Saturday, May 5, 2012

Author Interview+ Giveaway: Amber Garr (Promises and Betrayal)

Today, we have as our guest Amber Garr, Author of young adult (YA) novels Promises and the newly-released Betrayal. Not only that she agreed to give us a giveaway of her books. (Below)
 So, sit down and let's discover together a few things about Amber and her books.. Enjoy!

Blurb about the book:

Promises
The Syrenka series #1
The Blurb

Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love.

When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined.

A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those who she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life that she had so adamantly tried to escape.

Promises is the first book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends through the perils of growing up in a discrete world that inherently threatens human society. 
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Check out my review on Promises. Just click and tell me what you think.:D
Now onto the interview! 

One/Two word/s that describe “Promises?
Mermaid adventure.

One sentence: Why we should read it?
For an escape into a discrete world where mermaids, selkies, and water fairies exist to protect human society.

On to the questions, why was it titled "Promises"?
Promise” was the last word of the original short story that started this whole series and it seemed fitting with all that was going on in Eviana’s life at that time.  She’s torn between two types of promises either she made or that were made on her behalf.

If you would become one of the characters of this book, who would it be?
I think I’d pick a water sprite.  It would be cool to be able to change forms and travel anywhere water flows.  I’m just not too sure about the having to eat humans part…

That’s really cool just that the human eating part is sort of repulsive. Anyway, if this would turn into a movie, who would be the main cast?
I have thought about this so many times and the only person I’ve been sold on since the beginning is Kain…and that would be Alex Pettyfer for sure!  Although I recently saw a movie with a rather unknown actress (Sarah Gadon – The Moth Diaries) who may fit my ideal for Eviana.  Brendan’s been tough.  Perhaps Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson) with some green contacts…but I don’t know. Any suggestions? :D

Alex Pettyfer
Sarah Gadon
Logan Lerman
Music or Book?
Ooh tough.  Music.  I don’t function without listening to music, although I don’t fall asleep before I’ve read at least a few pages either.
Love or Life?
Love, I think.  With that you can build a life.

Reality or Fantasy?
Definitely fantasy.  I’ve wanted to live in other worlds my entire life!

<Please complete the sentences>
If I can’t sleep, I would write all night long.
The craziest thing I did is publish my first book.  (It was a risk for me!)
My greatest dream is be satisfied and content with life.
The place I’d like to go someday is Antarctica
One thing people don’t know about me is that I can’t whistle.
I wish I had written Interview with a Vampire”.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
         I'd also like to thanks the fans for enjoying my books and contacting me personally....I think it's so great to hear from them and to find out what they liked about the stories.  Every time I hear from one of them it totally makes my day!

Thanks so much Amber for coming.>:D

ggggggdd
Amber Garr!
About Amber

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie. --Quoted from from Amber's Website


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If you're interested to find out more about Amber or Promises or Betrayal, you can visit them at:


Or, you can read the first chapter of Promises HERE!


  
GIVEAWAY 
courtesy of author

*WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT*




While here, why don’t you enter
My 200-Follower-Milestone-Giveaway (8 books up for grabs!/INT)

Check out the other giveaways here: GIVEAWAYS

Friday, May 4, 2012

Feature and Follow #6

Hosted by: Alison Can Read and Parajunkee

I love meeting new blogger friends, visiting old ones, and of course my readers too:D! 

Please leave your links and I will visit your FF post as well and follow you back .If you’re a reader without an FF post just answer in my comment box and I will reply as soon as I can.. . I would love to hear from you! 

You could follow me via GFC... and if you'd like to get updates with latest giveaways and reviews... Follow me by email>.:)

Anyway, the question for this Friday's Feature and Follow is:

 

What is one thing you wish you could tell your favourite author?


hmmph.. another tough question..since I have lots of favourite authors..:D

Well maybe, if I ever meet one, which sadly I haven't met any author in person yet, I'd tell them "Thanks for making up worlds which greatly stirs my imagination and emotion and offers rest for my hectic reality..lol"

Or maybe I could ask them to send me their new books...;D

How about you?

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Book Review: A Witch in Winter



A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Hodder Children's Books (January 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1444904698
  • ISBN-13: 978-1444904697

Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

Although a perfect fit for the paranormal romance genre, A WITCH IN WINTER avoids fangs, excessive body hair and submissive female leads, and tells the heart-wrenching story of a couple meant to be together, but being forced apart. Seth is utterly irresistible and Anna is an empowered, proactive young woman with unimaginable magic inside her. This is fast-paced, sensuous writing with believable incantations inspired by Warburton's research into witchcraft legend and old English.

Cover: Oooh, I so much love the cover. It was the first thing that caught my eyes, and just seeing it, makes me say, this is definitely YA Paranormal. My copy comes with the cover of the second book- A Witch in Love at the inner side of the front cover. And oh my, it was even more beautiful. Although, I don’t think they have the same model as the first one, on that issue, I prefer the girl on the first book.

The plot of the story was cute and interesting, especially the whole witch clan war. Hmmph, that’s pretty scary! The witch thing was well-researched, especially the use of old English in spells.

Even if the book talks about magic, everything else in it was genuine. I love how the author deals with teenage issues or should I say, teens usually do, like drinking for example. Warburton really stated it as if she was a teen herself,..lol

Although this is the first book I read from Ms. Warburton, her writing style was easy to understand. It was fast-paced, spiced with humor and there was suspense lurking in every corner. I can’t believe this is her debut novel , the book was really good.

I myself, was hoping magic exist, like witches, spells, potions. And I love the way the author reveals Anna’s true identity. It’s a situation where you really say, “that’s possible and unique”!

