Waiting on Wednesday #44: Ironskin by Tina Connolly

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Ironskin by Tina Connolly
Publisher: Tor Books
Expected Publication: October 2012

Goodreads Summary:
Jane Eliot wears an iron mask.

It's the only way to contain the fey curse that scars her cheek. The Great War is five years gone, but its scattered victims remain -- the ironskin.

Now Jane returns to the war-torn country to help a fey-cursed child. Helping the unruly Dorie suppress her curse is hard enough -- she certainly didn't expect to fall for the girl's father, the enigmatic artist Mr. Rochart. But her blossoming crush is stifled by her own scars, and by his parade of women. Ugly women, who enter his closed studio -- and come out as beautiful as the fey.

Jane knows he cannot love her, just as she knows that she must wear iron for the rest of her life. But what if neither of these things are true? Step by step Jane must unlock the secrets of her new life -- and discover just how far she will go to become whole again.

Why is it still so long until October?! This sounds like such a fantastic and unique read and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this. Seems to be a 2012-must-read.

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Carina

Cover Reveal: Lucid by P.T. Michelle

Today I'm lucky to be part of the cover reveal for Lucid by P.T. Michelle, which is the sequel to her Young Adult novel Brightest Kind of Darkness. If you haven't read my review for that one yet, go here and do that... or just get a Kindle copy of it, because I absolutely loved Nara and Ethan's story and can't wait to find out how it continues.

I love that the cover of Lucid sticks with the forest theme we've already seen for Brightest Kind of Darkness. The colours are so beautiful and all in all, seeing this cover makes me want to read the sequel immediately. The release date for Lucid is not set yet (probably Spring 2012), but I'm already dying to get my hands on a copy of this.

Twitter | Facebook | Website | Goodreads

Have you read Brightest Kind of Darkness and are you as excited as I am?

Carina

When the Clowns Turned Mean

I see Newt the Magic Wingnut got his behind kicked in Florida, but he vows to continue the fight. Excellent.

See, I know it's the conventional wisdom that after the nomination, everyone kisses and makes up. This is usually possible because the nastiest things that one campaign says about the other are done by surrogates or staffers. But I don't recall the candidates themselves getting quite this nasty and personal with one another. This isn't Bush I calling Reagan's plans "voodoo economics". This is Newt flat out calling Romney a liar, and Romney calling Newt unethical. They're both right, of course, but I don't see this leading to a rousing chorus of "Kum Ba Yah" at the convention.

Now, it is true, that after Obama sewed up the nomination, a contingent of unhinged Clinton supporters (known as PUMAs, for "Party Unity My Ass") were very noisy and bitter. But the main difference between the Republicans and the Democrats these days is that the Democrats haven't put their farthest fringes in control of the party (anyone who tells you Obama is a "leftist" clearly doesn't know any real leftists). The clowns have been running the GOP circus for a while now, and it's never pretty when clowns turn mean.

Review: The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen

The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen
Publisher: Scholastic (UK)
First published: June 1st, 2011 (US)
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 250

Goodreads Summary:
What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

My Rating: 2.5 / 5

First thoughts: 

When I started reading this, I had very high expectations since The Vampire Stalker had been on my to-read list for a very long time until then. But sadly I was left a little bit disappointed since I found it difficult to connect with the characters and truly care about how their stories might end. While it was a fast and easy read, I had sadly expected more of it.

More detailed:

When I first read the summary of The Vampire Stalker I wanted to read this novel immediately. For book lovers like me (and probably many of you) the premise of this story sounds like a dream come true. Just imagine what you'd feel like if your favorite fictional character - your fictional crush - would stand in front of you all of sudden. This sounds like such a wonderful idea.

Sadly I had problems connecting with Amy, The Vampire Stalker's main character. While I had my love for books in common with her and loved reading about her obsessions and the moments when she wrote fan fiction, I couldn't really see anything really special about her. Even though she really about the people who are close to her and would do anything for them, I felt as though she lacked some more interesting character traits.

Another thing I couldn't really connect with is her relationship with Alexander Banks. When she thinks of him as a fictional character, I'm able to understand her infatuation. But once she meets him and realizes that he truly exists, her sudden "real" love isn't really understandable. I was missing a certain kind of chemistry that I usually feel between my favorite fictional couples. They just seemed like friends fighting against something evil - not lovers.

But of course not everything about this book is bad. I probably wouldn't even think og these things as really bad if I hadn't expected too much of this novel. Despite my problems with the characters I loved the plot and the explanation Allison van Diepen came up with for Alexander being a real person. It's very creative and has lots of potential.

