SAN FRANCISCO!

Are you ready for the FIERCE READS tour?

If not, then you better get ready because they are coming to @NYMBC this Thursday

Let's get to meet the authors that are part of this amazing tour

*Bio supplied by author website

Jennifer Bosworth was born in Price, Utah, a small, coal-mining town in the desert. As a kid, her favorite thing to do was roam alone through the barren hills and tell herself stories. As an adult, she continues to do the same thing, only now she's roaming the streets of Los Angeles, her favorite city in the world. 

Jennifer attended college at the University of Utah, where she later taught continuing education classes on writing horror, fantasy, and science fiction. STRUCK (FSG/Macmillan) is Jennifer's first published novel.

*bio supplied by author website

Hello, I'm Emmy Laybourne and this is what I look like when I am not wearing a gigantic paper wig. I’m a writer and a recovering character actress. I live in upstate New York with my web developer guru husband Greg Podunovich, two surprisingly well-mannered children and a bearded dragon named Goldie. My first novel, MONUMENT 14 comes out June 5, 2012!

Photo by Kevin Rolly

Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. She indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as makeup artist L.B. Benson. She lives in Hollywood and can occasionally be heard singing with her band, Captain Automatic.Her debut novel, Shadow & Bone, is the first book in the Grisha Trilogy and will be published by Holt Children’s/Macmillan in June 2012. She is represented by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary.

*bio supplied by author website

Anna Banks: I'm a young adult author repped by Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency. My debut, OF POSEIDON, will be released through Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan May 22,2012. I live with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can't walk in high heels, but I'm very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.

Are you excited!!! I know I am

 Stay tuned I am showcasing each author daily until Thursday's event.

A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES
by Deborah Harkness

Hardcover: 579 pages

Published: February 8th 2011 by Viking Adult (first published January 1st 2011) 

ISBN: 0670022411 (ISBN13: 9780670022410)

A Discovery of Witches: All Souls Trilogy #1

Source: AUDIBLE

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥

When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.
For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.
Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans—and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

My Thoughts:

Vampires, Witches and Daemons, OH MY!! Deborah Harkness has cast a spell on me that has left me enchanted with A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES. I could seriously kick myself for not having read this book sooner because I truly enjoyed it. I know that I could not go anywhere last year without seeing this beautifully impressive book on bookshelves everywhere. So, I believe I was spellbound until recently and once the spell was lifted I was able to enjoy listening to it on my long commute, Yesssssssss!! happiness abounds.

Diana Bishop is spellbound emotionally stunted witch that encounters a bewitched book that may hold the mysteries to otherworldly creatures. Unfortunately for her, the discovery of this manuscript brings the interest and scrutiny of many to her and only Mathew Clairmont, vampire extraordinaire, can seem to protect her.  With A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, I have fallen "in love" again with the supernatural beings that rule the night.  Deborah Harkness has made me go ga-ga for Mathew Clairmont with all his many years of experience, his secret sect, his adoration of wine and his love for Diana Bishop. *sigh* I relished every moment he graced the pages and adored his possessive interactions with Diana. Together they made this book the romantic fluff that I love. It is not to say that I did not adore this novel's heroine because I totally did. Diana Bishop is the most reluctant witch with the most amazing abilities that always surprised me and had me saying "no way, that's awesome!!" and when her most unbelievable ability came to light I knew exactly where this story was going to go next. Squeee!

This book had me on a constant roller coaster ride of adventure with non-stop plot twists and turns and the resplendent locations that left me in awe and in jealous wonder. I also admired all the historical details and the uniquely inventive world that Deborah Harkness has created with this epic story.  It was also quite evident that this author has a great appreciation for wine for I have never such glorious descriptive prose that were so sensual and poetic in nature. It made me want to drink copious amounts of wine and that says alot for I am not a connoisseur of wine.

Although I love this book to pieces, I will admit that I did found some situations a bit long winded and that certain passages could have been tightened up or omitted altogether. It is not to say that these moments were poorly executed, they are beautifully done but I believe that it makes certain parts drag and some readers might loose patience and stop reading. Not me, as you can tell. I could go into detail, not as splendidly as Deborah Harkness has, but that is a discovery you will have to make on your own. 

I believe this book is a good read for anyone that enjoys a read full of mystery, romance and a good touch of magic that will surely keep you entranced. I also highly recommend that if you choose to read  A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES that you try listening to it on audiobook  because the narrator, Jennifer Ikeda has done a spectacular job with all the accents and it makes the story that much more amazing.

Download audiobooks to your iPod, iPhone, Blackberry & over 500+ devices. Save 50% for 3 months, only $7.49/mo.

“Together we lifted our feet and stepped into the unknown.”

Look for Shadow of Night on 10 July 2012.

Sneak a Peek Saturday is a feature that I like to indulge in because I cannot wait to read the tasty tid bits that are put out there for us ravenous readers to enjoy.

