Friday, December 30, 2011
Sayonara 2011: We Had Some Good Reads!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
To Giveaway ... or not to Giveaway?
Here is a list of books that I will be choosing the book from:
Signed copy of CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS by Cassandra Clare
Signed copy of RED GLOVE by Holly Black
MISFIT arc by Jon Skovron
FOREVER arc by Maggie Steifvater
Which one do you guys think should be the prize? Comment with your vote and which book you would love to win.
***TENTATIVE:*** If all goes well, then I will not only host the 200 Follower Giveaway but it will be collaborated with, get this ... ANOTHER giveaway with my co-conspirator and friend: Diana Meli from The Lovely Getaway. Talk about a double whammy!!! Right?
Haysel
Book Expo America 2011: Day 3 - The End ...
I cannot wait 'til BEA 2012! Livia, Alix, Diana - who will be a firsttimer - and so many others: see you there!
Now, here's the low down of my BEA 2011 Day 3:
... Random House.
... Author, Lisa Mangum.
Harlequin BEA "headquarters" ...
Always,
Haysel
Saturday, May 28, 2011
BookExpo America 2011: DAY 2 ...
BookExpo America 2011: DAY 1 ...
... Hmm, Claudia Gray's upcoming novel, FATEFUL, due out September 2011.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Beginning ...
Take a look at my first 98 pages:
Always,
Haysel
Monday, May 2, 2011
Silence ...
Haysel
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
ARC #3 Giveaway
Thursday, April 21, 2011
It's Official ...
Aren't they awesome? Insert girlish squeal [HERE]. I completely designed them myself at PrintsMadeEasy.com. Great printing quility might I say. But I have to admit that I had my reservations about the website and the quality of the cards because the prices were outrageously cheap so I only ordered 100... And I am so happy to say that my doubts were completely unfounded. I even chose the gloss option and it's fabulous.
So now you may ask: why did this chick by business cards for a blog? First, if you haven't already noticed, getting traffic to a blog isn't exactly a piece of cake. Second, I am going to the BookExpo of America this year -- next month actually! Yay!!! And thought the BEA would be a wonderful place to network and get word about my blog out. Meeting potential agents, editiors, publishers and fellow book bloggers -- while getting more free books and autographs might I add -- is the perfect place to exchange business cards. Hey, the way I see it: if you love the written words as much as I do, then you're okay in my book -- pun intended, he he he.
On that note, have a wonderful day and if you happen to be attending BEA this May then I hope to see you there. *I'll be the one with flats on my feet, a camera in my hand, and books in my bag ... ;-)
Always,
Haysel
My RT Swag!
Isn't it swoon worthy.
So I can't believe how lucky I was to snag so many goodies. In total I received 10 FREE books -- one of which isn't shown in the pic above, oops, titled Rosebush, by Michele Jaffe -- including four ARCs. But I did have to do some trading to get a couple of the ones I really wanted to read. Anywho, when I first walked inside of the ballroom to get my books signed, it was like ... the lights of heaven were glowing and harps were playing. It was so deliciously overwhelming. Every booklover's dream! With that I have to say: if you are a bibliophile, such as myself, then you NEED - I repeat, NEED - to attend a RT Booklovers Convention at LEAST once in your life! You. Will. Not. Regret. It.
Following, is the pile of books I got autographed:
Haysel
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
RT Booklovers Convention: LA
What sets the RT BOOK LOVERS CONVENTION apart from any other book industry convention? We mix business and networking with fellowship and fun.
•Begin each morning with a meet and greet mixer hosted by various authors and publishers. •Then choose from a rich variety of over 125 informative workshops for readers, writers and booksellers.•Join Authors, Publishers and Vendors in Club RT, the place to meet for socializing. •Pick up goodies on Promotion Lane to remember your authors. •Cap off the afternoon with a fun-filled stimulating networking party. •At dark, it's time to get ready for our sumptuous evening events. Attendees will receive lots of FREE books and promotional items from authors and publishers.
ON THE AGENDA: •PUBLISHED AUTHORS and ASPIRING WRITERS can attend over 100 workshops to learn how to write and get published, how to network, how to promote and how to increase sales. •READERS will enjoy a special five-day program with games, giveaways, prizes and lots of FREE BOOKS as well as attend bestselling author lectures in an intimate setting. Authors are at the ready to answer all your book-related questions. •BOOKSELLERS will value a special three-day program that will take you into the future of bookselling with tips on how to increase sales and revenues and how to compete with the chains. You will also learn how to use the internet to supplement your income. •BREAK AWAY from your designated track and check out any other workshop that appeals to you. All of the workshops, dinners and events are included in the registration fee. -via RT Book Reviews
On that note, I will be staying in Good Nite Inn located in Sylmar, California from April 8-10 but I won't get back to NYC until the morning of April 11. How about you guys? Are any of y'all RT Booklovers Convention veterans? Any suggestions? Can you give me the scoop on the much anticipated Goody-Bag Room?
