B is for Bad Boys (in books we love)

This boy doesn't play by other people's rules. Infact he will go as far as show he doesn't give a hoot about those rules. As far as he is concerned, rules are there to be broken. This boy/man's badness was shaped earlier on a child. He usually doesn't allow anyone close to his heart, and neither does he allow himself that kind of luxury.

In novels, there is always that bad boy who perfects those two words. He hides his inner goodness by being very sarcastic and probably throwing a temper, or just letting things roll off his shoulder, even though deep inside it hurts like he  sent the seventh circle of hell. He loves a good fight.

My bad boy book/tv boyfriends: Aa, there is Damon. Vampire diaries wouldn't be what it is without him. Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. Damon from Obsidian. Seth Alton from KaSonndra Leigh's When Copper Suns Fall (Check out my interview Met Seth Alton yet, you'll understand. Better yet, read Copper Suns)  Oh yeah, and the latest one. He is so bad that it's caused lots of controversy. But once you get to know what happened during his childhood, take pity on him. Fifty Shades of Grey's Christian Grey. 

Then their is Will from Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel.

What are your 'love them, hate them' bad boys in books/TV? 

Grave Mercy Review

Author: Robin LaFevers

Date of Publish: 3rd pril 2012

Genre: Historical 

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Book Summary

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Source: Goodreads

My Review:

I enjoyed reading this boook. It's told in Ismae's POV present, who is Death's daughter. Having lost her mother as a child, and the only father,(who happens to be human, so stepdad) she has ever known, doesn't treat her well and never has. He marries her off to a man who a man who mistreats her as well. Fortunately she finds her way to a convent, through a man who rescues her. The convent in itself is an unusual one, where girls are trained to be assasination. The story takes us through Ismae's journey as she trains, her first assignment. As the story progresses, one gets to see Ismae become confident, make her own decisions independent of the convent. 

The R.L. LaFevers did a wonderful job with this story, descriptions were done well.  I symphathised with Ismae, her life before, her life in court even though she was capable of handling everything herself. I look forward to reading the second book in the series. If you are a fan of historical dark stories, I recommend Grave Marcy.

Hollywood Ever After Cover Reveal

 Finally, Sasha Summer's Hollywood Ever After cover reveal is today. Yeah, I know. It's April fool's, but that won't steal the Hollywood Ever After's thunder. Because, IT. IS. GORGEOUS.  So without further ado,  *rolling out the red carpet, checking camera and lights* may I present:

Tagline:

She wasn’t meant for movie stars, Hollywood, or happy endings. And then she met him.

Blurb:

Happy Endings are for fairy tales. Or the movies. Not for real life. At least, not Claire’s life. Even though she’s starting over, she knows better than to want too much this time. But when she falls, literally, into the strong arms of Hollywood’s ‘it’ boy Josh Wiley, Claire’s in for some surprises. Her plans for rest and relaxation are forgotten as one incredible night with Josh becomes two… And her heart begins to want him as much as her body. Will two kids, one bastard ex-husband, and Josh’s juggernaut career mean the end of their affair? Or can Claire find her happy ending after all?


Hollywood Ever After is available to preorder through InkSpell Publishing:

http://www.inkspellpublishing.com/store.html

2012 A-Z Challenge

Today marks the begining of the 2012 A - Z Challenge, and I am really excited to be taking part in it. The reason is that it's going to be a challenge coming up with topics, as I'm not very good at finding blogging topics. There. I said it.  :D Besides, I love a good challenge. :)

A is for Attraction. Such a lovely word. 

Macmillian dictionary, the online version has about four definations.

I'll go with a reason for liking something or for being interested in it


and the other one

a force such as gravity that pulls or keeps things together


Everyone is attracted to one thing or another because you see something valuable in it/them. Speaking for myself, a couple of things make me attracted to someone of something.

An example books: Usually, when I walk into a bookstore, it's the covers that pull the eye. Then I sidle closer, pick the book and read the description. That's when I buy it. It might sound silly, but, for some reason, I can't do otherwise. :) Call it habit.

Another example is what I am attracted to. e.g the opposite sex for the first time or eighth time. The colour of his eyes, the shape of his lips, hair, and the certain angle he tilts his head when talking, ... ok you get the picture ;)

In novels, especially romance, it's all about attraction (and plot). What the hero and heroine see in each other, how gravitational force  pulls their  atoms together. They might start hating each other to death. Even be tempted to smother the other with a pillow while he/she sleeps. Eventually, something always brings them together. Or they might be best friends who've known each other forever, and they realise that whatever characteristics each possesses has played a big part in attraction. Or they meet for the first time, and have that instant attraction.

When I travel to a particular town or country, what might attract me the most is the natives, the weather, the surroundings - personally I am obsessed with baroque buildings/houses - 

So, what attracts you to something, someplace or to someone?

Lucky 7 Meme

I've been Tagged by two wonderful friends,  Liz Davis and Keisha Martin I'm excited to share with you my Lucky 7. Sorry Liz, it took me quite a while, but I'm finally here. :)


The rules are as follows:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines, sentences, or paragraphs, and post as they're written
4. Tag 7 other authors 


In this snippet, the MC - Ana - decides to go check how the boy she saved is doing. So she is in his bedroom, her curiosity having gotten the better of her, and is in for more suprises. The more she gets to know about the soul she saved the more the mystery around the boy deepens.

So, here are my 7 sentences from my WIP Reaper's Novice:

Moments later, I hear the  floor boards on the hallway creak under heavy footfalls. Instinctively, I leap to my feet, my eyes darting around wildly as the footsteps draw closer. Spotting  a closet on my right, I dash toward it, jump inside the closet and rearrange the shirts and trousers to hide me. The footsteps fade, and all I can hear is the drumming in my ears. In my relief, I realise how silly my reaction was. Of course no one can see me veiled in Concealment spell. I shake my head, leave the closet and  turn to walk out of the door, and my hand freezes on the doorknob.

