Where I've Been...

... Remember, back in January, when I told y'all I got a new, full-time library job? Almost 5 months in, and I'm loving every minute (well, almost)! It's definitely my dream job come true, and I can see now why I had to wait so long for it to happen ... Of course, there have been some rough transitions too. Like desperately missing my people from the University. And realizing that I'm going to be working all day, every day, this summer - instead of being the carefree SummerGirl. There's been an impact on this blog too ...

... I'm posting less. I've got a stack of review books I need to work through (thankfully Kindle copies don't actually "stack," ha!). I started the year reading surprisingly little, but have picked that up lately. There was a space of about two months when I didn't read a blog subscription once (and probably missed some really amazing posts too, sadly). There are weeks where I don't even log into twitter at all. I feel, at times, as if I've slipped off the face of the earth -- but I haven't! Promise! I'm writing (and reading) for three separate blogs now and a local publication. I'm keeping busy, reading and writing and talking about books and all those lovely fun things that I've done here for several years (eep, just remembered: blogoversary approaches very swiftly!) -- and getting paid to do those things. This, my friends, is amazing. It still doesn't feel quite real.

All that's to say: I'm still here. I'm trying to get on a consistent Tuesday/Friday posting schedule, with other posts worked in as blog tours or special features (or forgetful scheduling) dictate. And maybe I'll cook up some blogoversary fun, now that I suddenly remember I have one, haha ...

So what's new with you? What are you reading that's exciting?

Strands of Bronze and Gold

 Strands of Bronze and Gold
Jane Nickerson
Random House, 2013

First, a confession: I've never heard of (let alone read) "The Bluebeard fairy tale," so I went into this reading with no background knowledge. At all. I only knew it was a fairy tale retelling, set in the antebellum Deep South, and that cover is absolutely gorgeous. So. Now you know.

This story ... oh man ... it's sweeping. It's isolated. It's dramatic. It's simple. It's ... well. Yeah. (I should probably also confess I read the bulk of this under influence of low-grade fever, waiting for the first dose of antibiotics to kick in and start kicking germ butt. Therefore, if anything totally oddball pops into the review, you know where it came from, ha).

Following the death of her father, Sophia Petheram's world is flipped upside down when her godfather - the mysterious, and exceedingly wealthy, Frenchman Bernard de Cressac, who is also now her guardian - invites her to come live at Wyndriven Abbey in a remote area of Mississippi. Adjusting to the sultry, heavy heat of Mississippi after a lifetime in Boston is Sophie's greatest challenge. At first. Monsieur Bernard is all doting kindness, showering her with gifts and delighting her with tales of his exotic travels. There's a wild, ancient beauty to the Abbey and surrounding countryside, and Sophia is happy. Then ... loneliness and isolation start creeping in. Dark mysteries of the Abby's previous inhabitants start infiltrating the carefully guarded mystique. And Sophie begins to see that Monsieur Bernard has as much darkness (if not more) in his soul as he does fanciful light. After months of rising tension and struggles, everything comes to a shocking conclusion -- rocking Sophie's world to its core once again.

The careful "world-building" in Strands of Bronze and Gold was mesmerizing. I use the term loosely, since it's not a fantasy world - the setting is our own past, the antebellum Deep South. But it's got a foreign touch, thanks to the eccentric habits of Bernard. And it's an entirely new and foreign life for Sophie, adjusting to slaves and servants and great wealth - and all the expectations and encumbrances that wealth entails. There's a fairly extensive cast of supporting characters, who help guide Sophie through the story, but the spotlight is clearly on Sophie and Bernard. Their interactions, and Sophie's gradual transformation from isolated, naive girl to a wiser, perhaps even fiercer, young lady who takes her destiny into her own hands, create an intense narrative and engrossing story.

Book provided by my public library.

North and South (DVD)

 North and South
BBC, 2004
Starring: Richard Armitage & Daniela Denby-Ashe

While I ended up not watching this treasure with the Indie Janeites as planned, I did purchase and devour it after reading the book. Oh swoon. It was a wonderful viewing experience, and the BBC did a pretty good job of translating book to screen. Especially when you consider they took roughly 3-years-and-change of time and condensed it into a 4ish hour production. Impressive, my friends, impressive.

I'm willing to overlook some of the story-alterations as necessary evils for this condensing, although the one main issue I have is that they made Thornton mean. Proud, a little brash, controlled passion and a little rough around the edges? Definitely. But mean? Nope. So that bugged me a little, having become so acquainted with his character. I understand the "logic" behind the decision (give Margaret a reason to dislike him, quickly), but think it could have been handled differently. Otherwise, I'm okay with the way they played with the story.

DVD provided by my personal library.

North and South

North and South
Elizabeth Gaskell
Penguin, 1996 (original publication 1855)

My journey to this book is an interesting one. Several years ago, a girlfriend suggested I give the BBC miniseries North & South a try, since I like Jane Austen miniseries so much. I tucked the recommendation away in my mental files, and it got lost. Then, on twitter, I saw where Kimberly Truesdale mentioned her next writing project, and got sucked into a hilarious conversation about superpowers, Mr Thornton (whom I knew nothing about) and Thorin Oakenshield (who I definitely have opinions on!) Out of that late night hilarity, we came up with the idea of an Indie Jane read-along of North and South, to culminate in a group watch of the miniseries (it stars the dreamy Dwarf King in a cravat. I kid you not). And so, the reading began ... and I was so, so hooked.

