Book Tour Review: Chameleon by Kelly Oram

YEAR THREE. This is the third Kelly Oram book tour I've participated in. Like last year at the start of my third blogging year, I'm very proud to have made it this far.
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Chameleon (Supernaturals, #1) by Kelly Oram
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Finished on 10/7/2013
Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Goodreads page

Motivation to Read It: It's Kelly Oram. Come on now. But she asked me to be on the tour, if that clears things up for you :).

Review: Wow. I didn't think Oram's books could get any better. But ... wow. Oh, and did you catch that this is another PNR novel? Well, let me tell you -- this is one of the best ideas I've ever seen in a PNR plot.

The plot was so amazingly magnificent that I'm honestly at a loss for what I feel are the proper words to explain my love for it. On a less poetic note, though, this story line was very intriguing! It wasn't necessarily action-packed, but there was enough heart-wrenching, raging romance that it didn't even matter. I found myself yelling at Danielle for keeping Ryan around more than anything.

Speaking of romance, the characters in general were really great. Danielle really handled everything well if you ask me. Most people probably would've given up and said whatever a long time before the end of the book; but as Dani said, she "wasn't anyone else."

Gabriel was without a doubt my favorite character throughout the book. He is so sweet and innocent and actually truly cares for Dani, which is nice to know with all the back-stabbers and people wanting to use her that she had in her life. On the exact opposite page, you'll find that Russ was my absolute least favorite character. In the very beginning he was cool, and I felt bad for him and Dani, but when Gabriel was brought into the mix, Russ made me want to beat the crap out of him. All the time. Literally.

But when you think about it, those are the kinds of characters you want books to have -- ones that you either can't it through the book without or ones that make a few violent tendencies come out. As long as they're wonderful enough to spark serious emotion, the charries are doing their purpose in helping to give you the story.

Overall, I, of course, loved Chameleon. I'm so excited for the second book in the series! While I'm sure Oram won't disappoint, second-in-the-series books always bring a little hesitation, no matter how good the first was. Either way, I shall have quite the amount of time to wait on the sequel since this one just came out.

Shelf-Worthy

Review: Defiance by CJ Redwine

Yesterday I realized that, going along with the fact that each blogging year will be represented by a post, each day's post has something to do with the number 1 2 3 or 4. So that shall be interesting :).

So today is YEAR ONE. In representation of the day I started this blog as a new hobby/obsession, Defiance is the first novel in a series, and we all know that series can become obsessions. :D
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Defiance (Courier's Daughter, #1) by CJ Redwine
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Finished on 6/7/2013
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult, Some Action, Adventure, Romance
Goodreads page

Motivation to Read It: I'm honestly not sure how I found out about this one.

Review: As I noted above, I have no idea how I came across this book (probably Goodreads), but I'm glad I did! This was a wonderful read, but I hate that it was a library book because I had a big gap in the middle of my reading.

The plot was definitely intriguing for me. I loved the idea of a Cursed One terrorizing the continent's remaining population, although I did feel for Baalboden's ending tragedy. The little choose-your-husband thing (for lack of memory) was interesting as well. After that point in the story, everything was fast-[aced and happening at once. It made it very easy for me to hold my phone or Kindle all day while I read.

The characters were a great part of the book! I couldn't help but fall in love with them immediately. Rachel was so stubbornly set in her ways, but it was a great asset for her to have with this plot because it assured you that something would be done about the situation at hand. Logan ... oh, Logan. He was unquestionably my favorite character in the story and has earned a spot on my mental Book Boyfriend list. He cared for Rachel so much that he risked his life for her, more than one time might I add. Logan was very caring and loving and did what he could to keep those he loved safe. Redwine's characters in general were simply amazing, and I'm excited to read them again in the next book.

Just read it already. You know you want to. It's a great read, and I'm happy that I ran into it!

Satisfying eBook/Shelf-Worthy

Happy Birthday, Butterfly Feet!!!!!

Today starts the fourth year that this blog has been running!!!!

I'm so excited that I get to spend the very beginning of this fourth year with everyone that's willing to be here today! Thank you so much to all of my lovely followers for sticking with me these past three years, the last two of which have been very sketchy when it comes to posting reviews.

