Waiting on Wednesday (8/29)

Hey!

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

*WoW button courtesy to Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms

My pick today:

Valkyrie Rising

by Ingrid Paulson

Release date: October 9th 2012 
by HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages

Goodreads: 

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

Eeep! Everything about this book sounds awesome and original: the setting, the the plot, the legends, the paranormal elements and, of, course, the ever presence of sarcasm. You can't go wrong with sarcasm in my books. :))

The only other books I've ever read about Valkyries were Kresley Cole's and I really liked them - there was something cool and fierce about them - so I'm curious to see how that mythology is being used here.

What are you waiting on this week?

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday (8/29)

Hey!

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

*WoW button courtesy to Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms

My pick today:

Valkyrie Rising

by Ingrid Paulson

Release date: October 9th 2012 
by HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages

Goodreads: 

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

Eeep! Everything about this book sounds awesome and original: the setting, the the plot, the legends, the paranormal elements and, of, course, the ever presence of sarcasm. You can't go wrong with sarcasm in my books. :))

The only other books I've ever read about Valkyries were Kresley Cole's and I really liked them - there was something cool and fierce about them - so I'm curious to see how that mythology is being used here.

What are you waiting on this week?

xoxo

Author Interview: Wynne Channing (author of What Kills Me)

Hi!

A few weeks ago, I got the chance to read What Kills Me by Wynne Channing and I really loved it (see my review)! I do need my vampire fix from time to time, and What Kills Me was a perfect fix: it gave me vamps, fast-paced and interesting plot, wit and banter, kickbutt heroine, swoon-worthy hero, romance, non-stop action and don't get me started on the swordplay (ahh! the amazing fight scenes!!!). Then, of course, I wanted to know more about all the awesomeness, so I asked the author, Wynne Channing, for an interview, and she graciously  answered all my nosy questions. I really, really love this interview - Whynne's answers rock! *fan girl moment* 

So... Enjoy! :D

 

Deea: Welcome on Deea’s Journal and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

Wynne Channing: Thank you so much for hosting me!

D: For people who read about your work for the first time, could you give a short description of What Kills Me?

WC:Sure! What Kills Me is a paranormal adventure about bravery and survival. It begins when 17-year-old Zee falls into a well filled with blood and emerges a vampire. Her “becoming” is unprecedented, leading the undead empire to fear her. So they hunt her to the death, er, second death because she’s technically already dead.

D: Why did you decide to write about vampires?

WC: I know vampires seem so played out right now, but I’ve been a fan of the blood-sucking monsters since I was young. Some of my favorite horror movies from way back featured the scariest vamps ever.

D: When it comes to vampire stories, I’m used to cold, far away places, so the setting in What Kills Me was  nice and refreshing. How did you decide where to set the story? (it starts in Italy)

W: If you’re a creature who has been alive for centuries, you’re probably well traveled. I wanted What Kills Me to have global appeal and multicultural characters. It begins in Rome and moves to Taipei. The sequel will feature new places.

D: What was your inspiration for this novel? And did you have to do any specific research? (If I go looking for the Sacriva – the vampire scripture — will I find it? Since I live in Romania, and all.)

WC: I saw the image of a girl crawling out of a well covered in blood. It freaked me out enough to base a novel on it. The vampire scriptures are a figment of my imagination. But if you find them, please let me know!!!

Oh. And there goes my dream to go on a treasure hunt. *sigh*

D:  Zee is fun, feisty, easy to relate to and most importantly, a very realistic character. Is she anything like you or like someone you know in real life?

WC: She is a cooler, kinder, and braver version of me at 17. She’s basically the person that I wished I could’ve been. But she definitely has my curiosity. Except my love of exploration brought me to journalism...and hers well, it always gets her into serious, often deadly, trouble.

D: Lucas is a very complex, swoon worthy and, as far as I’m concerned, perfect character. Can you tell us a bit more about him and how you created him?