The story itself is ... well, it's quite a bit like Pride and Prejudice, actually. There's the girl (Margaret), who finds herself in reduced circumstances thanks to the nonthinking of her father, and who has been transplanted from the country South to the industrial North of England. And there's this guy (Thornton), who is a little brash around the edges - and definitely broody - not to mention substantially better off than the girl's family, and has been born and raised in this bustling industrial sector. Girl meets guy, and sparks fly. But not the dreamy romantic kind. Oh no, these two get along about as well as cats and rain. Margaret misses the quiet, clean, slower paced South, and fails to see how anyone could prefer the smoke and crowded noise of Milton. She soons finds herself making friends among the workers, and wrapped up in the middle of all the intricate ins and outs of mill town politics. Because her heart and sense of justice tell her things must change, but her prejudice prevents her from seeing the truth of Thornton's arguments. Oh yes, these two argue. It's delicious. And, of course, just as things might be beginning to sort themselves out "as they should," new complications arise by way of a clandestine visit from the outlaw brother, entirely too many deaths in quick succession, and the whisking away of Margaret from Milton back to London. Is all hope lost? Never! This is British literature we're talking about, and our dear writers never leave us in the lurch for long.

I delighted in this reading. There are lines that snagged my soul, and characters I loved to hate. And there's Thornton ... oh, Thornton. He tries so hard, he's so very rough and unpracticed. But he's real. He's flawed. He's human. He's totally on Darcy's level. And Margaret has such a sweet, sweet heart. It makes her prejudices more understandable, because she feels so much for everyone. I've rarely been prouder of a character however, than I was when she up and decided to tackle her life her own way, at the end. It was the perfect lead up to a lovely little encounter in the Library ... Definitely happy I was prodded into reading this gem. Now I can even more fully appreciate Kim's version when it comes out and I have a new author to pursue.

Book provided by my personal library.

At Fault

At Fault
JW Becton
Whiteley Press, 2013

As with the previous installments in her Southern Fraud Thriller series, Becton has managed to write a mystery that not only holds my interest but keeps me guessing the whole time. Julia and Vincent are back together again, following Vincent's recovery from the shooting at the end of Death Benefits, and working on a straight-up insurance fraud ring case. So they think. The scope of the investigation quickly increases, as more and more suspects are added to the list, and it would appear that the "simple fraud ring" is a much bigger operation. When the young daughter of the doctor who tipped off the DOI is abducted, things get really crazy. And if you've read the other two Southern Fraud books, you know that crazy is definitely ... crazy.

Not only is At Fault a riveting mystery in its own right, but Julia's personal investigation into her sister's rape is finally reaching an "end," which opens a new set of worries and distractions. And, of course, there's Vincent. There's no denying there is some major chemistry between the two - we readers have seen it from the beginning - and they finally start to acknowledge it themselves. Swoon. Sigh. Becton builds chemistry and tension masterfully, being real without being lurid. And, thankfully, the crimes in At Fault are not as ... creepy ... as previous incidents have been. (Woman has skillz, people). There is more cursing than before (which in and of itself doesn't bug me too much, since I'd probably swear myself in the context), but Becton has acknowledged this and is retrofitting At Fault to match the standard set in Absolute Liability. All in all, a great next installment to the series, and I'm officially a fan. Which is, you know, saying a lot since it's a mystery series.

eARC provided by author for review.

Summerset Abbey (double review)

Since I read these back-to-back, and the story flows so easily from book to book, I'm pairing my reviews.

Summerset Abbey
TJ Brown
Gallery Books, 2013

(Quick commentary: While I love this cover, and that dress is striking, it is like nothing worn by any of the characters during the course of the novel. Just saying...)

Edwardian England. Not an era I know a lot about, but that didn't come close to detracting from my enjoyment of the story of three young ladies who are not your typical Edwardian society girls. Rowena and Victoria Buxton, and their might-as-well-be-sister Prudence Tate, have just been moved from their cozy London home to the sprawling family estate - Summerset Abbey - to live with their aunt and uncle (the Earl of Summerset), following the death of their father. Sir Phillip raised the girls to be educated, outspoken, and not bound by the rigid rules of society. In stark contrast, Aunt Charlotte is a stickler for society's boundaries, and the girls find themselves in a world that tests their faith - in each other.

Filled with details of an elegant, bygone era (teas, and dances, and the clothes!, oh my) teetering on the cusp of modernity, Summerset Abbey is a tale of both the changing times as a whole, and the personal development of three very different girls. The characters are well drawn, and the tensions and chemistry/interactions are so true-to-life. While Rowena's listlessness and apathy got a bit on my nerves, Prudence's struggle to find her place and Victoria's passionate outspokeness won my interest. There are multiple storylines going on, but not so many that it gets confusing. It made me think of big family gatherings, where everyone is talking at once, trying to get everybody caught up on everything that's happened. But with grace and elegance, of course. Not a bad beginning for what I hope turns out to be a great historical trilogy.

Book provided by my local library.

Summerset Abbey: A Bloom in Winter
TJ Brown
Gallery Books, 2013

(Again: Stunning dress and cover, but not exactly fitting the story. Ah well.)