My goal for this next year is to keep you guys reading stuff on the blog. Unless absolutely inevitable, I don't want you only reading one post a week. I mean, how boring is that. So from here on out, I'm trying my darned-est to keep at least three posts on here every week. In addition to WYS and the new meme I want to start (Follow Up Friday), this means at least two other posts each week.

To help celebrate this new beginning in my blogging life, I will be posting four celebratory posts in the next four days -- one for each year I've gotten through, and one to start this next year off right!

Thanks again to all of my amazing followers,
Happy Reading,

Zakiya LadyWings

Blogoversary Readathon

Hey everyone!! I'm thinking that instead of jazzing up my Blogoversary this year with a giveaway, I could (co-)host a readathon instead. I'm thinking it would last about a week and we could maybe do a couple Twitter chats, something exciting. Comment, email, FB, Twitter me if you have any ideas, or want to co-host with me.

I'll probably have a poll up soon with some stuff for my lovely followers to help me decide on a few things.

~Zakiya

P.S., while I'm thinking about it, I think a new year deserves a better blogging life. One that's a little more alive, updated, etc. So I'm going to be redoing a lot of things over the next couple months here at Butterfly Feet. Any comments, suggestions, ideas you have are greatly appreciated. (:

Wild Child by Mike Wells & Interview w/Mike Wells & A SUPER AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

Sad to say, this is the last post of my blogoversary celebration *crowd boos*. Calm yourselves, please! Luckily, this post is extra extra extra special because I will be opening my anniversary giveaway!!!!!!!!! You'll find all that info at the bottom of the post, but you better not skip! The wonderful Mike Wells and his novel Wild Child have made a stop at Butterfly Feet!!!! :D
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Wild Child

By Mike Wells

Publisher: Self-publ'd via Smashwords, 2011

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Date Finished: 16/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Some Adventure, Romance

Briana Fox is the wildest girl in school. She and Kyle have been close for a long time...almost lovers. Kyle is afraid that if he pushes her, he'll have his heart broken and lose his best friend. When Briana discovers a mysterious "power drug" in a cave, two government agents are desperate to find the source and turn Briana into a human experiment. Will Kyle risk everything to protect his love?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: " 'Let's swim over to the cliffs,' Briana said."
~Last Line: "And then he would walk."

Review: Wild Child was super intriguing. It was pretty short in my opinion, but I'm still glad that Mike contacted me with a review request. Thanks, Mike! :)

Our main character, Kyle, is out on any other day with his best friend Briana at the lake using his dad's boat. While swimming out in the lake, Briana gets run over by a speedboat. She would have died, but somehow she found her way to an underwater cave that held some weird green healing water. The craziness starts here.

The characters in Wild Child were pretty good. They didn't go into great detail, but being that the book wasn't that long, it wasn't a problem. The plot was original. I've never read anything like it' mystical green water that makes you feel wonderful and then wears off? Surely you haven't heard of that before. Mike definitely has a creative and vivid imagination.

Wild Child was awesome, and the ending is/was like no other. You'll be surprised at how the novel suddenly comes to an end. There are so many possibilities at what could've happened! I think you should definitely take the time to read this novel. :)

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And now for the interview with Mr. Mike Wells!!!! Let's all give him a giant Butterfly Feet welcome :P

1. What made you want to start writing?
I suppose I started writing fiction because I think it is fun. You get to go on adventures with your main character and experience everything he or she is experiencing just as if it’s happening to you. Each imaginary journey changes you, too. Psychologists say that the unconscious mind cannot tell the different between reality and whatever you dream or imagine in your mind—the effect on you is still the same. So due my fiction writing, I’ve had quite an interesting life! I’ve been chased across Moscow by the Russian Mafia (Lust, Money & Murder), I’ve rolled underneath a moving freight train and lived to tell about it (The Wrong Side of the Tracks), and I’ve lost my physical body and turned into pure consciousness (A Gift from the Stars). Pretty cool, huh?

2. What was the idea behind Wild Child?
Two teenagers discover a magical “power drug” in a cave that gives people superhuman abilities...but soon the government finds out about it and will stop at nothing to get their hands on it.

