Cover Reveal: Touching Eternity by Airicka Phoenix

What do you think of Airicka Phoenix's cover for Touching Eternity? I love how striking her eyes are. Touching Eternity is a prequel to Touching Smoke. If you haven't read Touching Smoke, you should go and grab a copy. You can read my review here. How amazing does the synopsis sound too? 

What would you choose? 

She had everything but freedom. 

He had nothing but his loyalty, his wits and his training. 

She was a prisoner, a disease, not fit for the world, and she didn't know why. But she did know she wasn't allowed to die, she wasn't allowed to live and she wasn’t sane.

He was a soldier, a protector, but his foundation will be tested when he must destroy the only light in his dark world.

Thrown together, prisoner and keeper, their rebellion will splinter through time, changing the course of history and the fate of the world. Their love will challenge their greatest enemy and immortalize them forever.

Loyalty. Freedom. Love.

What would you risk? 

"Let me die."

Pain darkened his eyes. "Never."

Waiting on Wednesday: Flutter by Melissa Andrea

Sara

Sara's life is forever changed -

Waking up, buried & hidden deeply in the last place anyone would want to be, will do that. She is determined to find out how she ended up there & why, but when the only person who can help her, continuously lies to her, she finds herself forced to suffer alone. She can't ignore the strange things that begin to happen to her nor can she hide from the nightmares that haunt her sleep. And when her world collides with Adan - the mysterious boy whom she can't seem to stay away from, literally - she is consumed by the familiar flutter that sparks whenever he is around and she is desperate to discover the reason why.

But the biggest discovery will come from the secret of what she is…

Adan

Adan’s mission to find Sara has finally approached -

It seemed simple: bring her back to the enchanted world that lives, breathes and survives because of her, but he quickly finds himself faced with an entirely new challenge. Immediately, Adan realizes that staying unknown to Sara is a task he will fail before even attempting. The pull to her is far too strong to refuse, and being with her will defy the very reason he existed. He was the key to her survival and loving her was not part of the plan that he had been born to follow. Can he find it in himself too resist the urge to be with her and follow through with their destiny or will he destroy everything that had been left to Sara to protect and defend -

And the kingdom she is unaware she rules…

Flutter

As Sara and Adan struggle to overcome their own separate battles - 

There is a far more determined evil that is stalking the shadows and waiting to annihilate them both. 

Sara will figure out that not everything is what it seems and knowing what she can and can not trust will be the key to finding out the truth to what happened to her, the reason why she had been buried alive and who she really is…

Sara and Adan will discover the hidden meaning to why she was the reason he existed and why he would be the reason she survived & together they will fight to change the rules and rewrite their fate.

Discover the Meaning, 

Discover the Secret,

Discover 

Flutter

October 30, 2012

*****

I love this cover so much. How gorgeous is it? I can't wait until this is released. The story sounds amazing. Does it sound like you kind of thing? Let me know, then go and like Melissa Andrea's page on Facebook and support an indie author!

Cover reveal: Eternal Hope by Frankie Rose!

THE COVER FOR ETERNAL HOPE IS FINALLY HERE! DOESN'T IT LOOK AWESOME! I've been pimping Frankie's book Sovereign Hope whenever and wherever I can, because I love it so much. I have been dying to see the cover, and it has sure met my expectations and exceeded them! What do you think?

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me.

When your friends go missing and you don’t know if they’re dead or alive; when you tie your soul to the one you love; when you kill to protect and your family suffers, there’s only one thing you can do:

Move to Montana.

Farley Hope is special. She was prophesied to kill the forebears of her bloodline- a race of cold-blooded Reavers, men who steal the souls of the living to gain power. The Quorum had counted on Farley ending her own life in the process, but when Kayden came to her aid and helped save both her and Daniel, he undid their plans. Now the Quorum are displeased, not only with Kayden, but with Farley and Daniel too. Though her father is now dead, Farley’s troubles with the Reavers are far from over. An ancient Immortal, trapped for a thousand years, wants Farley for himself, and he will stop at nothing to claim her.

With secrets that lead to anger and pain, that turn friendship to dust, the group must overcome the problems within their own circle before they have a hope of fighting off the powers that threaten their lives.

I am waiting for my review copy to come, rather impatiently I might add! I urge you to grab a copy of Sovereign Hope before Eternal Hope is released in a few days. It's only $1.99 on Amazon! I can't recommend this book enough.

Waiting on Wednesday: Mind Games by Kiersten White

US

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

UK

She never chose her deadly gift but now she’s forced to use it. How far would you go to protect the only family you have left?

Annie is beset by fleeting strange visions and a guilty conscience. Blind and orphaned, she struggles to care for her feisty younger sister Fia, but things look up when both sisters are offered a place at Kessler School for Exceptional Girls.

Born with flawless intuition, Fia immediately knows that something’s wrong, but bites her tongue… until it’s too late. For Fia is the perfect weapon to carry out criminal plans and there are those at Kessler who will do anything to ensure her co-operation.