Picking up not long after Summerset Abbey leaves off, the stories of Rowena, Victoria and Prudence continue to develop - and complicate. Rowena finally gets interesting (ha), and finds herself with a "fake" engagement. Victoria turns her spunk into secretive daring, and almost gets herself killed in the process. And Prudence, ah Prudence, struggling to figure out who she is and where she belongs - her heart finally finds a sense of peace.

A Bloom in Winter feels more historical somehow, with a greater blend of Society functions and looking at what's going on in terms of changing times. Victoria's work with the suffragettes brings to light hidden working aspects of the world, as well as demonstrating that sometimes peoples' passions carry too far. Rowena begins coming to terms with her place IN Society - she was born to a certain role and position, and while she can have ideals and hopes to make changes, she will do so much better from within her elite position. They're growing up, and in doing so becoming more dimensional - and understanding. As before, the entire cast of characters are interesting and dynamic -- I especially love Kit -- and the setting is so elegantly foreign. An enjoyable read, and I look forward to seeing how the trilogy concludes later this year.

Book provided by my local library.

Froi + Quintana

I'm combining my reviews of Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn for two reasons: it decreases spoiler-ism (I hope), and they simply belong together. I can't separate the stories in my head. If you've not read Finnikin of the Rock, you need to. While the events of Froi and Quintana take place some three years after Finnikin, you need to know the back story. You need to know the characters. You need to fall in love with Lumatere. Because if you don't love Lumatere, these books will be ... flat. (Or you could probably read them like a normal person, without the huge emotional investment/toll that I experienced. Oy...but we'll get to that). That said, allow me to try and make sense of my feelings about these books.

Froi of the Exiles
Melina Marchetta
Candlewick, 2012 (originally published in 2011)

Picking up the story three years after Finnikin and Isaboe return Lumatere to peace and life, there's still much unrest among the nations of Skuldenore. After years of heartache and deception, finding peace is difficult, especially for Queen Isaboe. When a Charyn rebel appears in the Valley, below Lucian and the Monts' mountain, with a plea for help in the assasination of the Charyn king (the one who orchestrated the horror of the Lumaterans), Finnikin and his Guard are cautious but curious. As they discuss things, Froi finds himself strangely drawn to this Charynite. And with his undeniable skill, and brains, it's not a surprise when it is decided that Froi will slip into Charyn, under the pretense of being Olivier, the Last Born of Sebastopol, and kill the king. But things are rarely as simple as they seem, and Froi quickly realizes there is more to Charyn than he thought - and more to himself as well.

If the curse over Lumatere was hard and complicated, the curse hanging over Charyn is ten times more difficult. On the day Princess Quintana was born, all pregnant women miscarried, and no child had been born since. The Last Borns were treasured, and through them the curse is promised to be broken. Specifically, through Quintana. But Charyn politics are insane, and Quintana is thought to be at least half-mad and quite probably possessed. Froi knows better than to get involved, with any of it. But ... he can't help himself. And as he finds himself drawn into the complicated network of alliances and grudges and fighting, he discovers that what he thinks he knows is only scratching the surface.

I stayed up entirely too late reading this book. It sucked me in, drew me deep into the story. I became emotionally invested and connected with the characters. Froi, struggling to balance his bonds, to know what to do, to know who he is - he stole my heart. Quintana is a force to be reckoned with, and the entire cast of characters have surprising depth. When it ended, I was left feeling like someone had slammed into my chest, knocking me breathless and hanging over the edge of a cliff. Torture. Book hangover of a scale I haven't experienced since Pegasus. Thankfully, I had Quintana at hand and could quickly pick up the story again -- so do not read Froi without ready access to Quintana. You've been warned.

Book provided by publisher for review.

Quintana of the Exiles
Melina Marchetta
Candlewick, 2013 (originally published in 2012)

After Froi's attempt to escort Quintana to a place of safety goes horribly awry, it's as though the Princess has disappeared. Nobody knows where to find her, and the unrest in Charyn is getting more and more complicated. With Froi and Quintana separated, the story is more complex in its telling, and the chronology gets a little blurred. Marchetta does a great job of making everything work however, and seeing their individual journeys weave and interplay - despite the distance - adds depth. And emotional turmoil. (I almost think she was trying to destroy what was left of my heart).

As Froi struggles to balance his identity as a Lumateran with his identity as a Charynite, he finds himself - and his ragtag family unit - part of a gathering army preparing to find and "rescue" the missing Quintana. This group, fractured and flawed as all of Charyn, has a vision for the future of the country. A future that Froi is destined to be separate from, but determined to help create - for the sake of Quintana and the Little King. Quintana, meanwhile, has found refuge in the Valley, right under the nose of Lucian and Lumatere (and thus wholly and entirely 'safe' from the roving Charynites hunting for her). Hiding in a cave, waiting - fighting - for her life and a chance at comparative freedom, Quintana learns much about herself, and her world. Key in this growth is Phaedra, the complicated-former-sorta-almost-could-be-again wife of Lucian. Phaedra also grows during the time of hiding, growing stronger and more confident, finding her sense of purpose - as well as discovering love.

