Giveaways Around the web: That END today!

These amazing contests End Today!

I will be editing it throughout the day (ALL ARE INTERNATIONAL)

Whats on The Bookshelf Birthday Bash!!!

Waiting on Wednesday (9)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight upcoming releases we're anxiously awaiting! This week I am waiting on...

Wildefire (Wildefire #1)

by Karsten Knight

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.
Expected publication: July 26th 2011


I loved the first 22 pages of this book.They literally blew me away!Plus,I will read anything that has even a HINT of Greek mythology.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday???

Teaser Tuesday and Top 10 Tuesday:Bookish Websites, Apps. Etc.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today's teaser is from  ......

As he walked toward the hall, his brothers yelled out random advice. Zee said, “You should give her a present. A piano would be nice.” Ty said, “Take her a puppy. Or a kitten! Girls love little animals.” “No way,” Denys, the youngest, said. “You should give her a pair of shoes. Colin Firth did that in a movie and the chick loved it.” “I suggest a tree,” Key said. “You can take one of my dogwood saplings, if you like."

-The Mephisto Covenant,location 416 of 4089(kindle)

Top 10 Tuesday: Bookish Websites, Apps. Etc.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish

 the apps,websites etc I love are....

1. Goodreads:You can find all book summaries at this website without those irritating links you find on amazon.Plus, you can find positive and negative reviews of a book on this,so you know what to expect!This website is the reason I started blogging.I thought if I can write my reviews there I can write it on a blog as well!
2. Netgalley:I love this website! The only source which provides titles for Kindle!! (So I don't have to strain my precious eyes on the computer!).Join  Now !!
3. SS Galley Grab:Amazing titles(I got Blood Red Road from this one!!) Unfortunately you have to read their titles on the computer but their titles are completely worth it!
4. Amazon.com:Finding bestselling books(the lists!!).I basically check this one to find out the bestselling books plus amazing lists/wishlists
5. Sync YA: This is basically a program that was launched recently to promote teen/YA audiobook listeners.This week they are offering Shiver and Romeo and Juliet  for free.(It's pretty good)
6. Twitter:I know what your are thinking twitter is not a book app,but I follow quite a few authors so I pretty much find out about new books and covers through this site!
7. Calibre: I LOVE THIS APP. I use it almost everyday.This app. is used to convert .pdf file to kindle format or vice versa.
8. Library:My local library is my source of awesome books.(It's a miracle they still tolerate me even though I drive them nuts!)
9. Barnes and Nobles:I don't visit this site often but their recommendations are fabulous.Whenever I'm in need of new titles desperately,I browse bn.com
10. Other Blogs: I love reading other blogs! Some of my favorites are on the sidebar! 

That's it for today!

 Link to your Teaser Tuesday and top ten Tuesday in comments please!!I'd love to see them!

Replay Blog Tour:Interview with Keira Lea + Chance to Win Prizes.

Today I am hosting the author of Replay,Keira Lea as part of a blog tour organised by the fabulous Bookish Snob Promotions.

Summary:

Kelsee Lewis has a new school, a prima donna best friend, and one week to write a hit play. Throw in a self-obsessed mom and an absent executive dad, and it’s no wonder she has panic attacks—complete with time-warp special effects. When Kelsee meets comic book maven Quinn, she realizes the attacks give her the ability to rewind time.

Replaying life seems like the best way to erase mistakes. But will second chances leave Kelsee flailing in the orchestra pit alone?

About the author:

Keira Lea released her debut novel in April 2011. She is a devoted fan of the TV show FRINGE, a card-carrying member of the Apple cult, and a mother to two human children and three feline ones. She is working on a sequel to Replay.

Me: Could you start things off by telling us a little bit about the book?

KL: Kelsee Lewis has a new school, a prima donna best friend, and one week to write a hit play. Throw in a self-obsessed mom and an absent executive dad, and it’s no wonder she has panic attacks—complete with time-warp special effects. When Kelsee meets comic book maven Quinn, she realizes the attacks give her the ability to rewind time.

Replaying life seems like the best way to erase mistakes. But will second chances leave Kelsee flailing in the orchestra pit alone?

Me: Can you tell us a little about the main characters in Replay?