3. Can we expect any other works from you in the next few years?
You can expect tons of works from me in the next few years—a sequel to Wild Child, sequels to other books, and more brand new books. Almost all I do right now is write. When I’m not writing, I’m promoting what I write.

4. What are some of your hobbies when you’re not writing?
I love the outdoors and spend lots of time biking, swimming, running, and that sort of thing. I like to stay in shape. Writing is a very sedentary activity!

5. Who are your top three favorite authors?
A difficult question. I’d have to say Thomas Hardy, Sidney Sheldon, and Rod Serling. Serling was a screenwriter mainly, creator of Twilight Zone and wrote most episodes, but had a fantastic imagination and was a phenomenal storyteller.

6. What’s your favorite food on the whole planet?
Sushi. I make it myself now, an Asian friend taught me how.

7. Do you like the word “rendezvous”?
Yes, I like that word because it puts a special spin on the general idea of meeting someone. In writing, you want to use as specific a word as possible in every instance (most of the time). Doing that makes all the difference. For example, if I write, “The meeting took place at midnight” it doesn’t have the same impact as “The rendezvous took place at midnight.” Rendezvous implies something clandestine and a little mysterious, whereas meeting is general and rather flat. When I finish the first draft of a novel, the first thing I do is go through it and replace any general words with more specific ones wherever I think it improves the writing.

8. How can my followers and I keep up with you?
The name I always use is MikeWellsAuthor:

http://www.twitter.com/MikeWellsAuthor
http://www.facebook.com/MikeWellsAuthor
http://www.goodreads.com/MikeWellsAuthor

Also, readers should know that I give away a lot of free books. To see what I’m giving away at the moment and sign up to be notified via email, please visit my website: http://www.thegreenwater.com/

Thanks so much for interviewing me!

No problem, Mike! And thank you for wanting to come by and participate! :P

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And noww...... the moment we've you've all been waiting for.......
THE GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Giveaway prizes:

~Divergent by Veronica Roth
~Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
~SIGNED copy of The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder
~Clarity by Kim Harrington
~Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
~eBook copy of Wild Child by Mike Wells (to each winner)
~The Lipstick Laws SWAG (to each winner)

Winner divisions:

~FIRST PLACE: choice of two books, eCopy of Wild Child, and swag!
~SECOND PLACE: choice of remaining two books, eCopy of Wild Child, and swag!
~THIRD PLACE: remaining book, eCopy of Wild Child, and swag!

Rules of the giveaway:

** Must be 13+ years of age
** US Only (sorry, international folks)
** Must fill out THIS FORM to enter! Comment entries will be deleted.

Now for the fun stuff-- extra entries!!

+2 Old GFC follower, +1 new
+2 Twitter follower (@walkinginsects)
+2 "Like" Facebook page (click here)
+3 GoodReads friend (my profile)
+5 Tweet about giveaway (include link)
+7 Blog about giveaway (include link)
+10 Two comments on a blogoversary post from this week. (Must be on two different posts! +5 for only one comment; for a list of reviews/interviews click HERE.)

You have a chance to have 31 entries total!!!!!

This giveaway ends on July 30th.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent (Divergent, #1)
By Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2011
487 pages, hardcover
Date Finished: 15/6/2011
Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Futuristic, Action, Romance

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "There is one mirror in my house."
~Last Line: "I suppose the now, I must become more than either."

Review: I heard so many good things about this book in the one month before I started reading it. I wasn't surprised that it was amazing! Every book this week was the same exact way. :)

The main character, BEatrice, grew up learning to be selfless. But she's nowhere near having a selfless character. When it comes time to choose which divisioin she wants to live in for the rest of her life, it comes down to Abnegation (the selfless center she grew up in) and Dauntless (the home of truly brave people). Things officially become hard for her the moment she makes her choice. Dauntless.

The characters in Divergent were absolutely marvelous. Beatrice, who changes her name to Tris, always knew what she wanted and worked hard to get it. Tris's eventually boyfriend, Four, is pretty cool, too. He cares so much for Tris and is always there to help her when she needs it. You're probably wondering why his name is "Four" of allt hings; that's not actually his real name, only a nickname. Discovering his true identity was something I was not expecting.