Love feels like a central theme, actually, stringing all the individual characters and their stories together. Isaboe and Finnikin, Lucian and Phaedra, Tessadora and Perri, Froi and Quintana, Gargarin, Arjuro and Lirah - all of these people discover that what is moving them, what is pushing them into battling their personal demons, ultimately is love. And the ultimate discovery is that Love is bigger than pasts, bigger than boundaries between countries, bigger than prejudices and misunderstandings. Love takes many forms, manifests in different ways, but is - after all - the most powerful force.

The Lumatere Chronicles are masterfully written fantasy, with carefully drawn, complex characters. It's a story that will work its way into your heart while you read, dominating your imagination and creating a bond between you and the people on the page. I'm almost sad to see the end of the series, but Marchetta wrapped everything up so beautifully - leaving a sense of fulfillment, as well as a knowing that the story "goes on" somehow.

ARC provided by publisher for review.

Cover Reveal: Book 3 Seraphina Parrish Trilogy

Today we have VERY exciting news! We are revealing the title & cover of the third and final book in the Seraphina Parrish Trilogy by Michelle Warren. Who else is super excited?? 

Blog Tour: Eyes of E'veria

One of my favorite things about the book blogging world is all the connections you make -- like today's blog tour. Thanks to Lisa Bergren's totally awesome "Waterfall Wednesdays" blog event, not only did I get hooked on a medieval Italian story like no other, but since we both participated in that, Serena reached out to me to let me know about her new fantasy series The Eyes of E'veria. Voila! Just like that, I've got a new fantasy adventure, and have discovered a woman who might as well be my long-lost sister ... Sit back, and enjoy the blog tour offerings I've got on deck: a review, Q&A with Serena, and a chance to enter the big giveaway!
 

The Ryn
Serena Chase
2013
 
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a curse stole a Queen and sent a Princess into hiding. The Cobeld's curse - long feared - now destroyed the very hope of one day being freed from this evil. Or did it?
 
As the years pass, young Rose grows up - free and happy, if uncertain about her true identity - raised first by her uncle and then by a kind noble family in the remote province of Veetri. Here she is able to find a family, to find love and form bonds that help make the mystery of her separation more bearable. Once she is forced into a more active state of hiding, Rose starts to wonder: who is her father? Why does he not want her? Why is her red hair a threat? And why would the Cobelds want to harm her, of all people? Then one wintry night, a Bear Knight comes to the lodge, and all things become clear. Or, most of them. Rose is not merely Rose, the ward-daughter of a Veetri lord. She is the Ryn - the Princess, the heir to the throne that everyone thought dead. She is the Hope and Promise to beat the Cobelds' curse. With this stunning revelation comes the unlocking of her inherited Andoven powers, dormant for years as a safeguard.
 
As Rose - Princess Rynnaia - begins to balance the reality of her identity with all that entails, she sets off on a journey to the 'secret' isle of the Andovens, to begin the training necessary to harness and utilize her newfound powers. All of this is in preparation for the Quest she must soon take to seek the Remedy. As well as the practical aspects of learning to use her gifts, Rose finds herself struggling to make sense of truths within herself - fighting fear and doubt, wrestling with the ideas of Truth and Love. She has an amazing encounter with The First, and everything begins to fall in place.
 
This story ... it's so simple, on the surface. But it's masterfully wrought. Rose is a girl after my own heart. She's opinionated and outspoken, she's still getting to know herself, and trying to find out the whos and whys of her identity. And the encounter with The First ... oh ... It spoke to something deep within my heart, and I knew the Truth. After a beginning like this, introducing the characters and setting the stage for what I know must be an epic quest, I cannot wait to read the rest of the series, to see Rynnaia continue to grow in strength, grace, beauty and truth. To watch as the whole cast of characters develop more - to see how Rynnaia and her Father's relationship grows; to see if the Cobelds can be defeated; to see if Rynnaia's outspoken sense of fairness can change a kingdom; to see how The First will continue to move in His people. (And, on a lighter note, to get more Sir Julien!)
 
Inspired by "Snow White and Rose Red," which is a favorite fairy tale, there's a sense of what I call "light fantasy" to The Ryn. It's a world different from my own, with traditions, languages and religions (if I may) far removed from those I know - but not so very different. I just ... words fail me. I was swept away in this tale, and it touched my heart on many planes. Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
 
eBook provided by author.
 
Serena was kind enough to let me send a huge list of random questions, that she answered, and I'm now sharing with you guys. Can I just say that I'd love to hang out with this lady? I have a feeling we'd get along great ... see for yourself why ...

Writing:
What was your inspiration, your spark, for this series?

I had just re-read Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine and was reminded of what an original take it was on a fairy tale. I wondered, “Could I do that?” So I chose one of my favorite tales from the worn out pink book I’d had as a child, Snow White & Rose Red, and got to work! Needless to say, it became a bit more involved than I planned and . . . 7 years later, The Ryn and The Remedy are now published!

Are you a plot person or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants person?
I’m definitely most comfortable as a pantser. I have several completed novels that were totally fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants as well as another few works-in-progress that are still waiting for my pants to kick back in gear. But do you want to know what’s crazy? I actually have a working plan for Eyes of E’veria books 3 & 4—it’s rough, but it’s the closest thing to an outline (beyond the original fairy tale!) that I’ve ever had. This is new territory for me. But once I decided upon which fairy tale best fit the characters, the story just sort of started unfolding in my head and I started jotting down a rough outline. The outline has gotten rather detailed since and I’m really excited to be “writing with a plan” for once!

