The Eternal Ones Giveaway

From Goodreads.com:
Haven Moore can’t control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother’s house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again.

You can win an ARC of The Eternal Ones by filling out the form below!
Contest open to U.S. only and ends August 8th, 2010

Winners!

The winner of Sleepless by Cyn Balog is....

Sarah

Yay!! You'll be getting an email from me today!

And the winner of ARCs of The Lighter Side of Life and Death and Winter Longing is...

Lindsey S

Congrats!! I'll be sending an email to you as well!

Thanks for entering everyone! :)

The Tempest Read Along!

Who doesn't love a little Shakespeare? No? Well this is your chance to read it for the first time or re-read it all in the company of people who love to talk about books! 

A blog I read everyday- A Literary Odyssey-is hosting a read along for this book in August. I'm going to be participating and I'd love it if you all did too! I think it could be fun, and it definitely takes the edge off of the foreboding "I'm nervous I won't be able to understand it" Shakespeare kind of emanates.

I read this in college but I'm excited to re-read to see what I missed and to get a better grasp of the story and language now that I have an idea what went on in the play haha. 

If you've never read/heard of The Tempest before here's a summary from Goodreads:

"Prospero, exiled Duke of Milan, living on an enchanted island, has the opportunity to punish and forgive his enemies when he raises a tempest that drives them ashore as well as to forestall a rebellion, to arrange the meeting of his daughter, Miranda, with an eminently suitable young prince, and, more important, to relinquish his magic powers in recognition of his advancing age. Richly filled with music and magic, romance and comedy, the play's theme of love and reconciliation offers a splendid feast for the senses and the heart."

Act 1 and 2 will be discussed/posted about on Aug. 16th and then Acts 3, 4, and 5 on Aug. 31st. You can find all the information here.

So I hope you all join in the fun, I know I will be! 

Happy Reading!

Top Ten Literary Crushes

Kristi at the Story Siren and Jill at Random Ramblings each did a post of who their top ten literary crushes are...and since I love boys in books I thought it was a good idea that I keep track of mine as well :)

1. Jacob Black. Even though he is part of a series I have many no so nice things to say about-he is also part of series that is like comfort food to me. He is human, flawed, arrogant at times, and completely lovably ripped. I love Jacob SO much. If I could be with any fictional man, it would be him. And then I realize that he's not real and it honestly makes me sad.

2. Dimitri. I have grown to absolutely adore this man. He even rivals my beloved Jacob. He is strong, protective, passionate and seeing his struggles and transformations over the five books so far has made me love him anymore. I would fight for him. I've fallen in love with him, pined for him, hated him, hoped for him, and been heart-broken. Now, Dimitri and I have an emotional roller coaster of a history. I'm hooked. And the way I imagine him? HOT. He can take me to a cabin in the woods any day. And I wouldn't even mind if it was only a lust spell. Oh, Dimitri, I hope Ms. Richelle Mead has good things in store for you in the last installment of the series. Because I don't think I can stand to be heart-broken forever knowing there's no new book to save you! I am v. much swooning right now. Next...

 3. Dexter. I fell in love with him the minute I met him in all his literary humorly bliss. He and Remy were polar opposites and I loved every minute of them together. He was so messy and so disorganized yet funny and adorable. He loved love and fought to be with Remy every step of the way. He's like the not even close to perfect boy who you can't help fall in love with because he makes you feel like every moment of your life led you to him. He helps you make sense of the world, even in the most disorganized way. One of my favorite moments was when Remy goes to buy plastic silverware for his house (he had none) and she realizes that is liking adding a permanent element to their relationship so she hides them. Dexter finds them and realizes what they were for and teases her about relentessly. He knew she loved him.

4. Kartik. I think a lot of my attraction to him has to do with his Indian heritage. And dark, handsome, with curly dark hair gets me every time. The way he is always there for Gemma is undeniably loyal and also a bit romantic (she might disagree). The tension between those two KILLED me sometimes. I wanted to scream, "just kiss him already!" And when they did-WHOA. I also think the anticipation of their encounters peaked my attraction as well. I am so upset with the ending of the trilogy **don't read if you haven't read it** A tree? Come on now :(

5. Wes. He's that cute guy in the corner you don't notice because he's so quiet and almost brooding. And he's sexy. Like wind blowing his hair out of his eyes, sly grin, innocent eyes sexy. Mmmmm. And he's artistic. With a past. Who is so open and honest. I wish more guys were like Wes. He is my definition of sexy...super swoon right now. What he and Macy have is so real and so raw you can't help but root for them. Even though deep in your heart you wished it was you he was falling for! I'm still available, Wes, you know, if things don't work out.

5. Jonah. He's the ultimate bad boy. It's almost hard not to hate him throughout the book. I kept thinking, man this guy has a MAJOR attitude. But then we learn more about him and his past which is when I started to feel a lot of sympathy for him. Poor guy. Anyway, he's super hot if you're into that military, stone faced, stubborn type who has a really soft side once you break him in. Ah, Jonah, you make my heart flutter.

 7. Archer. My newest love. He is that cocky kind of adorable. Again, with the black curly hair (I always imagine one lone curl falling into his eyes...sigh...). I think how I imagine the hair makes it or breaks it for me. Weird? Def. I also melt for that half grin and wicked look in his eyes things. Which I totally think Archer did a lot. Plus, he's a warlock. Who wouldn't want a warlock as their boyfriend?!

 8.Spencer. He's not even a love interest of the main character, being her brother and all, but i LOVE LOVE LOVE him! He is so friggen hilarious. The chapters/scenes with him are hands down my favorite. He could entertain me all day. Would you like to, Spencer? I'm a lot of fun, I promise! There's no way you could read about him and not smile. And I love a guy who can always make me smile!