Overall, this book really is amazing. If you haven't had a chance to read it, hopefully you'll win the giveaway so that you can! :D

Quotes from the book:

"Four [this is a person] leaving makes me nervous. Leaving us with Eric is like hiring a babysitter who spends his time sharpening knives."

"Christina tucks her hair behind her ears. . . . She cracks another knuckle. She looks nervous, and no wonder -- who wouldn't be nervous after watching Will collapse like a rag doll?"

"No one who would want to hurt Peter has the authority to, and no one who has the authority to punish him would want to."

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder & Interview w/Amy!!!!!!!

Today is officially the one-year anniversary of my blog!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!! This week has been amazing so far! But we're not done yet!!!!!! Today we're welcoming Amy Holder and her debut, The Lipstick Laws, to BFWOL!!! :DD
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The Lipstick Laws
By Amy Holder
Publisher: Graphia, 2011
237 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 11/6/2011
Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Chick Lit

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her. For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity. But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Sitting near Darci Madison on the schoolbus is enough to put anyone with woman-sprout issues over the edge."
~Last Line: "And with that, I go to bed a proud Lipstick Lawbreaker and an ex-bra-stuffer."

Review: Talk about an awesome book! I really didn't expect it to be that good! It sort of showed me what high school could be like this upcoming year (I doubt it'll be anything like this book, but anything's possible, right? :D).

The main character, April Bowers, is a sophmore in high scool -- with no friends. Her best bud has moved away to Kansas, and somehow, on the first day, April manages to be accepted by the most popular girl in school. Things are amazing for her so far, even though her best friend warns her to stay away.

The plot was really awesome. You could tell that Amy seriously (maybe not too seriously) thought about the best way to write the characters and what happened throughout the 237 pages of the novel. Everything was just so teenish, and the reader can relate to April and her friends so weel. It all just sort of seems real!

The Lipstick Laws was most definitely an ahmazing book. I wish that it was a series, though. I've heard that they are thinking about making a tv series off of it. Hope that follows throught! :)

and a half :)

Quotes from the book:

"No girl wants to hear that she needs a makeover. I know I'm not a supermodel, but c'mon, I'm not a wilting weed in desperate need of Miracle-Gro, either."

" 'Ah, to be a teenager again . . . when noon is morning and midnight is going to bed early.' "

"I get the tortellini alfredo. It's to die for. Technically, I guess it really could be to die for . . . hence my father's nickname for it: heart attack on a plate. Regardless of its artery-clogging qualities, it's delicious."

"Mr. Stuart jumps in horror when he sees me. 'Holy smokes, April! What happened?'
'Tennis balls are hazardous weapons,' I respond cooly.
The class laughs. I'm happy that others find humor in my suffering."

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And now I have an awesome interview with Amy herself! :D Enjoy!

1. What made you want to be an author?
I've always loved to write, and I dreamed of being an author when I was little. However, it wasn’t until after college that I really started thinking about pursuing it professionally. I studied psychology in college and once I was out in the real world working in the field, I realized I wouldn’t feel completely fulfilled unless I was able to do something I truly adore. Writing is that something … and I feel very lucky to have accomplished my childhood dream.

2. What gave you the idea for The Lipstick Laws?
The idea for the book was very character driven. April, the main character, was the first aspect of the story that came to me. I always knew I wanted to write a fun story about the ups and downs of high school, but the whole plot evolved by free-writing in April's voice and putting her character into what-if scenarios.

3. Would you say that you’re a Lipstick Lawlord, or a Lipstick Lawbreaker?
I'm a Lipstick Lawbreaker through and through! I could never follow the Lipstick Laws... especially Lipstick Laws two, three and four!

4. What can we expect from you in the next couple of years?
In the next couple of years, I'm hoping to have another book or two out. Also, The Lipstick Laws was recently optioned for TV, so there's a chance that it may go to production at some point -- fingers crossed. There are still many steps that would have to happen before it gets to that point...but the possibility is exciting regardless.

5. Who are your favorite authors of all-time?
The authors who sparked my love of reading and writing at a young age will always have a soft spot in my heart. Those authors are: Shel Silverstein, Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Madeleine L'Engle. I also adore Sophie Kinsella, J.K. Rowling, and Charles Dickens. And I may be biased, but I think my fellow 2011 debut authors are pretty amazing as well!