KL:The main cast is Kelsee, Miranda Ashley, Patrick Martin, and Quinn Branstetter. Kelsee and her best friend Miranda spent freshman year in separate schools when Miranda went to Bonne Arts Magnet High School. They are back together at Bonne for their sophomore year. Patrick is Kelsee's crush and the drummer of Coolivity. Quinn is a comic book expert and Kelsee's confidant.

Me: What influenced and inspired you to write Replay?

KL: For the first draft of Replay, I wrote about a girl who has a mystery illness. Critique partners liked my main character's voice, but I could tell the story bored them. I started over with a new mystery illness: the ability to manipulate time.

The concept of time travel as a physical condition inspired me. One well-known example of this is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. When I adapted the idea for Replay, I explored what it would be like to try to control an extraordinary ability like this while surviving the first year in a new high school.

Me: Who is your favorite character in this book, and why?

KL:I loved writing Kelsee. She's geeky, precocious, and a little sarcastic. She also has some doubts about her abilities. As a reader, I identify with characters who aren't too perfect or stereotyped.

Me: Do you have a favorite scene or line from Replay?

KL: My favorite scene involves a yoga class, frozen art students, and a wild ride on a Vespa.

Me: What would you do if you could rewind time?

KL: First, I would rewind to my freshman year of college. When I was in high school, everyone expected you to go to college, but no one told you what to do when you got there. I ended up on the five-year bachelor's degree plan because I was clueless the first year. While we're talking about college, I would go back to that moment I ran my car into my dad's truck as I left to move into the dorm.

Me: What books/genres do you read when you have the chance? Any must read authors or series?

KL: My lifetime favorite author is Madeleine L'Engle. I also worship Alice Hoffman, Libba Bray, Holly Black, Laurie Halse Anderson, Sarah Dessen, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Joyce Carol Oates, Ursula K. Le Guin … I could go on for hours. I read in many genres, but my heart goes to paranormal and realistic YA.

Me:  What was your favorite part of the writing and publishing process?

KL: I loved creating the time manipulation scenes. The best part of writing is saying, "What if?" I kept asking myself this question for each scene until it clicked. This is one reason writing paranormal is attractive to me. I don't have to limit my response to what can happen in the natural universe.

Me: If you could have one super power what would it be?

KL: It's a toss-up between the ability to manipulate time and invisibility. Oh, wait, I would fly. May I have three super powers?

Me: Tell us five interesting facts about yourself?

1.      I love hairless cats.

2.      I have perfect fingernails. They are the only perfect part of my body.

3.      Thanks to my husband, I own enough movies to open a video store.

4.      I'm addicted to cereal.

5.      People often think my older daughter is my sister.

That's it for now....but wait! You have a chance to win 

All you have to do is stop by Kiera Lea's blog on July 2.

You can buy Replay at Amazon , B&N and Smashwords

Next Stop: June 29 – The Wormhole ( Book Excerpt / Giveaway)

*WINNER* Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

The winner of an ebook of  Fade Out(Morganville Vampires #7) is................

Cait

Congratulations Cait.

Review:Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1)

by Josephine Angelini

Synopsis: How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

Source: Netgalley and HarperTeen

Note:Younger Readers  cautioned due to some instances of sensuality (what does this mean?).

My thoughts: Let me start off by saying that I had very high expectations of this book and that I was very disappointed when this book did not live upto my expectations.Let me start off with the positives....

 What I liked: Josephine Angelini's writing style.I loved how the book was written.She made the book worth my time.I also liked the "idea" behind the story.I also loved Claire,she was real and she made me laugh.

I loved the big bad Delos family.It's nice to see glimpses of big happy  families in a book.(It's usually a very tense environment).I also found the fact that there wasn't a love triangle in the book refreshing!

Oh,I forgot Lucas is ....well.....just as I imagined Paris to be.

What I didn't like:

 Helen.The main character's self-esteem is so LOW, even though she's drop dead gorgeous.Everybody does not hate you Helen.Please get that through your head.

I could  have gotten over the fact that the main character  was not pretty great but couldn't due to problem number two:The story .As I said I liked the "idea" but the story lacked that spark or unputtdownable quality that The Percy Jackson series did(another book based on Greek mythology).The idea had so much POTENTIAL.I just felt that the story fell short of it's potential.

Sometimes,I just lost track of which distant relative they were talking about, because there were so many of them!

To sum it up: This book did remind me of Twilight and Lucas was definitely swoon worthy.

The writing style is good but the story is quite predictable.I thinks things will become VERY interesting in the second book,Dreamless.

