2010 Debut Author Challenge

I have only read 2 author debuts so far this year, which isn't many but I plan on reading a whole bunch, so why the heck not join this challenge.


The 2010 Debut Author Challenge is being hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. So far theres over 280 people signed up and I am super excited to get started on some of these awesome debuts.


I will use this page to list which books I have read and I will link my reviews right to them on here as well as on Kristi's Mr. Linky for each month.


Good luck to everyone else!


My goal for right now is 15!


1. Firespell by Chloe Neill
2. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
3. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
4. The Ghost and The Goth by Stacey Kade
5. WEREling by Steve Feasey
6. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
7. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
8. The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff
9. Brightly Woven by Alex Bracken
10. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
11. Matched by Ally Condie
12. Firelight by Sophie Jordan
13. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
14.
15.




Good luck to everyone else!!

Sherry <3

*drumroll please*

The Body Finder giveaway is over and I have randomly selected a winner.

I put all of the entries(minus the multiples) into a list, randomized it, then selected a random number. The name matching that random number was Jen(unedited)!

Congrats Jen!

I have already emailed you and you have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is picked!

Don't forget to check out the other contests going on now!!!

Sherry <3

Review: Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

I recently read(from the Library) Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols as a part of the bookclub forum I am part of. For those of you who don't know what it is about, read the summary below!

Summary from goodreads:

"All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over..."


My Review: ****1/2 = 4 and a half stars


This book took me quite by surprise. I will admit that while reading it there were parts of it I didn't like(the main character just wanting sex..), But the overall affect of how I felt when it was over, well that's what I look for in every book I read. I love being surprised, caught of gaurd, and I love happy endings. This book contains alcohol, drugs and sex but don't worry thats not too much of a spoiler, you find out when you first start reading. I didn't really like how it was all involved but the author included it as part of the novel and the characters, not just to add it like some authors do. It was all about who the main character was, is, and what she goes through with this cop that ruins her spring break. I loved how it took off right in the beginning, it had me hooked and I just wanted to know how things were going to turn out. Meg is somewhat odd, she has blue hair and no friends that she actually talks to all too much. But as the book progresses we see Meg make major changes in her life and it's amazing to see what some people can overcome, especially the characters in this book. The character of Officer After or John is quite interesting. I had some of him figured out but it was exciting learning about him as an officer and as a regular person. This is a great book and it leaves an awesome feeling inside when you finish reading it, I recommend it to everyone mature YA and up agewise(because of the sex, drugs and alcohol).

Have you already read this, leave me your link so I can check out what you thought(I tried Mr.Linky but we just don't get along... :P)

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Currently Reading: Fallen by Lauren Kate
Up Next: Arson by Estevan Vega

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Sherry <3

Waiting on Wednesday(5)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week I chose Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver.

I've seen it everyone and I've read some amazing reviews. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I actually heard it was at Barnes and Noble in some areas so I am going to head over to mine tomorrow and check it out.. The actual release day isn't until March 2nd though!

Here's the summary from goodreads:

"What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined."

So there you go, what are you waiting for?!?

Sherry <3

Weekly Overview(- 2 days)

(Isn't this pic gorgeous, this is where I wish I was, instead of being home sick... a girl can dream right!?!?)

So I still feel like complete crap, but I wanted to at least do an overview of what happened last week on my blog and on my super awesome affiliates blogs.

I mention the minus 2 days because this isn't counting todays or yesterdays happenings. My week ended on Saturday I just haven't gotten around to doing it with how I've been feeling lately.

Here is what I did this week:

I reviewed Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder and The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, both which were 5 stars in my opinion.

I participated in a blog tour for Angela Morrison's Sing Me to Sleep. She stopped by for an interview to go with it so in case you missed it just clicky here.

Angela was also kind enough to offer up one signed copy of her book to a lucky winner so make sure you go enter if you haven't already done so!

I still have The Body Finder & Swag contest going on so hurry and enter before the 26th to win a preorder of that and some fun TBF swag.

I also have the contest for a copy of Firespell & some swag being offered to one lucky winner thanks to Chloe Neill. This one ends March 5th so get your entries in!!

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Now on to my affiliates!

This week at Lucy's blog, Delightful Reviews, shes got some awesome stuff in the mail! Review books and a prize pack. She ranted about a totally uncool person, you go girl! She went on vacation and then came back, good because I was already starting to miss her!