6. Do you enjoy eating asparagus?
Haha! This may be one of the most random questions I've ever gotten in an interview.... but, yes, I do enjoy eating asparagus. Thanks for asking. :)

7. What are some of your hobbies when you’re not writing?
I love art, photography, anything that makes me laugh, baking, shopping, going to plays, spending time with family/friends...and I'm a huge animal lover, so I like spending time with my pets and/or getting involved with animal rescue groups.

8. What’s your favorite holiday of the year?
Christmas is by far my favorite holiday! In fact, I'd love to be a holiday elf - even just for a day. Preferably the day would be Christmas Eve....because dressing like a holiday elf in the middle of July would probably be a little creepy.

9. How can my followers and I stay in top of what’s happening with you and your books?
You can find me at the following links (please don't hesitate to say hi!):

Twitter: www.twitter.com/amyholderbooks
Website: www.amyholder.com
Blog: amyholderbooks.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amyholderbooks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/amyholder

Also, if you'd like to meet me in person, check out my news and reviews page for information about upcoming events: amyholdernews.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for the interview, Zakiya!

Thank YOU, Amy, for participating!!! I really appreciate it :p

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Falling Under (Falling Under, #1)
By Gwen Hayes
Publisher: New American Library, 2011
324 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 9/6/2011
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Romance, Some Adventure

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Everything changed the night I saw the burning man fall from the sky."
~Last Line: "And together we fell under."

Review: When I started reading Falling Under, I was automatically  pulled in (like I was with all the other books being featured this week; LOL). Again, this was a completely new concept for me, but I really loved it.

As I met Theia and learned more about her past and her family and friends, I was pulled in even more! The way Theia was raised after her mother died, not being able to go anywhere or barely do anything -- I think it's all sort of ridiculous. But I guess when I reached the end of the book, it made sense as to why he was so protective.

The supernatural beings in this one were demons. Nope, no angels. That's what I loved about this one (among about a thousand other things) -- even though there were demons, there weren't angels trying to fight them back or anything. It was very nice anything :).

On to the male of the book: Haden. Half-demon, half-human. I love it! All he's ever wanted was to be completely human; it was pretty cool that he and Theia met every night in the demon world of Under. It was crazy cool, but so mysterious! Although I believe when she actually traveled to Under is was even better. For, you know, traveling purposes, of course :D.

Simple: Get. This. Book. No questions should be forming in your head. The book is amazing. Get it!

Quotes from the book:

"So he was a sweet-talking, cross-dressing, fortune-telling . . . surfer?"

"My makeup was an altogether different experience. Shellacked and powdered, I protested her heavy hand, but my objections were dismissed. As were my protests about the red halter shirt she put me in, claiming it was a dress. If my future included a street corner and a pimp named Ice Money, I'd be ready."

" 'Donny, it would be like opening a barn door during a stampede and expecting only the brown cow with the blue collar to enter. You can't control a stampede.' "

Interview w/Carrie Harris!!!!!

For those of you who don't know what Carrie's debut novel, Bad Taste in Boys, is about---

Someone's been a very bad zombie.

Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steroids are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate!

She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town. . . and stay hormonally human.

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Please help me give a marvelous Butterfly welcome to Carrie Harris everyone!!!!!! :D

1. What influenced you to start writing?
I got an F on my first creative writing assignment in Freshman English. Now, you have to understand a few things about me if you’re going to put this into perspective. Like, I’d never gotten an F before and haven’t gotten one since. And I am incredibly stubborn once someone tells me I can’t do something. So I got the F, and I was pretty sure it didn’t stand for "fabulous." So I wrote the heck out of my next assignment. The teacher gave me an A+ and had me read it for the class, and BAM. I was hooked.

2. What do you do in your spare time between writing?
Well, I’m a mom, so I do a lot of standing on the sidelines at soccer and shuttling kids to dance and trying to find socks that match. But when I have free time, I fill it with some strange hobbies, like crocheting monsters and making cupcakes shaped like skulls and collecting zombie penguins. The other moms think I’m really strange. I think that’s a compliment.

