Thursday, August 30, 2012

What's Next? (1)


What's Next? is a fun meme created by IceyBooks where you the readers help me to choose what book to read next! So here's a few books I have coming up to read. Which do you suggest?


The Brides of Rollrock Island 

 On remote Rollrock Island, men go to sea to make their livings--and to catch their wives.
 
The witch Misskaella knows the way of drawing a girl from the heart of a seal, of luring the beauty out of the beast. And for a price a man may buy himself a lovely sea-wife. He may have and hold and keep her. And he will tell himself that he is her master. But from his first look into those wide, questioning, liquid eyes, he will be just as transformed as she. He will be equally ensnared. And the witch will have her true payment.
 
Margo Lanagan weaves an extraordinary tale of desire, despair, and transformation. With devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals characters capable of unspeakable cruelty, but also unspoken love.

Yesterday

THEN: The formation of the UNA, the high threat of eco-terrorism, the mammoth rates of unemployment and subsequent escape into a world of virtual reality are things any student can read about in their 21st century textbooks and part of the normal background noise to Freya Kallas's life. Until that world starts to crumble.

NOW: It's 1985. Freya Kallas has just moved across the world and into a new life. On the outside, she fits in at her new high school, but Freya feels nothing but removed. Her mother blames it on the grief over her father's death, but how does that explain the headaches and why do her memories feel so foggy? When Freya lays eyes on Garren Lowe, she can't get him out of her head. She's sure that she knows him, despite his insistence that they've never met. As Freya follows her instincts and pushes towards hidden truths, the two of them unveil a strange and dangerous world where their days may be numbered. Unsure who to trust, Freya and Garren go on the run from powerful forces determined to tear them apart and keep them from discovering the truth about their shared pasts (and futures), her visions, and the time and place they really came from. Yesterday will appeal to fans of James Dashner's The Maze Runner, Veronica Roth's Divergent, Amy Ryan's Glow, Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Ally Condie's Matched.

Katya's World

The distant and unloved colony world of Russalka has no land, only the raging sea. No clear skies, only the endless storm clouds. Beneath the waves, the people live in pressurised environments and take what they need from the boundless ocean. It is a hard life, but it is theirs and they fought a war against Earth to protect it. But wars leave wounds that never quite heal, and secrets that never quite lie silent.

Katya Kuriakova doesn’t care much about ancient history like that, though. She is making her first submarine voyage as crew; the first nice, simple journey of what she expects to be a nice, simple career.

There is nothing nice and simple about the deep black waters of Russalka, however; soon she will encounter pirates and war criminals, see death and tragedy at first hand, and realise that her world’s future lies on the narrowest of knife edges. For in the crushing depths lies a sleeping monster, an abomination of unknown origin, and when it wakes, it will seek out and kill every single person on the planet
.
Which would be your pick?

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The Guardian of Bastet Review

Book Info:

Author: Jacqueline M. Battisti
Publication Date: August 20, 2012
Publisher: Carina Press

Blurb:

Cat-shifter Trinity Morrigan-Caine has discovered a demon is killing supernaturals. Magically challenged, she has every intention of letting handsome Alpha werewolf Gordon Barnes handle it. But after a dying vampire gifts Trinity a mystical amulet, she is drawn into the fray as the legendary Guardian of Bastet, a warrior born when the need arises.

Though Trinity initially rejects the role, she warms to the idea when Gordon agrees to train her—and their passion for each other grows as he teaches her to embrace her animal instincts.

As she begins to accept her destiny and believe in her growing powers, Trinity realizes the danger is even closer to home than she ever imagined—and she and Gordon are going to have to face the demon in a fight to the death..


My Thoughts:

The Guardian of Bastet was a ton of fun! Trinity is a really spunky, outspoken heroine whose flaws only make her more entertaining. I also really enjoyed the politics of the Genesee Valley Society of Others. The mix of witches, shifters, necromancers, sorcerers and even the neighbourhood vampire makes for some interesting interactions. I enjoyed the hints of elitism and racism that come through from some of the characters.

The story moves along fairly well, with things definitely picking up speed in the second half. And there is definitely a lot of excitement going on in Rocester!

