The Big Move

What a bad blogger I am!

I'm sorry that it's been so slow around here for a few days. I'm in the middle of moving from Ottawa, Canada to Melbourne, Australia. Needless to say, my life is pretty hectic right now.

On Sunday, I moved from Ottawa down to Toronto. I'm going to Australia with a friend, and her parents are accompanying us down to help get us settled. So my parents drove me down here on Sunday. It was a sad day; a day full of goodbyes. I know I'm not going to see my family for the next 5 months, so it was hard to say goodbye.

Since then, we've been preparing for leaving. We fly out on Thursday night. We've done a bunch of running around, some packing, and overall getting prepared to leave Canada.

As much as I love blogging, it's just so hard for me to do it at this point. I'm not quitting, not by a long shot. I'm just letting you know that it'll be pretty slow around here for a couple weeks. But I will be back. I'll be back stronger than ever, as soon as we're in Melbourne and settled.

So it's not goodbye to you. It's just see you later.

Giveaway: Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose

I hope you had a chance to stop by yesterday for my interview with Frankie Rose! Definitely check it out. Frankie is a down-to-earth, funny person, and she writes pretty well, also ;).

And today you have a chance to win a copy of her book! Frankie is offering up THREE copies of her debut novel, Sovereign Hope. It's pretty fantastic. If you don't believe me now, check out my review. Then you'll be convinced. You can also ask any one of the 39 participants of the Sovereign Hope Blog Tour! Find links to all the participants posts on Frankie's website.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Interview with Frankie Rose

Welcome to my stop on the Sovereign Hope blog tour! I'm so excited to be a part of it, as I absolutely loved that I got the opportunity to read and review this book. Feel free to check out my review of Sovereign Hope here!

I'm really happy to have Frankie Rose on the blog today for an interview! I hope you enjoy her answers as much as I did, and I encourage you to check out her book!

Interview

Tell us in one sentence, why we should read your book.
Because I know Kung Fu. Ha ha! No, seriously.

Which of your characters surprised you the most in terms of how much they changed from when you first started writing Sovereign Hope to when you finished the book?
Well, I suppose that would be Aldan. He was very much a secondary character in my story plotting when I started out on Sovereign Hope. Yet as I progressed with my writing, I realised that he was really important to the plot and to all of the characters.He wasn't going to have a very large part originally, and I definitely wasn't going to have him as a pivotal character, but that's what he ended up being. I've been blown away by how much people have loved Aldan, and I actually plan on writing a spin off based on his backstory, with a healthy dose of Agatha, too.

If you couldn’t write anymore, what would you be doing?
Jet pilot, for sure. I'm not even joking. My grandfather was in the RAF, and I grew up around all kinds of aircraft. He took us to so many air shows, they all kind of blur together. It was always a massive rush watching the fighter jet displays. I was seriously considering joining up when I left school. I almost regret not doing it, but at the time they weren't letting women fly jets, and on top of that I didn't have great eyesight, and I was too tall already.
It's a shame- I think it would have been a really educational, gratifying experience as a young adult. I wouldn't necessarily have stayed in forever, but I think I would have enjoyed it.

Do you have a song playlist for the book you would be willing to share with readers?
No, I can't believe how many authors do. I get so distracted by music. I love listening to music, and I end up staring into space, singing or imagining the things that my favourite songs always conjure up in my mind. That, or I type the lyrics into my manuscripts without even noticing. It's only when I went back over Sovereign Hope the first time that I realised I did that. Now I have to work in a silent room! I definitely like listening to music when I'm thinking up my scenes, though, especially if they're action or romance scenes. Music helps those types of events really consolidate in my head, helping me picture the moment.

Interestingly, I was listening to my ipod on shuffle the other day and a song came up called, Daniel. I hadn't heard it before, and I immediately dashed to my sound system to find out who it was by. The artist was Bat For Lashes, and I listened to it about eight times on repeat, because I couldn't believe how relevant the lyrics were to Sovereign Hope. The song itself maybe isn't something I would have in the soundtrack, but readers should definitely check it out!!

This or That?

Night owl or early bird? Night owl, without a doubt. I stay up really late writing. I find a get a lot more done when everyone's asleep. I still get up at some ridiculously early hour, though.

Harry Potter or Twilight? Twilight. I've not read any of the Harry Potter books. I know that might make me a part of the minority, but I just couldn't ever force myself to get into it. It was just never my thing, sorry if that offends anybody! I think J K Rowling is a genius of a woman, and I respect her brand. I know she's writing adult books at the moment. Maybe I'll be able to get into that instead.

Warm weather or cold weather? This is a tricky one because I live in Australia now, and the beautiful beaches here have definitely given me a new appreciation for warm weather. But I have always had  a love for winter, mainly because of my obsession with mountains and snow sports. I think I'll have to say cold.

Paper books or eBooks? Paperbacks! I always refused to buy ebooks, but after a while I caved in. Now I'd say my reading is split 50/50 over hardcopy and electronic. If I really love a book, I have to have a physical copy of it. It's very materialistic of me, but I love the texture of the pages, the smell, the weight of it... books are my most prized possessions.

Coffee or tea? Iced coffeeeeee!!!

**********

Thanks so much for stopping by and answering my questions, Frankie!

Frankie Rose was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives with her husband in sunny Australia.

She officially makes things up for a living, and when she's not doing that, she is generally making paper birds out of receipts and old lists or taking photographs that make her smile.

Find Frankie and her books on the web:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | YouTube | Amazon

Teaser Tuesday (60)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

Here's what you do:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two sentences from somewhere on that page
Share the title and author
Try not to include spoilers!