Always,
Haysel
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Spread the Word Sunday #1
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Review : Trapped by Michael Northrop
*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Release Date: January 1, 2011
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Pages: 240
Source: ARC Tour
The Story:
The day the blizzard started, no one knew that it was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive....Scotty and his friends Pete and Jason are among the last seven kids at their high school waiting to get picked up that day, and they soon realize that no one is coming for them. Still, it doesn't seem so bad to spend the night at school, especially when distractingly hot Krista and Julie are sleeping just down the hall. But then the power goes out, then the heat. The pipes freeze, and the roof shudders. As the days add up, the snow piles higher, and the empty halls grow colder and darker, the mounting pressure forces a devastating decision...
--via Star Book Tours
Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!
My Review: One word: CHILLING
When Scotty Weems went to school on Tuesday he had no idea that because of fluffy, white snow flakes his life would never be the same. Not even halfway through the school day did Tattawa Regional High School become a speckle in the wrath of a soon to be historic blizzard. "The day the blizzard started, no one knew that is was going to keep snowing for a week. That for those in its path, it would become not just a matter of keeping warm, but of staying alive." Scotty, his two best friends - Jason and Pete -- couldn't have imagined how the snow would bring segregated groups together ... as well as wedge friends apart.
Scotty Weems is an aspiring basketball player who was technically a jock but not quite. He still felt like an outsider. Instead he feels most comfortable with his two best friends, Jason and Pete. Jason Gillispie is a hardcore military buff who wears t-shirts with scary war slogans and has a hobby that consists of created a go-kart he named Flammenwerfer -- which means Flamethrower in German. And Pete Dubois is a just the plain, normal guy of the trio. The highlight of his day is scarfing down pizza rolls and playing video games.
As luck would have it, sophomores Scotty, Jason and Pete weren't the only students to get stuck at their old, arctic high school. Scotty and Pete thought it was a dream come true having a "slumber party" with crushes, freshman girls Krista O'Rea and Julie Anders. Krista is a beautiful, popular girl who was also an athlete that played soccer and basketball. But most importantly, Krista is Scotty's perfect girl - his fantasy. Julie was Krista's best friend, and pretty enough to make Pete reconsider his priorities when it comes to where his allegiance lies.
On that note, being snowed in at school wasn't all meadows, butterflies and couples running towards each other in slow motion. There were three kinks that put a damper on Scotty's and Pete's exclusive time with Krista and Julie. One was Elijah James. He is the weird kid -- the quiet, morbid one who wears ratty old sweaters and spends every free minute in the library. Problem number two, Les - uh, Leslie actually, but don't let him hear you say that - Goddard is that guy. The troublemaker who served semi-permanent detention. The one everyone -- including the teachers -- are afraid of. "Les is bad news, a thug, the kind of guy you just sort of assume is armed in some way." And the third, final and the most serious kink of them all: the snow. The all encompassing double edged sword. The snow that gave Scotty and Pete what they could have only dreamed of -- a week off from school, the girls of their secret fantasies and no adult supervision -- was also the very thing that will most likely kill them all.
Overall, Michael Northrop's novel was a simple read. But there are parts that make you laugh, want to cry and appreciate the simple things in life - like functioning plumbing, a soft bed, and heat. Even when you think you can't read another page somehow the book keeps you ...trapped.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from Trapped: Pete & Scotty:
"I'm serious, man," said Pete. "I'm turtling." [Pete]
I laughed, just because that's such a nasty word. Turtling: when the turd starts poking its head out.
***Check out Michael Northrop's website for more information about him and Trapped: HERE
Happy Reading!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Review : Crusade by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Release Date: September 7, 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 480
Source: ARC Tour
The Story:
The ultimate battle. The ultimate love.For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain’s Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun. Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated—and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose. Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself—and her heart.
--via Star Book Tours
Rating: FOUR Gold Stars!!!!
My Review: One word: SATISFYING
Who told you vampires don't exist?