Kari at A Good Addiction had a whole shabang of stuff going on. She reviewed The Pace by Shelena Shorts, Lessons From A Dead Girl by Jo Knowls and Hate List by Jennifer Brown.
She interviewed CJ Omololu, author of Dirty Little Secrets and she announced her affiliates(including me and some other badass bloggers as well, go check them out!)

This week Corinne from Lost For Words reviewed I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder and Dreamland by Sarah Dessen. She announced her affiliates as well and posted some awesome pictures of her bookshelves!

Last, but certainly not least is Larissa. This week at Larissa's Life she updated her 350 follower contest! She now has 5 winners and will add a 6th once she reaches 1000 twitter followers, go follower her she's @larissa_sarah. She reviewed Legend of the Caryph by Lynn Moyle. She introduced her new feature, A supporting role in Larissa's Life and she had an awesome article written about her!

Make sure you guys go check out this fantabulous blogs!

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Upcoming review- Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

That's it from me for now, but hopefully this stupid cold or whatever it is will pass and i'll get back on schedule again, I feel so odd posting stuff on wrong days and such....

Good night all!!

Sherry <3

Not feeling well!

So so so sorry for my absense in the blogosphere. I have not been feeling well at all and I hate not posting something for you guys! I promise to post tomorrow. I'll do a weekly overview of all my wonderful affiliates and an overview of the goings on from here as well.

Good night all!

Sherry <3

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Ok well since the mailman forbade to bring me any new books this week, I went to the library. I've only been there twice ever, and i've lived here since 2000... yes crazy indeed. I had to ask where certain sections are because the library here is quite big and I had no freaking clue where anything was. While it is big, the teen/YA section completely sucks but I managed to snag a few things that I want to read.

Here is what I got:

Magic Study by Maria V Snyder - Wootwoot so excited to read this! I loveddd Poison Study, check out my review from earlier this week in case you missed it!

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols - This is one of the books for the book forum I am in. I've heard good things about it so i'm looking forward to starting it(which will be later tonight!)

and last but not least...

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev - Ok I'm seeing Perchance to Dream everywhere and both covers are awesome so I was like I need to read this.. so I got it!

I also got a couple things I won:

A Booklight from Ivy(@bookreadertimes)

&

A Signed Shadowhills Bookmarker from Adrienne(Addicted Book Reader)


I am expecting a lot in the mail so hopefully I get some more for next week's IMM. Did you get anything good this week!?!?

Sherry <3

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

A couple of days before the release of The Iron King, I received an ARC copy that I had won from the fabtastic MundieMoms! While the summary definitely sounded promising and the cover was beauitful, I hadn't read much about Faeries before(that's not saying I haven't tried) so I left it on my shelf for a day when I felt like reading it. You know how you have to be in the mood to read certain things sometimes... Well I waited for a while, and when my blogging buddy Lucy mentioned to me that I was crazy for not having read it yet I figured, well if she liked it that much I probably would too since we have the same taste in reading material.

Before I start though... the book description!

Here is the summary from goodreads:

"Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series."

My Review:  ***** = 5 Stars

Well priority number one, many thanks go to Lucy because if it wasn't for her, it would have taken me much longer to read this book! I started it on Wednesday and I finished it that same night! I never thought I would get sucked into a book about Faeries. I'm a fantasy loving guru but for some reason, I just don't care for Faeries... Well things are beginning to change. I LOVE THIS BOOK! It's so amazing, an adventure right from the beginning. The lead character Meghan isn't that strong or powerful(and I mean mentally/physically not the writing) starting out but she is very loyal to those she cares about and it makes you want to root for her the entire time. I love how as the story progresses, so does her growth. Of course there are some guys too. There's Ash(oh how I love Ash), the ice prince and technically a family enemy and then there's Puck, whos just as swoonworthy as Ash. They're both gorgeous and protective and while one has a funny bone the other one is clearly lacking in the comedy front but he's very quiet which makes him just as interesting. And I have to give a shoutout to my favorite cat, Grimalkin, because you rock, and why do you rock, well because you're a cat! ;) You definitely want to read this book if you haven't yet! I haven't heard a single bad thing about it. I recommend it to you, you, you over there, heck I recommend it to everyone!

Now I don't know what to read next because the last three books I have read have all been five stars in my book and I don't want to get let down with my next read!!!

