I am running late posting this due to my email eating the original notice about this! LOL
So I guess my post will serve as a reminder to all the Young Adult readers out there!

Did you know that Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus is now available in ebook format?

You can now purchase it in ebook at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online!!

 The official release date for ebook purchase was August 24th. What are you waiting for?

 I am so excited to be a part of the Fall Giveaway hosted by Good Choice Reading!  
I bet you are wondering what I am offering for the giveaway?  Well I have 2 ARCs to share with one lucky person!
One winner will receive an ARC copy of Torment by Lauren Kate and an ARC copy of The Eternal Ones by Kristen Miller.  I will also be adding some swag to the box of misc. bookmarks and such!
Be sure to check out the main list at Good Choice Reading for all of the blogs participating!

RULES:
1. USA only. Sorry, but limited funds this month!
3.You must at least be a follower to enter!
4. Contest will end on 9/29/2010 with the winner being announced on 9/30/2010

Today I have a very wonderful author interview for everyone! Lara Adrian decided to stop by my blog for a quick chat and contest!! If you are unfamiliar with who this author is, what rock have you been hiding under??

Lara Adrian is well known for her Midnight Breed books.  I urge you to check out her website if you are not familiar with her books. Her site can be found HERE. Let’s all give her a warm welcome and enjoy the interview!  The contest will follow at the end of the post!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

To start off, welcome and can you tell the readers a little about yourself? 

Hi! Thanks for inviting me to be part of your website today. I’m Lara Adrian, author of the Midnight Breed vampire romance series from BantamDell Books. Before turning the dark side of romance (and loving it, I might add) I wrote seven medieval romances under the name Tina St. John. I live in New Hampshire with my husband and three former stray cats. I’ve been married for nearly 17 years, but I met my husband when I was 20 and we’ve pretty much been inseparable best friends ever since. Is it any wonder I write romance novels? 
Can you tell us a little about your upcoming or latest release? 

TAKEN BY MIDNIGHT, which releases in the U.S. on September 28, 2010, is the eighth book in my Midnight Breed series. This story centers on a vampire warrior named Brock, a member of the Order in Boston (think modern-day dark knights, with fangs and high-caliber weaponry) and a former Alaska state trooper named Jenna Darrow. After Jenna survives a brutal encounter with the oldest vampire in existence–a creature not of this Earth–she emerges from the ordeal with changes none of the Breed has ever witnessed in a human. With the Order embroiled in a mounting war with an enemy who grows more powerful every day, they are forced to take Jenna into their protection until they can understand exactly what’s happening to her, and whether the tenacious, but damaged young woman poses a threat to their missions. What begins as a no-strings attraction between Brock and his unwilling ward soon erupts into a passion neither of them can deny. And while Brock and Jenna struggle not to fall into an impossible love, the warriors’ ruthless enemy makes a bold move, intent to strike at the very heart of the Order. 

I am a fly on your wall.  What would I report back to my master of the daily grind of Lara? 

Lots of staring out the window, daydreaming, and scribbling. An occasional bout of giggling or cursing, frequent moments of talking to myself or imaginary people. Random episodes of high-volume Lady Gaga or Evanescence tunes, and me singing along (horribly, but not without great enthusiasm). Basically the same things I used to do as a kid, except no one yells for me to keep the noise down, and now I share my scribbles and daydreams with everyone who reads my books! 

When you are not writing, what kind of books do you like to read? Do you have any favorite authors, that are must reads? 

I’ve always been a voracious reader, and my tastes run the gamut–everything from romance (of course!) to thrillers and mysteries, as well as biographies, memoirs, true crime, politics, and other nonfiction. I basically read anything that catches my interest in the moment. 
I really have too many favorite authors (and friends) in the romance genre, so at the risk of leaving anyone out, I’ll give you a short list of other novelists I enjoy: Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, Dan Brown, Harlan Coben, John Grisham . . . whoa, never realized how many men I read! Right now, I’m reading my first Lisa Unger book, and I feel a major glom coming on with her. 

What are 3 things that are \”must haves\” for you when you sit down to write a new book? 
 
1. My story outline. 2. My computer, which has WriteWay on it (the software application my husband wrote for me based on my design input). 3. Total silence in a room free of distractions. 

Do you have a blog or website that your readers can keep up with you and your books?  Twitter? 

Readers can keep up with me in a number of places online! Please visit me, friend me, and follow me via the links below: 
Now for some fun stuff: 

1. What came first–the chicken or the egg? 
The chicken of course. No, wait. The egg would have to be first, wouldn’t it? Except . . . there had to be a chicken in order to lay the egg. But without an egg, there could be no chicken in the first place, so, that brings us back to the egg . . . oh, crap! :::brainexplodes::: 

2. Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of the bottle? 
Because every bottle of glue comes with a minuscule (I daresay invisible) fairy trapped inside it whose sole purpose in life is to squeegee the glue off the insides of the bottle to make sure it never sticks. Sheesh, I thought *everyone* knew that! 

3. If you choke a Smurf, what color do they turn? 
I don’t know. Show me a Smurf and we can try it ourselves to find out! 

4. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him? 
Because at the time that song was written, folks had nothing better to do than watch Jimmy crack his corn. It was boring and no one cared, but since they couldn’t Twitter about it, or put it on YouTube, someone decided to write a song. It actually went viral the first week it was out and Jimmy landed his own reality show as a result. True story.
 
