Friday Feature: Mad Men - Season 2 DVD

Who: Jon Hamm and the rest of the Mad Men cast

What: Mad Men - Season 2 DVD, List Price: $49.98

DVD Special Features

• “Audio commentaries with cast and crew on all 13 episodes
• “Birth of an Independent Woman, Part 1 and Part 2” - from housewives to working women, this featurette examines the rise of female independence in the Mad Men era
• “An Era of Style” - featurette explores the fashion of the 1960’s and its lasting influence on designers today
• “Time Capsule” - interactive featurettes paying homage to historical events of the 1960's and the daring generation that lived through them

Program Information

• Year of Production: 2008
• Title Copyright: © MMVII Lions Gate Television Inc. All Rights Reserved.
• Type: TV on DVD
• Rating: NR
• Genre: Drama
• Closed Captioned: English Closed Captioned
• Subtitles: English and Spanish Subtitles
• Format: DVD: Widescreen
• Feature Running Time: Approx. 616 minutes on 4 DVDs
• DVD Audio Status: 5.1 Dolby Digital

When: It hit stores on July 14th

Why: I became hooked on Mad Men late last winter while working for the movies editor at CNN.com. One of the perks of the job was the occasional free dvds and I was lucky enough to snatch Season One up. Besides the overall greatness of the series, the DVD had really good extras too.

Season 2 was great and I was glued to my tv every Sunday last fall. I have to have these episodes at the tips of my fingers for whenever I need a Mad Men fix!

Plus, Jon Hamm is super sexy :)

Review: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, 1) by Rachel Vincent

Young Adult Fantasy

Harlequin Teen (August 1, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0373210035

384 pages

Synopsis from Amazon.com:

She doesn't see dead people, but…She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

Read more after the jump »

Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Young Adult Fantasy

Simon and Schuster Children's (Oct 13, 2009)

ISBN: 978-1416989417

400 pages

Synopsis from Amazon.com:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

Read more after the jump »

Rookie Wednesday: Becca Fitzpatrick

This week I'm honored to have the lovely Becca Fitzpatrick, author of the upcoming novel Hush, Hush, as my Rookie of the week.

What's one random tidbit about yourself?

I've never had a cavity, which is pretty impressive considering the amount of candy I eat. It probably has something to do with the fact that I'm obsessive-compulsive about brushing and flossing...

What were you doing before you sold Hush, Hush?

Minutes before Hush, Hush sold, I was upstairs cleaning the master bathroom (I missed my agent's phone call because of it). In general, before Hush, Hush sold, I was being a mom to my two little boys. I'm still Mom, only my day is a little busier now!

What is the best book that you've read over the last six months?

I'm not quite finished with The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, but I can tell you, based on what I've read, it's easily the best book I've read recently.

Read more after the jump »

Waiting on Wednesday: All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where we post future releases that we can't wait to get our hands on.

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Young Adult

Delacorte Books for Young Readers (Jan 12, 2010)

ISBN: 978-0385738354

352 pages

From Amazon.com:

Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

Announcement: Bookworms Carnival

Make sure to check out the 34th Edition of the Bookworms Carnival which is being hosted this week by Bella of A Bibliophile's Bookshelf.

Your's truly is featured alongside a slew of great bloggers who have contributed a bunch awesome YA fantasy reviews to the carnival.

Go on an check out the reviews and show your support!!

Teaser Tuesday: Ruined by Paula Morris

Teaser Tuesday is an awesome weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

The Rules:

• 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!

I'm currently reading Ruined by Paula Morris, which is officially released this week (August 1).

"But without the picture, Rebecca felt as though her mother's face was fading somehow. She didn't remember her at all: Millie Brown had died when Rebecca was a toddler, knocked over by a speeding car while she crossed a Paris street, Rebecca in her arms." ~p. 92

(Un)Cover: Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Kiss (Guild Hunter, Book 2) by Nalini Singh

Berkley (February 2, 2010)

ISBN: 978-0425233368

I'm loving this one!

Interview & Giveaway: Dakota Banks, author of Dark Time

Today I have the awesome Dakota Banks here to answer a few questions. Her urban fantasy debut, Dark Time, is officially released tomorrow. I really enjoyed this one - be sure to check out my review of it.


What got you interested/started in writing?