9. Peeta. I am absolutely 100% not Team Gale. Peeta all the way. Sweet, bread making, lovable Peeta. Who doesn't want a man who would practically die for you AND make you sweet treats? And who is gorgeous?! I dare you to try and find someone who won't adore all of these qualities. Well, except Katniss I suppose. Silly Katniss, chose Peeta! I feel like Peeta would be cuddly. And he's very charming. I am most angry when Katniss talks about Gale and most excited when she kisses Peeta. Even if it's only for the masses. I like to believe it's me...I mean, for me...

10. Last but not least, Adrian. He's definitely grown on me. I've always seen him as extremely sexy in the bad boy kind of way but my love for Dimitri has always clouded my affection towards him. But once we learn his true feelings for Rose and how he is always there for her I can't help but fall for him. Now every time he says "little Dhampir" I melt a little. He's cute and quirky and flawed to the max but even through all of his flaws I love him. I will be his girlfriend, you know, when Rose inevitably dumps him. But maybe she won't. Even still, I'm here!

So those are all the boys I have major crushes on/swoon for to the max. I hope you enjoyed my over gushing! I'm a girl in love, what can I say? haha. Well, apparently I can say a lot. And did! If you haven't read any of these books then I suggest you do it now! If only for the amazing men! So what about you guys? Any I missed? Any I should read about? Let me know who you swoon over.

Happy Reading and Swooning :)

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

16 year old Sophie Mercer is a witch. And what good is a witch if she can't use her powers to help people? That's what Sophie thinks when she tries to cast a love spell for a girl Sophie repeatedly sees sobbing in the bathroom at her high school. Everyone deserves a prom date, right? Well...one disastrous love spell gone wrong later and Sophie ends up at Hex Hall, a school for delinquent Prodigium (aka, witches, warlocks, shapeshifters, and faeries) who have trouble keeping their identities (skills, powers, etc...) from humans. And of course Sophie would have to room with the only vampire student who is accused of murdering her former roommate, and of course she would turn down the offer to be in a coven with the three most powerful witches in the school (and evidently be on their bad side), and of course she would have a crush on the cockiest (and most gorgeous) warlock on campus. Things couldn't get worse, right? Wrong. Sophie has a lot more mysterious and secrets to discover at Hex Hall...some of which leave her in danger.

This was so much fun to read. Sophie was so kick-ass. I loved her attitude. She was witty, sarcastic, and just all around level-headed and awesome. I wasn't sure what to expect opening up Hex Hall. I mean, witches have been done to death (Charmed, anyone?) and there's so many stereotypes and cliches out there. And they're all still there in Hex Hall but in a spoof-like caricature of themselves.

     "Wait. You said your sleeping spell lasts for only four hours". I glanced at my watch. "It's been almost four hours now, and it took us at least half an hour to get out here. How are we going to get back in time?"
     Alice smiled, and with a snap of her fingers, two brooms suddenly materialized beside her. 
     "You're joking." I said.
     "Come on Sophia!" she called. "Be traditional for once!"

Sophie's sardonic view of everything had me cracking up. This was such a gem of a novel, light-hearted and full of mystery and intrigue. I couldn't get enough of it. I was genuinely upset when I turned over the last page. And Archer. Man oh man Archer. He was one HECK of a hot warlock. He might be my new literary crush. Like, whoa. Cold shower whoa. And now I have to wait almost a year to hear about him again. We're left on kind of a "wtf?!" note with him and I need to know! Rachel Hawkins, call me and please tell me there will be more Archer, more hot, sexy, warlock-y Archer!

Anyway, if you pick this up you won't be disappointed. It's like Mean Girls meets Charmed meets Buffy. It's awesome! And once you do read it, feel free to email me so we can gush about Archer. On second thought, maybe not, because we might get into a fight. He's mine and all...:)

Happy Reading!

Giveaway: ARCS of The Lighter Side of Life and Death and Winter Longing

I know, two giveaways in one week? I must be crazy. But no, I just love you guys! So all you have to do to win ARCS of The Light Side of Life and Death by C. K. Kelly Martin and Winter Longing by Tricia Mills is fill out the form below! The giveaway will run until July 29th and is open to U.S. only. Sorry guys! Also, whoever wins I will include a homemade beaded bookmark made by me! I couldn't picture it because my camera is currently MIA...hmm...anyway it's very pretty! :D So good luck and I hope you enjoy the giveaway!

Giveaway: ARC of Sleepless by Cyn Balog

Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest.

But he can't deny that he feels something for Julia, a lonely girl with fiery red hair and sad dreams. Just weeks ago, her boyfriend died in a car accident, and Eron can tell that she feels more alone than ever. Eron was human once too, many years ago, and he remembers how it felt to lose the one he loved. In the past, Eron has broken rules to protect Julia, but now, when she seems to need him more than ever, he can't reach her. Eron's time as a Sandman is coming to a close, and his replacement doesn't seem to care about his charges. Worse, Julia is facing dangers she doesn't recognize, and Eron, as he transitions back to being human, may be the only one who can save her. . . .


Even once they've become human again, Sandmen are forbidden to communicate with their charges. But Eron knows he won't be able to forget Julia. Will he risk everything for a chance to be with the girl he loves?

Enter to win an ARC of Sleepless by Cyn Balog and this bookmark inspired by the novel made by yours truly!

 

All you have to do is enter by filling the form below before July 26th!

 

Also, I'd love to hear in your comments why you're so excited to read Sleepless

 

Open to U.S. only, sorry guys, I'll hold an international contest soon!