How do you write: listening to music? complete silence? snacking?
There is altogether too much snacking, as my jeans can attest, when I write! But I also listen to music. I bathe in it. I have playlists for the car that are songs (with words) that somehow feed scenes of the story or seem to represent the characters at specific times in the story, or the emotion I want to convey. For the original writing of The Ryn (first drafts, many years ago) I obsessively listened to Chris Tomlin’s Arriving album and I think a lot of imagery in that book was born from some of those very moving lyrics.  But generally, when I’m actually in the nitty-gritty of writing, I listen to instrumental movie soundtracks. I need to get some new ones, but for re-writing THE RYN and THE REMEDY, I listened to Pirates of the Caribbean, The Last Samurai, Eragon, and Thor.

Reading:

What are your top 5 books you've read in 2013 so far?
Oh, wow. That’s tough. I’ve read so many good ones in so many genres! In no particular order, I’d have to say my top 5 faves would be, Soul’s Gate by James L. Rubart, the Fractured Light series by Rachel McClellen, The Redeeming by Tamara Leigh, Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert, and  Aire by Lena Goldfinch. Quite a varied list, but that’s how I roll!

Do you have a favorite spot to read?

Not really. I read pretty much anywhere and everywhere. I actually do quite a bit of reading behind the steering wheel of my car while I’m waiting on my kids to come out of school or piano lessons, that sort of thing (not while driving, of course!)… In my head, my favorite place to read is from the deck of my beach house on the Gulf Coast of Florida, but . . . since I don’t actually have a beach house and I rarely even get to a Motel 6 on the Gulf Coast, that spot remains in my head!

While writing, do you avoid reading books in your genre, or keep reading what's available and out there? 
I get paid to read (Best. Job. Ever.) And working at USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog gives me the freedom to pick the sort of books I want to recommend to others (at HEA we do “recommendations” rather than reviews.)  I’ve been doing a lot of heavier reading lately for a contest I was asked to be a judge for, so right now I’m looking forward to summer and a list full of “fluffier” type, “beach read” books. I’m excited to see chick-lit coming back and I have several of those I’m looking forward to, but YA Fantasy will always be my favorite and, whether I’m writing fantasy at the moment or not (I do write other things, too!), oh yeah, I’m totally going to be reading it!

Random:
Favorite color? Pink. It’s just happy. I don’t care for “baby pink” or “Pepto pink” so much, but I love the deep, rich almost-red shades and the bright berry-pinks the best.

Cats or dogs (or some other animal)?
Dogs. I love cats, too. I’m pretty much an all-around animal lover. But I’m a dog person. Big dogs. The bigger, the better. I have a white goldendoodle (1/4 Golden Retriever, ¾ Standard Poodle, and 100% hypoallergenic!) right now and, due to my allergies, I can’t imagine having anything but a “doodle” in the future. I would love a Pyredoodle someday. (part Great Pyrenees, part Standard Poodle) they are giant, and I mean GIANT, teddy bears—but still hypoallergenic. Non-shedding is much appreciated when writing—less clean up!

All-time favorite cookie? Girl Scouts Samoas (Just discovered a Wal-mart knock off that’s a near-perfect imitation: Great Value  brand Caramel, Coconut, & Fudge cookies. And they’re only $1.86 a package! Woot!)

Salty or sweet snacks? Sweet. But when you combine both, as in CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS, I’m a goner.

Favorite/go-to/comfort movie?

Lost in Austen (a BBC miniseries I have on DVD. Amanda Price is a modern girl who loves Pride & Prejudice. One night she is magically transported to Elizabeth Bennet’s house, right about the time Netherfield Park is let—but Elizabeth isn’t there—because she is in modern London!-- and Amanda must somehow find a way to get Bingley and Jane together, but keeps messing things up, and then… Darcy. And, excuse me while I go fire up the DVD player...).

If you had any super power, what would it be?

The ability to eat anything I want and be thin without exercise! Oh, that’s not a superpower? Hmm. Then I guess I would say. . . teleportation (aka: Apparition, thank you Harry Potter) . . .  but the sort that accommodates guests, because I love to travel but I hate how long it takes to “get there” and back. I’d love to just grab a couple of my friends’ hands and say, “New Zealand!” and arrive on the coast. That would be awesome.

If you could go anywhere in the world (or out of it), where would you go?
Eachan Isle, the fictional monarchy of Captain Cazien de Pollis. It’s a tropical paradise, not too hot, and very laid back—which certainly fits, being that its monarch comes from a long line of pirates! As a matter of fact, I plan to spend a bit of time there this summer while writing Books 3 & 4! But in reality? Ireland tops my list of travel destinations. I’d love to spend a whole summer there, soaking up the culture, the scenery, and, of course, the stories.


Seriously, while I was reading this interview, I became convinced Serena's my long-lost sister. Gulf Coast of Florida? Pretty sure half my heart is there. Girl Scout Samoas? Yum! (Also, totally went to WalMart and found their store brand version, as well as snapping up a pack of their store brand "Thin Mints". Dangerous, people. Dangerous.) Lost in Austen?! That. Darcy! Smolder-swoon-and-stand-in-a-pond. Ahem. Yeah. We're sisters, I've decided.