Well guess what? They were dead wrong; pun intended. Because the Cursed Ones do exist and they are thirsty. For blood. For power. And for control.
Six Years Ago: It was a Valentine's Day like any other until vampire spokesperson, Solomon - a hot, young, red-headed vampire - was seen on national television standing by the U.S. President revealing that his fellow mythical creatures of the night weren't only restricted to nightmares. Lying to viewers all across the country that vampires don't rip out the throats of their human counterparts. That vampires can be sustained by the blood of animals. That vampires can only "convert" humans to brethren by permission.
Two Years Ago: Not long after the vampires outed themselves after many centuries in hiding, humanity found itself at war with the far stronger, far more ruthless, far more manipulative species. And that is when the Church stepped in. For thousands of years the Church has trained and prepared lone Hunters to protect the innocent, their villages from the bloodsucking creatures. But Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie's CRUSADE isn't about any group of hunters.
Two Months Ago: CRUSADE is about the Hunters of Salamanca headed by their unconventional Master, Father Juan; Jenn, Antonio, Holgar, Skye, Jamie and Eriko. Stationed in Spain at the Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones, this makeshift so-called team - which is by the way a new concept - is not only armed with Krav Maga training and each of their personalized vendetta but with loads of stakes, holy water, garlic and crosses as well . . . Which they don't seem so adverse to using on one another.
Jenn Leitner, or 'just Jenn' as she commonly likes to refer herself as, who has rebel blood - courtesy of her grandparents if giving her grandfather that nickname of Papa Che after Che Guevara is any indication - decides that living in denial and under vampiric dictatorship isn't for her. Fleeing her "safe and protected" life in Berkeley, California, at the age 16 to Spain Jenn joins Sacred Heart Academy to become a hunter. But after two years fighting alongside her comrades she realizes that she just may have bitten off more than she can chew.
Antonio de la Cruz is a Spanish native as well as Jenn's hunting partner. A seminarian, Antonio is studying to be a priest, he fasts, prays and mediates very often in an effort of serving God. But being a man of God isn't as easy as it once was. Now he must prove himself worthy of forgiveness for the sin of what he has become. And having fallen in love with his partner Jenn, she has such a firm grasp on his being that causes his control on his inner beast to slip. But he can't give her up. Instead he vows to always keeps vigil over Jenn and never leave her. Their love is rare. An anomaly. One that could be the death of them both. How long will their love last? Will their love conquer the trails and tribulations the chaotic world throws at it?
Though the Scandinavian werewolf doesn't trust anyone, Holgar is jovial, nice guy. Every full moon he locks himself in a cage so as not to hurt others or himself. No one knows why he chose to become a hunter when werewolves, although few and far between, are generally the accomplices of vamps. He licks his wounds, make noises of a wolf and laps at water while still in human form; during his transformations loneliness eats aways at him. He is half wolf. And that means that the pack dynamic, the communion between its member is an important part of who he is. But never asks any of his teammates to stay with him, not even his partner Skye.
The English White Witch - also known as a Wiccan follower of the Goddess - Skye York may not be who everyone thinks she is. Her teammates believe that she's pure and whole but they're wrong. For unbeknownest to them, Skye is harboring a dark secret - or rather a black secret ... lover - that has haunted her since she was was fourteen. How long will it take for that particular brand of Black magick from her past to catch up with her. Like a predator stalking its prey. And to make matters worse, Skye's self-destructive fondness for bad boys still doesn't hinder. What will her love for Jamie cost her this time?
Jamie O'Leary is yet another foreign transplant in Spain. Born and raised in Ireland, he has "ferocity and [the] fighting skills drilling into him by his family during his childhood in Belfast" [Crusade, Page 20]. Driven by the death of his entire family by the hands of werewolves, Jamie is a vicious hunter who has animosity towards his two teammates Antonio and Holgar. But his armor has one kink in it. His fighting partner. Eriko.
Eriko Sakamoto is a former vampire groupie Japan turned Buddhist. Her initial purpose for becoming a hunter was to avenge the death of one of her best friends. The fiercest of the Hunters of Salamance, bestowed upon her was an special elixir that gives her superhuman strength, speed and healing power. But being the Hunter comes with a great and painful price.