Anna is a character I instantly like. She was real. I mean, she acts, says, thinks what any normal teen would do. It’s easy to instantly love and relate to her. Her character developed a lot throughout the book.

The other characters were also strong in different ways, friends or fiends, each of them has his own predefined role. Although of course not everyone are in the limelight, I hope to see more of them in the next book.

As for the love story, just like the synopsis said it wasn’t anything like vampire/werewolves or girls who willingly submit to boys’ charms, in this one, Anna has the charm. Their love story was different in every way. It made me think that how could you really be sure that a boy loves you when you unintentionally and unbelievingly put a love spell on him?

As for Seth, he was such a good guy even though he was tag as the bad boy, so I’m not that a big fan, I prefer the bad boys maybe in love stories..lol.. I like Abe even better..;D

A Witch in Winter comes with high school dramas, love spells gone awry, spells, witches’ wars, near-death experiences, and of course lot of action. What more could you want?

Highly Recommended! I can't wait for the next in the series A Witch in Love and know what happens to Anna and Seth!


View all my reviews

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

ARC Review: The Forgiven Duke: A Forgotten Castles Novel



The Forgiven Duke: A Forgotten Castles Novel by Jamie Carie
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: B&H Books (July 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1433673231
  • ISBN-13: 978-1433673238
Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon - the path of least resistance - Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart. A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton - the path less traveled by - on Dublin’s shore still haunts her.

Will he come after her? Will he drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: “Faith for Duty,” the St. Easton motto. The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens: “Willing and Able,” beats in her heart and thrums through her veins. She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.

The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward’s name. Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him. Only time and God’s plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.

 First of all, thanks so much to Ms. Carie for giving me this advanced reader’s copy. I was really excited when I saw that my mailbox comes with the address from the author.. Thanks so much>>:D

Cover: Hmmph,.. I wish I could really see the face of the duke and his infamous panther-like green eyes. Anyway, it was still wonderful. A wardrobe change with Alexandria..:D

The Forgiven Duke is the second installment in the Forgetten Castle Series. I have actually read the first one, The Guardian Duke. I really loved the first book and clearly I was not disappointed with this one.

It’s not hard to delve into the story again, I still remember the charming and high-spirited Alex and the Duke who was falling in love with her through letters. Like the first one, Alex and Gabriel are not together yet for almost ¾ of the book. We’re given an account in each of their adventures. Alex goes to find her parents, and the duke, well, Alex and his hearing are not his only problem anymore, the Spanish Throne was after him and even his own British soldiers.

It is still an amazing thing how Ms. Carie can weaved a wonderful love story without really letting the characters meet, instead through their thoughts and feelings the readers got to know them and partake in the budding romance.

The historical information was still tantamount. I loved reading the descriptions of Iceland and its natural beauty. The ships, Spanish and British Soldiers, the Icelandic, the tourist spots, they were all well-researched. I could clearly picture them in my mind.>:D

Also, there are a lot of passages from the bible, which the characters get their strength from. Some were even sang by the duke! It all made me realize that even how worse you’re going through at this moment, God would definitely lift you up when the time comes. And that you cannot direct your life, you have to follow God, cause in the end, you will still ask Him to guide you, and besides, following yourself leads to no good!

A real-page turner, I read the book in one-sitting and have to sleep at 2:30 in the morning! Although the end wasn’t as intense like the first one which is a certified cliff-hanger, the author leaves with an assurance that the next book would be even better. (There was a dialogue from the third book). The second book leaves off, with the reader wanting to know what would happen to Alex and the Duke’s relationship. Would he find out what Alex was scared off? And would he accept her? Would they find what they’re looking for? Together?

The romance, funny scenes, faith, and the greater conspiracy behind Alex’ missing parents was all in here. The detective part though is not that really complicated, but you’ll find yourself enjoying the book all the way. I love this book so much, because actually there was a lot of action, soldiers fighting, lives lost, and love and beliefs being fought for!

My second regency era Novel and definitely I will still read the last in the Forgotten Castle Series, “The Duke’s Promise” which will be released September. And, oh, by the way, “The Forgiven Duke” would be released this July 1. I realized that all the titles have the word “Duke” on it, I was joking with my sister last night that we could call it “The Forgotten Duke Series” .. lol

Great work Ms. Carie! Another Christian/Historical Romance…. Very Highly Recommended !!!

Do you want to read my review of The Guardian Duke. Just click and tell me what you think on both books.:D

View all my reviews


Do you want to read my review of The Guardian Duke. Just click and tell me what you think on both books.:D

While here, why don’t you enter
My 200-Follower-Milestone-Giveaway (8 books up for grabs!/INT)

Check out the other giveaways here: GIVEAWAYS

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Giveaway: $50 Amazon/B&N GC & Dystopian Pack

Original Post from Gotta Have YA

Posted by Courtney Vail:

Today was my Book Blast with I Am a Reader, Not a Writer, and so far today, I've scored 135+ new followers here. Yay!!!! So psyched to meet you all. If you have a blog, I will follow back. In celebration of all my new peeps, I am giving away some goodies to two lucky winners. If you haven't already, click the link above to enter to WIN my $100 eCard for Amazon or Barnes & Noble, Winner's Choice, or a copy of Kings & Queens HERE.

Firstly, for my New Follower ♥ Giveaway, I am giving away a $50 eCard for Amazon or Barnes & Noble, Winner's Choice. Open to US & Int'l.

Secondly, I am giving away a YA Dystopian Pack with three of the Hottest Novels out there. I have the paperbacks for The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Matched by Ally Condie and the hardcover of Legend by Marie Lu to delve out. All in great condition. Sorry, this pack is only available to US and Canadian residents. I've shipped internationally before, and it usually costs more to ship than the book's initial cost.

Good luck!




To enter, Click Here!!
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