SHADOW and BONE has been my highly anticipated read for a long time. The concept and plot is so interesting and mysteriously romantic that I jumped at the chance to get a sneak peak and just wanted to devour it. Now you can enjoy it also. Just click on the book cover below.

 06/05/12
SHADOW & BONE
The Grisha, Book One
by Leigh Bardugo
ISBN-13: 978-0805094596
Holt Children's, 368 pages.
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

 

  

Inspired by Tsarist Russia, THE GRISHA brings to life a fantasy world of superstition and science, saints and samovars, in which a lonely refugee must leave behind her best friend- and first love- to save her country from the growing darkness of the Unsea. But first she must contend with the dangerous and decadent world of the kingdom’s magical elite and their powerful leader, a creature of dark charm and deadly ambition. 


Alina Starkov doesn’t expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, all she’s ever been able to rely on is her best friend and fellow refugee, Mal. And lately not even that seems certain. Drafted into the army of their war-torn homeland, they’ve been sent on a dangerous mission into the Fold, a swath of darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. 

When their convoy is attacked, all seems lost until Alina reveals a dormant power that not even she knew existed. She is torn from everything she knows and whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes that she is the answer the people have been waiting for: the Sun Summoner. Only her power can destroy the Fold. Overwhelmed by luxury, envied as the Darkling’s favorite, Alina struggles to keep her wits about her without Mal by her side. 

But nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her mastery of her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha—and the secrets of her heart.

Being a huge fan of audiobooks I was very pleased to find out that June is AUDIOBOOK month. Drawing interest to those lovers of reading to try and enjoy this entertaining book format is part of a campaign from the APA.

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) is a not-for-profit trade association that advocates the common, collective business interests of audio publishers. The APA consists of audio publishing companies and allied suppliers, distributors, and retailers of spoken word products and allied fields related to the production, distribution and sale of audiobooks.

Today, June 1 has been set as the major kick-off date and they are asking everyone to spread "the word" and talk about audio on June 1 to create a huge, coordinated impact across the country. Since I am such of fan of audiobooks this is my effort at getting the word out.

THIS IS HOW I AM GETTING INVOLVED (a list was posted on the APA site and I am taking that as inspiration for my own list)

 I will be Tweeting, adding a Facebook update and making blog entries throughout the month of June

• Sharing a favorite listening experience and why 
• Discuss my favorite audiobook player (AUDIBLE!!!)
• Recommend an audiobook that I have enjoyed
• Letting people know who my favorite narrators are (plenty)
• Tell people where I listen to audiobooks (car, desk, gym, etc.) and when (during lunch, after dinner, before bed)
• As per the APA suggestion I will use #JIAM2012 for June Is Audiobook Month-specific in my tweets 

These are just a few of the things that I am going to do this month and I hope that if you enjoy listening to audiobooks as much as I do that you will join me on this campaign and spread the audiobook love.

Today, I am happy to participate in the ENTICE COVER REVEAL. How could I not when the cover is smokin' with eerie beauty and wings:) So, what do you think of the new cover. I know I cannot wait to read this next installment from Jessica Shrivington.

Click on the book cover for the first TWO chapters of ENTICE

Seventeen-year-old Violet Eden’s is back! With a destiny is to protect humans from the vengeance of exiled angels it becomes clear that it won’t be easy as even her partner, Lincoln, is hiding something.  And now she has to learn to live with her feelings for him while they work together to stay alive and stop the exiles from discovering the key to destroy all Grigori.  It isn’t easy. Especially when the electricity between her and  Phoenix ignites and she discovers his hold over her has become more dangerous than ever.  Violet's power will be pushed to the extreme with a race halfway across the world to find the one artifact that could tilt the balance of power between Angels and Exiles.  And the ultimate betrayal will be exposed.

Check out Jessica’s brand new video blog post where she sits down with a cup of coffee and invites us into her home.  From her favorite chair to her love of befriending characters in a series, Jessica chats with us about her perfect setting for a good read!  

Exciting News!!  Jessica Shirvington will be traveling to the U.S for a two-week national book tour for ENTICE starting September 18.  Keep an eye on www.embracetheseries.com for more details.

Being a blogger takes a lot of time and hard work. It is not an easy task but we do so because of our increased interest and dedication. Many of us who blog about books do so because we adore everything related to books; we want to read them, review them and discuss them with anyone who is willing to listen. Despite our adoration and dedication our efforts can sometimes be overlooked and unappreciated, but that is not the case with NYMBC aka Not Your Mother's Book Club. For those of you not from the San Francisco, bay area and familiar with this amazing organization I will share with you what this group is all about.

Books Inc., the West’s oldest independent bookstore, started Not Your Mother’s Book Club™ with one big idea: to bring the best writers in the world to the best readers in the world. And we're not REALLY a club. That's just our name, and really, what's in a name? We're actually just an inclusive bunch of PASSIONATE readers who get to hang out with the coolest authors on the scene!

We throw parties, eat snacks and read, read, read, read, read...