WC: Lucas comes across as a jerk. But given his history, how he’s been hurt in the past, I understand how he can be guarded. He’s protective of his family, and of his emotions, but with time, he extends this protection to Zee. That’s a value they both share — they’re both loyal as hell.

I wanted their relationship to unfold naturally. Chaos and tragedy isn’t the best setting for romance. When they first meet, they’re too busy killing and avoiding being killed to kiss. It kind of annoys me when I watch actions/horror films and the damsel in distress swoons so easily for the hero amid all the death and destruction. “Everyone I love has just been killed. Wait a minute. You’re sexy...” What the heck.

I know, right?! It bugs me when that happens in novels too. But I really liked how the relationship between Lucas and Zee developed. It was smooth and tender, yet intense and dreamy. ♥

D: The non-stop action, adventures and witty dialogue make What Kills Me a very energetic read. I was practically bouncing in my seat when I read certain scenes. What do you do to set the mood when you write? Do you have a playlist you listen to?

WC: I’m glad! Sometimes I just listen to the radio or set the iPod on shuffle. I just need the noise in the background.

D: What Kills Me is full of action and at the same time, an emotional roller coaster. What was the hardest part to write? What about the easiest part?

WC: Great question. The easiest and most fun parts to write were the action sequences — I’m a huge kung-fu film fan – and any scene where Lucas and Zee get to just be together (and annoy each other). They have lovely chemistry. The hardest parts to write were the ones where Zee has to mourn her lost friends and family. You want to give her grief depth and to do that, you go to dark places.

Yeah, I can see why those scenes were hard to write, they were really heartbreaking. And I loved the fight scenes and Lucas and Zee's banter too!

D: I know that you’re currently working on the sequel, but what’s next after that? Do you have any other projects in the works?

WC: There could be a final third book to close off the series. I’m also working on a dystopian psychological thriller set in high school.

YAY! I love psychological thrillers! I can't wait to read it!

D: It’s probably still early to ask, but can you give us a little teaser about what to expect from the next book?

WC: It’s hard to talk about without spoiling the ending of What Kills Me! A huge revelation at the end of Book One changes everything. Both Zee and the empire are going to have to deal with this new reality. Zee and Lucas’s relationship will continue to grow and change. You’ll learn more about the legend, the first vampires. You’ll also get to meet characters just mentioned Book One, Lucas’s brother, members of the rebellion, etc. Of course, there will be more blood, humor and twists!

Eep, I can't wait to meet Lucas' s brother!:D *hopes he's one of the good guys*

D: Now that you have the experience of publishing your first novel, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

WC: Finish your novel. Make sure it’s the best darn story that it can be. That means rewrite it if you have to, and get it professionally edited. And don’t give up. This world belongs to those who are brave enough to do whatever it takes to get things done. So go and do it — by laying one brick at a time!

*nods* *takes notes for later*

D: Thank you again for stopping by and for answering all my questions! I’m looking forward to reading more adventures of Lucas (and Zee, of course).

WC: Thank you so much for the great questions!

***

About the book:

Published: June 6th 2012
by Jet & Jack Press
Format: ebook, 209 pages

Goodreads

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?

***

About the author: 

Wynne Channing is an award-winning national newspaper reporter and young adult novelist.

She started writing horror/fantasy tales as a girl. She still has the first novel that she wrote when she was 10. It’s (unintentionally) hilarious.

Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite).

She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”

Find Wynne: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Get the book (for only $0.99!)

Amazon US / Amazon UK / B & N

xoxo

Author Interview: Wynne Channing (author of What Kills Me)

Hi!

A few weeks ago, I got the chance to read What Kills Me by Wynne Channing and I really loved it (see my review)! I do need my vampire fix from time to time, and What Kills Me was a perfect fix: it gave me vamps, fast-paced and interesting plot, wit and banter, kickbutt heroine, swoon-worthy hero, romance, non-stop action and don't get me started on the swordplay (ahh! the amazing fight scenes!!!). Then, of course, I wanted to know more about all the awesomeness, so I asked the author, Wynne Channing, for an interview, and she graciously  answered all my nosy questions. I really, really love this interview - Whynne's answers rock! *fan girl moment* 

So... Enjoy! :D

 

Deea: Welcome on Deea’s Journal and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

Wynne Channing: Thank you so much for hosting me!