The usual thing: reading. I was an early and voracious reader, and the voracious part is still true. I remember my mom telling me that when I was two or three I already knew there was something interesting in books, because I'd grab every book for grownups I could get my hands on and "read" it, even if the book was upside down. Later, I had to get my parents to intercede with the librarian and get me an adult's library card, so I could check out Shakespeare instead of Winnie the Pooh. Been there, done that. I started writing when I was eight years old. My first short story was a science fiction tale about a repressive society where there was no individuality (guess what I'd been reading). One character rebelled and escaped from the city, and at the end the reader learns that the character is an ant. Trite even then, but hot stuff for an eight year old. My school newspaper published it to glowing reviews by teachers.

I kept writing, sending off short stories to Analog and Asimov's. Never got anything published then, but did get encouraging notes from the editors. I still have them. Then life took over and competing loves burst onto the scene. First computers, then a husband, then kids. Writing slipped into the background but never into the grave.

Read more after the jump »

Review: Dark Time by Dakota Banks

Dark Time (Mortal Path, Book 1) by Dakota Banks

Urban Fantasy

Eos (July 28th, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0061687303

From Dakota-Banks.com:

Susannah Layhem, a healer unjustly accused of witchcraft in the 17th century, is ripped from her husband's arms and thrown in jail. Abandoned by her husband and friends, she's tied to a stake and set afire. Her raging bitterness draws one of seven ancient Sumerian demons. The demon Rabishu pulls her from the flames, and she signs a contract to live forever—if she does his evil work. Susannah becomes the Black Ghost, an Ageless assassin gifted with otherworldly skills and superbly trained in martial arts.

Read more after the jump »

In My Mailbox (11)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren

I got lots of stuff this week so I'm only listing full descriptions of things that I haven't seen a ton of times around the blogosphere.

For review:

The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Delacorte Books for Young Readers (Sept 8, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0385736909

From Amazon.com:

Sylvie Davis is a ballerina who can’t dance. A broken leg ended her career, but Sylvie’s pain runs deeper. What broke her heart was her father’s death, and what’s breaking her spirit is her mother’s remarriage—a union that’s only driven an even deeper wedge into their already tenuous relationship.

Uprooting her from her Manhattan apartment and shipping her to Alabama is her mother’s solution for Sylvie’s unhappiness. Her father’s cousin is restoring a family home in a town rich with her family’s history. And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys—a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s—has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand.

Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything—is she starting to lose her mind as well?

You or Someone Like You by Chandler Burr
Ecco (June 9, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0061715655

From Amazon.com:

Anne Rosenbaum leads a life of quiet Los Angeles privilege, the wife of Hollywood executive Howard Rosenbaum and mother of their seventeen-year-old son, Sam. Years ago Anne and Howard met studying literature at Columbia—she, the daughter of a British diplo-mat from London, he a boy from an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. Now on sleek blue California evenings, Anne attends halogen-lit movie premieres on the arm of her powerful husband. But her private life is lived in the world of her garden, reading books.

When one of Howard's friends, the head of a studio, asks Anne to make a reading list, she casually agrees—though, as a director reminds her, "no one reads in Hollywood." To her surprise, they begin calling: screen-writers; producers, from their bungalows; and agents, from their plush offices on Wilshire and Beverly. Soon Anne finds herself leading an exclusive book club for the industry elite. Emerging gradually from her seclu-sion, she guides her readers into the ideas and beauties of Donne, Yeats, Auden, and Mamet, with her brilliant and increasingly bold opinions. But when a crisis of identity unexpectedly turns an anguished Howard back toward the Orthodoxy he left behind as a young man, Anne must set out to save what she values above all else: her husband's love.

Wait Until Twilight by Sang Pak
Harper Paperbacks (August 4, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0061732959

From Amazon.com:

A hauntingly strange and powerfully affecting debut novel that heralds the arrival of a unique and captivating literary voice, Sang Pak's Wait Until Twilight is a coming-of-age story that explores the complex darkness infecting a damaged psyche in a small Southern town.

Not long after his own mother's death, sixteen-year-old Samuel discovers a set of deformed triplets hidden behind closed doors in his sleepy Georgia community. The babies—whose shut-in mother believes they were immaculately conceived and whose menacing brother is a constant threat—take control of Samuel's every waking and sleeping thought. His only escape, he realizes, will be to save the monster children. But to do so, he must rein in his darkest impulses as he undergoes a profound transformation from motherless boy to self-defined man—because sometimes the most terrible monsters are those that live inside us all.

