The Last Echo Launch Party

Kimberly Derting's 

The Last Echo Launch Party

April 28th 2012

Third Place Book in Ravenna 

Kim started off by talking about the book for a little bit, then she moved on to a Q&A and finished with a reading from The Last Echo. She decided to read from the killers POV when she usually doesn't.  
(All has been summarized from my memory)

Talking a little about the cover

 The cover flower was original going to be for another book, Wings by Aprilynne Pike, but when they were doing the cover shoot they weren't liking how it was turning out so they scraped the idea. Kim's cover designers were trying to come up with a cover that would off set the gruesome title The Body Finder and they ended up recycling the flower and using it for the cover. The flower has been on each cover, it also isn't a real flower it was made. The cover for the next book has already been made and Kim says it is her favorite one. 

Kim told us a story about how she knows she is working too much when her daughter came up to her crying and sobbing "You don't love us anymore". She ended up starting to call her daughter Violet, but stopped herself before she finished. Yep Kim is working a lot and we love her for it!

How do you name your character?
Kim names her characters after people she knows. A lot of dead girls are her neighbor's kids and she will call them up asking for permission to use their name as a dead girl. Most have said yes, but a few have said no, when they said no she ended up turning them into the bitchy girl at school. The lesson for today, never say no to Kim when she wants to kill you. The neighborhood boy begged Kim to make him a murderer, so the next murderer is named after him.

Violet was a name that if she had another child she would have named her Violet, but since she isn't having anymore kids she named her character Violet instead, a different child of sorts. Her husband insists Jay is named after him since his name is Josh and it could be shorted to Jay.

How did you come up with the killers?

The killers mostly have been themed/inspired by real life killers, expect for the first one. Kim stated that real life is scarier than anything created in fiction. Kim knew she wanted the killer to be a pair of people working together to kill the girls in The Body Finders. Gary Ridgway inspired The Lost Echo killer, Charles Manson inspired the next book's killer.

When Kim was first writing from the killer's point of view and how they snagged the girls she was concerned with how the publisher would take it since her books are YA. They actually really liked it and she has added more with each book. Their was a scene in The Last Echo when Kim was done writing it she felt gross and dirty.

Why Rafe's character?
Rafe and Sara were created because Violet needed a way to access other killers and bodies. Kim didn't want to have that many dead bodies being found in Buckley, since she lives near there and the area doesn't actually have that many dead bodies and killers.

I made Kim a bit nervous with all the photos I was taking, she was afraid I would have all of these bad ones of her, but I assured her that bad ones get deleted.

 She also had some prizes to give out, everyone got a lilac nail polish, bookmarks of all the books, a stick of The Last Echo and Last Echo wrist band. If you pulled a bookmark with a red heart you got to choose an extra prize, either a bag or a tee shirt. I was lucky enough to get the bag, along with all the rest of the swag.

 Kim and I

This is the 3rd time I have seen her but the only time I have taken pictures

Kim and Anna @ Peace, Love, Teen Fiction

Kim and Jorge

 he doesn't have a blog, but he a local book/event fan that I have meet and chatted with on Facebook

The event was awesome and Kim is so much fun. I really enjoy going to her events and I can't wait to see her again this Saturday for Spring Into Future event. I love how many local authors Washington has, we are pretty lucky to be the perfect place to write and read with all the crappy weather and rain we have.

Have you meet the lovely Kimberly Derting?

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The Last Echo Review

The Last Echo

By Kimberly Derting

Summary

In the end, all that's left is an echo...
Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her family and her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet's talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it's Violet's job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by "the girlfriend collector" she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new "relationship" and Violet may have caught his eye...

What I Loved

Intense

Kim has done it again, she has made my heart pound and sit on the edge of my chair wondering how the heck Violet is going to make it out of this situation this time.

Characters 

Violet: I still enjoyed her character. Her faithfulness to Jay is wonderful, but her confusion about Rafe makes her a normal teenage girl and adds entertainment. I have to say, it would suck to be her, she always draws the murders attention and that is not a good thing.

Rafe: If I didn't love and miss Jay so much in this book I would love Rafe even more. I'm conflicted with Rafe, I really do love the dark brooding boys and he fits this so well and this connection that him and Violet has is both intriguing and concerning. I don't know what to fully make of him, but I really do like him and I want to know more about him.