I'm reading Leah Bobet's debut novel, Above. It's awesome to be reading a Canadian author, since there are not enough of them! Here's a teaser:

So I don't know Above that well. I know the safe-houses and the supply drops, the five doors down to the right sewer line to get myself quickly home. But I don't know Above like Ariel.

I don't know where she might have gone.

I've literally just started this yesterday, but I'm really interested to see where it goes. It's weird starting a new book and feeling like I'm already in the middle of a story and that I've missed a lot. But I'm sure the gaps will be filled in as I read.

Feel free to share your teasers with me! I'd love to see what you're reading.

Review: Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

Title: Dreamless
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: May 29, 2012
Genre: YA, mythology
Pages: 487
Series: Starcrossed #2
1. Starcrossed (review)
2. Dreamless
3. Goddess (expected pub 2013)

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
Can true love be forgotten?

As the only Scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.

Josephine Angelini's compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding as an unforgettable love triangle emerges and the eternal cycle of revenge intensifies. Eagerly awaited, this sequel to the internationally bestselling "Starcrossed" delivers a gritty, action-packed love story that exceeds all expectations.

From Goodreads

I was so happy to jump back into the world Josie has created on Nantucket Island. The mythology, the characters, the adventure, all of it! The one thing I found hard was remembering everything that’d happened at the end of Starcrossed. I especially had a difficult time remembering all the characters; like who was who and what they could do. It could just be that I haven’t read the first book since last summer.

I loved the impossibility of the task that Helen was undertaking this book. It was such a desperate journey that I couldn’t help but be fully invested in her plea. Not only is she struggling with her purpose in the Underworld, but “real life” is beyond difficult for her, too. Her ventures in the Underworld are taking such a toll on her physically, emotionally, and mentally. On top of that, she feels so wrong about her feelings toward Lucas because everyone believes they’re cousins. All-in-all, this is an emotionally and physically trying book for poor Helen.

Orion was a great new character. He understands Helen, and he can help her in the one way that no one else can: in the Underworld itself. He’s definitely an asset to her down there. He can descend, he can fight, and he’s a great listener when Helen needs to pour out her frustrations. There are so many secondary characters in this book that I want to address them all, but that would take LOTS OF TIME. But it’s nice that there’s so many and that they all have their own personal issues that we see in the book. If it was all about Helen and her angst, I think it would be slightly unbearable. So it’s good that it’s not.

This story is so fast paced. I won’t say it’s a quick read, because it’s long and there’s a lot that happens, but it’s definitely a book you won’t want to be putting down too often. And the ending is explosive! It wraps up well, but it also leads in to the third book really well. I just know so well that sh*t is going to go down in book 3, Goddess, and I can’t wait!

Book Trailer: Defiance by C.J. Redwine

You may have noticed from my Waiting on Wednesday post this week, that I'm anxiously looking forward to C.J. Redwine's debut novel, Defiance. Well, if you weren't waiting for it yet (although most of you seem to be already), I'm sure you will be after watching this trailer! It's fantastic!



So?? It sounds so epic. I'm really excited for this book.

Add Defiance to your Goodreads shelf here.
Visit C.J. Redwine on her website here.
Find it on Amazon here.

Defiance is due for release on August 28, 2012!

Tell me what you think in the comments!

Judging a Book by Its Cover (10)

I do Judging a Book by Its Cover randomly, when I collect several book covers that I think are worthy of being judged as awesome! You can see all my Judging a Book by Its Cover posts here.

Links will direct you to the corresponding Goodreads pages.

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi | January 8, 2013
17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma | March 21, 2013

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza | March 12, 2013
The Savage Blue (The Vicious Deep #2) by Zoraida Cordova | January 1, 2013

Revel by Maurissa Guibord | February 12, 2013
Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver | March 5, 2013

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer | February 5, 2013
Shades of Earth (Across the Universe #3) by Beth Revis | January 15, 2013

Tempest by Julie Cross (paperback rerelease) | January 2013
Vortex (Tempest #2) by Julie Cross | January 8, 2013

Fragments (Partials #2) by Dan Wells | February 26, 2013
Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare | March 19, 2013

Be sure to click on the covers to see them bigger!

What do you think of these covers? Which ones are you anticipating the most? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday (62)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!





This week I'm waiting on August 28th releases!

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
Publication date: August 28, 2012

Synopsis:
Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: This premise just captures my attention! I'm so interested to see how this story goes. Also, Sangu is a 2012 debut author.

Erasing Time by C.J. Hill
Publication date: August 28, 2012

Synopsis:
In this high-action and romantic futuristic adventure, there is no escape from the future for two contemporary girls pulled out of their own time.

When twins Sheridan and Taylor wake up 400 years in the future, they find a changed world: domed cities, no animals, and a language that’s so different, it barely sounds like English. And the worst news: They can’t go back home.

The twenty-fifth-century government transported the girls to their city hoping to find a famous scientist to help perfect a devastating new weapon. The moblike Dakine fights against the government, and somehow Taylor and Sheridan find themselves in the middle. The only way to elude them all is to trust Echo, a guy with secrets of his own. The trio must put their faith in the unknown to make a harrowing escape into the wilds beyond the city.

Full of adrenaline-injected chases and heartbreaking confessions, Erasing Time explores the strength of the bonds between twins, the risks and rewards of trust, and the hard road to finding the courage to fight for what you believe in.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: I like that it's about twin sisters. I'm interested to see how the family card is played. And because it's about time travel.

Defiance by C.J. Redwine
Publication date: August 28, 2012

Synopsis:
Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: It's like a mix between a dystopian, a fantasy, and almost a bit of historical fiction. With romance thrown in of course. It just sounds like a fantastic read from another 2012 debut author!

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?