How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson
Dutton (May 14, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0525951148

From Amazon.com:

To Carley Wells, words are the enemy. Her tutor’s innumerable SAT flashcards. Her personal trainer’s “fifty-seven pounds overweight” assessment. And the endless reading assignments from her English teacher, Mr. Nagel. When Nagel reports to her parents that she has answered “What is your favorite book” with “Never met one I liked,” they decide to fix what he calls her “intellectual impoverishment.” They will commission a book to be written just for her—one she’ll have to love—that will impress her teacher and the whole town of Fox Glen with their family’s devotion to the arts. They will be patrons— the Medicis of Long Island. They will buy their daughter The Love Of Reading.

Impossible though it is for Carley to imagine loving books, she is in love with a young bibliophile who cares about them more than anything. Anything, that is, but a good bottle of scotch. Hunter Cay, Carley’s best friend and Fox Glen’s resident golden boy, is becoming a stranger to her lately as he drowns himself in F. Scott Fitzgerald, booze, and Vicodin.

When the Wellses move writer Bree McEnroy—author of a failed meta-novel about Odysseus’ failed journey home through the Internet—into their mansion to write Carley’s book, Carley’s sole interest in the project is to distract Hunter from drinking and give them something to share. But as Hunter’s behavior becomes erratic and dangerous, she finds herself increasingly drawn into the fictional world Bree has created, and begins to understand for the first time the power of stories—those we read, those we want to believe in, and most of all, those we tell ourselves about ourselves. Stories powerful enough to destroy a person. Or save her.

The Book of Dahlia by Elisa Albert
Free Press (March 10, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0743291309

From Amazon.com:

From the author of the critically acclaimed story collection How This Night Is Different comes a dark, arresting, fearlessly funny story of one young woman's terminal illness. In The Book of Dahlia, Elisa Albert walks a dazzling line between gravitas and irreverence, mining an exhilarating blend of skepticism and curiosity, compassion and candor, high and low culture.

Meet Dahlia Finger: twenty-nine, depressed, whip-smart, occasionally affable, bracingly honest, resolutely single, and perennially unemployed. She spends her days stoned in front of the TV, watching the same movies repeatedly, like "a form of prayer." But Dahlia's so-called life is upended by an aggressive, inoperable brain tumor.

Stunned and uncomprehending, Dahlia must work toward reluctant emotional reckoning with the aid of a questionable self-help guide. She obsessively revisits the myriad heartbreaks, disappointments, rages, and regrets that comprise the story of her life -- from her parents' haphazard Israeli courtship to her kibbutz conception; from the role of beloved daughter and little sister to that of abandoned, suicidal adolescent; from an affluent childhood in Los Angeles to an aimless existence in the gentrified wilds of Brooklyn; from a girl with "options" to a girl with none -- convinced that cancer struck because she herself is somehow at fault.

The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
Nan A. Talese (Sept 8, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0385528771

From Amazon.com:

The times and species have been changing at a rapid rate, and the social compact is wearing as thin as environmental stability. Adam One, the kindly leader of the God's Gardeners--a religion devoted to the melding of science and religion, as well as the preservation of all plant and animal life--has long predicted a natural disaster that will alter Earth as we know it. Now it has occurred, obliterating most human life. Two women have survived: Ren, a young trapeze dancer locked inside the high-end sex club Scales and Tails, and Toby, a God's Gardener barricaded inside a luxurious spa where many of the treatments are edible.

Have others survived? Ren's bioartist friend Amanda? Zeb, her eco-fighter stepfather? Her onetime lover, Jimmy? Or the murderous Painballers, survivors of the mutual-elimination Painball prison? Not to mention the shadowy, corrupt policing force of the ruling powers...

Meanwhile, gene-spliced life forms are proliferating: the lion/lamb blends, the Mo'hair sheep with human hair, the pigs with human brain tissue. As Adam One and his intrepid hemp-clad band make their way through this strange new world, Ren and Toby will have to decide on their next move. They can't stay locked away...