Murder's POV
This always freaking creeps me out to no end, but I do think it is a good thing and it brings me back down to Earth and reminds me to not judge people by their looks. The good looking ones can be even more dangerous because you can let your guard down around them since they don't "look" the part of psycho.

Didn't Like

I'm a such a wuss and this book scares me! Really make you think about knowing a person before you trust them, looks can be deceiving. I'm still waiting for Violet to finally learn self defense, just reading the books makes me want to learn. 

Recommendation 

A must read series

Information 

The Body Finder Series

The Body Finder

Desires of the Dead

The Last Echo

Book 4 2013

The Pledge Trilogy

The Pledge

The Essence Jan 1st 2013

Book 3

Could you handle finding dead bodies?

The bodies I could handle, it's the murder that I couldn't

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The Immortal Rules Review

The Immortal Rules

By Julia Kagawa

Summary

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

What I Liked

Future of Vampires
Vampires are the dominate species in the world and many humans have been killed off by disease. This book stays with the traditional vampire and adds I guess you could call them zombie vampires aka "rabids", now those things are scary, even the animals aren't safe from this.
Action
Allie learns how to fight with a katana, how cool is that! There is a decent amount of fighting and action throughout the entire book. It isn't filled with action, but a good amount. 

Character

Allison aka Allie: She is awesome! She is almost as bad ass as Rose, but not quite. I enjoyed her internal struggle that she has with herself, she doesn't ever want to fully give into the monster she has become. Allie wants to keep her humanity, even though it is a continuous struggle and not going to be easy ever. I like her perseverance, strength, will and stubbornness. 

Romance

This book has very little romance, for me I enjoy having a break from lots of romance especially in the YA genre.

Didn't Like

It slowed down a little in the middle of the book while she was traveling looking for Eden, but that didn't last very long and it soon picked up.

Recommendation 

Must read for all vampire lovers

Information

Blood of Eden Series

The Immortal Rules

unknown how long series will be

Iron Fey Series

The Iron King

Winter's Passage

The Iron Daughter

The Iron Queen

Summer's Crossing

The Iron Knight

Would you choose to become a monster?

Now I wish this would have been the cover! This is awesome!!

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Mini Challenge

Women of the Otherworld

Mini Challenge

The Challenge
Showcase ALL of Kelley Armstrong's books

My

Kelley Armstrong

Collection

These are all of her books I own

From the Women of the Otherworld Series

Used Mass Market Paperbacks (to be replaced)

I started collecting the series when I found many of these on the $1 shelf, I had been eying them for a while. I want to eventually replace them all with hardback copies.

Bitten, Stolen, Dime Store Magic, Industrial Magic, Haunted, Broken No Humans Involved

Hardbacks

Personal Demon, Living with the Dead,Waking the Witch and Men of the Otherworld

ARC (to be replaced)

Spell Bound

Signed and YA set

Adult Signed

Counterfeit Magic

YA Signed

The Gathering, The Awakening, The Reckoning, The Summoning, Enthralled (ARC) and Enthralled (hardback)

When I went to her signing there was a limit on number of books you could get signed in the Smart Chicks Event and since I already had A LOT of books with me I didn't want to add the adult series as well. I hope one day I can get all her books signed.

Counterfeit Magic

signed and personalized

Enthralled 
hardback signed on the story, ARC signed in the front

There you have it my Kelley Armstrong Collection

Are you participating in The Women of the Otherworld Series Challenge?

I am, I need to get reading too! If you aren't you really should, the 1st 2 books in the series are pretty awesome and I can't wait to read the rest of the books.

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Fairytale Giveaway Hop

 *CLOSED*

Fairytale Giveaway Blog Hop

My Favorite Fairytale Character 

Cinderella

My favorite would have to be Cinderella, I have always loved her the most, but Belle is a close second. The like the story of a girl with low stature rising up to become more and breaking free of her suppressing bonds. I really do love all retold fairytales, they always make me happy. Cinderella has had some very awesome retellings; Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Bound by Donna Jo Napoli, Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey and many others. I also love Ever After and I love how strong Danielle is. Oh and I can't forget Ella Enchanted, I love how fun that version is and love Prince Char.