D: For people who read about your work for the first time, could you give a short description of What Kills Me?

WC:Sure! What Kills Me is a paranormal adventure about bravery and survival. It begins when 17-year-old Zee falls into a well filled with blood and emerges a vampire. Her “becoming” is unprecedented, leading the undead empire to fear her. So they hunt her to the death, er, second death because she’s technically already dead.

D: Why did you decide to write about vampires?

WC: I know vampires seem so played out right now, but I’ve been a fan of the blood-sucking monsters since I was young. Some of my favorite horror movies from way back featured the scariest vamps ever.

D: When it comes to vampire stories, I’m used to cold, far away places, so the setting in What Kills Me was  nice and refreshing. How did you decide where to set the story? (it starts in Italy)

W: If you’re a creature who has been alive for centuries, you’re probably well traveled. I wanted What Kills Me to have global appeal and multicultural characters. It begins in Rome and moves to Taipei. The sequel will feature new places.

D: What was your inspiration for this novel? And did you have to do any specific research? (If I go looking for the Sacriva – the vampire scripture — will I find it? Since I live in Romania, and all.)

WC: I saw the image of a girl crawling out of a well covered in blood. It freaked me out enough to base a novel on it. The vampire scriptures are a figment of my imagination. But if you find them, please let me know!!!

Oh. And there goes my dream to go on a treasure hunt. *sigh*

D:  Zee is fun, feisty, easy to relate to and most importantly, a very realistic character. Is she anything like you or like someone you know in real life?

WC: She is a cooler, kinder, and braver version of me at 17. She’s basically the person that I wished I could’ve been. But she definitely has my curiosity. Except my love of exploration brought me to journalism...and hers well, it always gets her into serious, often deadly, trouble.

D: Lucas is a very complex, swoon worthy and, as far as I’m concerned, perfect character. Can you tell us a bit more about him and how you created him?

WC: Lucas comes across as a jerk. But given his history, how he’s been hurt in the past, I understand how he can be guarded. He’s protective of his family, and of his emotions, but with time, he extends this protection to Zee. That’s a value they both share — they’re both loyal as hell.

I wanted their relationship to unfold naturally. Chaos and tragedy isn’t the best setting for romance. When they first meet, they’re too busy killing and avoiding being killed to kiss. It kind of annoys me when I watch actions/horror films and the damsel in distress swoons so easily for the hero amid all the death and destruction. “Everyone I love has just been killed. Wait a minute. You’re sexy...” What the heck.

I know, right?! It bugs me when that happens in novels too. But I really liked how the relationship between Lucas and Zee developed. It was smooth and tender, yet intense and dreamy. ♥

D: The non-stop action, adventures and witty dialogue make What Kills Me a very energetic read. I was practically bouncing in my seat when I read certain scenes. What do you do to set the mood when you write? Do you have a playlist you listen to?

WC: I’m glad! Sometimes I just listen to the radio or set the iPod on shuffle. I just need the noise in the background.

D: What Kills Me is full of action and at the same time, an emotional roller coaster. What was the hardest part to write? What about the easiest part?

WC: Great question. The easiest and most fun parts to write were the action sequences — I’m a huge kung-fu film fan – and any scene where Lucas and Zee get to just be together (and annoy each other). They have lovely chemistry. The hardest parts to write were the ones where Zee has to mourn her lost friends and family. You want to give her grief depth and to do that, you go to dark places.

Yeah, I can see why those scenes were hard to write, they were really heartbreaking. And I loved the fight scenes and Lucas and Zee's banter too!

D: I know that you’re currently working on the sequel, but what’s next after that? Do you have any other projects in the works?