3. What’s your favorite board game?
Hmmm. Do you count Apples to Apples? Because any game that involves golf-ball sized hail and giant squid is awesome. I even played it while I was in labor with my son. My husband and friends let me win, which was probably very smart of them.

4. Who are some of your all-time favorite authors?
I could probably fill pages and pages, so here are just a few: Terry Prachett, Suzanne Collins, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, Maureen Johnson, and Jonathan Maberry.

5. What can we expect from you after the release of Bad Taste in Boys?
Well, I’ve just finished edits on a new Kate Grable adventure called BAD HAIR DAY. It’s about werewolves and nanotechnology and CSI and blueberry flavored astronauts and killer coconuts. I’m really excited about it! And then I’ve got a third book in the works which will be something entirely new and different.

6. I understand that Bad Taste in Boys involves zombies. What gave you the idea for that?
I’ve always loved monsters. I knew I wanted to do a book about a completely normal person who becomes convinced that zombies are invading their town. Because the people in the movies just seem to accept it so easily. Someone runs down the street screaming, “Zombies! Zombies!” and then there’s this mass panic. I wouldn’t stand there and get eaten, but I’d be running away, going, "Are you sure it’s zombies? How do you know? Have you taken a representative sample to the lab for analysis?"

7. Do you have a favorite quote?
I’m partial to Jim Henson’s “It all ends in one of two ways. Either someone gets eaten or something blows up.” That’s kind of how I approach my books.

8. How can my followers and I keep up with you and your books?
Website: http://carrieharrisbooks.com/
Blog: http://carrieharrisbooks.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/carrharr
Facebook: http://facebook.com/carrharr
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1005935.Carrie_Harris


Thanks so much, Carrie, for being able to stop by the blog!!!!! :DD

Clarity by Kim Harrington

Clarity (Clarity, #1)

By Kim Harrington

Publisher: Point, 2011

242 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 7/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Romance, Fantasy

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case - but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother - who has supernatural gifts of his own - becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: " 'You don't want to kill me,' I said."
~Last Line: "Hopefully I'd never have to know my own limits."

Review: Harrington instantly pulled me in. A family full of crazies seems pretty interesting to me. I can definitely say that I wasn't disappointed. Clarity was great!

Clarity "Clare" Fern has the gift of [insert big R word] (retrospective?) pyschometry. LOL. I can never remember what the word is! But anyway, when she touches things, she can sometimes feel traces of people, and thus see memories of things that happened to those people earlier. The powers, like any other, are extraordinary. I loved reading the pages where Clare used her gift.

Clarity's oceanside tourist town has just witnessed a murder. Her brother, Peter, is one of the people police are looking at. To help her brother, and the rest of the town, and just because she's a good citizen, Clarity agrees to work on the case with Justin (her ex) and Gabriel (the new guy in town). It might be great, but Gabriel doesn't feel very joyful working with a psychic. His attitude towards Clare isn't exactly a hopeful one that she'll find anything. Actually, he doesn't think she'll help at all.

Gabriel's character was so romantic at some points, but then either (1) Justin popped up, or (2) something about the case occurred that needed to be handled. *shakes head* oh well. That's why they make sequels :). He could also be pretty mysterious at some moments in the book. He and his father don't exactly have a wonderful past, but they deal with it the best they can. Respectable, in my opinion.

Clarity was just absolutely amazing. I can't wait for Perception to be released next year!

Quotes from the book:

"Yummy's specialty was fresh seafood, which doesn't appeal to me. Yes, I live on the Cape and don't eat seafood. It's a crime, I know."

They exchanged a look and grinned at me.
'Sorry,' the blond one said. 'We didn't expect you to look so . . . '
'Frankly,' the dark-haired guy picked up, 'we thought you'd be an old hag.'
'Oh, that's my mother.'
They eyes widened as Mom came in on the heels of that line and then we all had a good laugh."

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton & Interview w/Tessa!!!!!!!!