Like I said above, Trinity is a likeable, feisty heroine who's not afraid to say what's on her mind. I also love how she was not a static character, but instead had to do some growing up as she takes on her role as the Guardian of Bastet. On occasion she did annoy me a little, either when she said something particularly rude or when she did a bit too much "thinking with her hormones." But overall, I'm definitely a fan of this kick-ass herione. Gordon was a likeable love interest, though perhaps not my style. I felt their romance was a bit rushed, but I do appreciate Gordon's protectiveness. I can definitely see some struggles for dominance coming up with this relationship!

Overall, The Guardian of Bastet was a fun read with a fun, feisty heroine and lots of excitement.

Please note that The Guardian of Bastet contains adult content and is not suitable for young adult readers.

On the Cover:

I like the cover, but I don't feel like it's very memorable.

Rating: 4 hearts


Source: I received an ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

Find the Book: Goodreads | Kindle | Nook

Find the Author: Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Blood Doll Cover Reveal


Solomon Alexander has faced huge obstacles during his existence, but they’re nothing in comparison to the one he’s about to hit head on. As leader of The Savannah Compound, part of Sol’s new position in the Coven of Landra is to guide the transition of fledgelings, newly turned vampires. It’s his job to save the unsavable. Being a Landra is what he’s done for over a century and he’s damn good at it, but everything he knows, practices and teaches is threatened when he is forced to drink from Avery Ferrand, a Blood Jewel.

The Blood Jewel is enshrouded with mystery, but one fact is known. There’s never been blood more desirable or addicting than Avery’s and there are consequences for any vampire that drinks it...including Solomon Alexander. Although he adamantly denies his need to feed from her, Avery suspects he’s lying but she has secrets of her own about the night he drank from her. She wanted him to and now she finds herself being drawn to Solomon in a way she shouldn't. As Avery’s desire to be closer to Solomon grows, she finds herself considering something more dangerous than being found by the dangerous covens hunting her...asking Solomon if she can become his Blood Doll.




Just like the first 2 covers in the Vampire Agape series, the cover of Blood Doll is gorgeous. I'm a total sucker for girls in pretty dresses, especially with pretty scenery in the background. Plus, I'm excited for Sol to have a book!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Blood Jewel Blog Tour - Midway Review


I'm excited to share my midway review with you as part of the Blood Jewel blog tour. The midway review is just as it sounds, a review written partway through the book.

Blurb:

With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan’s connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought...

When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry’s whereabouts, he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newly engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes some major changes in the plans for their upcoming wedding.

Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn’t stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through the use of black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most?

As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need of help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human being? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully?

Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found.


My Thoughts:

Curry and Chansey are back in book 2 of the Vampire Agape series. As fated lovers, their relationship is intense and consuming. Right now I'm about a third of the way through the book and I have a feeling I'm on the verge of something very big happening! Already we've heard from Curry's old lover/foe Marsala and I doubt Curry and Chansey have heard from her for the last time.

I really enjoyed the very beginning of this book, where we got a prologue written from Marsala's point of view. While Marsala seems like quite the monster, I think the prologue served as a great reminder that at one point, Marsala was a human girl, with human hopes and fears. It helps to keep her from being just a boring villian (or jealous ex-girlfriend).

I haven't yet figured out the significance of the term "Blood Jewel," which I'm certain will be revealed later on, but the synopsis hints at some very exciting stuff to come. So far, so good for Blood Jewel!

On the Cover:

Gorgeous, just like the rest of the series.

Source: I received an ebook as part of the blog tour.

Find the Book: Goodreads | Kindle | Smashwords

Find the Author: Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Also, remember you can get the first book in the Vampire Agape series, Blood of Anteros, for free right now! Also, stay tuned for the cover reveal of book three, Blood Doll, tomorrow on Megan Likes Books!

Giveaway:

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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Flukes Cover Reveal

Meena has a secret guarded closely by her family—a secret as dangerous as the sea, and buried just as deep. When court appointed community service workers are assigned to Flukes, the family-owned animal sanctuary, everyone is on high alert. It doesn’t help that Meena finds herself attracted to sexy-as-sin Blake Weathering, one of the new workers. If he wasn’t so distracting, she might be able to land Flukes a much-needed cruise line contract.

Blake Weathering, the first in his family to attend public school, has developed a tough image. Unfortunately it lands him in trouble. Now banned from his high school graduation ceremony, getting his diploma is dependent upon a community service gig cleaning fish crap. No diploma, no trust fund fortune—and no way to escape his overbearing father. The last thing he needs is the distraction of a mysterious girl with teal eyes who pulls at his heart strings.