And now, because I know you're getting antsy, here's the official blog tour Rafflecopter. Follow the directions, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Liberty

Liberty
Annie Laurie Cechini
Rhemalda, 2013

Dix is a girl with a secret. A big secret. We're talking huge secret. A secret that could cost not only her life, but the lives of all those near to her. She's been hiding it for years, keeping it tucked close, letting only a precious few know the truth. But all that careful planning and dodging and hoping has come to an abrupt end, and Dix finds herself on a desperate race for survival. And, strangely, forced to rely on others - to trust them, to let them into the inner sanctum - even though the stakes are higher than they've ever been.

Liberty is a humdinger of a sci-fi adventure. I loved it, devoured it! Dix is a character with spunk, stubborn and willful defiance - but the very best kind. She's fiercely protective of those around her, her rag-tag "family," and is willing to sacrifice her own freedom - even life - to keep them safe and alive, if that's what it takes. You see, Dix has a vial - the only remaining vial - of Eternigen, the drug that will allow people to travel into Deep Space. This is the secret she's been hiding, and why people are hunting her down. This is what cost her family, and a growing number of people she's come in contact with, their lives. But her best friend is *thisclose* to replicating the formula, which would allow Dix and her motley crew freedom. Only, things are not going as planned. And while Dix can maybe manage to fight their way out of the grasp of Eira Ninge and her cruel tactics, she can't prevent herself from forming more attachments. Strong, powerful attachments.

Well-written and fast-paced, I was drawn into the space-hopping world of Dix and company. Their struggles, especially Dix's, are real. And my imagination was beyond captured by the space-travel concepts. Hoping there's more to come!

eBook provided by publisher for review.

Blog Tour: Claude in the City

Whew, it's been a whirlwind spring! And today is, once more, a Peachtree blog tour! These are so fun, and Emily has been one busy lady organizing all the goodness. After checking out my review of Claude in the City, swing by the schedule and see what others have to offer.

Claude in the City
Alex T Smith
Peachtree, 2013

Okay. I'm smitten with Claude, and so very glad Peachtree picked up this adorable early reader series (it came out in the UK several years ago). Claude is, as you may have guessed, a small dog (rather plump), who wears a dashing beret. His best friend is Sir Bobblysock (yes, he really is a bobbly sock), and together they have some wonderful times. Like when they decide to venture into the City.

Claude in the City is actually two stories about two eventful days (presented as "chapters" for that grown-up early-reading feel) in the City. In the first, Claude and Sir Bobblysock take a casual meander through the City, having a fun mix of first time adventures. And then, when you least expect it, they save the day! The next City venture is less fun, but no less heroic: Sir Bobblysock is strangely ill, so Claude takes him to the hospital. There, while doctors are taking care of Sir Bobblysock, Claude takes care of the waiting patients in the emergency room. With dazzling results, of course.

Simple illustrations, but so expressive. I love looking at the facial expressions on the people in the City, as Claude and Sir Bobblysock go about their adventures, blissfully unaware. Claude is such a fun character, I look forward to his future adventures.

Book provided by publisher for review.

Blog Tour: Tiger in my Soup

Hello, hello! It's time for another Peachtree blog tour! Emily has been one busy bee this spring (late winter? it certainly doesn't feel like spring here!), setting up all kinds of wonderful blog touring fun. Today, I've got a review of the adorable Tiger in my Soup, and after you check out my two-cents, swing by the main schedule and pop along the rest of the tour.

Tiger in my Soup
Kashmira Sheth & Jeffrey Ebbeler (illustrator)
Peachtree, 2013

This is the story of a boy and his sister, an unread book, a bowl of soup and a tiger. Yup, a tiger.

When his big sister is too busy with her own book to read to him, our persistent young narrator spends hours looking at the pictures of his book - about a big, hungry tiger. Then he gets hungry, so his sister makes a bowl of soup, but still won't read the book. Suddenly, the steam rising from the soup gives way to a large, ferocious tiger, and an adventure is afoot in the kitchen! Meanwhile, big sis is still totally oblivious to her brother's antics, and calmly re-microwaves his soup. With a screech and a shout, about the hungry tiger in his soup, our brave young hero finally manages to get his sister to read the story -- but tigers are tricky, and you never know when they'll show back up.

The illustrations are bright and fun, the tiger leaps off the page -- he's awesome (I want one!) -- and the placement of the text really helps make the story come to life. A simple story, but one I think most of us can relate to: having to wait and wait and wait and wait, and then your imagination gets the way and boy, what a ride! Tiger in my Soup would make a really fun rainy day story, while eating soup of course.

Book provided by publisher for review.

Cover Reveal

Hello, hello! It's a beautiful -- but COLD! -- first Friday of spring here, so what could be better than a fun, adorable cover reveal?

Libby Mercer, author of Unmasking Maya (which was totally fun), has another novel coming later this spring, and I've got the cover and blurb for you today.

 

What is the universe up to?