All in all, I don't want to tell you to not read this book. Even though it's not one of my favorites and I disliked certain parts, I still enjoyed it. It's an easy and fast read and won't feel like you're wasting your time. If you put this onto your to-read list like I did, just adjust your expectations and give this a chance - maybe you'll like this a lot better than I did!

The Vampire Stalker online:
Trailer | First chapter

Have you read The Vampire Stalker? What did you think about it?
Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Fictional Distractions of the Week #14

Welcome to Fictional Distractions of the Week. It is inspired by Book Journey's It's Monday! What are you reading? and Fiktshun's My Reading Pile and it will show you what I'm planning to read during the next week.

The books I plan to read this week:

At first I'll finish I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. It's been so long since I've read a Chick Lit novel and I especially realized how much I missed reading Sophie's writing. If you like her books or want to read a very amusing Chick Lit novel, you should definitely pick this up next month!

Goodreads Summary:
I've lost it. The only thing in the world I wasn't supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It's been in Magnus's family for three generations. And now, the very same day his parents are coming, I've lost it. The very same day. Do not hyperventilate Poppy. Stay positive!!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry the ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her 'happy ever after' begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring but in the panic that followed, she has now lost her phone. As she paces shakily round the hotel foyer she spots an abandoned phone in a bin. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except the phone's owner, businessman Sam Roxton doesn't agree. He wants his phone back and doesn't appreciate Poppy reading all his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other's lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents... she soon realises that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

I had actually planned to start Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey last week, but then I got approved for I've Got Your Number on NetGalley and wanted to read that first. I'm still a little bit skeptical about whether I'll like Stolen Away or not, because I've heard quite a few mixed things about this so far.

Goodreads Summary:
For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

And despite having to learn way too much, I'm also hoping to start Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald, which sounds like such an amazing feel-good-read. Crossing my fingers that I'll have enough time this week.

Goodreads Summmary:
Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly onesided. The object of her obsession - ahem, affection - is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie's feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett's constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to '80s indie rock - all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder - until he calls to say he's fallen in love. With some other girl!

A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she's finally had enough. It's time for total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized selfhelp guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.

What are your Fictional Distractions of the Week?

The Party of (Conditional) Love

Latest Newspaper Column

As you know, I call the Republican Party the "Party of Love," since it's an article of faith with them that it's the liberals who are filled with hate.

Unlike, say, Republican state delegate and Senate Candidate Bob Marshall of Virginia, who said recently that children with disabilities are God's punishment on women who have had abortions. (Sarah Palin has been notably silent on that particular insult to her Down syndrome baby.)

Or the Republican speaker of the Kansas House who urged people to pray to God, in the words of Psalm 109:8, that President Obama's "days be few, that his children be fatherless and his wife a widow." Some enterprising Republican entrepreneurs have even made this a bumper sticker.

Yes, the right is filled right to the brim with love. But it seems that right-wing love is a conditional thing.

- Right-wingers love the troops, unless they turn out to be gay, or report war crimes, or start speaking out against a war the right wing loved and cheered for.

At least they loved the war until a Democrat became president, at which point the war they cheered for becomes that president's fault and something that should have been ended yesterday.

- Right-wingers love the Constitution, except the parts that grant citizenship to people who were born here.

They also aren't all that crazy about the parts that give the right to counsel or to a jury trial to people accused of crimes, or the parts that don't allow the government to just read your mail or tap your phones without any oversight whenever they feel enough concern about your activities. Unless the president is a Democrat, and then they're suddenly very, very concerned about these things.

But they still don't want jury trials for cases where someone was injured by a doctor's or a corporation's negligent acts. Those juries are "out of control."

- Right-wingers love free speech and the right of free assembly, so long as it's exercised by older white people wearing teabags on their hats. Anyone else is either an anarchist or a dirty, flag-burning hippie who needs to get one of those jobs they say don't exist because it's the president's fault.

- Right-wingers love the idea of cutting government spending, unless it's cuts to money spent on them, which they don't consider spending at all.

- Right-wingers love the idea of cutting taxes, but only if you're talking about cutting taxes on the wealthy. A tax plan that raises taxes on the poor and middle class is just fine with them. In fact, one of the right's biggest gripes now is that not enough poor people are paying federal income tax.

- Right-wingers love "family values" and demand that politicians practice marital fidelity. But only if the politicians are Democrats. Republicans who conduct years-long affairs with staffers, and who ditch their wives because "they're not young or pretty enough, and besides she has cancer," are fine.