When Blake discovers Meena’s secret, they are both thrown into a desperate search for information about her past. Two worlds pull them in opposite directions, and they will have to fight to hold onto all that really matters.

***
 I really like this cover. It's eye-catching and I love the bottom-of-a-pool background. The only thing I don't love is those little squirls around the title, I think the cover would be a bit cleaner with them. But I'm looking forward to this one!
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Fractured Light Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway


Blurb:

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them---until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she's been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.

My Thoughts:

Overall, I found Fractured Light to be an enjoyable read. Llona was a likeable main character and I really loved how feisty she was. She could be a bit short-sighted and selfish, but I was too at 17. I loved how she was willing to fight to protect her family and friends and how she wasn't afraid too push the boundaries and question the rules.

Christian was a protective, good-guy kind of love interest. He's a noble, by-the-book kind of guy and while I can see Llona and him together, I can also imagine that thing may not always go smoothly between them!

Occasionally there would be a turn of phase that didn't seem to flow ad would catch me off guard. But other than that minor issue, I enjoyed Fractured Light and am looking forward to the sequel. I want to see what Lucent is all about.

Be sure to check out the rest of the tour here.

On the Cover:

I like the wispy lights!

Source: I received a ebook for review as part of the blog tour.

Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Kindle (only 99 cents) | The Book Depository

Find the Author: Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Don't Forget to Enter the International Giveaway!!
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Friday, August 17, 2012

Blood of Anteros Blog Tour - Review

 

Blurb:

"I was tantalized by the mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to find prey, but found none in this enigmatic girl. The close proximity of her essence didn’t entice the monster within, so what did that make her? I had more questions than answers, but one thing was unmistakable; although she released me from her embrace, her hold on me remained."

Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched monster he hates and refuses to accept, but when an expected turn of events releases him from the bond of his obsessive maker, he returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the return of happiness and joy in something he didn’t know existed. Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human, he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.


My Thoughts:

Blood of Anteros introduces some interesting aspects that I haven't seen before in vampire literature. The concept of Agapes is interesting and helps to distinguish Blood of Anteros from other books in the genre. I'd like to have seen a bit more background mythology, but I suspect that more will be revealed to both Curry and the readers in the next book, Blood Jewel (on the blog next week).

Curry was a likeable main character, although he did fall a touch flat for me. I'm not sure why, I just wish I'd had more of a connection with him. Chansey is also likeable, although some of her Agape characteristics got on my nerve at the end and she tends to jump to conclusions, usually not in Curry's favour.

My favourite character was Soloman. I feel like he has an interesting story and I'd love to see more focus on him and the rest of Curry's 'family' in the next book.

Overall, Blood of Anteros add some interesting mythology to the vampire genre, but I would have loved a better connection with Curry and Chansey.

Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!

On the Cover:




I think this cover is gorgeous. However, it doesn't exactly fit the time period of the book; it gives me the feeling of a historical fiction story, but Blood of Anteros is set in the modern day.

Source: I received a ecopy of the book in exchange for an honest review.


Find the Book: Goodreads | Kindle | Amazon | Smashwords

Plus Blood of Anteros is currently free for Kindle and on smashwords!

Find the Author: Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway! (Sorry, US only)

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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The Weight of Night Blog Tour: Review



Blurb:
 
When her mother is taken from her in a terrible accident, 18-year-old Alexis finds herself facing some previously unknown truths. Her best friend, Keats, is her only confidante when she is faced with an apparent stalker who claims that Alexis’ entire life is built around a lie. Keats keeps the leap-before-you-look Alexis grounded as they are suddenly thrown into a whirlwind world of danger and secret agendas and the viciously deceitful lives of demigods and ancient Greek deities.

When a conniving, self-righteous god decides that Alexis is his best hope for retrieving a powerful artifact, she finds herself on the self-discovery journey of a lifetime - tracking a killer and a kidnapper - and facing twisted and dangerous foes along the way.

With lives in the balance, Alexis will have to come to grips with who she truly is and just what she might be capable of. Growing more and more dangerous herself, she will have to try and survive long enough to save the one person in the world for whom she cares most.