And now, my lucky ,Lucky 7. :) 

1. Ness Ebony

2. Ann Marie Walker

3. Chrissy Szarek

4. Bethany Myers

5.Julie Murphy

6.Shilpa Mudiganti

7. Kristine Cayne

Can't wait to read your Lucky 7!

Friday Fantastic Author Feature: Rebecca Hart

It's Friday, which means - other than the day being the end of a working week *phew* -,   it's my Friday Fantastic Feature. YAY!  Today I have the pleasure of hanging out with a fellow Inkspeller, Rebecca Hart, on my blog. Rebecca is the author of Call of the Sea. Her book will be released by Inkspell Publishing June 12, 2012. 

Here is the oh so lovely book cover, along with the book summary.

Elysandra Winters has always yearned for a life of adventure on the rolling seas and is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her dream. When her Privateer father continually refuses to allow his only daughter to sail, Ellie defies him, disguises herself as a boy, and goes in search of a captain who will give her a chance to prove her worth.

Thanks to the cursed selkie blood coursing through his veins, Daniel O'Rourke needs the sea to survive. After giving up on his humanity and spending three years in seal form, he decides to give his human side another chance. Daniel goes in search of a job and a sense of normalcy, earning himself a position aboard Captain Winter’s ship, The Surf Runner. However, his new captain’s first assignment has nothing at all to do with sailing, and everything to do with his headstrong young daughter.

Years later, when the leader of a band of bloodthirsty pirates murders Captain Winters, Daniel and Elysandra’s lives come crashing back together with the force of a hurricane. Both experts in deception, they must find a way to trust each other if they are to have any hope of hunting down the captain’s killer


Please tell us your name:

Rebecca Hart

Tell us about your book. When will it be released and by which publisher:

Call of the Sea is a paranormal romance novel that actually started out as a short story. Once things strated unfolding in my mind, I realized it was much better suited as a novel. This will be my debut novel and it is set to release from Inkspell Publishing on June 21, 2012.

What project are you working on?

I always seem to be working on a lot of different prjects at once, but I am trying to focus on writing what I am hoping will be the introduction to a fantasy series I have in the works. *fingers crossed*

How much research did you do for this project?

With most paranormal stories, you have the freedom to create your own worlds and histories, thereby avoiding the dreaded "research", but this novel is set in the 17th century and contained a great deal of scenes aboard the ships of the time. I guess the short answer here, si a whole lot more than I originally thought.

How did you come up with the story idea?

Anyone that knows me is aware of my near obsession with pirates and with Irish Lore and Mythos. In this story, I wanted to twist up the gender roles, so instead of the usual tale where a man comes across and captures a selkie female, I made the male my selkie and the "weaker" female the rough pirate. Something a bit out of the box, as it were.

How would you classify the genre your book belongs to?

I had a hard time really classifying this book at the start, but I would say it is a Historical Paranormal Romance.

Which genres do you enjoy reading and writing?

I will read just about anything fiction, though my preferences lean toward paranormal romance, fantasy, and historicals. I seem to have a bit of trouble getting into Sci-fi stories unless they contain an element of romance to them.


Where can readers and fans find you - online that is?

According to my boyfriend, I am a social media junkie. You can reach me on my website: http://rebeccahartwriting.com or my blog: http://rebeccahartwriting.wordpress.com. I also have a Facebook page: http://facebook.com/RebeccaHartWriting and you can follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rebelhart69 (@Rebelhart69) Feel free to drop me a line -- I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for taking time to hang out with me, Rebecca. I, for one, can't wait to read Call of the Sea.

Sheila Kelly Welch's Waiting to Forget Book Tour

Author: Shelly Kelly Welch

Date of Publish: October 1st, 2011

Source: Making Connections Blog Tour

Genre: Middle Grade ficiton
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Book Summary:

T.J. has always looked out for his little sister, Angela. When Momma used to go out and leave them home alone, he'd lock the door so they'd be safe, keep Angela entertained, and get out the cereal and milk for her. When Momma's boyfriend got angry at them, he'd try to protect Angela. Later, at their foster homes, T.J. was the only one who knew how to coax his little sister out of her bad moods. The only one who understood why she made origami paper cranes and threw them out the window.

But now T.J. is sitting in the waiting room at the hospital, wondering if Angela, unconscious after a fall, will ever wake up. Wondering, too, if he will ever feel at home with his and Angela's new parents—Marlene, who insists on calling him Timothy, and Dan, who seems to want a different son.

Going back and forth between Now and Then, weaving the uncertain present with the painful past, T.J.'s story unfolds, and with the unfolding comes a new understanding of how to move forward

from Goodreads

My Review:

The story is told through T.J.'s POV, a twelve year old boy. I have to say it is one of the saddest, yet beautiful stories I have ever read. It opens up with T.J sitting in the hospital's waiting room, anxious to know his sister's condition. The story tells about the kind of life T.j and his sister have lived, moving from one foster home to another. One minute their life's going so well, you can feel the joy spreading through T.J through his thoughts, and the next, that life is yanked from under his feet, and him and sister are spiralling to direction.  


The really enjoyed the Ms. Welch unsual writing style. The chapters begin with the words "then, between, now". Ms. Welch tells the story about T.J.'s past life, flits back to the present and in between, all the while maintaining the suspense on what really happened to T.J's little sister, Angela. I cannot really express how much I loved this book. One has to really read it and find the gems within, experience the emotional rollercoaster. 


I highly recommend this book. I really look forward to reading more work from the author.