*CLOSED*

The Giveaway

Win 3 Books

 Beauty by Robin McKinley (mass market)
Beauty and the Beast retelling
The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott (arc '08)
The Wild Swans retelling
The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey (mass market)
The Arabian Knight's retelling

*CLOSED*

To Enter

US Only

Ends May 1st
Winner has 48hrs to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Fill Out Form Here

WINNER IS BEING CONTACTED

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Don't forget to check out the other blogs that are participating in this whimsical giveaway

Bookography (37)

Bookography

Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Third Place Books

One of my favorite new & used bookstores in Lake Forest Park. They have hosted some amazing events over the last two years since I first found this store. So far I have seen Andrea Cremer, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Alexander Gordon Smith, Robin Wasserman, Megan Bostic, Kiki Hamilton, Kendare Blake, Kathy McCullough and Cherie Priest and I'm probably missing a few others. There are a few events that I have wanted to attend, but due to having to work and pay for my reading habits I have been unable to attend. I know I will be attending many more future events hosted at this wonderful location.

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.

To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 

<3Bookography

Top 10 Tuesdays (17)

Top 10 Tuesdays

Topic: Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books

This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

Females

I am really picky about my female characters. I personally love female characters that are strong and don't easily break down, but I don't like them so hard that they show no weakness to nothing. I can't stand weak and whiny characters. This is why I tend to like more UF/PR female adult characters then YA females. There is a lot of whiny females in the YA world, but there are some really great ones too. The adult characters just stick out in my mind more.

Mercy Thompson

from Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
She kicks ass! I also love that even though she maybe weaker then werewolves she hasn't let that stop her, she has learned to fight and she uses her speed at changing to her advantages.

Phedre no Delaunay 

from Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
She is just an amazing character! She knows many languages and is versed in MANY arts.

Kate Daniels

from Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Another kick ass female heroine that I love!

Rose Hathaway

from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
One of the top kick ass YA heroines  

Bertie Shakespeare Smith

from Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
She can create stories and things, she is fun and has two awesome guys in love with her and she has the coolest sidekicks ever!

Males

I love these boys for different reason! 

Kale

from Touch by Jus Accardo
What is not to love about him, he had a bad boy side but he is so innocent. Oh got to love those ice blue eyes.

Imriel de la Courcel

from Kushiel's Scion by Jacqueline Carey
He is a very complex young man. We get to know him from being a baby to finding his HEA and all the trials in between of wanting to "be good"

Tynan MacGillivray

from Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle
OH I LOVE Kendra's men, she writes the best dark and brooding boys ever! He purrs! 

Gideon McInnes

from Call of the Highland Moon by Kendra Leigh Castle
Yum Scottish Werewolf, what is not to love!

Brandon

from Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

He has always stuck out in my head, I think it might be mostly because I really don't like Celeste and I think he is way too wonderful of a guy for her Celeste. She bugs me to no end, she is the type of female character that I can't stand!

What are you 10 favorite characters?

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The Hunt Review

The Hunt

By Andrew Fukuda

 Left: US / Right: UK

I like the UK edition more, the essence of the book is captured completely

Summary

Don’t Sweat.  Don’t Laugh.  Don’t draw attention to yourself.  And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.
 
Gene is different from everyone else around him.  He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood.  Gene is a human, and he knows the rules.  Keep the truth a secret.  It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.
 
When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him.  He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

 UK Trailer

What I Liked

Intense 

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and you find yourself holding your breath or doing something along with the character? I felt like I was doing this all the time. I got so involved within the pages I would catch myself trying not to show any emotion, not panic along with him, yawn, shudder or get grossed out reading the description of the vampires eating. I got so pulled in with the dangerous intensity of the book.

Character

Gene: Wow I don't know how he could do what he is does, playing at being a vampire when a little "human" detail could start a feeding frenzy at any moment. He is a very interesting and intriguing character, human but not.

Vampires

These vampires follow some of the traditional traits, but Andrew takes it a step further and puts his own twist one them. They have VERY different mannerisms and sometimes I didn't even understand them, but I just moved on, it is what makes them very unique.

Would Have Liked

History

I would have liked more information about this world. It never got explained when or how vampires became the dominate species of Earth or even if this is even Earth. I really would like some back history of this world.

Recommendation 

Not for the queasy individuals nor vegetarian. A read for someone who likes dark and intense storyline from the male POV and doesn't need romance in all their books.

Releases 

May 8th 2012

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository 

Information 

New Series
The Hunt
Book 2 early next year

Could you hide your human traits to survive among vampires?

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In My Mailbox #53

Two Awesome Books

IMM#53

IMM is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, anyone can participate telling about what they bought, borrowed or received for the week.

