City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare Review

Title: City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments #5)

Author: Cassandra Clare

My Rating:

GoodReads Synopsis:

The demon Lilith has been destroyed and Jace has been freed from her captivity. But when the Shadowhunters arrive to rescue him, they find only blood and broken glass. Not only is the boy Clary loves missing–but so is the boy she hates, Sebastian, the son of her father Valentine: a son determined to succeed where their father failed, and bring the Shadowhunters to their knees.

No magic the Clave can summon can locate either boy, but Jace cannot stay away—not from Clary. When they meet again Clary discovers the horror Lilith’s dying magic has wrought—Jace is no longer the boy she loved. He and Sebastian are now bound to each other, and Jace has become what he most feared: a true servant of Valentine’s evil. The Clave is determined to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. Will the Shadowhunters hesitate to kill one of their own?

Only a small band of Clary and Jace’s friends and family believe that Jace can still be saved — and that the fate of the Shadowhunters’ future may hinge on that salvation. They must defy the Clave and strike out on their own. Alec, Magnus, Simon and Isabelle must work together to save Jace: bargaining with the sinister Faerie Queen, contemplating deals with demons, and turning at last to the Iron Sisters, the reclusive and merciless weapons makers for the Shadowhunters, who tell them that no weapon on this earth can sever the bond between Sebastian and Jace. Their only chance of cutting Jace free is to challenge Heaven and Hell — a risk that could claim any, or all, of their lives.

And they must do it without Clary. For Clary has gone into the heart of darkness, to play a dangerous game utterly alone. The price of losing the game is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she even still trust him? Or is he truly lost? What price is too high to pay, even for love?

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating! Want to participate? Post your own WOW entry on your blog, and leave your link at Breaking the Spine.

My Pick



Title: Kitty Steals The Show

Author: Carrie Vaughn

Goodreads Synopsis

Kitty has been tapped as the keynote speaker for the First International Conference on Paranatural Studies, taking place in London. The conference brings together scientists, activists, protestors, and supernatural beings from all over the world—and Kitty, Ben, and Cormac are right in the middle of it.
Master vampires from dozens of cities have also gathered in London for a conference of their own. With the help of the Master of London, Kitty gets more of a glimpse into the Long Game—a power struggle among vampires that has been going on for centuries—than she ever has before. In her search for answers, Kitty has the help of some old allies, and meets some new ones, such as Caleb, the alpha werewolf of the British Isles. The conference has also attracted some old enemies, who’ve set their sights on her and her friends.
All the world’s a stage, and Kitty’s just stepped into the spotlight.

 

Ocaria by Sdyney Berns Interview

I would like to welcome the lovely Sdyney. Author of Ocaria to the blog to day. With a little one on one interview. I was asked to read Ocaria back in February in return for an honest review. Which you can find my thoughts here.



Goodreads Synopsis

Syyren Kantrella, captain of the guards, leaves her underwater world to seek the aid of the self-exiled prince. The oracle, the woman who maintains the underwater ecosystem in Ocaria, has disappeared. The prince is the only other person in existence who can take her place, but ... there is a price.
The last thing Marcus Versar Ay Seamius, a real estate mogul, wants to do is to return to Ocaria. Yet, for a chance to be with Syyren, he is willing to make a devil’s bargain, even if it means remembering why he left in the first place.




Now On To The Interview

I like to start all interview with can you tell us a little bit about yourself?


I’m a diehard New Yorker but I now live in Massachusetts. I try to go home every chance I get. I love to travel. If you shout “road trip”, I’ll raise my hand and say “Coming”.



1. What inspired you to want to write?


I always loved to read. It wasn’t until I was twelve years old that I began to dream about writing. I daydreamed about scenes and plot, but it became a serious dream when I started reading YA books. I related to many of the themes in those stories. I was confident I could write stories people would want to read.


2. If someone wrote a book about your life what would be a good title for the book?


The Good, the bad and the ugly.


3. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?


I used to play classical piano and used to speak French fluently. I’m a little rusty on both of them.


4. Which character did you enjoy writing the most? Least?


I enjoyed writing Marcus. I’m fascinated by the way a man thinks. I can’t think of a character I enjoy writing the least.