What time is it?! Celebration time!! This entire week will be spent celebrating my blog's one-year birthday (which is officially Thursday, but oh well :D). Every day I'll have either a book review and/or interview of an awesome book or with an ahmazing author! In addition to that, I'm hosting a giveaway, and all of the books I review this week (except for today's) are prizes!!!!! So let's get started shall we??!!!
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Blood Magic (Blood Journals, #1)

By Tessa Gratton

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2011

405 pages, hardcover

Date Finished: 19/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Romance, Action

Draw a circle ... place a dead leaf in the center ... sprinkle some salt ... recite a little Latin ... add a drop of blood ...


Maybe that last part isn't exactly simple. Yet somehow it feels right to Silla Kennicott. And nothing in her life has felt remotely right since her parents' horrific deaths. She's willing to do anything to uncover the truth about her family—even try a few spells from the mysterious book that arrived on her doorstep ... and spill some blood.

The book isn't the only recent arrival in Silla's life. There's Nick Pardee, the new guy next door who may have seen Silla casting a spell. She's not sure what he saw and is afraid to find out. But as they spend more time together, Silla realizes this may not be Nick's first encounter with Blood Magic. Brought together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick can't deny their attraction. And they can't ignore the dark presence lurking nearby—waiting to reclaim the book and all its power.

Tessa Gratton's intoxicating first novel will keep pulses racing, minds reeling, and pages turning right up to the very last drop of blood.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I am Josephine Darly, and I intend to live forever."
~Last Line: "Silla stared at the eyes of the first one and reached out her hand."

Review: Blood Magic was not what I thuoght it would be. It was even better!!

I was so instantaneously pulled in to the story as Silla received the book full of spells that was simply signed "The Deacon." He obviously knew her father if he was sending this to her, but her dad would never have believed in magic, right? Wll, it's wrong.

The characters in this novel were really awesome. They were thought out for sure. I would like to applaud Tessa (and every other author whose book I'm reviewing this week) for their amazing details! You could be probably be the character/s if they got any more descriptive. That's definitely a good thing, though!

The plot line of Blood Magic is  unquestionably original if you ask me. I've never read a book like this at all. Entirely intriguing and a completely new concept. I really loved it and can't wait until The Blood Keeper is released!! :)

 (10 out of 5)

Quotes from the book:

"And just like that she was crying. I felt a little like That Guy who holds a baby at arm's length because he's afraid it's going to pee on him.."

" 'Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.'
Automatically, I replied, 'I'd like to see your deep--' but thank God I stopped before I said something unforgiveable in front of her grandma.
And her brother."

" 'It was Lilith, wasn't it? What did that b---h say now?'
'Nicholas Pardee, you will not, I repeat, not refer to MAry by that awful name.'
'Which one?' "

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And now, for the interview with Tessa Gratton herself!!!!!!! Let's all give her a warm welcome to Butterfly Feet! :DD

1. Have you always wanted to be an author?
Since I was about 8! I wanted to be other things, too. A ballerina, a paleontologist, an actor, and a wizard. (I still want to be a wizard.)

2. What gave you the idea for Blood Magic?
I was walking my dog around the park, and I just thought of it! Originally, it was about a brother and sister dealing with magical powers, with an evil body-snatcher after them!

3. If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go?
Oh, everywhere! Someplace I know I love: either Sydney, Australia, or Budapest, Hungary. If it’s a place I haven’t been but want to go… Sweden.

4. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Robin McKinley, Patricia McKillip, Kristin Cashore, Anne Rice, Melina Marchetta, Tim O’Brien.

5. What can we expect from you within the next few years?
I have a companion novel to Blood Magic out in the next year, and after that, I can’t say! Hopefully a new series!

6. What do you l ike to do when you’re not writing?
I’m addicted to Netflix – especially crime dramas and comedy. I also love walking outside under the big Kansas sky and spending time grilling with friends.

7. Do you have a favorite movie?
Oooo. Um. “Spirited Away” probably, if I HAVE to pick one. It’s AMAZING.

8. Is there a specific day that you love to write on?
Any of them! All of them!

9. How can my followers and I keep up with you?
I’ve got a website: http://www.tessagratton.com/, with links to my blog, Twitter, FB page, GoodReads page, and YouTube page. I’m all over the place!


Awesome interview, Tessa! Thanks so much for participating this week :DD