Oh Yea and p.s the second book in The Iron Fey series, called The Iron Daughter, comes out in August so get your calanders out and start counting down the days, well you can start with months, then work your way down to weeks then days!! Wootwoot!! :)

And.. Just in case you missed the interview I did with the brilliant Julie Kagawa, check it out here!

Have you read The Iron King yet, if so what did you think?!?!

Sherry <3

Teenfire contest ending soon!!!

Hey everyone, if you haven't already joined Teenfire's popularity contest there is still time to join.

There are some awesome prizes up for grabs including first editions of ALL upcoming Spring Sourcebooks Fire titles, along with autographed copies of Bran Hambric: The Specter Key, Beautiful Dead, Picture the Dead, The Turning, We Hear the Dead, The Summer of Skinny Dipping and Star Shack.

You can't beat that!

There are tons of ways to earn extra entries too!

+1 for every friend you have on TeenFire


+2 for tweeting about the contest (include #TeenFire for tracking purposes, limit one per day)

+1 if that tweet invites Ashton Kutcher to explain how he became so popular (just thought this’d be funny!)

+5 for every blog, vlog, podcast, etc. about the teenfire website (include link for verification. Yes, previous blogs about TeenFire count, just include links.)

+2 for putting our badge in your sidebar!

+2 for every unique person that clicks on a link to TeenFire from your blog (I have ways of tracking this! Only clicks from unique IP addresses will be counted. And yes, I will count people that have already clicked on existing blog posts. Thank you twilightnovelnovice.com!)

+3 for every new member that lists you as the way they heard about the site (yes, we do count those members who have already listed you!)



Go earn your points now until March 5th to be one of the three winners! Hurry, hurry, hurry! :)
Just follow this link to learn more!

Sherry <3

Win a signed copy of Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison!!

**contest is closed**

To go along with Angela's Blog Tour for Sing Me to Sleep and to help celebrate my milestone of hitting 100 amazing followers, Angela has offered up one signed copy of SMtS to give to one lucky entrant!

This contest is for US/Canada only! Sorry international followers!
It will run from now until March 2nd so that Angela will have the winner's name and mailing address when the book is released!

You do not have to be a follower, I know some people avoid contests if they have to follow, and I want everyone to get the chance to win this so enter away!

There are extra entries possible for those that help spread the word about SMtS.

If you tweet about this contest you will get +2 entries.

If you post about this contest in your sidebar you will get +2 entries.

If you post the tralier somewhere, and leave the link on the form you will get +4 entries.
To get the embed code, simply follow this link and the code to embed will be located on the upper right side corner of the page(next to the trailer)!

If you make a post about this contest you will get 3 extra entries, but if you include links to my review of SMtS or the blogtour/interview than you can get even more entries.
(+3 if you simply post about the contest, +4 if you leave link in post to contest and blog tour, +4 if you leave link in your post to contest and review, +5 if you leave the link to the contest, my review and the blogtour)
Click to get my review and the blogtour(for links).

No comment entries... must fill out this form to enter!

Alright get entering and spread the word about Sing Me to Sleep!! Good Luck! :D

Sherry <3

Blog Tour- Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

Not to long ago I hit 100 followers here on my blog(which is crazy seeing as I have over 230 now in such a short time!!) and I emailed Angela asking her if she wanted to help me celebrate. She is currently having a Blog Tour for Sing Me to Sleep and asked me if I wanted to participate. She sent me a review copy of SMtS and I fell completely in love with this amazing book!


If you missed my 5-star review, you can check it out here!

So as a part of this blog tour, Angela has answered some questions for us!

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Me: How are you doing today Angela?

Angela: I am great. I just got a great big box of beautiful SING ME TO SLEEP's! The hardcovers are so lovely. I'm busy organizing my school speaking schedule for when I go up to London, Ontario (where SING ME TO SLEEP is set) to celebrate SING's launch along as part of Amabile Choirs 25th Anniversary Festival. I'm so excited to get to see all the people who inspired this book.

Me: It's fun learning new things about authors whose work we enjoy reading, what can you tell us about who you are as a person, not just a writer?
Angela: These days the writer me is engulfing the rest of me. But there is a person under there somewhere. I'm a mom--I have three sons and a daughter, mostly grown up. At least they can all cook. My oldest son is married, so I have a lovely daughter-in-law and the cutest grandson in existence. I grew up in the tiny farming community where TAKEN BY STORM, my debut novel, is set. I graduated from BYU before momness overcame me, and went back to school for an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (go Vermont College!) after my youngest started grade school.

