Status: August 2011

My Monthly Status

Books Read: 19

Goodreads Reading Challenge Status (100 books) : 69/100 (69%) , 3 books ahead. :D YAY!

Books I've read this August:

1. Redheart by Jackie Gamber
2. The Vampire Relationship Guide, Volume 1: Meeting and Mating by Evelyn Lafont
3. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
4. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
5. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
6. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
7. Flight of the Cookie Dough Mansion by Keith Blackmore 
8. Intoxication by Tim Kizer
9. Illicit Magic by Camilla Chafer
10. Shimmer by Alyson Noel
11. Unruly Magic by Camilla Chafer
12. Afterlife by Claudia Gray 
13. The Rising Moon by Nilsa Rodriguez (Review to come with Blog Tour)
14. Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
15. Firelight by Sophia Jordan
16. Ashlyn's Radio by Wilson Doherty
17. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lorre
18. The Apocalypse Gene by Suki Michelle & Carlyle Clark (Review to come with Blog Tour)
19. Elemental : The First by Alexandra May
20. Review List 

Favorite Book(s) of the Month:

Interviews this August:

Megan Duncan (Author of Released)

Hightlights:

August Cover Reveals 

Re-Cover of Redheart by Jackie Gamber

I've joined several Blog Tours as you can see on the right. :D Damn. I have a knack for overworking myself.

Author Interview: Megan Duncan

Todays Interview is with one of my current favoriate authors who debuted with such an amazing dystopian series and now, she is embarking in a vampire/dystopian story which I can't wait for! Woohoo! I'd like to present Megan Duncan author of Released! 

"I am a lover of all things paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi and anything just out of the ordinary. I am continually fighting my addiction to chocolate and living in my overactive imagination." - Megan Duncan

1. What inspired you to write something like the Agent's of Evil series? 

I really love “end of the world” type books and movies, so it felt like a good fit for me to write my first official novel in that genre.

2. Have you ever had writers block while writing the first book of Agents of Evil series or the Warm Delicacy series? If so how'd you get over it? 

I have definitely had writers block. Sometimes it helps a lot for me to just step away from whatever I am working on at the moment or to just focus on something else, whether it be another book or even just relaxing and watching a movie.

3. How long did it take you to write the first books of either one of the series mentioned above?

It took me 2 1/2 months to write Released and I am almost done with the first book in the Warm Delicacy Series, but I would guess that it’ll take me a total of 3 months. ( Naj's Note: Woah, you're faster than most authors and you write some awesome stuff!)

4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?

If it has a coffee joint in it, I definitely go there first and then I will head to the YA section or the section with graphic novels. (Naj's Note: None of the bookstores in Bahrain have a coffee joint. T-T )

5. Paperback or Hardback? Why? 

If you mean which format I would rather read, I would say paperback. Silly reason really, but they are just lighter and reading a hardback book makes my hand tired. :o) (Naj's Note: Me too. But Hardbacks look prettier on the shelves)

6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?

Of all the books I have read my favorite character is Richard in the Sword of Truth series, because I think he is the most ultimate warrior/wizard/lord rahl/woods guide ever. If you’ve read the book you’ll know what I mean.

7. What is your weakness? Books, Food, etc. 

I think my weakness is a great movie and a bowl of popcorn in my most favorite spot on the couch.

8. State 5 random facts about yourself.

Hmm… I love sushi, I’m terrified of heights, I never saw the ocean until last year, I have a cat named Jack that acts like a dog and I wish I had a super power.

9. What are you currently reading? 

Right now I am reading The City of Towers. I found it in a tiny bookstore while I was on vacation.

10. While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot? 

I actually very rarely do that. Once I start writing I have a fairly strong base to build from, but I will say that I rewrote the beginning of Released about three times.

11. Your favorite Genre? 

I think my favorite genre is fantasy.

12. How many books in a month do you tend to read? 

Since focusing on my writing I have been reading much less, but I use to read one to two books a month.

13. Heres your chance to market your book. Describe the Agent's of Evil Series and why readers should pick it up?

I like to say that the Agents of Evil series is definitely a unique choice compared to other dystopians on the market.  Where many authors have chosen to go the zombie route I, in my usual “color outside of the lines fashion”, chose to switch it up by making my dystopian series about a demon apocalypse. I want to give readers not only an exciting and fantastical read, but I also want to give them something fresh and I really hope I did that with Released and continue to do so with all my future novels.

Stalk the Author:

Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Events:

Watch out for the Savor Blog Tour this October on my blog and many others! (new date has been placed)

Thanks Megan for answering the interview so quickly! I hope to have you again on my blog soon! *hugs*

Review: Elemental : The First (Elemental #1) by Alexandra May

Title: Elemental : The First (Elemental #1)
Author: Alexandra May
Started: 28/8/2011
Finished: 30/8/2011
Goodreads | Review List

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Rose Frost receives a bracelet on her sixteenth birthday, a parting gift from her mother who claims it is a family heirloom. From that night Rose starts having vivid dreams which make no sense.

Days after, her family separate and Rose moves into her grandmother’s house in Warminster, Southern England. Rose remembers happy childhood holidays with her grandmother, and is eager to rekindle her friendship with Hannah and Mira, the two girls she played with as a child. 

Rose’s dreams start to involve a woman called Halíka Dacomé. A legend or a figment of her imagination, she knows not, but her grandmother, Daisy, remains reluctant to talk about the subject. One night a freak fire occurs but when the fuel tank of a car explodes Aiden Deverill pulls Rose to safety. But not before the fire burns her face. She uses her healing gift to heal the scars and to all appearances remains unscathed. But Aiden is unhurt too and Rose doesn’t know why. 