In fact, even bringing up those affairs is "appalling," because, after all, Bill Clinton had affairs. The fact that Bill Clinton had affairs, however, is itself so appalling that it must be brought up at every opportunity.

- Right-wingers love the rich and successful and think they deserve credit for their hard work and innovation. Unless those rich and successful people are George Soros, Warren Buffett, or anyone who made their money in the entertainment industry who doesn't vote Republican. Those people should just shut up.

George Orwell, in his novel "1984," described a party that maintained its grip on power by a rigorous adherence to the principle called "doublethink."

Doublethink was described as "the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them ... To tell deliberate lies while genuinely believing in them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient, and then, when it becomes necessary again, to draw it back from oblivion for just as long as it is needed, to deny the existence of objective reality and all the while to take account of the reality which one denies - all this is indispensably necessary."

Well, it certainly has become indispensable to the American right wing. No wonder so many of them go crazy.

In My Mailbox #39

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives bloggers the chance to appreciate the books they got last week and to meet new people.

Interesting posts:

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent (Review)
The Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman (Review)
Interview with Ruth Warburton + Giveaway
Sign-up for the I ♥ YA GIVEAWAY HOP

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The books I was gifted:

Supernaturally by Kiersten White

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Switched by Amanda Hocking

I got these amazing books and a huge bunch of pretty bookmarks from Michelle from Much Loved Books - thank you sooo much!

The book I won:

Anew by Chelsea Fine

Thanks to Chelsea Fine.

The books I bought:

Everneath by Brodi Ashton (my review)

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

Moon Spell by Samantha Young (Kindle)

Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens (Kindle)

I got Moon Spell and Overprotected for free from Amazon.

The books I got for review:

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Slated by Teri Terry

Heaven by Christoph Marzi

The Mayfair Moon by J.A. Redmerski

Where It Began by Ann Redisch Stampler

Rock and a Hard Place by Angie Stanton

Huge thanks to NetGalley & Random House, Hachette Children's Books, J.A. Redmerski, Ann Redisch Stampler and Angie Stanton.

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I really couldn't be happier about the books I received last week. Thanks to everyone who sent me books this week, especially Michelle who sent me three books I've been dying to read! Thankfully my exams will be over in two weeks and I will finally be able to read as much as I want to without feeling bad about wasting time that I should have used to learn.

Remember to sign up for the I ♥ YA GIVEAWAY HOP and read my interview with Ruth Warburton and enter for a chance to win her debut novel A Witch in Winter.

What books did you get in your mailbox?

Carina

P.s.: I reached 1000+ GFC followers last week! OMG! Thank you!!!

My Open Letter to President Obama

Dear Mr. President:  

I saw a news story today about a little argument you apparently had with Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona. Apparently, you were unhappy with the way she described a meeting she'd had with you a while back. At the time, she'd said the meeting was "cordial," but in the book she said you were "patronizing" and "condescending." She apparently got a little heated up about it, and ended up shaking her finger in your face after which one of you stalked away, it wasn't clear which.  

Now, Mr. President, I've always been a big supporter of yours. I haven't always agreed with you on some things, like Libya,  the public option, and the detention provisions of the NDAA,  but I agree with you on a lot more than I disagree. And even if we were discussing things I disagree with you about, I would never dream of being disrespectful or shaking my finger in your face. At least not normally.  

But here's the thing. I also read that, after the finger-shaking incident, Governor Brewer's book " “Scorpions for Breakfast: My Fight Against Special Interests, Liberal Media, and Cynical Politicos to Secure the Border,’’ went from 285,568 on the Amazon sales list to 20.

20! That's the biggest one day jump in Amazon's history. Which leaves me with a bit of a conundrum.  

As you may or may not know, I'm a published author in addition to being a lawyer and newspaper columnist. (If you weren't aware of this, just call up the guys downstairs and have them bring you my Homeland Security file. After all the stuff I said about the guy who was President before you, I'm 99% sure I have one).

The books have done okay. I've gotten some great reviews and letters from fans, and the respect of some of my fellow writers. That means the world to me. But, sadly, none of them have cracked the top 20,  at least so far.

I think you can see where I'm going with this.  

See, I've always been one of those people who thinks outside the box. When something controversial occurs, and other people are saying "this is terrible, how could such a thing happen?" I'm thinking "how can I get me some of this?"