My Thoughts:

 I enjoyed The Weight of Night a immensely. Alexis is a kick butt heroine, which is a major plus for me. I also really enjoyed C.L. Stegall's take on Greek mythology. Although we don't meet many gods or goddesses, we meet a number of demi-gods, which is a lot of fun for the reader, especially since they all have some aspects from their godly parents.

As I said, Alexis is pretty kick butt, but so is her best friend, Keats. Alexis and Keats are excellent foils to each other, with Keats being more forward thinking, while Alexis is much more impulsive. My favourite character, however, is Lily, a demi-god. She is feisty and funny and I was very excited that she had an entire short story to herself in the special edition. There's also a story about Aaron and Rose, some other Progeny.

The story was exciting and moved at a good pace. I enjoyed learning about Alexis's hidden powers as she did and was always cheering for her success!

However, there were a few things that bothered me in this one. First of all, Alexis seemed a bit 'overpowered' (please forgive my gamer lingo). She had so many powers, it basically seemed that she could do anything if she tried. Also, near the beginning, Professor Hough mentioned that many Progeny go insane, but then that aspect is dropped almost entirely for the rest of the book.

Overall, the Weight of Night is a good read and I'd recommend it for anyone looking for an interesting story about Greek mythology in modern times. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!

On the Cover:

I like the cover. It both draws you in and is relevant to the story. Her high buttoned collar looks a touch odd, but that's probably just me.

Source: I received a ecopy of the book as part of the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.

Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon | Kindle | Smashwords

Find the Author: Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway: There is a tour-wide giveaway of 2 signed books (US only) and 10 ebooks (Int).

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Monday, August 13, 2012

Iridesent Cover Reveal

Book description:

Candra Ember used to dream of saving the world one person at a time. She never expected to become an angelic weapon and the last hope in the battle against ultimate darkness.
Falling for a Nephilim wasn’t part of Sebastian’s plan. Distraction is something he can’t afford when his rival, Draven, wants what Sebastian has.
Lies, manipulation and corruption are twisting the lives of the citizens in Acheron. The Arch is missing from Heaven and a demon is intent on claiming the city. At a time they should be growing closer, grief and paranoia is driving Candra and Sebastian apart.
If the price of restoring the Watchers to Heaven is a human soul, who deserves to be saved?


What a gorgeous cover! I love the slightly creepy butterfly. This one sounds awesome!

Links:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13614229-iridescent
Website: http://www.caroloates.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caroloates.author
Twitter: @CarolOates, https://twitter.com/caroloates

Friday, August 10, 2012

For Ever Blog Tour


 I'm very excited to be showcasing an excerpt from For Ever by CJ Valles

Sixteen-year-old Wren Sullivan can read minds, but when she moves from Southern California to Portland, Oregon, she meets Ever Casey—the one person whose mind is off-limits. Wren does know one thing about her mysterious classmate: he has a dark secret to hide. And the closer she gets to learning the truth, the more dangerous it is for her and everyone around her.