For Review

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Got this from McMillan for review for the Fierce Reads Tour in June

Bought

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

Currently reading this now, will be going to her launch party signing on 4/28. I can't wait, I have missed her last few local signings.

---------------------------------------------------

Weekly Recap

My Reviews

 Night Veil

Unraveling

Until I Die

Bookography

Death Sentence

Reveals

Trailer & Excerpt Reveal 

for Taste by Kate Evangelista

Events Happening

There is a few events going on this week, 

I will for sure be going to Kimberly Derting's event on Saturday the 28th.

Jennifer Shaw Wolf's Breaking Beautiful Debut Launch Party is on Tuesday the 24th, but I might be up on Cameo Island taking my cousin's senior portraits 

Stephanie Perkins, Gayle Forman & Nina LaCour have an event on Thursday the 26th. I haven't decided on this event either. I attempted listening to Anna and the French Kiss, but I wasn't really digging it. I do own the 1st book of Forman, but I haven't read that one either. This all depends on what my plans end of being for the day.

Reading Pile

1) The Last Echo currently reading

2) Under the Never Sky

3) Struck

4) Of Poseidon

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

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Until I Die Review

Until I Die

By Amy Plum

Summary

Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

What I Loved

Romance 

Vincent and Kate are so perfect for each other. Their devotion and passion for one another is epic and touching.
I usually don't add quotes, but this one was so touching and displays the essence of their love I had to add it.
"Watching him was enough. but after a moment he spoke. 'Kate, I've spent a lifetime waiting for you. Before I saw you, I hadn't cared for anyone for... well, for a god part of a century, and it felt like my heart had been permanently disconnected. I wasn't even looking anymore. And without expecting anything...without any hope at all, suddenly you were here.'"
Characters

Kate: She impressed me immensely in Die For Me and she keeps on impressing me in Until I Die. She is learning to fight so she can protect herself, how freaking cool it that! I would love to be in her shoes and learning all the fight/defensive techniques. She continues to be rational when other characters are completely irrational. 

Vincent: He is still himself and I still love his character.
Story
Betrayal within the house, a curious absence of numa attacks, searching for a painless way for Kate and Vincent to be together without him having to suffer and an ending that rendered me speechless and it total shock. A never ending fight for love, the only thing in the world to fight for.  

Killing Me

Oh my goodness I can't believe it ended like that. I think all authors like to torture their readers for the last book before the concluding book. I was so close to tears, I really need next year to get here now so I can have If I Should Die in my hands right now.

Releases 

May 8th 2012

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

Information 

Revenant Trilogy

Die For Me my review

Until I Die

If I Should Die May 2013

In keeping with the theme of my last post and choosing a song for the book. I also choose a song by the same band Within Temptation (they are awesome) the song is All I Need and I think it fits well with Kate and Vincent. 

Have you read the first book yet?

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Unraveling Review

Unraveling

By Elizabeth Norris

Summary 

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

What I Loved

Apocalypse Book

The world is ending and only a few select people know it. A mysterious countdown that no one can stop, people melting due to radiation, and major weather disasters are just the beginning. The book literately counts down and you can't help but read and devour as the minutes tick by. Elizabeth isn't afraid to hold back and nothing and no one is truly safe. The book is filled with excitement till the very end.

Characters

Janelle: Another female character that I really enjoyed reading. She is the provider for her brother and caretaker for her mom so her dad doesn't have to do any of it. Janelle was forced to play parent and responsible adult at a young age causing her to mature and become very dependable. She is able to deal with bad situations with a level head and she doesn't loose it like a whiny little girl. 

Ben: What a surprise he turned out to be. I at first wasn't sure about him and his obsessive tendencies, but as Janelle spent more time with him I came to really enjoy and love him.

Side of Romance

I enjoyed reading the budding romance, this push and pull, yes and no, want but shouldn't romance makes for a very interesting and frustrating read.

Didn't Like

The ending was killer. I can't believe, well yes I can believe it, that is ended that way. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Recommendation 

Got to read this book!

Releases

April 24th 2012

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

Information 

Series

Unraveling

Unbreakable 2013 has been turned in

Book 3? not sure if it is a trilogy or not

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Night Veil Review

Night Veil

By Yasmine Galenorn

Summary

Cicely Waters had always through she was simply one of the magic-born-a witch who can control the wind-but recently she discovered she's also one of the shifting Fae. Now she must perfect her gift. Because Cicely and her friends may have escaped from Myst and her Shadow Hunters, but Myst has managed to capture the Fae Prince who holds Cicely's heart.