Like I said, I have nothing but respect for you. But could you do me a solid? I know you're probably going to be in North Carolina a lot in the coming months, what with it being a battleground state and all. One of those times, could I maybe come by and be a jerk to you? It wouldn't take too long, maybe a couple of minutes.

I'm not talking about any kind of threat or anything, because I don't want to get my butt kicked by the Secret Service or get indefinitely detained. But maybe I could make fun of your tie or tell you I don't like Al Green or something. A little sneer, a little finger shake, I'd flounce off, and we'd be done.

If I could do that, and if we could make sure that there are cameras there, I'll bet my sales would go through the roof. I might get invited on Jon Stewart or Conan or even--dare I say it out loud?-- Craig Ferguson. Like I say, I wouldn't normally even dream of asking something like this, but it's always been a dream of mine to leave the day job behind and write full time, and this may just be my ticket.

The books, by the way, are The Devil's Right Hand; Good Day In Hell; Safe and Sound; Breaking Cover; Storm Surge; Lawyers Guns & Money; and the new one, Gallows Pole. All are available in Kindle and Nook formats. I think we can both agree that those are much snappier titles than “Scorpions for Breakfast: My Fight Blah Blah Blah." They also make great reading on airplanes. Just saying.

Thanks, Mr. President. You're the best.

Your fan,

J.D. "Dusty" Rhoades

Review: The Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman

The Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman
Series: The Verona Trilogy #1
Publisher: The Fiction Studio
First published: January 14th, 2011
Source: Received from author
Format: Paperback
Pages: 322

Goodreads Summary:
There's hope for the future, but what about the past?

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

My Rating: 3.0 / 5

First thoughts:

Set in both, a post-dystopian future (2347) and the past (1347), The Lens and the Looker keeps the reader's interest and turns out to be telling an exciting adventure. The love story is sweet but doesn't distract from the main focus, which is cleary set on the experiences Hansum, Lincoln and Shamira make after having travelled into the past.

More detailed:

While The Lens and the Looker isn't like the books I usually read, I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'd definitely recommend it for a younger audience or readers who prefer Middle Grade novels - I'm sure you'll be able to appreciate this intriguing tale even more than I did, if you prefer to read adventure novels with only a little bit of romance.

Especially Lory S. Kaufman's writing made me want to continue reading. He managed to describe the different time periods The Lens and the Looker is set in (2347 and 1347) perfectly and made me feel like I could see the places right in front of me. You can definitely see how much research the author must have done to describe everything so accurately.

But sadly I missed getting to know the characters better. Even though I love the detailed descriptions of the surroundings, I would have wished to find out more about the characters' feelings. The narration is more concentrated on actions and the lack of real emotions made it a little bit hard to identify with Hansum, Lincoln and Shamira.

All in all, The Lens and the Looker was a really fast and well written read for me. I'm definitely intrigued to find out how Hansum and Guilietta's love story will develop, how the group's actions will affect both the past and the future and whether they'll ever return to their home. If you like adventurous and historical Middle Grade novels, you should definitely give this a chance.

Books in this series:

1. The Lens and the Looker
2. The Bronze and the Brimstone
3. The Loved and the Lost (to be released)

Have you read The Lens and the Looker? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Carina

Cover Comparisons #38: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Living in Germany gives me the perfect opportunity to compare original covers with the ones German publishers choose. Sometimes they're gorgeous, sometimes they make me cringe, but it's always interesting to see different covers for the same novel.

Cover Comparisons is a weekly feature here at Fictional Distraction.

Last week's winner is the German cover of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

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Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
(US / GER)

The first thing I thought about when I decided to do this week's Cover Comparisons for this book: wow, I really need to start this series soon.
I have to admit that I didn't really like the US covers for this series, when I first saw them. But the more I look at them, the more I start to appreciate them - especially their focus on highlighting the title with this beautiful font and color.
I like the German cover a little bit better though. It doesn't necessarily tell me more about the story, but I think that it would appeal to me a lot more if I saw both covers next to each other in a store.

Which version do you like best?

US GER

pollcode.com free polls

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Carina

Waiting on Wednesday #43: Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Expected Publication: September 4th, 2012

Goodreads Summary:
Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…

When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

As she pieces together the mistakes of her past, Elliot must earn the forgiveness of her best friend and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.

This sounds definitely like a different kind of story and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this. Too bad it's still soooo long until September. :(

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?
Carina

Supervillain or Newt?

Supervillain or Newt shows you an idea and asks you to decide: does the idea come from an insane megalomaniac bent on world domination, or from a fictional supervillain?

I only got 50% right the first try :-( .