From Chapter 4 (Caring Is Creepy) of For Ever

I turn the key in the ignition. The gut-wrenching screech startles me. The engine sputters for a second before going silent. Counting to ten, I try again. This time, I get nothing at all, which I interpret to mean one thing: a dead battery.
Looking down at the console, I reach up and smack my forehead with my palm. I left the headlights on. I lean forward and rest my head on the steering wheel, praying for a miracle from the car gods. The last thing I need is to call a tow service and put a dent in my car fund. Just the thought of it is making me nauseous. I’m only mildly comforted that in current weather conditions it might take a couple of days for the ice cream in the trunk to thaw.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding,” I mutter when I reach into my purse.
No cell phone. Still grumbling under my breath, I pull the hood release and climb out. I’m not even sure why I’m bothering. It’s not like I’m going to fix anything. I look out across the mostly empty parking lot, searching for a phone booth. No luck. Next I look for someone who might have jumper cables—and would know how to use them, since I don’t. The few parked cars across the lot are deserted.
Finally, my eyes land on the guy in the hooded sweatshirt. I watch as he stubs out his cigarette and unpeels himself from the brick wall. When he starts walking across the parking lot, I duck behind the hood and try to look like I know what I’m doing. After catching a brief glimpse of what was going on in his head, I don’t want to be stuck alone in parking lot with him.
“Would you mind if I have a look?”
Spinning around, I land butt first on the front bumper, my heart racing like I just did a hundred-meter sprint on the track.
“You almost gave me a heart attack,” I gasp, still clutching my chest.
Ever Casey is standing in front of me, looking like some kind of obnoxiously perfect hallucination.
“You’re young. I think you’ll live,” he says mildly.
Registering his apparently habitual sarcasm, I glare at him, unwilling to let his chilly emerald-green gaze unnerve me.
“Thanks for the health update, doctor.”
He gestures to the car again, and I reluctantly slide out of the way. I take the opportunity to peek past the raised hood. The man who had been making his way in my direction has slinked back to his perch in front of the store. I let out a nervous breath. The sound of Ever’s voice makes me squeak in surprise.
“Try the engine, please.”
“Really?”
He nods and then looks at me like I’m totally out of it. Still skeptical, I sit down in the driver’s seat and turn the key. The engine comes to life instantly, and I flinch when the hood comes down with a thud. Leaving the engine running, I get out and stare in a combination of gratitude and amazement.
“How did you do that? I mean, the battery—”
“Your spark plugs were loose,” he says, cutting me off. “You should have the car serviced more often.”
His high-handed tone makes my cheeks redden.
“It’s my mom’s car,” I say.
I scowl at how petulant I sound. It’s even worse when he doesn’t respond. Instead, he just stands there and watches me in a way that makes me fidget. The rain is pelting us, but he doesn’t seem the least bit concerned. I think about what Ashley said the night before about him being not quite there. There’s no denying that he’s strange, but definitely not detached from reality. Maybe not overly interested in it, I consider. I’m about to ask what he’s doing hanging out in an empty parking lot when I remember the man loitering at the entrance.
“Well, thanks for—”
When he makes a walking motion with his fingers, I stare at him. Who does that? I think in irritated amazement. Again, he gestures toward the car door and then watches as I get back into the driver’s seat and release the parking brake. Furious with him and myself, I back out carefully. What I really feel like doing is gunning the engine and watching him jump out of the way. But when I look in the rearview mirror, he’s nowhere in sight.
I shiver, only partially from being freezing cold. Ever Casey caring—about anything—is creepy. I mean why bother fixing my mom’s car if he’s just going to be a jerk again?

***

Sounds like a great book! Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Review Copy Cleanup/Bout of Books Goals


So this month I'm doing to reading challenges. First, August is Review Copy Cleanup 2.0. I have a ton of review books to read, so here is my goal list:

1. Weight of Night by C.L. Stegall
2. Blood of Anteros by Georgia Cates
3. Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan
4. Blood Jewel by Georgia Cates
5. Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
6. One Ghost Per Serving by Nina Post



Assuming I finish Weight of Night in the next couple days, my goals for Bout of Books will be Blood of Anteros, Fractured Light and A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink.

Wish me luck!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Noctalis Blog Tour - Guest Post


I'm super excited to be taking part in the Noctalis blog tour. On my stop, I'll be sharing Ava's musical playlist. Be sure to keep an eye out for the green scavenger hunt word. Once you've found it, please go here.


Seventeen-year-old Ava-Claire Sullivan isn't one for doing the expected. Especially when she finds out her mother's cancer is terminal. After a crying session in the local cemetery where she's attacked by one strange guy and saved by another, she doesn't call the cops. Because those guys definitely weren't your average hooligans. And the one who sort-of saved her? Well, he's odd. He doesn't seem to breathe or smile or have anything better to do than wait in the cemetery for Ava to come back. Which she does. Call it morbid curiosity. Even after he warns her that he's dangerous, she can't stop wanting to see him, talk to him, be with him. There's something about Peter that provides a much-needed escape from her mother's diagnosis and her tenuous relationship with her father. Even her best friends Jamie and Texas don't know what it's like to face death. But Peter does. He already has. He also made a promise a long time ago that could destroy both of them. When everything in your life is falling apart, what are you willing to give up to hold onto the one thing that could last forever? 


Ava-Claire Sullivan still doesn't follow the rules. She shouldn't have let Peter Claim her, turning her into his own personal blood bank. She shouldn't have told Tex Peter was immortal because now her best friend won't shut up about hooking up with Peter's equally immortal brother, Viktor. And she shouldn't have fallen in love with Peter.

Too late.

Sometimes, love kills. One promise Peter made nearly a hundred years ago could do it. A kiss, a touch could be the end of him. So all she has to do is not let him fall in love with her. Easier said than done.