We also have a lot of fun ... and we invite you to join us.

Yay books!

Sound too good to be true? Believe it or not NYMBC at Books Inc. is just that good. Not only do they have an amazing staff that love to discuss books and make you feel like part of their family but they also have the best book signing events in the area. Their attention to detail at each event is clearly evident and the snacks are always delicious and welcome. Not Your Mother's Book Club has been under the leadership of Maggie Tokuda-Hall (The BEST person ever!) for the past few years and she is now taking this group in a new direction, one that utilizes and encourages the YA book bloggers from all over the bay area. 

Bloggers are now asked to participate by interviewing some of their best-loved authors, thus giving us an opportunity we might never have otherwise and in the process we also get to promote our favorite book store. NYMBC has a BLOG that not only informs everyone about upcoming events but it also posts those reviews and interviews from local bloggers and these posts are also shared on their FACEBOOK page thus creating exposure for both parties involved. 

NYMBC+BLOGGERS=WIN-WIN

Tara, Me, Mindy, Patricia, Jaime, Debbie and Jean with Bree Despain,Cynthia Hand and Brodi Ashton

 Tara with Brodi Ashton post interview. Note the cheesymccheese grin:)

 

Brodi Ashton and Tara from Tater's Tall Tales

 Please check out her HAWT interview and Giveaway.

Patricia and Jaime during their interview with Cynthia Hand

Patricia and Jaime of Two Chicks on Books with Cynthia Hand

 Please check out their interview plus Giveaway.

I love this picture of Mindy and Bree

Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads with Bree Despain

Check out her Awesome Interview and Savage Grace Giveaway

I had to add this picture because it was so cute

Anna from Literary Exploration with Jandy Nelson, Kevin Emerson, Daisy Whitney, Cat Patrick and Jay Asher

A few pictures to show you how NYMBC knows how to throw a party

A Bucket of Awesome Event

A very bloody evening

Crowns fit for a Printz

If you are not a blogger please do not feel left out because NYMBC presents attendee's with opportunities to win books and swag before and during events. If interested (and how could you not be) please checkout @NYMBC on twitter, FACEBOOK , BLOG or by attending one of their future events.

Thank you, Maggie for making us all feel like family :)

and for loving books as much as we do

Jill at Breaking the Spine started this and I believe that it's awesome" This blog post is to alert those that visit about "the" book that we cannot wait to get our hands on.

Since I am always on the lookout for a read that is a bit grittier with an edge that I cannot forget I was intrigued by this upcoming trilogy from Tonya Hurley. My godchild adored the Ghost Girl series so I am eager to see what Tonya is going to present this time. Now you know my WoW, share with me yours.

09/25/12
BLESSED
Blessed Trilogy, Book One
by Tonya Hurley
ISBN-13: 978-1442429512
S&S BYR, 400 pages.
Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

"...The trilogy—a contemporary, supernatural romance that is a reimagining of the martyrdom legends of three saints—will be edited by executive editor Zareen Jaffery; the inaugural novel will be published in July 2012.

Hurley says that her inspiration for the trilogy grew out of her fascination with martyr stories. To create The Blessed, she drew from the legends of St. Lucy, St. Cecelia, and St. Agnes, who were martyred at a relatively young age. “The legends of these martyrs are among the first real YA stories that we have, and I thought it would be interesting to reimagine them in a modern, romantic context,” she says. “These are infamous tales that are so gruesome and so profoundly beautiful at the same time—and so empowering.”

The author views The Blessed, which centers on three teenage girls in Brooklyn who must determine who is good and who is evil in the battle for love and for their own souls, as a “natural next step” for her as a writer. “The story deals with some of the themes in ghostgirl, but it is grittier, more grown up, and probably more Quentin Tarantino-esque—which I’m very excited about.”..." -- from Tanya Hurley's Website.

Read an excerpt:

"One by one they arrived at the church and evening fell. In the order in which they’d originally come.
Lucy.
Cecilia.
Agnes.
All out of breath, and filled with foreboding. Looking over their shoulders. They met only a little unexpectedly in the vestibule and smiled empathetically at each other. No hugs or air kisses. No words. None were necessary.
“You felt it too, right?” Lucy said to them.
They knew what she meant. It was a pull at the center of their being. A sense of purpose beyond themselves.
Agnes explained to them about their namesakes. The legends of their saints and the influential role they played. Their martyrdom.
“I told you, I’m not religious.” Lucy said.
“Virgin?” Cecilia said. “That let’s me out.”
“That’s not the point. It was a different time.” Agnes rebuffed. “It’s about realizing what’s most important, what you are meant to be, meant to do. And what you are willing to sacrifice for it. They gave all they had for what they believed in. Gladly. A love, a duty, a calling beyond themselves.”
“Oh, yeah, and what is our calling?” CeCe asked.
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, I believe it’s something we can’t do alone.” Agnes insisted." -- Excerpt from Hollywood Crush.