Gossip of the Starlings by Nina de Gramont
Algonquin Books (June 2, 2009)
ISBN: 978-1565126763

From Amazon.com:

When Catherine Morrow is admitted to the Esther Percy School for Girls, it's on the condition that she reform her ways. But that's before the beautiful and charismatic Skye Butterfield, daughter of the famous Senator Butterfield, chooses Catherine for her best friend. Skye is in love with danger and the thrill of breaking rules, taking risks, and crossing boundaries, no matter the stakes. The problem is, the stakes keep getting higher, and Catherine can neither resist Skye nor stop her from taking down everyone around her.

The Old Man and Me by Elaine Dundy
NYRB Classics (June 16, 2009)
ISBN: 978-1590173176

From Amazon.com:

In The Dud Avocado, Elaine Dundy revealed the life of the young expatriate in Paris in all its hilarious and heartbreaking drama. With The Old Man and Me, written when Dundy was living in England in the early 1960s, she tackles the American girl in London, a bit older but certainly no wiser.

Honey Flood (if that’s her real name) arrives in London with only her quick wits and a scheme. To get what she wants, she’ll have to seduce the city’s brightest literary star, no matter how many would-be bohemians she has to charm, how many smoky jazz clubs she has to brave, or how many Lady Something-Somethings she has to humor. But with success within her reach, Honey finds that in making the Soho scene, she’s made a big mistake.

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
Pocket (Nov 24, 2009)
ISBN: 978-1439109656

From KellyGay.net:

Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

Charlie works for ITF (Integration Task Force). It's her job to see that the continued integration of our new "friends" goes smoothly and everyone obeys the law, but when a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.

Also for review:

After by Amy Efaw
Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Meridian by Amber Kizer
Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley
Demon Inside (Megan Chase, Book 2) by Stacia Kane
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Skeleton Creek (Skeleton Creek, Book 1) by Patrick Carman
Ghost in the Machine (Skeleton Creek, Book 2) by Patrick Carman
Deadly Little Secret (Touch, Book 1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz
The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

Won:

Grave Sins (Cin Craven, Book 2) by Jenna Maclaine

Friday Feature: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Who: Director Tim Burton, actor Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen.

What: A 3D take on the classic children's novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. It will also be released in IMAX-3D and regular 2D film.
From Wikipedia:

Alice (Mia Wasikowska), now 19 years old, attends a party at a Victorian estate only to find she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of snooty society types. She runs off, following the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) into a hole and ending up in Wonderland, a place she visited 10 years before, yet doesn't remember. Wonderland was a peaceful kingdom until the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) overthrew her sister, the White Queen (Anne Hathaway). The creatures of Wonderland, such as the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry), Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Matt Lucas) and the March Hare (Noah Taylor), ready to revolt, wait for Alice to help them. With the help of the White Queen, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman), Alice starts seeing flashbacks of her visit, back when she was nine.

When: March 5, 2010
Why: Because I'm in love with Johnny Depp, there's an amazing, star-studded cast, and Tim Burton makes awesome films. Whenever he and Johnny collaborate they produce gold, i.e. The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, and Sweeney Todd. Plus, who doesn't love Alice in Wonderland?

(Un)Cover: Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

Black Magic Sanction (Rachel Morgan, Book 8) by Kim Harrison

Eos (February 23, 2010)

ISBN: 978-0061138034

432 pages

Gotta love Rachel Morgan!!!!!!!!!

Review: Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

Young Adult Fantasy

Flux (October 1, 2008)

ISBN: 978-0738713700

336 pages

From Amazon.com:

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Read more after the jump »

Review: Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Young Adult Fantasy

Little, Brown Young Readers (August 1, 2009)
ISBN: 978-0316027427

352 pages

From Amazon.com:

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Read more after the jump »

Review: Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy

Hyperion Books for Children (April 21, 2009)

ISBN: 978-1423108764

352 pages

From Amazon.com:

Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude.

When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in.

Read more after the jump »

Giveaway: Prophecy of the Sisters ARC

I had an extra Prophecy of the Sisters ARC sent to me so I've decided to give one away!

From Amazon.com:

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

Guidelines:

• 1 copy is available
• Contest ends at 11:59 pm EDT on 7/29/09
• Winners must live in the U.S. or Canada
• P.O. boxes won't be accepted for a mailing address

How to Enter:

Simply comment here on the original post.

For Extra Entries:

1. Blog about the giveaway.

2. Tweet about the contest and be sure to mention my handle (@JaxLovesBooks) somewhere in the tweet so that I can keep track.