But Ava's going to find a way for him to be free, even if it kills her. Or makes her immortal. There's no way she's losing Peter in addition to her mother. No freaking way.

What would you do when the one you love would die if they loved you back
 


Never Grow Up-Taylor Swift
Sunday Morning-Maroon 5
Stronger-Kelly Clarkson
Firework-Katy Perry
Fade Into Me-David Cook
I Can't Help Falling In Love With You-Ingrid Michaelson
All Your Life-The Band Perry
Kiss Me Slowly-Parachute
Going Under-Evanescence

I love this playlist showing so much insight in Ava's character! Be sure to click on the link to check out all the music video! A huge thank you to Chelsea M. Cameron for sharing this playlist with Megan Likes Books.

About the Author:

Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA writer from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

She has two books out now, Nocturnal and Nightmare, the first and second books in the Noctalis Chronicles about a girl with a dying mother who meets an immortal boy. The third book, Numb will be out this August, and the fourth in the winter. Her other book, Whisper, about a girl who is alive, a boy who isn't and the complications that go along with their relationship, released June 16 and is the first in a trilogy. Follow her on Twitter: @chel_c_cam, her blog, or on Facebook.
 

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Arson Blog Tour: Excerpt


I'm very happy to be part of the Arson blog tour. I'm super excited to be sharing an excerpt, introduced by the author, Estevan Vega. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!

ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CAN CREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN'T SHUT IT OFF.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. After years of living in fear, he will be forced to confront his haunting past and embrace the unknown as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Edgy, realistic, and breathtaking, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated teenager with unimaginable ability, is set to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.


***


This is one of my favorite scenes from the novel. Why? Because it shows Arson as a frustrated teenager fearful of his abilities but needing them. Also, in a sick way, he is jealous of a spider. Oh, and I snuck in my favorite novel from high school. See if you can find it. Here we see Arson being punished by his twisted grandmother Kay for “drowning.” She hates when he does it, but it’s the only way he can keep himself level. It’s kind of a dark scene, but it gives you an idea of what to expect in Arson. This is a slow burn type of book. It builds and builds to an ultimate crescendo.

Arson reached for the photograph of his mother. He clutched it tightly until his hands became fists, the face of his mother quickly disintegrating inside his hot grip. Maybe if she were here…
Arson lay huddled on the floor. He’d changed his outfit and had plenty of time to dry off, but he still felt soggy, his clothes sticking to his body every chance they got. Anxious and uneasy, he rocked back and forth. The walls accused and the windows spied. Fury pumped through him. The heat in his hands didn’t bother him the way it used to. He practiced lighting and quenching the fire in his palm. Played with it.
Let it dance across each line and curve. First a spark, then a red gasp, and then a flame. A smile manipulated his lips. He hated the fire, but it seemed the fire understood him in ways no human could, in ways no human wanted to.
It was then that Arson found a spider crawling amidst the  dust, its spiny, intricate legs plotting a vile route with each measured move. Yet the creature appeared insignificant to him. Disgusting and meaningless. The more Arson stared, the more apprehensive the creature became. The spider ceased all movement suddenly. Its dead eyes were black glass. Arson wondered if it had a soul. The spider crawled along, tiptoeing against the back of Arson’s wrist for a moment before making its way up unpainted sheetrock. He locked his gaze. The eight-legged acrobat drifted along the wall. Somewhere within this creature’s ugliness, there was something painfully beautiful.
The room paled in comparison. The boarded windows looked on, but Arson ignored them. A poster of his favorite novel, The Great Gatsby, faded away as light skimmed across the filmy layer of web and dust. The web reminded him of Grandma’s hair—white, the color of ghosts and winter.
Arson marveled. Seconds turned to minutes and minutes into an hour, and he watched the busy creature spin and twist, carefully unwinding each sticky thread. Jealousy swelled within him. “It’s unfair,” he snarled.
The spider was done at last. Arson watched it crawl across the web trailing from the bedpost to the ceiling. It was perfect.
The dead-eyed spider danced upon the final strand and awaited its prey, huddled in the darkness.
Arson’s hand began to burn once more, and this time he let it seduce him. “I hate you,” he cried. Frustration and sadness and torment altogether. Arson reached out with one finger and burned the web, letting it fall like ashes at his feet.
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