Monday, February 27, 2012

Book Review: Otherwise



Otherwise

by Jennifer B. White
Release date: 21st December, 2011
Publisher: OakBluffs Press / OakIvy Publishing
Pages: 340 (ebook copy sent for blog-tour)

Summary from Goodreads:

Reluctantly, Delilah Gray has returned to her childhood home—a ramshackle cottage where her compulsive, hoarding grandmother, Meema, raised her. Meema’s ghostly manifestations refuse to let Delilah clean the filthy house, or to stay there peacefully. And that’s just the beginning of Delilah’s problems.

Lonely, angry, and hiding a painful secret, she tries to find a place for herself in a town that she once discovered was “in-between”—a portal to the worlds of the supernatural. Upon her arrival, Delilah unwittingly gets caught in the middle of important business between The Keeper, whose job it is to keep souls on the physical plane, and The Sender who helps speed the dead on their afterlife journey.

When Delilah discovers that she is connected to Lily Defoe, a woman who leapt to her death many years ago, and to a man who refers to himself as The Gravedigger for Lost Souls, she realizes there is more to her homecoming than she anticipated. Who she is, and who she’s been, crosses the boundaries of life and death. Nothing—not the people she meets, not this very moment in time, not even the tragic death of her daughter—is what it appears to be. Not only does Delilah have her own “soul searching” to do, but she must work with some of Green Lake’s oddest characters to uncover the mysteries of several unsolved deaths that have never been forgotten.

While strange and supernatural occurrences threaten Delilah’s already fragile emotional state, she still has a crucial choice to make that will change everything. She comes to understand that there are some things that are worse than death. There is Otherwise—to be confined to a twilight state between the spiritual and the physical worlds.

OTHERWISE is a chilling tale about lonely spirits, protective forces,
and departed loved ones who are never really gone—and a woman who,
after wanting to die, finds a reason to live and to love again.
Only to discover what it is to be Otherwise.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Holidays! (More less...)

Important message to all my lovelies:

This afternoon, in about 6h, I'm going to Madrid and then, after 6 more hours, I'm heading to Peru. For a month and 7 days. Yep.
I would like to say I'm going to have a wonderful time and have a lot of fun but sadly I'm going for some family problems which, although I'm going to see some friends after a few years, means I'm going to be very busy, probably very upset and with little time in my hands.

One of the major good points? Right now it's Summer in Peru, woohoo! And God knows my skin needs a little sun right now... I mean, I love Switzerland but the sun here is most likely non-existent during Winter and Fall. Sigh.

Anyway, I have a few blog-tours during the time I'm going to be out and I'm going to keep them going but besides those don't expect me to write too much... I'm sorry, I wish I could say that I'll be posting every 2-3 days but that would be lying 'cause I'm not sure what am I going to find there.

But at least I know I'll be able to read whenever I need a distraction so when I'm back I'll have a lot of reviews to post, yay!

That's it, thanks for reading this, if you are the kind of person that prays, would you consider praying for me and my family? Strength and wisdom could help us a lot right now.

Lots of hugs and lots of kisses :]
...
...
...

But that's not all! Nope, because I love you all I'm going to post a giveaway that will last all my holidays so stay tunned, I'll post it during the next two days :D

Friday, February 17, 2012

Feature & Follow Friday (26)

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme created by Parajunkee and co-hosted by Alison Can Read where bloggers hop around meeting and following other bloggers.


To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
- Follow Parajunkee.comAlison Can Read&(our hosts).
- Follow our Featured Bloggers - Beefcake and Babes &Le Grand Codex.
- Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.



Q: BeefcakeandBabes Asks: I like unique names for characters and am looking forward to coming up with some when I start writing.
What’s the most unique character name you’ve come across?

I love different and unique names and that's why I have a list, in a lovely and cute paper, of "Different & Strange Names". True story.

But If I have to choose a few to share here right now I would say: Haplo (Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman book's), Lestat (Anne Rice book's) and Tarod (Louise Copper book's).
And, of course, I love not only their names but also their stories ^^

Now, if yo excuse me, I have to read all the other participants answers. Just like new songs, I always need new names to love.

Hugs to everybody and Happy Weekend!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Book Review: Tempest Rising



Tempest Rising

by Tracy Deebs
Series: Tempest #1
Release date: 10th May, 2011
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352 (hardback copy bought by me)
Next book: Tempest Unleashed (5th June, 2012)

Summary from Goodreads:

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home, continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother.
The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kona, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her-and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Have you heard? I was so surprised when I heard about it this morning... And somehow I believe I'm not the only one who didn't know about it.

So here I am, once again, to share the news. And the <3. Specially today.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! :]

Valentines Day, at least in my country (and my other country too) (you already know, right? That I'm from Spain and Peru, I mean) is a great day to tell the one you love how MUCH you love him/her.