Favorite perfume: Ginger Ciao by YOSHI (among countless others – I adore perfume!) 
Favorite TV show: I don’t watch much TV, but I do like Survivor and True Blood 
Favorite Movie: I can’t possibly list just one! Here’s my top 5 that I never tire of watching: The Shawshank Redemption. The War of the Roses. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Far and Away. Jaws.  
Favorite Drink: non-alcoholic favorite is a tie between coffee and water (I’d call these daily essentials, more than favorites); favorite cocktail is vodka and tonic or rum punch. I like frou-frou martinis too. And margaritas. Oh, fine–serve me anything but gin or beer and I’m happy. 
Favorite Dessert: used to be NY-style cheesecake, but now I’m allergic to it, so I’ll have to say half-baked chocolate cake (or chocolate lava cake, as it’s sometimes called)
CONTEST/GIVEAWAY!
I am offering to one lucky person, either the first book in the series OR the newest release that comes out Sept. 28th.  If you have never read the series you can pick the first book or if you have read the series you can pick the newest release!
BOOK ONE: Kiss of Midnight

OR

BOOK EIGHT: Taken By Midnight

Book will be ordered through Book Depository and is open to anywhere that Book Depository will ship to!
RULES:
1. No need to be a follower, but I would love it if you would join my site!
2.  Open to any country where Book Depository will ship to.
3.  Just fill out the form below to be entered. Comments on the post will not enter you into the contest, but I would love to have you say hi to the author!
4. Contest will run until September 27th.  Winner will be announced on release day, Sept. 28th!

To enter: FILL OUT THIS FORM! 


DESIRES OF THE DEAD
(A Body Finder Novel #2)
Author: Kimberly Derting
Source: Publisher
* I received this book free 
of charge in exchange for 
an honest review*

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins (March 15, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061779849
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061779848

SUMMARY:

Violet can sense the echoes of those who’ve been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life. 

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she’d turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrong. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike’s tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger. 

MY THOUGHTS:

If you have read my previous review for the first book, The Body Finder, you are well aware that my family suffered during my reading of that novel.  Well, needless to say, my family suffered twice as much while reading the latest in the series, Desires of the Dead!  I did not want to put this book down at all!  My children starved at lunch time and was forced to fend for themselves.  My husband felt neglected as I ignored him while reading this book,  only glancing up to kiss him goodbye before work and before bed.

In the latest installment, we are again reading from Violet’s point of view.  Violet and Jay are still a couple with just as much sweet and tender moments that we experienced in the first book.  Her family is still involved with her life including her Uncle Stephen who was a major person in The Body Finder.  Her friends are just as fun and goofy–if not more–along with new friends that move to town and play an important role in the story.

When Violet starts to receive threatening gifts and phone calls, Violet starts to pull away from Jay though.  She feels like her secret of what she can do is her secret alone and tries to deal with it without involving Jay and her family.  When she also comes across an echo of a kidnapped boy, she is pulled into a bigger group involving the FBI.  She finds herself being interrogated by Sara, an FBI specialist, and another boy around her age named Rafe who works with Sara.  Along the way, we learn that Sara and Rafe have secrets of their own and are just as reluctant to tell Violet their stories as Violet was to tell hers. Violet must learn who to trust and who to turn to when her stalker starts to take more drastic measures against her.

I literally could not put this book down.  I gripped the pages in suspense so hard that I bent the pages!  Just like in The Body Finder, you will think you have it figured out and then the author will send you in another direction.  Ms. Derting knows how to keep the reader on the edge of their seat and their heart racing with anticipation!  Just like the echo’s call to Violet, you will find yourself drawn into this book and not letting go!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading! 5 STARS!

DEMON PRINCESS: REIGN CHECK
Author: Michelle Rowen

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (May 25, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0802795498
  • ISBN-13: 978-0802795496

SUMMARY:

Nikki Donovan has had a lot to deal with since learning she was half human, half demon. But things take a darker turn when Rhys, a gorgeous — but potentially dangerous — faery king enrolls at her high school to investigate Nikki’s potential for fulfilling an apocalyptic prophesy. Nikki knows she’d never turn violent, and she certainly couldn’t destroy the world…could she?

Of course, all Nikki really wants is to be reunited with Michael, a Shadow creature whose status as her personal servant is further complicated by their undeniable attraction to each other. Even though the rules of the Shadowlands strictly forbid their romance, Nikki is determined not to let Michael go. But when she is summoned to the Underworld to appear before a demon council, it will take all her courage — and perhaps a bit of demon-level strength — to get herself out again.

MY THOUGHTS:

After enjoying the first book in the Demon Princess series, I knew I needed to purchase the second book.  After my Amazon order arrived, I quickly dived into the story of Nikki Donovan again!  

Rhys, King of the faery realm, has decided to join the human world for a short time and decides to enroll at Nikki’s high school.  To say that Nikki is surprised, is an understatement.  She can’t believe that he would enroll at her school just to keep an eye on her.  This book starts off a week after the last on finished, so Nikki is still trying to accept that she is half demon and half human.  Having Rhys around makes it even harder for her to focus on her human life. Rhys informs her that there is a prophesy regarding a Darkling, which he assumes is about Nikki.  The Underworld leaders are anxious to meet with her and decide just how much of a threat Nikki really is.  

This book was just as exciting as the first book.  The author keeps you enthralled with the supernatural, yet she can also leave you laughing out loud with her witty writing and characters.  I was glad to see familiar characters such as her fater, Desmond, along with Michael and her Aunt.  Even though the story can be a bit predictable, you will still enjoy the story so much, it won’t matter.  

I feel that the second book in the series outshines the first book in so many ways.  I hope the publishers agree with the readers and decide to add more books to the delightful and captivating series.  I look forward to reading more about Demon Princess Nikki and her reign as a Darkling!!

MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!