5. Who has been your biggest inspiration? 

My dad was one of my biggest inspirations. He was an excellent writer, and I always wanted to be as smart as him. Nora Roberts was another inspiration. I was thirteen when I read her book for the first time. She is one of the most successful writers. I want to be as successful as she is.


6. What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?


Lie down and read a good book.


7. What would your dream cast for Ocaria be?


Josh Harnett as Marcus, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as the King, Joss Holloway as Lyneal, and Kristen Stewart as Moyrra. I can’t think of anyone to play Syyren. She has exotic looks and she is naturally seductive. There are a lot of actresses who have some of the characteristics but no one as the total package.


8. Any other books in the works? Goals for the future?


I have three books in the works. One is fairy tale based, and the others are romantic action dramas. I also have plans to write several sequels to Ocaria. I haven’t decided yet on the story lines. However, the next the story will be a full length novel.



Just for Fun


Watching corky reality shows on Animal Planet and Lifetime


Chocolate or Vanilla 


Both. Chocolate candies and cakes. Vanilla ice cream all the way.


Favorite Candy



Caramels


Tea or Coffee



Tea is my preference but I drink both.


Beach or Mountains



Neither


PC or Mac



PC but I might change my mind since it’s been giving problems for over a year.
 

Preservation by Rachael Wade Guest Post

Title: Preservation
Author: Rachael Wade


Goodreads Synopsis

Fear is sabotage’s sweetest weapon.
Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can’t afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else’s complicated baggage.
When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor.
But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first.
 
Preservation On Tour!



A sexy, arrogant, playboy professor. A stubborn, independent, aspiring writer. Both masters at the art of sabotage. Let the games begin. Available 5/25 from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

• Song: Remain Nameless
• Artist: Florence and the Machine
• Tour Date: 5/21
• Venue: The campus swimming pool
• Scene Snapshot: Ryan and Kate get to know each other during their weekly swims at the campus pool
• Anthem:

I wish to remain nameless
And live without shame
'Cause what's in a name, oh
I still remain the same
You can call it what you want
You can call me anything you want
You can call us what you want
You can call me anything you want
Everybody lets you down
In this brief hole of a town
What a difference of the rushing out
Tell me what you're running from
I know everybody lets you down
And I'll do the same
But know I'll always be around
This can remain the same

Fear is sabotage’s sweetest weapon.

Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can’t afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else’s complicated baggage.
When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor.
But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first.

Places to Find Rachael
Visit RachaelWade.com and connect with her here:
Twitter @RachaelWade
Facebook Fan Page
GoodReads Author Page
YouTube Video Page

Places to find Preservation
Goodreads
Amazon

Preservation by Rachael Wade Review

Title: Preservation

Author: Rachael Wade

Publisher: Rabit Hole Press

Pages: 217

Media: E-book

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kate has no time for meaningless romantic charades, and definitely no time for hot college professors who are full of themselves and smitten with her. Constantly battling eviction notices, tuition she can’t afford, and a sick, dependent mother, the last thing she needs is to be distracted with someone else’s complicated baggage. 

When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor. 

But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first

My Friday Love #1

I found this little meme to break the monotony of the week.

My Friday Love is a weekly meme, where we want to share what we loved during this past week.


Here are some things I loved about this past week.

1. Listening to old Lindsay Lohan Cd's-- Don't judge me :P
2. Diet Mountain Dew-- I have rekindled my love for Diet Mt. Dew. So refreshing. *Cue Cheesy Music*
3. Working on a blog design for many people. My true stress reliever.
4. Talking Anna while I am attempting to be creative.

Dirty Little Secret #2

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by us at Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets. We hope that you will all join us!
To participate in the meme all you need to do is:
1. Be a follower of Under the Covers.
2. Create a post in your blog taking the meme image (code above) and copy instructions.
3. Answer the question we propose! This can be done in any way you like, post a video, write a post etc.
4. Then add your link below.
Non-bloggers: We want to hear from you as well!!! Let us know your answer in the comments!
We hope you join us and let us know your Dirty Little Secrets!


This week's question:

If you could read one book again for the first time,
which one would you pick and why?