WC: There could be a final third book to close off the series. I’m also working on a dystopian psychological thriller set in high school.

YAY! I love psychological thrillers! I can't wait to read it!

D: It’s probably still early to ask, but can you give us a little teaser about what to expect from the next book?

WC: It’s hard to talk about without spoiling the ending of What Kills Me! A huge revelation at the end of Book One changes everything. Both Zee and the empire are going to have to deal with this new reality. Zee and Lucas’s relationship will continue to grow and change. You’ll learn more about the legend, the first vampires. You’ll also get to meet characters just mentioned Book One, Lucas’s brother, members of the rebellion, etc. Of course, there will be more blood, humor and twists!

Eep, I can't wait to meet Lucas' s brother!:D *hopes he's one of the good guys*

D: Now that you have the experience of publishing your first novel, do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

WC: Finish your novel. Make sure it’s the best darn story that it can be. That means rewrite it if you have to, and get it professionally edited. And don’t give up. This world belongs to those who are brave enough to do whatever it takes to get things done. So go and do it — by laying one brick at a time!

*nods* *takes notes for later*

D: Thank you again for stopping by and for answering all my questions! I’m looking forward to reading more adventures of Lucas (and Zee, of course).

WC: Thank you so much for the great questions!

***

About the book:

Published: June 6th 2012
by Jet & Jack Press
Format: ebook, 209 pages

Goodreads

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?

***

About the author: 

Wynne Channing is an award-winning national newspaper reporter and young adult novelist.

She started writing horror/fantasy tales as a girl. She still has the first novel that she wrote when she was 10. It’s (unintentionally) hilarious.

Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite).

She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”

Find Wynne: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Get the book (for only $0.99!)

Amazon US / Amazon UK / B & N

xoxo

Inbetween by Tara A. Fuller - Blog Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway

Hey guys!

I talked about Inbetween by Tara Fuller on the blog before, but I finally got the chance to read and it was amazing - just like I expected it to be! As I already said in my WoW post when I featured this book (and, um, on several other occasions), I love all books about Death, Reapers and stuff like that (there's something wicked and deliciously creepy about them, and it makes the scary unknown seem less scary), and Tara added to that a beautiful, heart-melting story, very well developed characters and a stunning, engrossing writing style, so it was, overall, a fabulous read! Anyway, I'll gush more about it in my review, but until then, I'll let Tara herself tell you more about the world she created and the inspiration behind it. 

So, Tara Fuller stops by my blog today to talk about what inspired her to write Inbetween and about the fantastic world and characters she created (she did a vlog to talk about it - how cool is that?:D)

There are some great book recommendations and awesome behind the scenes info in it, so... Enjoy!;)

(Yay for Rachel Vincent! Also: I'm an official Tara Fuller fan. Just saying.:D)

***

About the book:

Inbetween (Kissed by Death #1)
by Tara A. Fuller
Pub: August 28, 2012
by Entangled Teen
Format: Trade paperback, e-book
400 pages

Goodreads: 

Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn’t let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left...his soul.

Purchase the book:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository 

About the author:

Tara Fuller writes novels. Some about grim reapers. Some about witches. All of course are delightfully full of teen angst and kissing. Tara grew up in a one stop light town in Oklahoma where once upon a time she stayed up with a flash light reading RL Stine novels and only dreamed of becoming a writer. She has a slight obsession with music and a shameless addiction for zombie fiction, Mystery Science Theater, and black and white mochas. Tara no longer lives in a one stop light town. Now she lives with her family in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights.

Find Tara: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to Tara Fuller, Shane @ itchingforbooks.blogspot.com and Jaime at Entangled Teen for allowing me to read Inbetween and to be a part of this tour!


***Follow the Blog Tour to see the dream cast (!!!), playlists, excerpts, interviews and more fun stuff!;)


P.S. This giveaway is organized and sponsored by the blog tour host the and the publisher and it's US only, but there is an International giveaway at fiktshun. ;)

xoxo

Inbetween by Tara A. Fuller - Blog Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway

Hey guys!