What I Loved

Opinion Change

At the beginning of the book I had my character likes and dislikes and I was hoping a particular character would be killed. By the end of the book there was so many crazy betrayals, uncovered plots and hidden secret agendas that my character likes and dislikes changed. I'm still reeling from all the stuff that happened on every page of the book.

Character
Cicely: Another great kick ass female character, with her own vulnerabilities and strengths. We get to learn who her father is in and more about her past life in this book.

Grieve: I really liked him more in this book, like with Cicely we get to learn a little more about him as well. I'm so looking forward to the next book and learning even more about him.
Sexual Tension
The first book didn't have a huge amount of sex in the book, but this one steps it up a notch and adds a bit more. Yasmine's books definitely not for the faint of heart, you have got to be able to handle the rougher side especially with the book having brother and sister vampire lovers.

Didn't Like

What is there not to like about Yasmine's work, she isn't afraid to push any boundaries and I love that about her books.

Recommendation 

A series definitely for the adult audience, a lot of mature and steamy content.

Information

Indigo Court series
1) Night Myst my review 
2) Night Veil
3) Night Seeker July 3, 2012
4) Night Vision July 2013
5) Night's End TBA

Otherworld series
1) Witchling (Camille)
2) Changeling (Delilah)
3) Darkling (Menolly)
4) Dragon Wytch (Camille)
5) Night Huntress (Delilah)
6) Demon Mistress (Menolly)
7) Bone Magic (Camille)
8) Harvest Hunting (Delilah)
9) Blood Wyne (Menolly)
10) Courting Darkness (Camille)
11) Shaded Vision (Delilah)
12) Shadow Rising (Menolly) Oct 30, 2012
13) Haunted Moon (Camille) Feb 2013
14) Autumn Whispers (Delilah) Nov 2013
15) Crimson Veil (Menolly)

Have you read this series? Or her other series? 

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Bookography (36)

Bookography

Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Book 

Death Sentence by Alexander Gordon Smith

Death Sentence

This picture was taken for another prompt for the dpreview.com photo challenges. The challenge is "Evil Book"  and I thought this book looks very evil, lots of evil creatures and bad things keep happening to the innocent Alex. I used my new 50mm lens with a very shallow depth of field of f/1.8, so there is a little strip of focus and everything else it out of focus and I think it adds to the gritty feel of the book.

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.

To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 

 

 

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Top 10 Tuesdays (16)

Top 10 Tuesday

Topic: Top Ten Tips For New Bloggers

This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

1) Almost enjoy reading, it is the reason you started the blog

2) Don't worry about not getting ARCs, eventually the book will be published

3) Manage your reading pile well, read the review books but also mix in your fun choice reads

4) You don't have to review everything you read

5) Be picky about what you accept to review, you can say "No"

6) You don't need to post every day

7) Pick a few memes to participate it, they are fun do to, but don't do them every day

8) Create your own personal review style

9) Make genuine connections with other bloggers, they are a good support group

10) Have fun blogging, don't let it stress you out or take over your life

Many of these are my own goals I have for myself. I want to blog for fun and enjoy the whole blogging experience. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of ARCs and forgot that I have 100+ other books waiting on my shelves to be read and I don't need to add to my huge piles. 

What is your tips for new blogger or old bloggers to remember?

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Book Trailer & Excerpt Reveal

Taste

By Kate Evangelista

Summary

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans. When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud. 

The New Book Trailer

There are 2 different excerpt reveals (and a 3rd excerpt w/a hidden link in the post), I decided to reveal excerpt #2

Taste Excerpt 2

I sat up and followed Calixta’s gaze upward. I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t know what I was seeing at first. A statue? ­My brain refused to snap together coherent thoughts.  I didn’t realize I’d fallen so close to one of the garden benches until I stared up at the boy that sat on one. He was strikingly beautiful. His tumble of blonde hair curled just above his sculpted cheekbones. He wore a silk shirt and a loosened cravat, like he’d become bored while dressing and decided to leave himself in disarray. His ivory skin and frozen position was what had me mistaking him for something carved from marble by Michelangelo. Then he sighed—a lonely, breathy proof of life. If I had to imagine what Lucifer looked like before he fell from heaven, the boy on the bench would certainly fulfill that image. My brain told me I had to look away, but I couldn’t.