Guilty of nothing more than working too much - or so they say - Adam Stowe is dumped at a "wellness center" in the middle of nowhere by a couple of concerned colleagues. When he meets Lorraine, the beautiful and bewitching yoga instructor, his spirits start to lift, but once he discovers what a flighty fruitcake she is, they drop back down to subterranean levels.

For Lorraine Jameson, Luna Wellness Center was a beacon of solace when her life was falling apart, and she can't stand the way Adam's toxic energy is poisoning the peace. He embodies everything negative about the life she discarded eighteen months ago. Despite being fiercely attracted to the arrogant man, she's determined not to let Adam Stowe anywhere near her heart.

Adam and Lorraine couldn't be more unsuitable as a potential couple... so why is the universe so dead set on uniting these two?

The Karmic Connection is a different kind of love story with a cast of quirky characters and a mystical, magical New Age-y flavor.

 


Sounds totally fun, right? And the greens of the cover make me think spring ... happy sigh ...
For more information, you can connect with Libby here:

http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/LibbyMercer1

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Libby-Mercer-Author/184901528274900?fref=ts

http://www.amazon.com/Libby-Mercer/e/B0084US5S2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17618169-the-karmic-connection

Never Gone

Never Gone
Laurel Garver
2012

When her father dies following a lengthy battle to recover from a horrific accident, Dani is understandably distraught. Struggling to deal with her grief, and desperately missing her most understanding parental figure, Dani is shocked to discover that she can see her father. She thinks. After the first unsettling encounter, she begins to hope that maybe - just maybe - he's not really gone after all, and can help her sort through the family mysteries coming to light.

Never Gone deals with some pretty tough, raw, gritty emotions. Dani's grief over her father's unexpected death is compounded by the frustration she feels from trying (and failing) to communicate with her mother. She doesn't know what to do with all the hurt, nor how to handle the surprising secrets about her family history that are coming to light. To top it all off, she's been sent to Dad's hometown in ENGLAND?, where everyone's memories of him are crowding in and seeming to come to life. But Dani has a surprising source of strength and support in this, and his name is Theo. His gentle persistence, and keen perceptions, help Dani see things in a different light -- she even learns to see Theo in a different light. A story of redemption, of hope in the face of intense sorrow, and of great personal growth, Never Gone is a touching read.

eBook provided by author for review.

Blog Tour: Q&A with Kate Forsyth

Yesterday I posted a review of Kate Forsyth's Bitter Greens as part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Book tour. Today, I'm pleased to share a Q&A session with Kate Forsyth. After you read it, click the banner above to check out the full schedule.

When you were writing Bitter Greens, did the whole story come together at once, or did you write the stories of Margherita and Charlotte-Rose separately?

BITTER GREENS is told in three separate narrative threads and I wrote each one separately. The story told from Charlotte-Rose de la Force's point of view was written first - from beginning to end - with breaks at the points I thought the other narratives would be inserted. Then I wrote Margherita's narrative, from beginning to end, inserting it into the breaks as I went. I then wrote the third section, the narrative told from the point of view of Selena, a Venetian courtesan and witch. My initial plan was to entwine all three narratives like a braid, but when I began to do this it became clear to me it wouldn't work - it made Selena's story too jerky and dissipated the power of its impact, plus it weakened the other sections too. So I changed my plan, and inserted Selena's section as one piece in the middle of the book. I thought of it as the dark heart of the novel. Charlotte-Rose and Margherita's stories weave into her story, and then out of it again, but everything is changed by the revelations we get in Selena's sections. 

The "interludes" throughout the novel, how were they selected? I love the way they sort of "lead in" to the story.

I was reading a lot of poems inspired by the Rapunzel fairy tale while I was writing the book and some of them seemed so beautiful and extraordinary that I wanted to share them. They also seemed to add another dimension to a book that is essentially about the power of telling, and retelling, stories. 

What was your favorite aspect of the background research for the writing of Bitter Greens? (Personally, I'm jealous of time spent in Italy).

The research trip was very special, I must admit. My three children and I stayed in Paris, and visited Versailles, and then flew to Italy for a fortnight in Venice, the Italian lakes, and Florence  Then we had another week in the south of France. It was absolutely wonderful, and helped make the book so much more vivid and alive. I loved all aspects of the research, though. It was all so fascinating and I learnt so much.    

Do you see yourself approaching other fairy tales for future projects?

Oh yes. I've written another book called THE WILD GIRL about Dortchen Wild, the young woman who told the Grimm brothers many of their most compelling and famous stories. I've woven the tales she told - stories like "Hansel and Gretel" and "Six Swans" - into the narrative. Then I'm planning to retell another of her stories - a Beauty an the Beast variant called "The Lilting, Leaping lark' - as a novel set in Nazi Germany. 

What is your absolute favorite fairy tale? (I know, tough question, hehe)

I love so many, but 'Rapunzel' always haunted me - partly because of all the mysteries in the tale. 

When you read, what is your favorite snack and/or drink?

A cup of tea during the day, a glass of fine red wine at night. 

What is your number one go-to "comfort book"? "Comfort movie"?

Whenever I'm sick or exhausted, I'll read something by Georgette Heyer. She never fails to lift my spirits.

Thanks so much for letting me pick your brain, Kate! After the wonderful reading journey of Bitter Greens I am definitely looking forward to The Wild Girl and the Beauty & the Beast novel as well (that's one of my particular favorites!).