Me: For those that haven't read Sing Me to Sleep yet, what is it about?
Angela: SING is about an ugly, harassed girl who has a beautiful voice. She gets a massive makeover thanks to her choir friends and falls in love with moody, gorgeous Derek at an international choral festival. But her dear friend back home, Scott, reveals that he's always loved her. She experiences how difficult and painful love and life can be. There is a lot of joy in this book, great kissing scenes (my heros are ALWAYS great kissers), deep sorrow, and a will to carry on.

Me: Can you offer a excerpt/teaser?
Angela: Oh, yes . . . I'll just flip open my sparkly new hardcover copy that just arrived and pick out something no one else has seen yet . . . How about you all meet Derek along with Beth? She's brand new to social networking. Here she is:

"I'm going down the list, clicking "Confirm," and right in the middle of those smiling Bliss faces, there's one from a guy.

It startles me. I didn't think I'd have to deal with guys here. Maybe Scott, but not a real guy like this one. He's beautiful. Unreal good-looking. Dark hair, pale skin, moody brown eyes a girl could get lost in. Derek. Sounds kind of phony. Maybe he's the network host. Everybody's first friend.

I click on the message attached to his request.

Good day, I'm one of the ABC soloists. Heard you on Bliss's Web site. Welcome to the Choral Olympics. Chat with me?

ABC? Oh, crap. This guy is from the Amabile Boys' Choir.

Stupid, Terri. She changed up Bliss's Web site. I start singing as soon as the site launches. She must have put my name up there. Great. This babe of a guy thinks I'm some beautiful Blissette and wants to chat.

I move my mouse to "Ignore.""

Okay, that's enough. Do you think she really ignores him?

Me: SMtS is very much a romantic novel, what's your favorite part about writing romance pieces?
Angela: I love watching the characters' relationship develop. I like to make it intense and emotional. I love to see how being loved or loving someone changes a character. Beth gains so much strength from Derek--strength she needs as the tragedy of the story unfolds.

Me: Was it difficult to write some of the situations that take place within SMtS?
Angela: Oh, yeah. I was an emotional wreck the whole time I worked on SING. I kept having to stop and dry off my keyboard. Even when I revised. The ending was the hardest thing I've ever written. But it was also the most rewarding piece I've ever written.

Me: I've seen some different release dates on other webpages, what's the actual day of release for those who are waiting to pick this one up?
Angela: March 4th!! Amazon and B&N.com had it wrong for awhile, but that has been corrected. Order away. The pre-order price is a great deal.

Me: Do you have anything in the works for after Sing Me to Sleep?
Angela: Last fall I wrote the sequel to TAKEN BY STORM. It's titled UNBROKEN CONNECTION. Penguin is considering it right now. (That means they are trying to decide if they'll publish it or not.) TAKEN BY STORM is out in paperback now, so run buy it--that'll boost UNBROKEN CONNECTION's chances. I'm working on a third Michael/Leesie novel called CAYMAN SUMMER.

I'm also revising two other novels. MY ONLY LOVE, a heartbreaking historical romance inspired by my Scottish coal mining roots. And a time-slip novel, MY TIME ASSASSIN, that I'm turning inside out. I'm changing it up so the heroine is a Bronte-esque companion. My goal is Jane Eyre meets the Terminator (but my assassin is no robot).

Silly Randomness:

Your Favorites
Book: All-time: WAR AND PEACE; YA: THE BOOK THIEF
Author: Katherine Paterson
Animal: eagle rays
Flavor of Ice Cream: I can't have milk, so my favorite is coconut made with coconut milk--add some fresh strawberries and raspberries and I'm in forbidden heaven.
T.V Show: Dancing with the Stars
Movie: Willow
Type of Music: anything Josh Grobin sings
Season: spring

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer the questions and congrats on Sing Me to Sleep's upcoming release!

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Angela has kindly agreed to check back in occassioanlly to answer any questions you guys may have so please feel free to leave any questions right in the comment section!! :)

And don't forget to check back in shortly for a contest to win a signed copy of Sing Me to Sleep from Angela! :)

Sherry <3

Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Book 1 in the Study Series)

(Purchased by me)

Summary from goodreads:

"Choose: A quick death and hell or slow poison and hell.

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear."