3. Become a follower of the blog. If you're already one, just mention that for an entry.

4. Comment on the review (to be posted later today) and mention the contest.

5. Comment on my interview with Michelle Zink and mention the contest.

I'll be choosing the winners using Random.org

For each entry, leave a separate comment here so that I can easily keep track. Don't forget to include your email.

I will contact winners by email as well as post their names on the blog.

Rookie Wednesday: Michelle Zink

The awesome Michelle Zink (who's debut novel Prophecy of the Sisters is amazing!!) is this week's featured Rookie.

What's one random tidbit about yourself?


I have BIG feet! Size 11!

What were you doing when you found out Prophecy of the Sisters sold?

It was actually an all-week thing. My agent had been calling me on and off for two days to give me updates, but when he called me with the official offer, I was just hanging out at home with my kids because it was July and no one was in school!

What has been the best book that you've read over the last six months?

The Hunger Games. I was riveted.

Read more after the jump »

(Un)Cover: Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Delcorte Books for Young Readers (Summer 2010)

From CynBalog.com:

Eron DeMarchelle spent seventeen years on earth before his death in 1908. Now, he’s part of another world that invisibly coexists with earth. He is what humans call in their bedtime stories a “Sandman,” and his only purpose is to seduce them to sleep night after night. This dull, meaningless existence wears on him until he falls for the one girl he cannot seduce, a human named Julia. He conspires with his oldest friend, the princess Chimere, to find a way to be with the object of his affection forever. But even the most carefully made plans sometimes have unexpected consequences . . .

I likes it! That flower is gorgeous - I wonder what kind it is...

Waiting on Wednesday: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where we post future releases that we can't wait to get our hands on.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Delacorte Books for Young Readers (Dec 8, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0385738934

320 pages

From Amazon.com:

Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce’s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, where every student seems to have an unpleasant—even evil—history.

It’s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there’s a reason to be here—though she doesn’t know what it is. And Daniel’s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It’s really a protective device that he’s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.

I found this over at Steph Su's blog yesterday and knew that I had to have it.

Review: Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Commercial Fiction/Chick-Lit

The Dial Press (July 21, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0385342025

448 pages

From Amazon.com:

Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don’t get visited by ghosts. Or do they?

When the spirit of Lara’s great-aunt Sadie–a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance–mysteriously appears, she has one last request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie’s possession for more than seventy-five years, and Sadie cannot rest without it. Lara, on the other hand, has a number of ongoing distractions. Her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, her start-up company is floundering, and she’s just been dumped by the “perfect” man.

Read more after the jump »

Giveaway: The Devil's Company by David Liss

Giveaway

CONTEST CLOSED - THE LUCKY WINNER IS RABID FOX

Thanks to Dorothy from Pump Up Your Book Promotion , I have an extra copy of The Devil's Company to give away.

From DavidLiss.com:

The year is 1722. Thief-taker, ex-boxer, “ruffian for hire,” and master of disguise, Weaver finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, pitted against Jerome Cobb, a wealthy and mysterious schemer who needs Weaver’s strength and guile for his own dark purposes.

Weaver is blackmailed into stealing documents from England’s most heavily guarded estate, the headquarters of the ruthless British East India Company, but the theft of corporate secrets is only the first move in a daring conspiracy within the 18th century’s most powerful corporation. To save his friends and family from Cobb’s reach, Weaver must infiltrate the Company, navigate its warring factions, and uncover a secret plot of corporate rivals, foreign spies and government operatives. With millions of pounds and the security of the nation in the balance, Weaver will find himself in a labyrinth of hidden agendas, daring enemies and unexpected allies.

With the explosive action and scrupulous period research that are David Liss’s trademarks, The Devil’s Company depicts the birth of the modern corporation, and is the most impressive achievement yet from an author who continues to set ever higher standards for historical suspense.

Guidelines:

• 1 copy is available
• Contest ends at 11:59 pm EDT on 8/3/09
• Winners must live in the U.S. or Canada
• P.O. boxes won't be accepted for a mailing address

How to Enter:

Simply comment here on the original post.

For Extra Entries:

1. Blog about the giveaway.

2. Tweet about the contest and be sure to mention my handle (@JaxLovesBooks) somewhere in the tweet so that I can keep track.

3. Become a follower of the blog. If you're already one, just mention that for an entry.

4. Comment on the review and mention the contest.

I'll be choosing the winners using Random.org

For each entry, leave a separate comment here so that I can easily keep track. Don't forget to include your email.