But it's also the day we tell all our friends how special they are and how much we love them. So in the spirit of loving and sharing I'm going to do two things.

First, a few pics for all my followers (who also happen to by my friends - Yes, I mean you, right there, reading this):




And in the spirit of love "love" I'm sure these pics will make you smile, awwww and who knows, maybe you will want to share them with your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/it's-complicated special one:




Whatever you are doing today, I hope you have a wonderful time full of smiles, amazing books to keep you company (I have a few beside me right now, hehe) and love, specially love.

Bear hugs!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Book Review: On the Bright Side



On the Bright Side

by S.R.Johannes
Release date: 31st January, 2012
Publisher: Coleman & Stott
Pages: 446 (eARC thanks to author in exchange for an honest review)

Summary from Goodreads:

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, SkyFones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven.

Back on earth, Angela starts hitting on Michael, Gabby’s crush and should-have-been boyfriend. Gabby’s pranks to quell the love are harmless at first until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, Celestial Sky Agent, Lawrence, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, steps into reveal that Angela has big problems, and what she really needs is Gabby’s help.

Determined to right her wrong and ease her mother’s grief, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free.

Interview: S.R.Johannes, author of On the Bright Side

As part of her blog tour I can honestly say I'm thrilled to introduce you all to S.R.Johannes!
Please, help me welcome her and her awesome book On the Bright Side!




Interview with S.R.Johannes
 Author of: On the Bright Side

Alaiel: First of all, thanks for the interview Shelli and welcome to Librarian Mouse! I can honestly say that I’m really happy for being able to participate in your blog tour.

Questions about yourself.-

Alaiel: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Shelli: I am the author of Untraceable (a YA thriller) and On The Bright Side (tween paranormal). I own my own marketing business and run a popular marketing blog for authors called Market My Words

Alaiel: What is your favorite book? Why?
Shelli: Of all time? Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

Alaiel: Where is your favorite place to write?
Shelli: Only place i write is in my office. I cant write in coffee shops or cafes. I get too distracted.

Alaiel: When you are blocked what do you do?
Shelli: I dont get blocked often. My brain is usually overstimulated and I have to slow down. It sounds like it’s great but if I dont write = its because I'm overwhelmed not because I'm blocked.

Alaiel: Is there some kind of ritual that you need to do to write? Like listening a special playlist or have your favorite drink with you.
Shelli: I usually like coffee or tea. But I have 2 kids so I just write when I can.

Alaiel: Are you going to write another book soon?
Shelli: Untraceable already came out. I have an anthology out tuesday. A couple of short stories coming and Uncontrollable coming in summer.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Farsighted is free for two days!

First of all, I don't know if you have seen the new cover for Farsighted (which I discovered this morning. Everything changed already in the review and library, hehe). If you haven't here it is:


And the good news? During today and tomorrow (9th and 10th, February) the book is going to be free for Kindle! Yes, that's right :] So just click HERE to go directly to Amazon and download it.

You are going to love it, promised! But, just in case you need a little push HERE is my review :D

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Cover reveal: Bad Hair Day


Bad Hair Day
by Carrie Harris
Release Date: 13th November, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Series: Kate Grable #2

Official Blurb:

Senior year is positively hair-raising.

Kate Grable is geeked out to shadow the county medical examiner as part of her school’s pre-med program. Except when he’s arrested for murder, she’s left with the bodies. And when Kate’s brother Jonah stumbles upon a dead gamer girl, she realizes that the zombie epidemic she cured last fall was only the beginning of the weirdness taking over her town. Someone’s murdering kids—something really hairy. And strong. Possibly with claws.

Is it werewolf awesomeness like Jonah and his dorktastic friends think? Kate’s supposed to be a butt-kicking zombie killing genius...but if she can’t figure out who’s behind the freakish attacks, the victims—or what’s left of them—are going to keep piling up.

It’s scary. It’s twisted. It’s sick. It’s high school.

Have you read Bad Taste in Boys? Because I already have it and it's in my TBR pile but I don't have enough time to get to it... sigh. Anyway, I love the cover for the second book and I'm sure I'm going to buy it too as soon as it comes out.
Zombie books are beginning to grow more and more in my bookshelf :D That's interesting.

Opinions? Do you like it? Hate it?

Book Review: Katana



Katana

by Cole Gibsen
Release date: 8th March, 2012
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 384 (eARC thanks to NetGalley)

Summary from Goodreads:

Rileigh Martin would love to believe that adrenaline gave her the uncanny courage and strength to fend off three muggers. But it doesn't explain her dreams of fifteenth-century Japan, the incredible fighting skills she suddenly possesses, or the strange voice giving her battle tips and danger warnings. While worrying that she's going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she's harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior.