With Annie trapped in Kessler’s sinister clutches, instincts keep Fia from killing an innocent guy and everything unravels. Is manipulative James the key to the sisters’ freedom or an even darker prison? And how can Fia atone for the blood on her hands?

I loved Kiersten's Paranormalacy series and I can't wait to read Mind Games. It sounds quite different to her previous books. 

The US/UK covers and titles are different, but in this case I think I like the US version better. What do you think?

Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Title: Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles book 1)
Author: Gena Showalter
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: October 2012
Publishers: Harlewuin TEEN Aus
Available from: Amazon

The Book Depository
Source: Harlequin TEEN Aus 

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

******

I have a thing for zombies (don't know why, I just do) and I am a massive Gena Showalter fan. So when I saw these two combined I could not pass up the opportunity to review Alice in Zombieland. I can say I'm never disappointed after reading one of Gena's books. She always delivers. There are just some authors that you know you can buy any of their books and know you will enjoy it.

Alice just wants to be a normal 16 year old. Instead her fathers a drunk and crazy; he's always going on and on about monsters and how they're real and will kill you. Except no one has ever seen them. Until the night Alice's life changes forever. She knows the monster are real and wants to destroy them. I loved Alice's voice, some of her lines are hilarious. She's rather innocent and naive in the beginning with a  stubborn streak. I really enjoyed how much she grew throughout the book into this strong, determined, kick-ass, zombie killing chick. She knows her life will never be the same, and she handles everything with a maturity you don't think she possesses. 

At her new school she meets Cole, tall, dark, mysterious and oh so badass, and she's immediately drawn to him. The first time their eyes meet something happens and a connection is made. Neither of them understand it, but it draws them together. Ladies, you will be adding Cole to your long list of book boyfriends. He's quite a mature character, having suffered many losses while fighting zombies. Cole has an edge to him that is slightly dangerous and gives him that sex appeal. He's one of those guys that would rather die than see you hurt. Strong, protective and gorgeous? What more could a girl ask for?

Gena just has a way of telling a story that draws you in and doesn't let you go, even after you've finished the last page. I always feel despondent after finishing any of her books. Alice in Zombieland is a great blend of high octane action and romance. There never seems to be a dull moment, whether it's zombie killing, first kisses or intriguing bits of information about Alice and zombie killers that have come before her. There are some teary moments that had me reaching for the tissues, but overall this is an action packed, fun and entertaining read. Gena has created a new take on the classic zombie myth, and I don't know whether these are just as freaky as normal zombies or not. There are a few loose references to Alice in Wonderland, mostly with chapter titles, but I loved the whole book. This is definitely one of my favourite books of 2012. Book 2 can not get here fast enough.

4/5

Review: Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Title: Carnival of Souls
Author: Melissa Marr
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: September 4th 2012
Publishers: HarperCollins
Available from: Amazon

The Book Depository
Source: HarperCollins Aus 

In a city of daimons, the Carnival of Souls hosts a deadly competition. Once in a generation, every citizen can fight to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures—if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

In our own world, Mallory knows that her father—and every other witch—fled the daimons’ city long ago. She trains to be lethal because it’s only a matter of time until the daimons catch up with them.

While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans there for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series, comes a brand-new tale of secrets, love, and the struggle to forge one’s own destiny.

---------

Carnival of Souls is a rich and delicious world that I got lost in. To me it is like eating dark chocolate; it’s rich, sumptuous, decadent and addictive. The bitter aftertaste always somehow adds to the flavour, making it more complex. I loved Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series so I jumped at the chance to review Carnival of Souls.

The Carnival resides in the centre of The City, a dangerous world full of dark pleasures. Daimons inhabit the city and are ruled by Marchosias. Every 20 years Marchosias hosts a competition for all daimons who want to be a part of the ruling caste and live in the palace. The competition consists of daimons battling each other until the death or one forfeit. Kaleb is a Cur from the lowest caste and is determined to win so he and his pack mate Zevi can have a better life. Aya is from the ruling caste, but she hides a secret that could get her killed. She enters the competition so she can change the city. Mallory lives in our world, but she has been raised by witches to despise and kill daimons. Witches used to inhabit the City as well, but a war broke out, and the daimons almost destroyed them as a species, so they relocated to our world. Both despise the other, with daimons controlling the few witches who are allowed to live in the city.

I loved all the characters in this book. They're all strong and captivating, each making their part of the story come alive. Some authors have a hard time keeping so many characters interesting, but Marr does it with ease. Each of them have their own agenda, but to help them survive they decide it's best to join together and work off each others strengths. I enjoyed how the separate threads of Kaleb, Aya and Mallory intertwine to make it that much more exciting. There are lies and secrets that are binding them together, but could also tear them apart when they come to light.

The world that they inhabit is vivid, every page sparking to life. It was so easy to 'see' each and every scene, that I had a hard time putting the book down. I was sucked in as soon as I started reading. The ending is definitely a cliff hanger, and leaves you going WHAT! that's it? I now have to wait for the next book to come out and I can't wait to see how the characters and story line are going to evolve.