I would pick A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix this was officially my first delve into the Urban Fantasy Genre. That got me reading a whole new genre and now that I have started I can not get enough of it.  Now I would say that 90% of what I read is in the paranormal world setting. Not to mention I just love Dante from this fantastic series and I can not get enough of him. Adrian has created a fantastic world and characters to devour.

I would pick Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry because it was the very first book that I read. That was actually mine.

I would probably read  Halfway To The Grave by Jeaniene Frost. I remember I was having trouble downloading the book to read and everyone was saying you have to read this! Finally when I did, I was hooked!! LOVE the Nighthuntress Novels!!

Waiting On Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating! Want to participate? Post your own WOW entry on your blog, and leave your link at Breaking the Spine.

Our Picks:


Title: Biting Cold
Author: Chloe Neill
Expected Published Date: August 7th 2012
Goodreads Synopsis:
Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans.
Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.




 
 

W.....W....W..... Wednesday

This weekly meme is hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

Teaser Tuesday (Olive)

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

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Teaser:


City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare


“You killed my son,” she said. “You killed him and put a monster in his place.”
“I am your son—”
“You wear his face and speak with his voice, but you are not him! You’re not Simon!”


Make Sure To Leave a Comment with your Teaser or a link to your Teaser.

Shadow Rising By Yasmine Galenorn Cover Reveal

Title: Shadow Rising
Author: Yasmine Galenorn
Series: Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon (#12)
Publisher: Berkeley
Release Date: October 30, 2012

Goodreads Synopsis
We're the D'Artigo sisters: sexy, savvy ex-operatives from the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. Being half human, half-Fae means our powers go haywire at all the wrong times. My sister Camille is a wicked-good witch, with three gorgeous husbands. My sister Delilah is a two-faced werecat and a Death Maiden. And me? I'm Menolly, a jian-tu turned vampire, and I'm dating a sexy werepuma and the godfather of vampires. Unfortunately, life is about to get very, very nasty...
Nerissa and I can't decide on what we want to do for our promise ceremony and we're bickering like an old married couple. My sisters and I head to Otherworld for a meeting with Queen Asteria, where we discover that Shadow Wing has dispatched Telazhar to reignite the Scorching Wars. And as soon as we return back home, we find Gulakah, the Lord of Ghosts, waging a battle to control the magical beings over Earthside. Caught between two terrible enemies in a battle spanning two worlds, we can only hope we're in time to stop all-out annihilation.

 
When I came across this I knew I had to share this is one of my all time favorite series. I love the D’Artigo Sisters.
 

Teaser Tuesday

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

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
 



Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Just then, lit only by the flicker of his wings, the sight of him was so … right, somehow. He was right.

Make Sure To Leave a Comment with your Teaser or a link to your Teaser.

Knee Deep by Jolene Perry Guest Post

Title: Knee Deep
Author: Jolene Perry
Publisher: Tribute Books
Release Date: May 1st 2012

Synopsis:

Knee Deep Summary
Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.
Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.
Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

Drink Deep by Chloe Neill

Title: Drink Deep
Author: Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires
Genre: Adult/ Urban Fantasy
Publisher: New American Library
Release Date: November 1st 2011
Edition: Audio

Rating:



Goodreads Synopsis :

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven't been this precarious for va

mpires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.

That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.

Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too late for vampires and humans alike.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer Review

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles (#1)
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Dystopia/Steampunk/Romance
Publisher:  Macmillan Audio from Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Edition: Audio
Source: Macmillan Audio
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

A wicked mash-up of fairy tale and Terminator—set in a Star Wars kind of world—Marissa Meyer's Cinder is a fresh and fiercely ingenious futuristic retelling of Cinderella
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Dirty Little Secret #1

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and other readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets. We hope that you will all join us! 

To participate in the meme all you need to do is:

1. Be a follower of Under the Covers.

2. Create a post in your blog taking the meme image (code above) and copy instructions. 

3. Answer the question we propose! This can be done in any way you like, post a video, write a post etc.

4. Then add your link below.

 This week's question: 

We've heard a rumor that Ryan Seacrest is using Fifty Shades of Grey as a manual in the bedroom.   What book would you give a guy to study up on?