I talked about Inbetween by Tara Fuller on the blog before, but I finally got the chance to read and it was amazing - just like I expected it to be! As I already said in my WoW post when I featured this book (and, um, on several other occasions), I love all books about Death, Reapers and stuff like that (there's something wicked and deliciously creepy about them, and it makes the scary unknown seem less scary), and Tara added to that a beautiful, heart-melting story, very well developed characters and a stunning, engrossing writing style, so it was, overall, a fabulous read! Anyway, I'll gush more about it in my review, but until then, I'll let Tara herself tell you more about the world she created and the inspiration behind it. 

So, Tara Fuller stops by my blog today to talk about what inspired her to write Inbetween and about the fantastic world and characters she created (she did a vlog to talk about it - how cool is that?:D)

There are some great book recommendations and awesome behind the scenes info in it, so... Enjoy!;)

(Yay for Rachel Vincent! Also: I'm an official Tara Fuller fan. Just saying.:D)

***

About the book:

Inbetween (Kissed by Death #1)
by Tara A. Fuller
Pub: August 28, 2012
by Entangled Teen
Format: Trade paperback, e-book
400 pages

Goodreads: 

Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn’t let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left...his soul.

Purchase the book:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository 

About the author:

Tara Fuller writes novels. Some about grim reapers. Some about witches. All of course are delightfully full of teen angst and kissing. Tara grew up in a one stop light town in Oklahoma where once upon a time she stayed up with a flash light reading RL Stine novels and only dreamed of becoming a writer. She has a slight obsession with music and a shameless addiction for zombie fiction, Mystery Science Theater, and black and white mochas. Tara no longer lives in a one stop light town. Now she lives with her family in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights.

Find Tara: Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to Tara Fuller, Shane @ itchingforbooks.blogspot.com and Jaime at Entangled Teen for allowing me to read Inbetween and to be a part of this tour!


***Follow the Blog Tour to see the dream cast (!!!), playlists, excerpts, interviews and more fun stuff!;)


P.S. This giveaway is organized and sponsored by the blog tour host the and the publisher and it's US only, but there is an International giveaway at fiktshun. ;)

xoxo

Cover Reveal: Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt

'Morning everyone!

You probably noticed that I'm a big fan of Entangled Publishing and all their stunning covers. Well, today I'm happy to take part in the cover reveal of Naturals, the second book in The Lost Souls trilogy by Tiffany Truitt:

Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) 

by Tiffany Truitt
Release date: April 9th 2013
by Entangled Teen
Format: Paperback, 352 pages

Goodreads:

Tess is finally safe from the reach of the Council, now that she is living in the Middlelands with the rebel Isolationists. With James having returned to Templeton, she easily falls back into her friendship with Henry, though her newfound knowledge of Robert’s chosen one status still stings. Even surrounded by people, Tess has never felt more alone. So she’s thrilled when James returns to the settlement, demanding to see Tess — until she finds out that it’s because her sister, Louisa, has been recruited into Tess’s old position at Templeton, and that the dangerously sadistic chosen one George has taken an interest in her.

Beautiful, isn't it? And I really like how it complements the cover of the first book in the series, the theme and the feeling of the story. And I love the warm colors!

***

About the author:

Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonald's and Banana Rats (don't ask) she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman(5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.”

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.

Find Tiffany: Website / Twitter

Pre-order NATURALS at Amazon

What do you think about the new cover? Have you started this series yet?

Have a great week!

xoxo

Cover Reveal: Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt

'Morning everyone!