My Review: ***** = 5 Stars

I have had my eye on this book for quite some time. Everytime I go to Border's I see it, but I already have my hands full and say next time instead of just grabbing it. So I saw it the other day and I said, alright it's time you need to read this book now, so I bought it. Well, it was definitely amazing. I have been looking for books that grab my attention from the get go and this one did. It's so interesting and unique. A couple of things reminded me of The Hunger Games though the books are nothing alike, but this one came out three years prior to THG so its still very unique in my mind. I love the main lead Yelena. She's had a rough time, and it's like everything that comes her way is terrible, even the semi-good things. And I love Valek. He's spytacular(get it, he's a spy..), the best of the best, gorgerous and mysterious. How can you not love him???
It seemed like everytime I thought I had something figured out I was getting caught by surprise! I found myself saying stuff outloud like "NO WAY!" or "HE CAN'T DO THAT!" Yes, that would be my voice raised... heh lol.. I can't believe I didn't buy Magic Study at the same time because now it's one of the few things I want to read. Luckily I have one thing to hold me over(thank god you're here The Iron King) but once that's over it's to the store for me, and i'm buying both Magic Study and Fire Study.. I'm not playing any games with this one! One super awesome plus side of waiting so long to read it is the books are all out, which means no waiting months to find out what happens next!  With that said, I think you all know how I feel. Snyder weaves an adventurous tale full of action, suspense, romance, sabatage and more. And while it obviously has some paranormal magic going on, it's not overpowering at all. This is going into my all time favorites shelf... once they get organized that is!

What are you waiting for go read this series!!

Have you read already read and reviewed this! Leave me your link so I can check it out!
(I tried mr. linky and app. he doesn't like me...)

Sherry <3

Waiting on Wednesday (4)

I realized that I still don't have a list of books that I want when they are released. That's terrible because i'm sure there were some that I have forgotten about over time... I should start a list... :)

Anyways... on with WoW!

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

This week while I was perusing through the upcoming releases on Amazon and Borders. I had heard of the book but never really knew what it was about.

Forget-Her-Nots

by Amy Brecount White

(March 2, 2010)

 

Summary from goodreads:

"When someone leaves three mystery flowers outside her dorm door, Laurel thinks that maybe the Avondale School isn't so awful after all — until her own body starts to freak out. In the middle of her English presentation on the Victorian Language of Flowers, strange words pop into her head, and her body seems to tingle and hum. Impulsively, Laurel gives the love bouquet she made to demonstrate the language to her spinster English teacher. When that teacher unexpectedly and immediately finds romance, Laurel suspects that something — something magical — is up. With her new friend, Kate, she sets out to discover the origins and breadth of her powers by experimenting on herself and others. But she can’t seem to find any living experts in the field of flower powers to guide her. And her bouquets don't always do her bidding, especially when it comes to her own crush, Justin. Rumors about Laurel and her flowers fly across campus, and she's soon besieged by requests from girls — both friends and enemies — who want their lives magically transformed — just in time for prom."

 

This sounds like a very cute, fun read but it also sounds like it could be more than that. I don't know how far the author takes the magic but heres to hoping its chock full of goodness!

 

What are you waiting on?

 

 

Sherry <3

Spread the Word- The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

This isn't a review. Elizabeth Scott is hosting a HUGE contest over at her blog giving away 25 young adult books to someone who is spreading the word about her newest work The Unwritten Rule which is being released March 9th.

I can not wait for this book. Ever since I have read the wonderful reviews on it, and read about it on Elizabeth's blog, i've been trying to get my hands on it! Unfortunately I don't think its going to happen but luckily for me March 9th isn't too far away!

Here is what The Unwritten Rule is all about(goodreads):

"Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like your best friend's boyfriend.


Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more..."


Go check out Elizabeth's Blog to learn more about her Spread the Word contest!

Sherry <3

Affiliates Weekly Overview

So I have a total of four affiliates now. I like that number, so I think I will keep it at that. I'm already behind and it's only the first week! I originally wanted to do my overview on Saturday but for this week it's going to be today!

Here's whats new!

Lucy at Delightful Reviews

Lucy reviewed Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead and Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook. She had a wonderful interview with author Lyn Miller-Lachman that you all should go check out(she has such fun interviews!). She featured Kari from A Good Addiction in her Saturday Shin-Dig meme(yes that Kari(look down)). She also set up her affiliates, so its thanks to her that I started in the first place! Lucy's 50 follower Bash is ending soon so make sure you head over and enter before time runs out!