More information about Kate:

Kate Forsyth is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 books for adults and children, translated into 13 languages. She was recently named in the Top 25 of Australia's Favourite Novelists. Since The Witches of Eileanan was named a Best First Novel by Locus Magazine, Kate has won or been nominated for many awards, including a CYBIL Award in the US. She’s also the only author to win five Aurealis awards in a single year, for her Gypsy Crown series of children's historical novels. Kate’s latest novel, Bitter Greens, interweaves a retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale with the scandalous life story of the woman who first told the tale, the 17th century French writer Charlotte-Rose de la Force. It has been called ‘the best fairy tale retelling since Angela Carter’ and ‘an imaginative weaving of magic, fairy tale and history’. A direct descendant of Charlotte Waring, the author of the first book for children ever published in Australia, Kate is currently studying a doctorate in fairy tales at the University of Technology in Sydney, where she lives by the sea, with her husband, three children, and many thousands of books.
Please visit Kate Forsyth's WEBSITE and BLOG for more information.  You can also find her on FACEBOOK and follow her on TWITTER.

Blog Tour: Bitter Greens

Today I am absolutely thrilled to be a stop on the Bitter Greens blog tour hosted by the wonderful Amy over at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours! This has been on my wishlist since the initial release date in Australia last year, and when Amy offered me the opportunity to join the tour -- oh giddy gumdrops. After you read my review below, click the banner above to check out the complete tour schedule. And swing back by tomorrow for some Q&A with Kate Forsyth!

Bitter Greens
Kate Forsyth
Allison & Busby, 2013 (UK publication)

Most of us fairytale nuts are familiar with 'Rapunzel,' but if you're anything like me you have a tendency to think more along the lines of carefree whimsy (think Tangled). Bitter Greens is an intricate retelling of Rapunzel's story, weaving it into a historical context that makes the familiar tradition live and breathe in unexpected ways. This is a fairytale for adults and historical fiction lovers.

Charlotte-Rose has been exiled from the court of the Sun King, sentenced to finish out her days in a nunnery after losing the favor of Louis XIV. Fighting violently against her new life, Charlotte-Rose finds she can no longer ignore her memories or run from her past. Her story is one of heartache and lost love, missed opportunities and the fickle gaiety of court. It's lush and extravagant, yet also threadbare and built upon a fragile base of shifting allegiances. At the nunnery, Charlotte-Rose meets a nun - Sœur Seraphina - who extends a hand of mercy and friendship, and offers a welcome distraction from her troubles. The story Sœur Seraphina tells is a strangely fascinating one to Charlotte-Rose, about a beautiful young Venetian girl, Margherita, stolen from her parents by a strega - a witch - and locked away in a convent. When the strega comes back for Margherita (whom she calls Petrisonella), she whisks her away to a remote tower, sewing a strange, abnormally long collection of hair into Margherita's own bronze locks. And so begins the Rapunzel story.

Forsyth does a masterful job of weaving Margherita's story into that of Charlotte-Rose, even working in a piece that addresses the history of the strega - Selena - who has a fascinating story of her own. Rich in historical detail and intricately-fleshed out characters, Bitter Greens gives new insight into several different historical periods, and is a testament to the power of Love. It's a beautiful retelling of a classic fairytale, with raw, rough emotions and just enough "harsh reality" to make the story strong, believable. The connections between the three, stunningly different women -- it's masterfully written. Worth the wait.

Book provided by publisher for review.

Attempting Elizabeth

Attempting Elizabeth
Jessica Grey
Tall House Books, 2013

Raise your hand if you've ever wished you could meet Mr. Darcy. Not just "a Mr. Darcy," but the Mr. Darcy. (I really hope I'm not the only one with my hand up...) Forget, for a moment, that he's just an epic, dashingly broody and romantic hero in literature. Forget about the small detail that Mr. Darcy - and Elizabeth, Bingley, Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine - exist only because one Jane Austen had the incredible genius to dream them up. And imagine, if you will, that it's somehow possible to live their story. Mmhmm, you know what I mean. And Jessica Grey (whose forays into the fairy tale realm have kept me giddy) offers us a winning heroine - Kelsey - who manages to jump into Pride and Prejudice. Talk about living the dream ...

Not everything is picture perfect for Kelsey though, especially when she first realizes she's in the book. No matter which character she gets tossed into (the first is Georgiana), Kelsey has to "perform" true to the book's pattern -- or else she has to repeat the scene over and over again. And yet, as she learns to navigate the finer art of book-jumping, Kelsey is drawn to the concept again and again. The ultimate goal: becoming Elizabeth, and thus gaining Mr. Darcy. Because let's face it: in the real world, Kelsey's life seems comically awry. What she doesn't realize is that her experiences in the book are helping her get a better handle on reality. So when her real-world misadventures collide with the book - well, let's just say it's the ultimate reality check. (Sorry, I couldn't help myself).

Not only is the story itself fascinating and addicting, but Jessica does such an amazing job of working in geeky references. I was beside myself. Kelsey is the ultimate geeky fangirl, and I was able to identify with her on. all. the. things. Truly awesome. Plus, it's just too much fun to read an Austenesque novel that has Star Wars commentary. I mean, seriously. Tell me that's not awesome.

eARC provided by author for review.