Relentlessly attacked by ninjas, Rileigh has no choice but to master the katana--a deadly Japanese sword that's also the key to her past. As the spirit grows stronger and her feelings for Kim intensify, Rileigh is torn between continuing as the girl she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Book Review: My Soul to Take



My Soul to Take

by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #1
Release date: 1st August, 2009
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Pages: 279 (paperback copy bought by me)

Summary from Goodreads:

She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Follower Love Giveaway Hop!


Once again here I am participating in one of the giveaways organized by Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Rachel Renee Anderson. Thanks to both of you for your hard work :D

Now, let's see what I have in mind... Let's keep it simple because there's a lot of blogs participating (over 300!) and only 8 days to enter all the giveaways! None of my options are going to be mandatory so the more you do the more chances you get to win, simple^^

You will need to feel the Rafflecopter form and... that's it. The prize? One lucky winner will get $20 to buy a book from The Book Depository. So, as always, it's international :D

Book Review: Taking a Shot



Taking a Shot

by Jaci Burton
Series: Play by Play #3
Release date: 6th March, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 326 (eARC thanks to the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

Summary from Goodreads:

If you want to score, you have to get in the game...

The last thing Jenna Riley needs is more sports in her life. While her brothers are off being athletic superstars, she's stuck running the family's sports bar, whether she likes it or not. Then in walks pro hockey stud Tyler Anderson. As much as Jenna would like to go to the boards with him, she's vowed to never fall for a jock-even one as hot as Ty.

Ty, intrigued by the beautiful bar owner, becomes a regular. He senses that Jenna wants to do something more with her life. And as he gains her trust, the passion between them grows, as does Ty's insistence that Jenna should start living for herself. With his encouragement, Jenna starts to believe it, too...

But first, Jenna has to figure out what she wants, what she needs, who she loves, and if she has the passion and pride to take a shot at having it all-including Ty...

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Book Review: Vamplayers



Vamplayers

by Rusty Fischer
Release date: 1st February, 2012
Publisher: Medallion Press
Pages: 384 (ARC thanks to the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

Summary from Goodreads:

At the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts, the vampires in training follow one of two tracks: they become either Sisters or Saviors. Of course, everyone wants to be a Savior, swooping into infested high schools in matching red leather jumpsuits and wielding crossbows, putting down swarming vampires with deadly efficiency.

But Lily Fielding is just a Sister—a Third Sister at that, a measly trainee. When Lily and her two Sisters, Alice and Cara, are called out to their latest assignment, she figures it’s just another run-of-the-mill gig: spot the Vamplayer (part vampire, part player), identify the predictably hot, trampy girl he’s set his eyes on, and befriend her before the Vamplayer can turn her to do his bidding.

Finding the sleek and sexy Vamplayer, Tristan, and his equally beautiful and popular target, Bianca, is easy. And when Lily meets the adorably geeky Zander, she too falls under a lover’s spell. But this assignment turns out to be trickier than most when the Third Sister must battle the baddest vampire of all.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

NiNoCon!


I was recently invited to participate in NiNoCon and... What? You don't know about NiNoCon? Well, neither did I but now I'm really excited about it :D So just let me show you what's going to happen:

Saturday, February 4th, 2012
right here
all times are given in Eastern Standard Time
*there may yet be some tweaking to the schedule*

(static)
Sensei Jeff Vincent
on becoming a Black Belt Writer

(static)
Author Sheralyn Pratt
on the Marketing Myths Writing Ninjas Must Defy

11:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.
Author Elana Johnson

1:00 p.m.
Public Speaker and Harry Potter aficionado SP Sipal

2:00 p.m.
Discussion Panel:
Indie Publishing

3:00 p.m.
Author Mike Mullin

4:00 p.m.
Discussion Panel:
Book Bloggers

Not only we will have an opportunity to learn a few tricks and ask the questions we all have about the publishing process and writer's tips but also we can participate in the chat rooms with well know authors like Ali Cross (Become) Elana Johnson (Possession) or Peter Hughes (A Crack in the Sky).
Also, if you are looking for some insight about the indie industry this is your chance to ask and get answers from people that has been there and are willing to share what they know.

And I'm in the discussion panel with Book Bloggers! Can you tell I'm excited? Because I am... but I'm also a little bit nervous xD It's my first time participating in something like this and I really want to do it okay.

Since NiNoCon is happening this Saturday I invite you all to take a look at it. Everything is going to take place in The Writer's Dojo and to participate in the chats you will only need you Facebook or Twitter ID. Simple, right?

I really hope to see a lot of you there^^

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Book Review: Spellbound



Spellbound

by Cara Lynn Shultz

Series: Spellbound #1
Release date: 21st June, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 324 (ARC through NetGalley and paperback copy bought by me)

Summary from Goodreads:

Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Connor, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.