Olive's Answer: I think I would give a guy the Dark Swan Series by Richelle Mead to read, because Dorian is just so domineering. He loves to tie you up and make you beg like a little bad girl :)

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

Anna's Answer: my DSL I would have my hubby read The Maker's Song Series by Adrian Phoenix because Dante just does it for me lol ;) ;

Untouched by Jus Accardo Review, Interview, & Giveaway

Title: Untouched
Author: Jus Accardo
Series: Denazen (1.5)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: March 28 2012
Edition: Kindle
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis

Until he met Dez, Kale’s days were filled with violence and death. He was used as a weapon of destruction by the power hungry men of Denazen. He’s a Six. A person with an abnormal ability. Some people call them gifts, but not Kale. Kale’s touch means instant death.
But now there’s Dez, the girl he can touch, and they’re hunting down Sixes and warning them about Denazen. Kale is learning about the world outside captivity and trying to put his dark past behind him. But they underestimated how badly Denazen wanted him back.
When Dez sacrifices herself to save the new Six they’d rescued from falling into the corp’s hands, Kale is lost. Denazen has brought out its best to get the job done. Samsen, a nightmare from Kale’s past—the only person he’s ever truly feared—has come for them, and it soon becomes obvious he has his own twisted agenda.
Kale will need all his training to get Dez back and ensure they make it out, free—and alive. But will it be enough?

Spectral by Shannon Duffy Review & Giveaway

Title: Spectral
Author: Shannon Duffy
Publisher: Tribute Books
Release Date: April 10, 2012
Edition: Kindle
Source: Tribute Books in return for honest review.
Genre: YA, Romance, Witches
Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis
Convinced she’s a part of the witness protection program, sixteen-year-old Jewel Rose is shuffled around the globe with her family like a pack of traveling gypsies. After arriving at lucky home twenty-seven, she stumbles upon a mysterious boy with magical powers claiming to be her guardian . . . and warning of imminent danger. Despite the obvious sparks between them, Jewel discovers a relationship is forbidden, and the more she learns about dark, brooding Roman, she begins to question who she can even believe—the family who raised her, or the supposed sworn protector who claims they’ve been lying to her all along.
As she struggles to uncover who her family has really been running from, she is forced to hide her birthmark that reveals who she is. With new realities surfacing, unexplained powers appearing, and two tempting boys vying for her heart, Jewel battles to learn who she can trust in an ever growing sea of lies, hoping she’ll make it through her seventeenth birthday alive.

Teaser Tuesday

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

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser


My Teaser




Spectral by Shannon Duffy
I yanked my wrists, trying to free my hands. “I speak English, loser,” I blurted, not able to contain myself.

Make Sure To Leave a Comment with your Teaser or a link to your Teaser.

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


Olive's Teaser Tuesday


The book I am reading is Chloe Neil's Drink Deep

My Teaser:

“You know,” Catcher fi nally said, “there may be a bright
side to this.”
“What’s that?” my grandfather asked.
Catcher looked at my grandfather with a gleam in his
eyes.

Make Sure To Leave a Comment with your Teaser or a link to your Teaser.

She Speaks To Angels by Ami Blackwelder Guest Post & Giveaway

She Speaks to AngelsSeries: (The AngelFire Chronicles #1)
Published: 2012
Genre(s): YA, Paranormal Romance
Synopsis: What if everything you believed was a lie?
A SuicideSeventeen year old Allison Maney attends Millennium High School in Manhattan. Nothing out of the ordinary, unless you consider the occasional suicides at the school. At least that is what everyone is told, what everyone believes. But Tommy Bachelor was a popular football player; why would he jump off the roof of the school?
Dangerous LiaisonsWhen Dameon pays attention to Ali, she couldn't be more excited, because for the past three months he was all she could think about. But now that Dameon is finally pining for her affections, she is becoming more and more wrapped up in a clique of three who, as new transfers to the school, are proving to be trouble. But at least Dameon loves her, doesn't he?
Kian- a dangerous love interest she did not ask for.
Powers- belonging to an underworld she never knew existed.
A Clique- that could be friends or foes?
A Soul PurposeThe underworld of angels and demons have one thing on their mind: Earth.
Demons want to do what they want.
Angels want to protect humans from these rogue angels, AKA: Demons
For Allison Maney, everything is not exactly what it seems…
A Suspenseful Romance
Caught between Dameon and Kian, the suicide and the clique of three,
Ali won't know who to trust…or who to love.