Kari at A Good Addiction

Kari reviewed Hate List by Jennifer Brown, Dreamland by Sarah Dessen, The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard and Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu. She did an interview with author Chloe Neill and had a chat with her over at her book club forum! She featured Charlotte from Book on the Hill in her Getting to Know the Little Guys meme. And she got a new blog button thanks to Lucy(yes that Lucy^^^). Kari has two giveaways going on right now, the first three books in the Percy Jackson series and a Jodi Picoult giveaway!


Larissa from Welcome to Larissa's Life

Larissa reviewed Souless by Gail Carriger, Blood Magic by Eileen Wilks and Books 1-6 in the Oklahoma Broken Hearts series by Michele Bardsley. She interviewed author Michele Bardsley and is having a giveaway of her newest book in the series, signed! She featured Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks on her weekly meme New Blog on the Block. She also hit 350 followers and is hosting a huge giveaway! Congrats Larissa!!


Corinne at Lost For Words

This past week Corrine reviewed The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor, Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne and Abandoned by Cody McFadyen. She also announced the winner of her giveaway for a copy of Break by Hannah Moskowitz(great choice Corinne, it's an awesome book!)


Make sure you check out all my lovely affiliates blogs to catch up on what you missed! Hope you have had a great week! :)

Sherry <3

And the winner is... :)

I have picked a winner for the choice of one book out of the four given(guest post Kari's favorite reads) by randomizing the list and then using random.org for the number of entry that won.

There were 64 people that entered and 515 total entries.


The winning entry was #101 which was...



Beleth!

Congrats Beleth, you chose The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness!

I will email you now and you have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response after the allotted time, I will pick a new winner!

Don't forget to enter my contest to win a copy of Firespell by Chloe Neill and some swag!! :)

Sherry <3

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

It was a good mail week, it definitely made up for my lack of mail last week! :D

For Review:

Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens from Jennifer(Grove Creek Publishing)

Purchased from Borders:

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Boys that Bite by Mari Mancusi

My mom got me the pretty bookmarker from Barnes and Nobles along with some sweet bookplates that I completely forgot about until right now!

Purchased from Local Bookstore(Red Fox Books):
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

(See the awesome quilt underneath, my mom made it for me, took her about a year to make, off and on, and by hand, it's beautiful!)

Won from Nikki at Wicked Awesome Books:
The Gossip Girl Series, which includes:
Gossip Girl, You Know You Love Me, All I Want Is Everything, Because I'm Worth It, I Like It Like That, You're The One That I Want, Nobody Does It Better, Nothing Can Keep Us Together, Only In Your Dreams, Would I Lie To You?, Don't Forget About Me, and the prequel Gossip Girl: It Had To Be You.

(I have read the first three in this series, it's my guilty pleasure so glad to have them all, thanks so much Nikki!!)

Won from Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century:

The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley

The Islands of the Blessed by Nancy Farmer

Won from Mandi on Twitter(@smexybooks):
Archangels Kiss by Nalini Singh

Won from Ashley at Book Obsessions:

A Mortal Instruments Poster

I can't wait to get into all of this goodness that is AWESOME books! I'm squeeing right now you just can't hear me!! :D

Thanks everyone I won something from, and thank you to Jennifer for sending me a copy of her book, I can't wait to read them all!!!

Sherry <3

The Iron King Winner!!

So I started adding up entries and put them in a list and said the heck with it, this contest is ending when i'm done figuring this all out, which only ended up being two hours early. Not to bad, I think everyone who wanted to enter did....

So I had 90 people enter, and I had 856 entries... took a while, but I got each name numbered, randomized the list, and had a random number picked from 1-856 which was... 821... who is....


......
....
...
..
.
..
...
....
.....
....
...InABox!

I have emailed you and if I don't get a response within 48 hours I will pick a new winner!

Congrats on winning a brand new copy of The Iron King by Julie Kagawa!


I will post the winner who gets to pick 1 out of the 4 books tomorrow, I can't add them all up right now! :)

Sherry <3

Review: Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison, from Angela earlier this week. Before I give you my review of this, read below for the summary!

Summary from Goodreads:

"THE TRANSFORMATION

Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything."