Present: Together the splintered team of hunters must fight against the vampires who are infesting the world and taking it into their stronghold. Together they must uncover the traitor in their mist. Together, with the help of their new acquaintance, The Resistance, who are group of human rebels, they must lend hands - preferably holding stakes and holy water - to a fellow teammate in need. Vampire queen Aurora has kidnapped Jenn's younger sister, Heather, while she was back in California for a family funeral. Heather, the sister who begged her sister for an escape. For the chance to fight against the vampire oppression, father's denial and human slaughter. Heather, who has been given a deadline of Mardi Gras - literally - to be saved by her sister. Heather, whose capture, Aurora, has an agenda that doesn't just entail the luring of Jenn and the hunters. But one hunter in particular. Antonio.
Together the Hunters of Salamanca must save the crumpling world from the bloodthirsty vampires ... without killing each other first.
Here is some of my favorite quotes from Crusade:
Jenn & Heather:
"'Why did you go?' [Heather]
'To get my own room.' [Jenn]
A pillow sailed through the darkness and landed on Jenna's head. Fortunately, she had been expecting it. She suppressed a laugh as she hurled it back at Heather.
Jenn threw it a little too hard and felt guilty when Heather grunted at the impact." -- Page 103.
Holgar: "On Father Juan's desk sat a copy of Bernini's statue of St. Theresa of Avila in mystical ecstasy, head thrown back, lips parted, as a chubby cupid of an angel grinned at her, preparing to stab her with the little burning spear in his hand. On other occasions Holgar, a modern, lusty Scandinavian, had inwardly chortled at the rampant sexuality of the piece. There was nothing mystical about what she was feeling. Catholics, as a group, were tremendously repressed. Look at Antonio." -- Page 117
Antonio to Jenn:
"'I know that I would die for you.'
Then he turned toward her, and gazed at her, his crimson eyes filled with love. His fangs lengthening with bloodlust.
'Before I let anything happen yo you, I would die first.'"-- Pages 298-299.
***Check out Nancy Holder's website for more information about her and the Crusade: HERE
***Check out Debbie Viguie's website for more information about her and Crusade: HERE
Happy Reading!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Review : Nocturne by Syrie James
*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Release Date: January 4, 2011
The Story:
When Nicole Whitcomb's car runs off a Colorado mountain road during a blinding snowstorm, she is saved from death by a handsome, fascinating, and enigmatic stranger. Snowbound with him for days in his beautiful home high in the Rockies, she finds herself powerfully attracted to him. But there are things about him that mystify her, filling her with apprehension. Who is Michael Tyler? Why does he live alone in such a secluded spot and guard his private life so carefully? What secret - or secrets - is he hiding? Nicole has secrets of her own and a past she is running from - but Michael understands her better than anyone she has ever known. Soon, she is falling as deeply in love with him as he is with her - a profoundly meaningful experience that is destined to change their lives forever. As the sexual tension between them builds, however, the clues mount up. When Nicole learns her host's terrifying secret, there is nowhere for her to run but into the blizzard raging outside and Michael may be the only one who can save her life.
--via Star Book Tours
Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!
My Review: One word: BITTERSWEET
Nicole Whitcomb is a ski loving, medical insurance claim employee whose life changes with one wrong turn. In Colorado mountains for a friend's ski wedding during an extended weekend, Nicole's car swerves off the road and into a ditch.
Michael Tyler is a reclusive who lives on a homestead with his two horses: a mare named Hip Pockets - Pockers for short - and Posse, an intelligent cantankerous horse. Michael is content with spending his days building beautiful wooden music boxes, playing haunting tunes on his piano and riding his horses. But fate has others plans when a blinding blizzard causes Nicole to stay with him for a few days. Much to Michael's dismay his conscious forces him to save Nicole from impending death by freezing.
But when Nicole and Michael are forced to dig underneath each other's surface they find they like what they see. Nicole is everything Michael could have imagined the perfect woman to be. And although, socially impaired and a bit ruff around the edges, Michael is actually quiet talented, handsome and enthralling. With more in common than they could have imagine, they fall in love before long. Unfortunately for Nicole though, she may have went from one death trap to another. Because Michael is harboring a blood-chilling secret that puts Nicole in more danger every day that she is trapped in his house ... every second that he falls deeper in love with her.
Will Michael help Nicole overcome her painful past? Or is her pain to be subdued by Michael's love? Will Nicole be able to ease the effects of Michael's long self-isolation? Or is his reclusive ways drive Michael to drive Nicole away? Does Michael have the willpower, the self-control to protect Nicole from his darkest attribute?
Nocturne is a beautifully composed novel. However, in all my years of reading I have always been a sourpuss that throws tantrums after despondent endings. Hence, that is why Syrie James' Nocturne only receives 3 out of a possible 5 stars instead of 4.