I will contact winners by email as well as post their names on the blog.

Review: The Devil's Company by David Liss

The Devil's Company by David Liss

Historical Mystery/Suspense

Random House (July 7th 2009)

ISBN: 978-1400064199

384 pages

From DavidLiss.com:

The year is 1722. Thief-taker, ex-boxer, “ruffian for hire,” and master of disguise, Weaver finds himself caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse, pitted against Jerome Cobb, a wealthy and mysterious schemer who needs Weaver’s strength and guile for his own dark purposes.

Weaver is blackmailed into stealing documents from England’s most heavily guarded estate, the headquarters of the ruthless British East India Company, but the theft of corporate secrets is only the first move in a daring conspiracy within the 18th century’s most powerful corporation. To save his friends and family from Cobb’s reach, Weaver must infiltrate the Company, navigate its warring factions, and uncover a secret plot of corporate rivals, foreign spies and government operatives. With millions of pounds and the security of the nation in the balance, Weaver will find himself in a labyrinth of hidden agendas, daring enemies and unexpected allies.

With the explosive action and scrupulous period research that are David Liss’s trademarks, The Devil’s Company depicts the birth of the modern corporation, and is the most impressive achievement yet from an author who continues to set ever higher standards for historical suspense.

I absolutely hate picking up a novel from the middle of a series. That said, it didn't really matter so much with The Devil's Company. This is the third novel by Liss featuring Benjamin Weaver and his 18th century world. I'm no expert but, thanks to his thorough research, the setting and story came across pretty realistic to me. Weaver is a well-drawn, multi-layered hero surrounded by a cast of characters that feel right, and not too much like period caricatures.

Liss has blended politics, religion, history, and business to construct a complex and entertaining thriller. As far as being a thriller, however, I wasn't utterly engrossed. That may be because of the historical focus or the simple fact that I haven't read the previous Benjamin Weaver stories. That said, it was still very enjoyable and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in mysteries or British history. After reading this one, I plan to go pick up the preceeding books.

Grade: B+

Visit David Liss' site

Read an excerpt from The Devil's Company

Teaser Tuesday: Prophecy of the Sisters

This weekly bookish meme is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

Rules:

• 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!

From pg. 234 of Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink:

"I shake my head. 'I would rather die.' And I am surprised at my conviction. Surprised to find I actually mean it."

This novel will officially be released on August 1st - make sure to check it out!

Wednesday I will be interviewing Michelle here for "Rookie Wednesday". I'll also post the review of POTS as well as a giveaway for an ARC of the book.

Winners: ACE/ROC Sampler Giveaway

And the winners are . . .

Delitealex

I Heart Book Gossip

Etirv

Janel

Violetcrush

Rebecca Cox

Dawn M.

and MoziEsmé !!!

Congrats you guys! Winners have each been emailed and your books will be sent as soon as I receive all of your mailing addresses.

Results determined by List Randomizer at Random.org

Rookie Wednesday: Kimberly Derting

This week's newbie author is Kimberly Derting who's novel, The Body Finder, is set to be released on March 16, 2010.

What's one random tidbit about yourself?

Random…hmm. Okay, here’s random: I only eat chocolate on Christmas Day. But on Christmas, I eat a lot of it. A lot!

What were you doing before you sold The Body Finder

I’ve done several different things, from working at an airline, to being a real estate agent, but mostly I’ve been a stay-at-home mom. But along the way I was always writing. I had a horror novel that I kept submitting, reworking, and re-submitting. I was completely hung-up on it. I just couldn’t give it up. And then one day, I decided that I’d had it, I needed to be done with it. I made up my mind that if I was going to write, I was going to write…whether my work was ever published or not. And from that moment on I never looked back. I got serious about my new projects, and I finished The Body Finder in about six months. Shortly afterward, I met my agent at a writer’s conference in Los Angeles and she sold it. I think I just really needed to get “unstuck” from that one novel that was holding me back. Sometimes you just have to walk away.

Read more after the jump »

Friday Feature: RWA Literacy Signing

Who: The Romance Writers America

What: 2009 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing

When: Wednesday, July 15th from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, during the RWA Annual Conference

Where: The Exhibit Hall of the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Why: Because a whole slew of romance, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy authors will be present. It's only for a paltry two hours, which is ridiculous given the sheer volume of authors that are participating. How on earth is a girl to go about seeing everyone she wants to see. It's certain to be chaos in there, with lines out the butt. Just check out the list of authors that will be present if you don't believe me.