You probably noticed that I'm a big fan of Entangled Publishing and all their stunning covers. Well, today I'm happy to take part in the cover reveal of Naturals, the second book in The Lost Souls trilogy by Tiffany Truitt:

Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) 

by Tiffany Truitt
Release date: April 9th 2013
by Entangled Teen
Format: Paperback, 352 pages

Goodreads:

Tess is finally safe from the reach of the Council, now that she is living in the Middlelands with the rebel Isolationists. With James having returned to Templeton, she easily falls back into her friendship with Henry, though her newfound knowledge of Robert’s chosen one status still stings. Even surrounded by people, Tess has never felt more alone. So she’s thrilled when James returns to the settlement, demanding to see Tess — until she finds out that it’s because her sister, Louisa, has been recruited into Tess’s old position at Templeton, and that the dangerously sadistic chosen one George has taken an interest in her.

Beautiful, isn't it? And I really like how it complements the cover of the first book in the series, the theme and the feeling of the story. And I love the warm colors!

***

About the author:

Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in Cuba. Since her time on the island of one McDonald's and Banana Rats (don't ask) she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little Woman(5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the “classics.”

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature. Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night, Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Uglies, and Matched.

Find Tiffany: Website / Twitter

Pre-order NATURALS at Amazon

What do you think about the new cover? Have you started this series yet?

Have a great week!

xoxo

Cover VS Cover #1

Happy weekend everyone! How are you all doing?:)

I was organizing my bookshelves earlier today and I found a few books that don't match the rest of the books in their respective series. Which reminded me about a feature I wanted to do on the blog a while ago, but I never got the chance to do it. 

You know how sometimes publishers decide, from various reasons, to change the book covers in the middle of a series? Or how they redesign the whole series? Or maybe they choose a different format and/or design for the paperback edition? I'll admit that I'm not a fan of books in series that don't match, but sometimes the new covers are better: prettier; more appropriate for the book theme; more eye-catching; they fit the book characters better (when there are models on the cover) etc etc. And this left me wondering - which cover would the readers prefer? Will they pick up the new edition of the book or will they keep searching and hoping for a book design that matches the rest of the series? Will they buy the whole new series just to have matching books or the cover doesn't really matter to them, as long as they have the new book?

I'd like to hear your opinion on this.

So...

I'll start with Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout, because that's the book that made me think about all this in the first place. :P

I got the ebook edition when it first came out, and when I wanted to get a paper edition for my shelf (I always end up buying the ebook and the paper edition of my favorite books  - oh, and sometimes the audiobook too *cough* First Grave on the Right *cough*), I realized it had a different cover. *gasp* One that, to be honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of. I wanted the old one - the big, shiny one I had for the ebook. But I searched for that old edition online (in the online stores that don't charge 3x the price of the book just for shipping), and... nothing. So... I resigned. (I may or may not have thrown a tantrum saying that I wanted that cover! I'm just stubborn that way. LOL). 

Anyway, the question is - which cover would you prefer?

New Cover     VS      Old Cover

*Now, don't get me wrong, I like the new cover too (actually, I like the background better, it gives the book a cool, badass feel), but the other one would have fit better in my bookshelf (with the other JLA books). BTW, I think I'm going to have the same problem with the hardcover edition of Cursed by Jennifer. L. Armentrout. I LOVE it, but....*sigh* So much for putting all my JLA books on the same shelf... (I use different shelves for paperbacks, hardcovers, pocketbooks, series, standalones etc. Yikes, OCD much?LOL)

**This post was also inspired by a feature Harlequin Publishers have on Facebook (on Thursdays, I believe). If you (or someone you know) have a similar feature on your blog, let me know so I can give you credit (I don't want to step on any toes here). I got my eyes on quite a few series that made big cover changes, so I'll talk about those in the next few weeks. Until then... Let me know what you think of the covers above.;) (my review of Obsidian)

Enjoy the last weekend of summer everyone!

(Can you believe it's almost September?! Yeah... Me neither. I haven't read all my summer books yet! *sniffle*)

xoxo

Cover VS Cover #1

Happy weekend everyone! How are you all doing?:)

I was organizing my bookshelves earlier today and I found a few books that don't match the rest of the books in their respective series. Which reminded me about a feature I wanted to do on the blog a while ago, but I never got the chance to do it. 

