Prodigy by Marie Lu

Prodigy- sequel to Legend - heartbreaking end. 

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

The novel picks up quickly after the first one ended and I was quickly back with June and Day. (Though how I have Day pictured in my head is very different than how he is described.) The world is a great dystopia world. The unrest, the government, the ways of the life, it's clear. I don't have questions unanswered. I think this can be a problem for dystopias, but not for this one. 

June and Day are assigned new roles on the "right" side. Sadly, they are separated for a time. Each dedicated to the mission, each one's emotions about the other shaken and tested. This happens in most novels; it worked for this novel because the reason they were "shaken" is because of who they are, not just some pretty face walking by. 

Day and June, well June first, and then Day, figure out the "bigger picture." What side they need to be on, who is the enemy and how they should move forward.

The ending - oh - so sad. Wow, didn't see it coming. Some one tweet me or email me to talk about it. I need the next book. 

Lark Giveaway

Hi everyone!
I know I've been absent but I am reappearing to do a great giveaway for my dear friend Erica. Erica released her first novel, Lark, and I love it. She also agreed to do an interview for me! So - here is the blurb!

The last time she checked, Mia Carrington was pretty sure that she was a normal girl with a completely ordinary life.

She goes to high school, has a crush on the gorgeous and mysterious new boy in town, and has strange dreams that she can’t help but feel are real somehow.

Okay, so maybe she’s not all that normal after all.

A freak accident changes Mia’s life forever when she is thrown into another world and left to deal with the revelation that she is the daughter of the King of the Light Elves. Throw in an ominous prophecy predicting that Mia will break a curse unleashing the Dark Elves on the world and well, things don’t look too good.

There is danger lurking at every corner in this strange world and Mia isn’t sure who she can trust…
The only thing she is certain of is that the Dark Elves know about her, and they will stop at nothing until they have her.

And here is me - picking her brain!

1.What inspired you to write Lark?

 I woke up from a dream and couldn’t go back to sleep until I wrote it all down. The next day I couldn’t stop thinking about what would’ve happened before and after the events of that dream so I started writing it down!

2. What was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome during the writing process?

Growing thicker skin! I’m a naturally sensitive person and I knew that as soon as I released LARK that I was bound to get negative feedback, simply because that’s just the way it is. There is no one book out there that everyone loves and I had some serious anxiety over it. But I just remind myself to focus on the positive and not let the negative get me down.

3. What's your perfect writing atmosphere?

I need complete and total silence to really get into the zone. But life with the three Blondies is hardly quiet so I spent a lot of late nights working on LARK because it was the only time I could really focus. I would put them all to bed at 8pm and immediately go sit at my desk. I would be there for hours! I

4. Who is your favorite character and why in your book?

 Jacoby is pretty much my ideal guy so I guess he would be my favorite though I’m really rather fond of all of my characters (even the not so nice ones!).

5. Who is an author that inspires you and why?

Oh gosh, that’s tough because I have so many favorites! But if I have to pick one, I’d say JK Rowling just because she created such a vivid world in the Harry Potter books. I can only hope to be that imaginative!

6. Can you tell us anything about the sequel?

I can tell you that I’m working on it right now….. and I can give you a teeny tiny (completely unedited)  sneak peek of Chapter 1:

Grey and I walk silently side by side to my locker. He stays with me until I gather all my books and then he walks me to my first class.

            “I’ll see you later,” he says softly.

            “Yeah, see ya.” I turn to go, but he suddenly grabs my arm to stop me. “What?”

I turn to face him and his eyes are narrowed at something or someone behind me. I   follow his gaze and shock hits me like a Mack truck.

            He is back.  

Who could it be?? J

7. What is your ultimate goal as a writer?

Realistically? I’d like to be able to write full time someday…..but if we are talking, like in-my wildest-dream goal, I think it would be absolutely the coolest thing ever to have a book turned into a movie. Or at the very least be a guest on The Ellen Degeneres show. J

8. What's the best piece of advice you got while writing your book?

A friend of mine told me to join a “crit group”. She had joined one (through Yahoo I think) and while I didn’t go that route, I did get some awesome people to help me with the editing/revising process of Lark and they were all amazing! They really helped me mold my story into what it is and for that I’m immensely grateful!

Thanks for the great questions, Michelle! It was fun!

And on to the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fallen Too Far

I read this a few months ago. And I need to say for the most part, I am not a contemporary YA reader. Nothing against the genre, I'm more of the supernatural genre. But in October I read my friend Komal's awesome novel Impossible - SIGH - and was like I could read more like this. Komal suggested Abbi Glines and the first book I picked up was Fallen Too Far.

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter. 

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. 

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

Wow.

Hello.

I'll have another of Rush. I mean I can't wait for the sequel, which is coming out soon, by the way.

Blaire has had a crappy high school career, dealing with her dad leaving, sister dying, and mom suffering from cancer and dying. But when Blaire goes to sunny Florida to see her dad for the first time in a long time, she's not all that surprised to discover he's not there and that his step son, Rush, is there. He's not pumped about her being there but he does give her a place to stay.

Rush is rude, but is nice to Blaire at off moments. He defends his sister's poor behavior. And though, he doesn't want to admit it, he is very attracted to Blaire.