Much to my chagrin, I've made a sort of strategic list. I painstakingly went through that entire list and wrote down all of the names that interested me. Then I tried to rank them based on my favorites, whom I already have something signed from, what would potentially be a good giveaway, etc. - and I'll consider myself lucky if I even get through 5 of them.

Here's my list:

1. Jeaniene Frost

2. Rachel Vincent

3. Jennifer Crusie

4. Kelley Armstrong

5. Maria V. Snyder

6. Gena Showalter

7. Jackie Kessler

8. Angie Fox

9. S.J. Day

10. Melissa Marr

11. Jeri Smith-Ready

The rest I wouldn't mind seeing, but only if I have time (in no order):

Ann Aguirre

Gerry Bartlett

Jenna Black

Kresley Cole

Lucienne Diver

Chris Marie Green

Nancy Haddock

Lori Handeland

Carolyn Jewel

Mindy Klasky

Beth Patillo

Michelle Rowen

Lynsay Sands

Kerrelyn Sparks

J.R. Ward

Anyone else headed to the signing? If so, who are you looking forward to seeing? If not, who would you like to see if you were going? Also, who's not going to be there that you would like to see?

Oh, and if any of you have suggestions on what signed book you would most like as a giveaway prize here's your chance to let me know!

Interview: Eva Gordon, author of Werewolf Sanctuary

Today the lovely Eva Gordon has graced us with an interview about her series, The Maiden Chronicles, and her passion for werewolves.

What got you interested/started in writing?

When I was teaching biology full time I always enjoyed telling my students science fiction stories based on whatever lesson I was on. I even told them I was married to a werewolf and had to dash home to bolt his cage closed. I travelled through time and discussed evolution with Darwin. I soon had a reputation as being a story teller.

What have you learned about yourself since you began to seriously pursue writing?

I have learned that I am self motivated and are well disciplined in terms of having a set writing schedule and goals. My work station and magical table is where I work.

Read more after the jump »

Ballads Blitz

Since I enjoyed this book so much I'm going to encourage everyone to go out and buy it!

Shelley at Write for a Reader has come up with a fantastic idea to drum up support of Stephanie Kuehnert and get her books to sell. The gist of it: this is a pre-order contest. Anyone who pre-orders and sends Shelley their receipt gets entered. For ALL of the details, head to Shelley's spot.

Here's some of the prizes:

• a year's subscription to Library Thing - donated by Kelly fromStacked
• $20 online bookstore giftcard - donated by Karin from Karin's Book Nook
• $10 online bookstore giftcard for every 20 books ordered - donated by yours truly
• Paperback book of choice from Amazon - donated by Shesten from I Heart Monster
• ARC - Dani Noir by Nova Ren Suma - donated by Sharon fromSharon Loves Books and Cats
• ARC - Prism by Faye Kellerman - donated by Sharon from Sharon Loves Books and Cats
• The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan - donated by Diane from The Book Resort
• The Center of the Universe (Yep, That'd Be Me) by Anita Liberty - donated by Tirzah from The Compulsive Reader
• A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly - donated by Gwendolyn from A Sea of Books
• Book (title to be determined) - donated by Mitali from Alley of Books
• Pride, Prejudice and Zombies w/zombie extras - donated by Nancy from Tales of a Ravenous Reader
• autographed author swag from Stephanie Kuehnert
• autographed author swag from Jessica Verday
• added 7/2 - How to Say Goodbye in Robot - donated by Harmony from Harmony Book Reviews
• added 7/2 - CD of songs that remind me of Ballads or Joey Ramone - donated by Harmony from Harmony Book Reviews
  
• more to be added as the month goes on...

Review: Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

Young Adult

MTV Books (July 21, 2009)
ISBN: 978-1439102824
368 pages

From Amazon:

Kara hasn't been back to Oak Park since the end of junior year, when a heroin overdose nearly killed her and sirens heralded her exit. Four years later, she returns to face the music. Her life changed forever back in high school: her family disintegrated, she ran around with a whole new crowd of friends, she partied a little too hard, and she fell in love with gorgeous bad-boy Adrian, who left her to die that day in Scoville Park....

Read more after the jump »