You know how sometimes publishers decide, from various reasons, to change the book covers in the middle of a series? Or how they redesign the whole series? Or maybe they choose a different format and/or design for the paperback edition? I'll admit that I'm not a fan of books in series that don't match, but sometimes the new covers are better: prettier; more appropriate for the book theme; more eye-catching; they fit the book characters better (when there are models on the cover) etc etc. And this left me wondering - which cover would the readers prefer? Will they pick up the new edition of the book or will they keep searching and hoping for a book design that matches the rest of the series? Will they buy the whole new series just to have matching books or the cover doesn't really matter to them, as long as they have the new book?

I'd like to hear your opinion on this.

So...

I'll start with Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout, because that's the book that made me think about all this in the first place. :P

I got the ebook edition when it first came out, and when I wanted to get a paper edition for my shelf (I always end up buying the ebook and the paper edition of my favorite books  - oh, and sometimes the audiobook too *cough* First Grave on the Right *cough*), I realized it had a different cover. *gasp* One that, to be honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of. I wanted the old one - the big, shiny one I had for the ebook. But I searched for that old edition online (in the online stores that don't charge 3x the price of the book just for shipping), and... nothing. So... I resigned. (I may or may not have thrown a tantrum saying that I wanted that cover! I'm just stubborn that way. LOL). 

Anyway, the question is - which cover would you prefer?

New Cover     VS      Old Cover

*Now, don't get me wrong, I like the new cover too (actually, I like the background better, it gives the book a cool, badass feel), but the other one would have fit better in my bookshelf (with the other JLA books). BTW, I think I'm going to have the same problem with the hardcover edition of Cursed by Jennifer. L. Armentrout. I LOVE it, but....*sigh* So much for putting all my JLA books on the same shelf... (I use different shelves for paperbacks, hardcovers, pocketbooks, series, standalones etc. Yikes, OCD much?LOL)

**This post was also inspired by a feature Harlequin Publishers have on Facebook (on Thursdays, I believe). If you (or someone you know) have a similar feature on your blog, let me know so I can give you credit (I don't want to step on any toes here). I got my eyes on quite a few series that made big cover changes, so I'll talk about those in the next few weeks. Until then... Let me know what you think of the covers above.;) (my review of Obsidian)

Enjoy the last weekend of summer everyone!

(Can you believe it's almost September?! Yeah... Me neither. I haven't read all my summer books yet! *sniffle*)

xoxo

The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club Blog Tour: Author Interview with J.C. Isabella & Giveaway

Hi!

I'm very excited to have J.C. Isabella, the author of The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club, on the blog today! As part of The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club  Blog Tour, I had the honor to interview her and she graciously answered all my questions!:D

Enjoy!

Deea: Welcome on Deea’s Journal and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

For people who read about your work for the first time, could you give a short description of The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club?

J.C. Isabella: The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club is about family and love at its core. You have Chloe, a girl who is trying to ignore how she feels for Zack, while trying to keep the club a secret. Then you have Zack, someone who looks and acts like the stereotypical jock, but is really a genuine guy who cares about Chloe. It’s about realizing what is important to you, and going for it.


D: One of the things I really like about The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club is that we have two alternate POV’s. What was writing from a guy’s POV like?

J.C. :Honestly, I didn’t have a hard time with it. I tried not to think about writing from a guy’s point of view, and how hard it would be. I just wrote as the person, and how they were feeling. I expounded on certain things that set genders apart. Also, when I was growing up, I hung out with the boys. Some of my best friends were guys, one was a baseball player, so I got to see how they operate when they were just being themselves. If I am having trouble getting into a guy’s head for something, I’ll look at an actor, and ask myself, what would he do, or what would the character he played do?


D: Chloe has a great voice and she is so easy to relate to! Is she anything like you or like someone you know in real life?