Blaire and Rush do try and stay away from each other and try to deny the growing attractions, which typically ends with Rush being a jerk to Blaire. But then the ending happens. I just felt bad for Blaire, like really, how much more can this girl take? And her dad is crap.

As for the sexual content of this book. Steamy and pretty explicit. Hello, Rush.

Lark by Erica Cope!

So guess what I bought today?! My dear friend Erica's debut, self-published, wonderful novel, Lark! Between Komal, Erica, and I, we have been blowing up all social medias with this gem!  On to my

The last time she checked, Mia Carrington was pretty sure that she was a normal girl with a completely ordinary life.

She goes to high school, has a crush on the gorgeous and mysterious new boy in town, and has strange dreams that she can’t help but feel are real somehow.

Okay, so maybe she’s not all that normal after all.

A freak accident changes Mia’s life forever when she is thrown into another world and left to deal with the revelation that she is the daughter of the King of the Light Elves. Throw in an ominous prophecy predicting that Mia will break a curse unleashing the Dark Elves on the world and well, things don’t look too good.

There is danger lurking at every corner in this strange world and Mia isn’t sure who she can trust…
The only thing she is certain of is that the Dark Elves know about her, and they will stop at nothing until they have her.

On to my review! I have had the pleasure of reading this novel twice, before any of you. I am bragging now so when E becomes world famous I can come back to this post and be like: HAH! Proof! 

Miss Mia has a hidden birth story among elves. Elves - OK - let's start there. Erica started building up a world for me. A world with a history, customs, secrets, style of language, clothes, etc. I even learned to swear in elvish. A good fantasy book is based on a good world.

Now there is Grey. Sigh. I loved him from the beginning and Erica brutally pops my bubble. And refuses to unpop it. But I fell for Greyson because he's real. OK not, like real he's walking through my front door, real. But I can picture him and can vividly see how he would react to Mia, the king, Jacoby, etc.

Erica's novel, though an installment, wraps up at the end. Yes, it leaves me wanting more, but I am someone who likes bows on her books. I want most of the loose ends died up, people safe, and know there is more coming for me. That's my comfort level, and Erica provides that.

Wait, I should talk about Mia! Mia isn't your bold and sassy or your meek and milk. She possesses all of those qualities. She develops throughout the book, even though she goes to school in wonky weather and is a quiet cheerleader (inside joke with the author - be jealous.)

In closing. Go out, buy it. You can buy it here. Also Barnes will be carrying it soon.

What Do You Think Makes a World Great?

So while The Owens Legacy: Redemption sits waiting for me and my dream walker novel sits waiting for me to pick TOLR up again, I started a new WIP. Yeah. I know it doesn't make much sense, but this WIP has been bouncing around in my head for a little while (at least since summer). So I am putting it down on paper.

It's a dystopia (I'm aware that the trend has died out, but when the idea is there, you go with it).

But I want all of you to go back to your Dystopia phase. I was hoping you would tell me what you think makes the world well-rounded. For the dystopia's world to be believable, what components do I need to include and fully develop?

Put it down.

Thanks!

Melissa De La Cruz

Back in 2007, I got a book in the mail (from the first blog I followed). It was Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz. But little did I know that there were two books before this series and I had NO idea it was a vampire book. So - I quickly ordered the first two and read them.

And two days ago, I finished Gates of Paradise, the final installment of the Blue Bloods series. It was bitter sweet because I knew that I was saying good bye to Schulyer and Jack. A couple I have been following for SIX years. That's longer than most relationships.

But what about Melissa gave her such staying power?  I mean what makes an author so good, that the reader stays with them, even after the fad ends? Well, I am not sure how they do it, but I know what makes me "stay".

1. Consistent characters.
2. A plot line that doesn't go off on to twenty different tangents but continues to move in a good direction 
3. A love interest, where you really want them to succeed 
4. Background information that is plausible - In Melissa's case - took the vampire myth and tied in the Roanoke mystery. 
5. A good villain - someone you really hate - first Mimi, then Lucifer. 

If you are a vampire fan, which let's face it, vampire have staying power for me -I blame my mother for letting me watch the Winona Ryder Dracula movie - then I suggest you pick up the series, if you haven't already. 

What do you think gives staying power to authors?

Cover Reveal: Wrong Side of Town - Komal Lewis

I don't know if you have noticed, but my dear friend Komal Lewis has been a writing machine. She has shown off three gorgeous covers in the last few months and today I am bringing you her fourth. Yeah I said fourth!

Ummm - steamy.

Estella Markson is a good girl. She studies hard, stays out of trouble, and is struggling to hold together her family that is falling apart because of her alcoholic father.

Vincent Madden is the guy your mother warned you to stay away from. He doesn’t follow the rules, is in a notorious motorcycle gang, and doesn’t care if he breaks the law or someone’s bones.

One night after a chance encounter, Vincent starts to take an interest in the innocent girl who is so different to him. Despite Vincent’s infamous reputation, Estella is also intrigued by him. There is something about this bad boy that gives her an escape from her world of problems, and she can’t stay away.

As Estella slowly strips away Vincent’s defenses, she finds that underneath the tattoos and tough exterior is someone who is just as broken as she is.  And Vincent will do anything to hold onto the girl who makes him want to be a better man.

Everyone warned Estella to stay away from the boy from the wrong side of town, and now she’s in too deep.