets.

Another thing I didn't appreciate was the fact that Talon kept on dressing up Caitlin. I mean, seriously, can't she pick out her own clothes? It's romantic at times, but in this book, she was pretty much dressed by someone else beside herself. If it wasn't Talon, it was another man....

I kind of want to know more about Leah. I'm hoping the next book would have half of Caitlin's point of view, and half of Leah. Just because Caitlin is the royal, doesn't mean Leah shouldn't have her moment in the spotlight, too. I also want to know more about what Caitlin and Leah really are. There's so much more questions I want answered. I can't wait for the third book! The cliff hanger of this book was just INSANE!

I would recommend this book for sure! Check out my favorite scenes :)

page 61

   I glared at Leah, who had the nerve to laugh at me.
   "Cay-bear, you can give me the stink eye all you want. You don't take care of yourself and I needed backup."
   Talon grabbed me in a bear hug. "As much as you may hate to admit it, you know she's right."
   "Ugh." I grunted. "If you two keep ganging up on me, I'm moving in with Jace."
   Jace stepped through the door.
   "Well, come on pixie girl," he said with a wolfish grin.
   "Over my dead body," Leah and Talon chimed simultaneously.
   Jace and I burst into hysterics and soon were gasping for air. He put his arm around me and squeezed. "I think we may have hit a nerve with that one."

page 78

I suddenly felt shy with him. Talon could make a cow feel beautiful. One thing he didn't lack was charm.

page 204

   "The bands are clasped to our upper arms and at that point can only be removed by the Ethereal Council, loss or limb, or death."
   Wonderful. I will have to lose an arm, die or depend on some unseen council to be freed from this unwanted union, I thought to myself.

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