J.C. I suppose I can be perfectly honest here, and tell you that Chloe and I are similar in some ways. Humor, for one, and quirks are abound. With her, I set out to write a real person, someone I could relate to, and when I did that, I think I may have put a little of me in her. I am a very approachable friendly person, and that’s really how I wanted Chloe to be.


D: What was your favorite part to write?

J.C. I love writing the banter between Zack and Chloe. The teasing, the arguing, it’s sometimes more satisfying to me than the happy ending. Anyone can have fun writing a few lovey words, but when you hammer out an argument that leaves a character reeling, not sure if they’d rather hit the person or kiss them, and they are just so frustrated, it’s really a lot of fun. Tension makes everything amazing!

*I know, right? That's my favorite part to read too! I'm addicted to books that have that kind of tension and banter!*

D. All the games, secrets, clubs and societies make the world in The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club lots of fun and exciting. Did you experience any of that in high school/college?

J.C. I was in a couple clubs, but nothing really secretive. What influenced part of the idea was seeing a group of girls giggling about one particular guy. I started asking myself, how far would someone go? How far could they take it? Robert Pattinson and Justin Bieber may have fan clubs, but what if someone started one for the everyday high school guy?


D: What do you do to set the mood when you write? Do you listen to a certain playlist or do you like to write in a specific place etc?

J.C. I need quiet, hardly any distraction. Sometimes I will listen to music to help me brainstorm or write a specific scene, it can help set the mood for a fight or a party. The most helpful thing I do is go back and read what I wrote the day before, or just go back and start from the beginning.


D: As a fan of YA Contemporary Romance yourself, could you recommend us a few books you really liked?

J.C. I think one of my favorite books that I have read over and over, is called Getting Rid of Bradley By Jennifer Crusie.

It’s funny and feel good, and there are these dogs in the book that seem to have their own personalities. I discovered it after I wrote Zack Warren, when someone pointed out there was already a character with that name. So I went and got the book, and it’s been a keeper ever since!

Janet Evanovich has an awesome series with Stephanie Plum, but she has a lot of short romances out, that were sweet and hilarious. I was afraid to read them in public because I’d end up laughing so hard. I think my favorite is called Foul Play.

*I've been wanting to read  Janet Evanovich  for a long time! I really need to try her books soon!*

D: What are you working on now?

J.C. Right now I am finishing up the second book in the Unofficial Series, The Unofficial Story of Kyle B. Johnston, which will be out this October.

*Eeep! I'm so excited about his story!*

D: How would you encourage aspiring authors who have yet to publish their first novel?

J.C. One thing I advise everyone to do is take off their rose colored glasses. People forget publishing does not happen overnight. In our instant gratification world, this process still takes months and years. You have to be willing to go for the long haul. Write more than one book, and then write a series or a few more books. Just because one book is done and you’re querying it, doesn’t mean you stop writing.

The only gratification you get initially is just the pat on your back when you finish your story. In order to succeed you have to accept that. It took me a while, but I got to a point where I was able to look myself in the mirror and say, “You may be the only one who ever reads your stories, but that’s okay. It’s okay because at least you tried, and trying is sometimes the hardest part.”

So step into the world of publishing with a level head and realistic views. Learn from what others are doing. Find out what has been successful for them, implement there strategies and formulas. If you do this, there is an even better chance you will succeed. Arm yourself with information.

After all, knowledge is power.

*Great advice!!! And it would work in other domains too! Thank you!*

D: Thank you for stopping by and for the thoughtful answers!:) 

***

Get the book:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

About the author:

J.C. Isabella is the author of Chasing McCree and The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club. Ever since she discovered romance novels in high school, she has been a self proclaimed fan. This led to penning her first YA. When she isn't thinking up new recipes for the cookbook she hopes to one day write, she is brainstorming a new novel and listening to country music. She lives in the tropics of Florida with her big fat Italian family and ornery feline companion.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

***

And now on to the giveaway :

fill in the Rafflecopter form below to win a digital copy of  The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club!

*See my review bellow*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xoxo