4/5

Eternal Hope cover model reveal!

GUYS! DANIEL HAS BEEN FOUND! *throws confetti* His name is Collin Atkinson and he will be gracing the cover of Frankie Rose's next book in the Hope series, Eternal Hope as Daniel. I think he's a fantastic choice. Very swoonworthy, just look at those eyes. If you haven't read Sovereign Hope you are missing out on one of the best paranormal YA's I have read. Make sure you go and like his modelling page on Facebook and try not to drool.

Today is also his birthday so make sure you wish him a 

Here is a quick interview a few lucky bloggers put together so you can get to know him a little better.

Interview with Collin Atkinson- model, actor and the new hottie who will be gracing the cover of Eternal Hope, the second book in Frankie Rose’s Hope Series!!

Frankie Rose asked her readers to help her find the perfect guy to become swoon worthy Daniel Montisauri, and now Operation: Find Daniel is officially over! She would like to thank all of the awesome girls, who took part in the operation, please accept this ten minute chat with Collin is your reward!

From Ali of Ginger Reads reviews

What appealed to you about being the cover model for Daniel?

I thought it was a great opportunity and I have a love for fiction, well anything that can get you out of your mind and into someone else’s perspective.

What career would you be pursuing if not for modeling?

Other than modeling I really enjoy medicine and helping people, I’m still in school working toward my biology degree at the moment actually but if I was to still work in the arts I would love to be an actor.

Girls in the States want to know... Boxers or briefs?

Briefs definitely, better support ;)

If you could have dinner with anyone (dead, alive or fictional), who would it be and what would be the first thing you ask them?

I would have to say Zeus; I’m a sucker for Greek mythology and would love to ask him about all the stories that went untold.

From Mel of Girls Hearts Books.

What sort of modeling do you normally do? Is this your first book cover?            

Yes this will be my first book cover, I usually do commercial and editorial modeling along with some events which is why I was so excited for this opportunity!

What hobbies do you enjoy?  

I’m a little nerdy actually, I really enjoy videogames, horror movies, and building computers but I’m from Florida so I also like wakeboarding, boating, camping and all that stuff as well.

Do you see yourself modeling 5 years from now? If not, what are your plans?

I hope so if the market still calls for it, I would really like to be acting at that point, hopefully on a television series!

From Carmen of Book Me!

Hi Collin, Thanks for agreeing to this interview! We in the Book Blogging world love to get to know the guys gracing the covers of our favourite books! Is it weird that your purrrdy face is going to be out there as the physical embodiment of uber hot guy, Daniel Montisauri? And are you prepared for a whole heap of fangirls?

I think I’m ready. I hope so anyway, is there a way to prepare for that? Haha, I think it will be a little weird because many of the people that have seen my photos are local and this will be on an entirely different scale, I think it’s awesome this series already has a fan base.  I’m excited though, I think the book is great and I’m really happy to be working with Frankie!

Do you enjoy reading? Have you read the Hope series? If No, then do you intend to read the book your face will be plastered all over the front of?

 

I love reading, it’s something I think everyone should do more of, helps you escape from reality and yes, I really enjoyed it and I feel I can relate to Daniel very easily.

What was your reaction when Frankie Rose asked you to be her Daniel for the Eternal Hope cover?

My first thought was holy crap! Then it was…wait is this real! Once she responded I couldn’t wait to get involved further!

Have you always wanted to be a model? And are there any big modeling campaigns that we would recognize you from?

Actually up until about a year ago I never even considered it but a friend of the family told me I should try it and had a photographer reach me on facebook. I don’t have any major campaigns at the moment but I will be doing a shoot for the marketing of Abercrombie this September!

Daniel has been described as brooding and mysterious, while also being vulnerable and completely lovable at the same! Think you share any of his personality traits?  

I would say I’m very similar to him, especially when you first meet me I’m pretty quiet but as I open up I’m very easy to talk to and have a very strong love for all my friends and I think that goes both ways.

One of my favourite aspects of Daniel's character is his obsession with his engines. What about you, ever feel the need to get greasy-with-it under the hood of your car? Or are you strictly a lets-take-it-to-the-mechanic kind of man?  

I actually drive a pickup truck, a black ford f-150 my uncle gave me when I was 16, that truck is my baby haha. I don’t work on my engine per se but I do like to change my own oil, fuel filters, the basics, not on Daniel’s level but definitely not taking it to mechanic right away.

And finally, Collin, the question that thousands of girls, women, and maybe even a few men, will want to know now that you're gracing the cover of Eternal hope: ARE YOU SINGLE? 

Sadly no, I am taken at the moment hahaha!

Sovereign Hope is out now! Eternal Hope is set to be released late October, make sure you catch it. Not only will Collin be appearing on the cover of the next book, but he will also be featuring in the book trailer too! You can like his page and drop by to say hello.

Check out Frankie's website and the Facebook page for the series!