Here is some of my favorite quotes from Nocturne:
Michael:
"Michael couldn't stop smiling as they hung up their heavy winter garments, couldn't take his eyes off her as they made their way upstairs. He could admit it now -- if only to himself: Nicole was everything he'd ever dreamed of in a woman. He loved her, had loved her from the first moment he saw her, and every moment in her presence since had only reaffirmed it. "-- Page 173
Nicole & Michael:
"'Considering the outside temperature,' she replied, 'I hope you didn't do all of those activities naked.'
'I assure you, I was fully dressed,' he returned softly. 'One wouldn't want to shock the horses or frighten the neighbors.'
'But you're naked now.'
'All the better to watch you sleep.'
Nicole laughed, her heart pounding. 'That doesn't sound very exciting.'
'Oh, but it is, my love.' The deep tenor of his voice seemed to penetrate her skin and ripple like a a caress through her veins and nerves, as luscious as a warm bath..." – Page 229
***Check out Syrie James' website for more information about her and the Nocturne: HERE
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Review : Vampire Crush by A.M. Robinson
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: December 28, 2011
Pages: 416
Source: ARC Tour
The Story:
Supernatural suspense, star-crossed love, and drama of undead proportions. Meet Sophie McGee. Her life is about to get very interesting.
First, six mysteriously pale new students show up at Sophie McGee’s high school. Then, Sophie’s childhood nemesis James reappears, still displaying a knack for making Sophie’s blood boil. When Sophie finds out that James has a connection to the new students, she decides to investigate...never expecting her life will quickly begin to resemble a campy horror movie, complete with budding crushes and bloodthirsty villains.
Perfect for fans of the Vampire Kisses and Vladmir Tod series, A. M. Robinson’s debut novel sparkles with action, intrigue, irresistible wit, and sizzling romance.
--via We Love YA!
My Review: One word: WITTY
Completely normal was how you would describe Sophie McGee's life in Michigan. Normal house, normal family - if you consider a brazenly nosy stepmother and a stepsister who cries over celebrity wardrobe malfunctions normal, normal school where the principal bans pointy shoes. And all Sophie wanted was to make her Junior year perfect by becoming the Editor in Chief of her high school's paper ... and, of course, one day marry Danny Baumann - a typical all-American jock, low on functioning brain cells. But then her journalism teacher, Mr. Amado, assigns her and her friendly rival, Lindsay Allen, to the new student profile article for the welcome-back issue of the school's paper. Little did she know that the "Getting to Know Our New Tigers'" feature was about to debut with a bite.
Suddenly, life wasn't so normal anymore.
When six new students enroll at Thomas Jefferson High School . . . the arrogant leader of the sun-deprived group, Vlad Smithson who also happens to be tall, blond and hot, the new goth recruit Marisabel Jones, spacey and love-struck Violet Martin, Neville Smith - the real life rendition of High School Musical's Troy, and the zombie twins, Devon and Ashley . . . things start to get strange. Abnormal.
And to make matters worse, James Hallowell shows up. Yes, the same James, whose hobbies were listed as: mutilating Sophie's dolls, kidnapping Sophie's sandwiches, yanking Sophie's hair, and ruthlessly teasing Sophie about her freckles throughout her childhood until moving to New York the summer before her freshman year of high school.
James, who now seems to have the power to make Sophie's heart race any time he comes near.
Naturally observant, future reporter, Sophie McGee keeps watch on Vlad and posse and dsicovers they are hiding a dark secret. One that involves a possible cult named Danae, a search for the girl with a star-shaped birthmark, eating disorders and fear of sunlight. And when mean boy Vlad takes a special interest in her stepsister, Caroline, Sophie puts her investigational skills to the test. Especially since James knows the new students and warns Sophie to stay away from them.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from Vampire Crush:
Sophie to Neal Garrett:
"'Neal, if you don't stop I will kick your pocket,' I threaten.
'But --'
'I will.'
Looking more befuddled than scared, Neal turns around. Partly relieved -- and yet partly offended that Neal so readily accepted me as a hamster kicker -- ..."-- Page 34.
Sophie:
"My kiss lands southeast of its target, but he turns his head and corrects my tactical error. It's not perfect. Sure, his lips are cooler than the average guy's and I think I may be sitting on his hand, but under the very strange circumstances I think this is a happyish ending." – Page 404
***Check out A.M. Robinson's website for more information about her and the Vampire Crush: HERE
Happy Reading!