She is drawn to him in a way she cannot fathom but as he tries to get closer her friends warn her off claiming that he’s bad news. Rose tries to find out more about Halika Dacomé and why Aiden is so disliked, but she soon gets drawn into helping her friends solve the mystery behind the missing Warminster townsfolk. 

The latest missing person is her new friend Jez’s father. During the investigation she meets Morgan, who lives in the cottage at the bottom of Daisy’s garden but his enmity towards Aiden Deverill and his grandfather, Ben, lies rooted in a shocking event that happened years before. 

For Rose, her new life is beginning but she soon realises that people are not always what they seem. What she always believed to be a happy family and a friendly town soon turns on its head when she discovers that her family secret and the truth behind Halíka Dacomé is at the heart of the whole conspiracy.

Review: 

Elemental and everything about this book was unpredictable. I was amazed at how the writing immediately drew me in. It was neither boring or blah if you know what I mean. It was written with the right amount of detail and creativity from the author. She showed confidence and determination in her writing and thats exactly the kind of feel each book needs to have. Confidence and Determination.

Our protagonist is a 16 year old gifted girl named Rose who I was glad to notice was a little bit more mature than the other teens I've been reading on about in different types of YA books. But that particular thought was destroyed by an incident during a meaningless fight that could have been avoided if it weren't for her exaggerations and meaningless talk. I know that its how some teens are. They're winey and manage to always magnify a tiny problem and authors are just portraying what they see in teens in general.

The best part about Rose was that she was mature enough to measure her priorities and always manages to come up with a plan during drastic moments. I did enjoy the secondary characters even though I had a bad feeling about all of them from the beginning. I wasn't keen on any of them and I thought from the moment they popped into the story that they'd end up turning the tables and ended up being the bad guys. But in books, its a scenario that always seem to happen. The plot is stable and runs along very nicely it didn't seem slow but was well paced which reminded me a lot of how Cynthia Hand wrote Unearthly (also another book that I loved completely). This was a new reading experience for me.

Alexandra May has a wonderful perception of writing and is gifted with such a beautiful talent. Shes managed to write with an easy flow words and a strong plot and amazing characters that will turn into a magnificent series that will surely spread worldwide like wildfire. Teens will surely love this read.

Awesome book! You must read it! 

It's Monday! What are you reading? #28

This is a weekly meme hosted by One Person's Journey Through A World Of Books. It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

What I'm currently reading:

What I've Read:

What are you reading this week? :D 

August Cover Reveals!

SOOO PRETTY! And I think the designer who designed The Demon Lover also did the Fallen Series. (I recognize the font and style of it). I love all the covers. I can't choose my fav. What's your fav out of all these covers?

In My Mailbox #23

A weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we post all books we have received where in the mail, bought or got from the library.

Got: 

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Incubus Dreams by Laurell K. Hamilton

Die For Me by Amy Plum

E-books for Review:

Sweet Sips of Blood by Tony-Paul de Visage

Oriana's Eyes by Celeste Simone

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells by Rose Pressey

Rock 'N' Roll is Undead by Rose Pressey

What did YOU get in your IMM this week?

On My Wishlist #23

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click HERE.

On My Wishlist this week! 

 I read the first book and totally loved it! But not as much as I thought I would. 

 Another read I'd like to tackle. I've read Neill's Firespell and thought it was good. I wanted to see if she writes vampires well too!

A Steampunk book, I'm totally looking forward to reading!

I heard this was a female version of supernatural so I was like! NOOOOO! But I keep on pushing this away when I go to the bookstore and buy something else. 

Amber from the Awesomesauce Book Club has mentioned this book once or twice to me and I can't help but be curious. AND! It was written by my favorite author! Richelle Mead! :D

Whats on your wishlist this week?

Review: I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies #1) by Pittacus Lore

Title: I Am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
Started: 22/8/2011
Finished: 24/8/2011
Goodreads | Review List

Goodreads Synopsis: 

In the beginning they were a group of nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorian. Nine aliens who scattered on Earth. Nine aliens who look like ordinary teenagers living ordinary lives, but who have extraordinary, paranormal skills. Nine aliens who might be sitting next to you now.

The Nine had to separate and go into hiding. The Mogadorian caught Number One in Malaysia, Number Two in England, and Number Three in Kenya. All of them were killed. John Smith, of Paradise, Ohio, is Number Four. He knows that he is next.

I Am Number Four is the thrilling launch of a series about an exceptional group of teens as they struggle to outrun their past, discover their future—and live a normal life on Earth.

I AM NUMBER FOUR.
I AM NEXT.

Review:

3 Legacies have lost their lives and now its Four's turn to be hunted. This is the 2nd book I've read that had a male protagonist as the main character. To be honest, I never thought I'd like the whole male lead but in Paranormal and Sci fi genres I couldn't careless of my past beliefs. Male leads rock!

I flipped throughout the entire book knowing only what I watched in the movie and constantly comparing it to it and I say the movie has ruined and missed a lot of the important parts of the story and that the movie is nothing compared to the book.

The book held its complete originality from the storyline about Lorien, the Garde, the Capens, the Mogadorians to well, just about everything. Even the romance in the book was realistic and oh thats what I wanted to read. An action-packed book filled with trilling moments and near death experiences for our protagonist. James Fray & Jobie Hughes has come together and seriously created a masterpiece that will make it to the movie screens till the end of the series. And I still can't get over the fact of how good this book is. I get how it went straight to the movie screens right after the book released. Guaranteed Unputdownable book.