My review: *****= 5 Stars

First off, I have to admit that this isn't the type of book I usually read. Most of the books on my shelves contain some level of paranormal activity/creatures, mythology or something of that sort. I have been thinking about what I would say in this reivew all morning. To come up with words to describe this book just isn't possible, but i'll give it a try. Exciting, romantic, heartbreaking, breathtaking are just a few words that come to mind when I think of the brilliance that is Sing Me to Sleep. I wanted to be able to tell you all how this book made me feel. I don't know if its because I don't usually read books like this, or what but something about it just grabbed me and never let me go, and it still hasn't. I've been thinking about the characters in this story, the changes in them, everything about it, since I stopped reading it at 11:30 last night. I can't say much without giving away a spoiler so I will keep this review short and simple. I want everyone who reads it to feel like I did after I read it. I felt such raw emotion, and I don't know the last time I truly felt this way after reading a book. I get extremely excited about some books that I love, and I get into the emotions of those books, but something in the way Angela writes makes me feel like i'm going through what those characters are going through. I don't have enough good things to say about it, so I guess I just recommend that you pick this book up when it is released. You won't regret it!

Come back by on the 18th for my interview with Angela as a part of her blog tour for Sing Me to Sleep!

Sherry <3

Blog Tour: Firespell by Chloe Neill

Yay, this is my first ever time partaking in a Blog Tour! I'm so happy it's a book I absolutely loved, Firespell, the first book in the Dark Elite series by Chloe Neill! If you missed my review you can check it out here!

For those of you who are not familiar with what Firespell is, here is the summary from goodreads:

"As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…


When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.

Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…"

Chloe has been kind enough to answer some questions as part of this tour! I hope you all enjoy learning more about her!
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Me: Thanks so much for stopping by Chloe!
Chloe: You're very welcome. Thanks for having me!

Me: I love to start off interviews by getting to know the author better, so why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Chloe: Well, I live in the midwestern U.S. I have two dogs, Baxter and Scout. I love Diet Coke and Apple computer gadgets, and red is my "signature" color.

Me: How did you get the idea for Firespell?
Chloe: Actually, it came to me during my lunch break one day. My agent had asked if I had any ideas for a young adult series, and the premise of FIRESPELL--particularly the idea that the Adepts' magic isn't permanent--popped into my head.

Me: Before Firespell there was the Chicagoland Vampires series. Obviously they have their differences, but how is writing different genres for you. Was it difficult to jump from vampires to magic users?
Chloe: Not really. There's plenty of magic in the Chicagoland Vampires series, although they are two completely different magical universes. The bigger difference was writing about teenagers--no drivers licenses, school all day, curfews, that kind of thing.

Me: Who was the easiest character for you to write in Firespell, hardest?
Chloe: Scout is the easiest. Lily is probably the hardest, because she's still trying to figure out who she is, especially now that she's moved to Chicago.

Me: Is there a character that you favor more than others?
Chloe: I love all my characters equally, but Merit (heroine of my Chicagoland Vampires series), is probably my favorite.

Me: How is Dark Elite #2 coming? Can we look forward to more after #2?
Chloe: It's coming along slowly right now, as I'm editing TWICE BITTEN (Chicagoland Vampires #3) at the same time. Yes--there are currently three Dark Elite books under contract. After that, who knows?

Favorites

Book: Outlander
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Flavor of ice cream: Baskin Robbins Peanut Butter & Chocolate
TV show: Leverage, Bones
Movie: Pride & Prejudice (the A&E version)
Animal: Dogs

Tidbits

Nickname: Hmm. I don't have one!
Pets: Baxter and Scout (dogs)
Drive or Fly: Drive. I love to drive!
Facebook or Myspace: Facebook (although I'm on both).
Summer or Winter: Fall is my favorite season, but right now I'm ready for spring!

Me: Thanks so much for your time Chloe, it was fun getting to know more about you and Firespell!
Chloe: Thanks for having me today!

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**contest is now closed, thanks everyone for entering**

So now you know more about Chloe, if you haven't read Firespell yet, check it out so you can learn more about that too!

In honor of the blog tour Chloe is giving one winner a copy of Firespell and some swag!!!

This is only open to those in US/Canada, so sorry international followers!

I know some people don't like to leave their email address in the comments section, so all you have to do is fill out this form, which simply asks for your name and email address. Everyone gets one entry and one entry only, it is just so much easier this way and everyone has the same chances of winning!

So get entering and good luck! This contest will end March 5th, 2010. (Midnight eastern time)

Sherry <3