Review: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
First published: July 29th, 2009
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 279

Goodreads Summary:
She doesn't see dead people. 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.

My Rating: 5.0 / 5

First thoughts:

Why didn't I start reading this series earlier? It's refreshing, well written and addicting. I was almost incapable of putting this book down and a few days after having finished it, I'm still craving to find out how this story continues. While this is still more like an introduction to this series, I already fell in love with it and can't wait to read more of Rachel Vincent's books.

More detailed:

My Soul to Take has been sitting on my shelf for a few months before I decided to pick it up for the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge and I couldn't be happier that I finally started reading it. It was everything I expected, and more. I fell in love with its characters, the idea of bean sidhes and Rachel Vincent's very addictive style of writing.

I already got to know Kaylee a little bit while reading the prequel novella My Soul to Lose and already knew how horrible her urge to scream can be. But in My Soul to Take I got to know her even better and I really liked her voice as a narrator. She's also a very relatable character, who makes understandable decisions and is very likeable.

But I did not only like her, but developed quite a fondness for Nash, Tod and Kaylee's best friend Emma, too. I'm especially looking forward to find out how Nash and Kaylee's relationship will develop and I can't wait to find out more about Tod. I also love that Tod's name is the German word for "death", which is, considering what he is, very fitting.

All in all, I really loved My Soul to Take and since I can't wait to continue this series, I already ordered a copy of the second book of this series before even writing this review. This is a wonderful start for a series that I'm really looking forward to continue. If you're looking for a slightly different paranormal novel, you should definitely give this series a chance.

Challenge(s):

Soul Screamers Reading Challenge

 TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2012

Books in this series:

My Soul To Lose (#0.5, my review)
My Soul To Take (#1)
My Soul To Save (#2)
My Soul to Keep (#3)
Reaper (#3.5)
My Soul to Steal (#4)
If I Die (#5)
Never To Sleep (#5.5)
Before I Wake (#6, June 2012)

Have you read My Soul to Take? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?
Carina

Year of the Water Dragon

Astrology.com:

In a Dragon year, everything is magnified tenfold. And after the rather meat-and-potatoes Metal Rabbit year we just lived through in 2011, we are in for the ride of our lives. Commotion, turmoil and general hullabaloo will characterize the Dragon year ahead. As of January 23, 2012, better get ready to rock and roll -- or else crawl under a rock until it's over.

Think of the Water Dragon year as a 12-month-long, bumpy road with interludes of elaborate and joyful festivity. Fortunes will be made and lost with lightning speed. All events will be charged with a rare intensity. In short, 2012 will be a year of derring-do, hell-raising and exorbitant fun.

Dragon years are favorable for the enterprising and ambitious. If you want to succeed at something major, start early in the Dragon year. Don't give up. Express yourself openly. Show no fear. In China, it is said that the Dragon year brings luck to those who dare to speak out, to take charge and even to take over.

Dragons are fearless and direct to a fault -- but they are not without ruse. They're clever go-getters who are always in the running for first place. They want to excel at every endeavor. Dragon years, therefore, are propitious for people who have the courage to take risks, to stand fast in the face of danger and hold firmly to their principles. For those among us who are timid and shy, who shrink in the face of challenge and who daren't speak up for what it is they want, Dragon years can be rigorous and even a little bit frightening at times.

Time to be fearless, folks. Time to put aside the doubt and uncertainty and pain of the last year, to grab the dragon by the whiskers, go forth and conquer.

Happy year of the Water Dragon!

h/t to Balloon Juice

Fictional Distractions of the Week #13

Welcome to Fictional Distractions of the Week. It is inspired by Book Journey's It's Monday! What are you reading? and Fiktshun's My Reading Pile and it will show you what I'm planning to read during the next week.

The books I plan to read this week:

At first I'll finish The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen. I don't have much of it left, but I'm still a bit unsure what to think of it. Actually I had higher expectations and I feel a bit disappointed.

Goodreads Summary:
What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he IS Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo. Together, Amy and Alexander set out to track Vigo and learn how and why Alexander crossed over. But when she and Alexander begin to fall for each other, Amy wonders if she even wants him to ever return to the realm of fiction.

Then I'm going to read The Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman. I have heard good things about it and it sounds like a really intriguing storyline, so I'm definitely looking forward to it.

Goodreads Summary:
There's hope for the future, but what about the past?

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

Even though I've heard quite a few mixed things about this, I'm nonethless looking forward to hopefully start Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey later this week.

Goodreads Summary:
For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.

The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

What are your Fictional Distractions of the Week?