“Luka,” Calixta said again, her voice unsure, almost nervous. It no longer contained the steel and bite she had threatened me with, which made me wonder who the boy was.

He leaned on his hands and crossed his legs, all the while keeping his eyes fixed on the night sky. His movements spoke of elegance and control. I’d encountered many people with breeding before, but his took on the air of arrogance and self-assuredness of someone used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it.

I only realized I’d been holding my breath when my lungs protested. I exhaled. My heart sputtered and restarted with a vengeance. Luka tore his gaze away from the stars and settled it on me. I’d expected pitch-black irises, like the other Night Students, but blue ice stared back at me.

“Human,” he whispered.

He reached out, and with a finger, followed an invisible trail down my cheek. I stiffened. His touch, cooler than Demitri’s, caused warm sparks to blossom on my face. He lifted his finger to his lips and licked its tip. He might as well have licked me from the way my body shivered.

Luka’s curious gaze held mine. “Leave us,” he said, but not to me.

“But—” Calixta protested like a spoiled child.

He spoke in a language I hadn’t heard before, remaining calm yet firm. The words had a rolling cadence I couldn’t quite follow, like rumbling thunder in the distance. They contained a harsh sensuality. The consonants were hard and the vowels were long and lilting.

Footsteps retreated behind me.

Luka reached out again.

It took me a minute to realize he wanted to help me up. I hesitated. He smiled. I smiled back timidly and took his hand, completely dazzled. Even with my uniform soaked from melted snow, I didn’t feel cold—all my attention was on him and the way his callused hand felt on mine. Without moving much from his seated position, he helped me stand.

“What’s your name?” he asked. He had a voice like a familiar lullaby. It filled my heart to the brim with comfort.

I swallowed and tried to stop gawking. “Phoenix.”

“The bird that rose from the ashes.” Luka bent his head and kissed the back of my hand. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

My cheeks warmed. My head reeled, not knowing what to think. I couldn’t understand why I felt drawn to him. And the strange connection frightened me.

From behind, someone gripped my arms and yanked me away before I could sort out the feelings Luka inspired in me. I found myself behind a towering figure yet again. Recognizing the blue-black silk for hair tied at the nape, relief washed over me. Calixta hadn’t come back to finish me off.

Demitri’s large hand wrapped around my wrist. Unlike the night before, no calm existed in his demeanor. He trembled like a junky in need of a fix. The coiled power in his tense muscles vibrated into me.

“What are you doing here?” Demitri asked.

I didn’t know he’d spoken to me until I saw his expressionless profile. I sighed.

“Phoenix.”

I flinched. The ruthless way he said my name punched all the air out of me. “You owe me answers,” I said with as much bravado as I could muster.

“I owe you nothing.” He glared. “In fact, you owe me your life.”

“I don’t think so.”

Ignoring my indignation, he faced Luka, who’d remained seated on the bench during my exchange with Demitri. “Why is she with you, Luka?”

“I wasn’t going to taste her, if that’s what you’re implying,” Luka said. “Although, she is simply delicious. I wouldn’t mind if you left us alone.”

There it was again. Taste. The word that kept coming up between these Night Students and I was connected to it in an increasingly uncomfortable way. To taste meant to sample, but what? My flesh? They had to be joking because the alternative wasn’t funny.

“The sins of the father …” Demitri left his sentence unfinished.

Luka’s smile shifted into a snarl. “Obey my command.” His chin lifted. “Kneel.”

Demitri’s stance went rigid. His grip tightened around my wrist.

Okay, weird just got weirder. Why would Luka want Demitri to kneel before him? I thought back to Eli and the others bowing to Demitri when he questioned them, but they didn’t kneel. Seriously? Were they all living on a different planet or something?

“Kneel.” Luka’s detestable smirk made his features sinister rather than angelic. The real Lucifer: a fallen angel.

Without letting go of my wrist, Demitri knelt down on one knee and bowed his head, his free hand flat at the center of his chest. “Your command has been obeyed,” he said formally.

Luka nodded once.

Demitri stood up and pulled me toward the school without telling me where we were going. Not having the time to thank Luka for saving me from Calixta, I risked a glance back. Luka smiled at me. His smile spoke of whispers, secrets, and promises to be shared on a later date.

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Did you know that Kate has a play list for the book? A lot of good choices, here is one of them
Afterglow by INXS

You can find the rest on her website

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Crescent Moon Press

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.

Taste releases on May 1st

(3rd)


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