My Rating:

.5

(2.5 stars)

External Links:People who Really liked this book(here)

Authors from A-Z Challenge:H

Proud book nerd is hosting a very interesting challenge throughout the month of June and I thought I'd join in.I'm a little behind schedule.

How it works

It starts on June 1. Basically, just share your favorite authors in alphabetical order (by last name).One letter  in one post each day, going through the alphabet. (Remember to skip Sundays.)

What’s the point?

Mostly to have fun. Also, to use this as an opportunity to acquaint others with some of my favorite authors.

I know I skipped a bunch of letters(i.e. D,E,F,G) but I seriously couldn't think of any authors I love(whose Books I've read ) from those letters.So I'm skipping right down to H.

H=Hawkins,Horowitz

Rachel Hawkins is an amazing author.Her book Demonglass is the only book with 5 stars on my blog (as of 6/23).I am her fan! I just wish the next book in the series SPELL BOUND would release already.Can someone invent a time machine ,so that I cantime travel to March 13,2011!
You can check out my rant review of Demonglass here (In which I fangirl all over this book)






Anthony Horowitz author of the immensely enjoyable Stormbreaker(I have a signed copy of this book!!!).I love the Alex Rider series.It's  Hardy boys with gadgets.






That's it for the letter H,folks.Now excuse me while I dig up authors from the letter I.Any suggestions?

WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR FROM THE LETTER H?

Waiting on Wednesday (8)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight upcoming releases we're anxiously awaiting! This week I am waiting on...

Emerald

by Karen Wallace

Emerald St. John is in trouble. She has been condemned to marry a man she hates. Her enemies are conspiring to have her pet bear Molly torn apart in the baiting pits, and the man she loves is far away on the high seas. And she has stumbled into a web of spies with a plot to poison Queen Elizabeth I. To save herself and the kingdom, she must beat the spies at their own game - which means transforming herself from a country girl into a Court lady. Can she do it in time? Set against a detailed and vivid recreation of a great Elizabethan manor house, EMERALD will bring to life a world where the most sophisticated rules of etiquette went hand in with brutality and superstition.

This book had me at 'pet bear'. Plus,I love the emerald dress.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING ON THIS WEDNESDAY?

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

This blog hop is hosted by I Am A Reader,Not A Writer

Over 200 participating blogs are offering a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another.  The hop runs from Tuesday, June 21st through Friday, June 24th.


Welcome to Young Readers,
I currently have 2 great INTERNATIONAL ebook giveaways going on.  If you don't have time today be sure to bookmark my site and come back to enter all these great giveaway listed right at the top.


What I'm giving away:

You can choose any ONE ebook from this lot.

All you have to do is....

Comment on ANY post on this Blog and fill in the form Below!

You DO NOT have to be a follower to ENTER(though it would be appreciated)

Some things you should know:

• You have 48 hours to reply to an EMAIL if you win.
• Winners are chosen randomly
• Contest Ends 6/24
• Giveaway is INTERNATIONAL

• Don't cheat! All entries are verified. 
• I hold the right to disqualify any entry as seen fit.

Check out the other blogs:

My thoughts on Nightshade

I usually give a star rating to the books I read but I have VERY mixed feelings about these books.I didn't hate them and I didn't like them either.These books cannot be tagged as 2stars/3stars etc. These are NOT negative reviews(My negative reviews are brutal!).These are my thoughts.....


Lets start with

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer 

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers.

But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Source:Borrowed from friend

Note:Younger Readers strongly cautioned

Cover :The reason I picked up this book is because of the eye catching cover.I'm not saying I love it but it's different.

MY THOUGHTS:

What I liked:Calla was a very strong protagonist.I really liked her.The story is interesting and you can't deny the fact that you are hooked,if you finished it off in a day(I did!).
I am definitely looking forward to the sequel Wolfsbane.

Oh I forgot to mention ,I really liked Ren!

What I didn't like:Calla's hormonal problem.One moment she's kissing one guy and in the next ,kissing another!I also found the pace of the novel to be pretty slow in the beginning.

What really bothered me about this novel is the fact that I couldn't connect with any of the characters.I liked Calla but sometimes I really wanted to hit her and tell her to stand up against Ren.

External Links:People who loved this novel  (review here.)

                                     People who did not care for this novel here.(please ignore the wording!)