End of 2012 Book Survey

This survey was created by The Perpetual Page - Turner, and I know that I'm more than a week late, but hey... I get credit for doing it. Right?

I may skip a few questions here and there because unfortunately, I didn't read as much as I wish I had this year and I can't just name every book I've read for every question. :-P

Anyways, here we go.

1. Best book you read in 2012?
   Wow. It's hard to pick just one. And even with the 4 that I think are tied for first, there are a bunch more that could be right up there with them. But right now I'm going to have to go with Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, Forever by Maggie Stiefvater, So Silver Bright by Lisa Mantchev, and Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry.

2. Best series you discovered in 2012?
   Well, not necessarily that I discovered it, but I didn't start reading it until this year. But I read book one in The Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck and even though the main character is irritatingly ridiculous at times, I enjoyed it enough to want to read the rest of the series. Although I can tell by reviews written by other people that it's going to infuriate me almost as much as book one did.

3. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
   Hmmm... this one is probably an easy one. There are LOTS of gorgeous (and some not so gorgeous but equally as awesome) covers... but I'd have to say that it's a tie between Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore and Mark of Betrayal by A.M. Hudson.

4. Most memorable character in 2012?
   Hands down, Cole St. Clair from the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater.  He was my hero from the moment I finished Linger and I loved him even more in Forever. It also helps that I adore listening to this man narrate his part. ::cough:: Wow. Dan Bittner is just.... ::sigh:: I may also have to go with Jason Knight from The Dark Secret Series. He had a rough start in the series but he completely redeemed himself and he's just wonderful.

Moving on...

5. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
   Oh geez. This one isn't steamy or anything like that. But War Horse by Michael Morpurgo literally had me so frustrated I threw my book across the room. It was basically one of those "anything that can go wrong will go wrong" type of books and I just felt SO bad for that poor horse and the good people involved with him (just the good people... the bad ones can go and.... ::ahem:: nevermind). I'm the type of person where if I watch a movie and a person dies, it's sad. But if I'm watching a movie and an animal gets hurt or dies.... it ruins my WHOLE week. And I'm sobbing like an idiot.

6. Favorite relationship from a book in 2012?
   Ooh ooh. Nate and Bertie from the Theatre Illuminata trilogy by Lisa Mantchev. I love Nate. He's a strong and handsome pirate who's completely smitten with Bertie. And Bertie is a strong and independent woman who has a heart the size of the world. They balance each other out nicely and he gets her. And he's a pirate. Did I mention that?

That's about all I think I'm gonna answer for now. I know it's only 6 questions, but I figure that's enough. And again, sorry I'm late. But better late than never! Word. Now get to reading!

Review - Mark of Betrayal by A.M. Hudson

A love so strong fire and torture could not break it. A heart so pure neither death nor hate could taint it. But, left alone in a world of lies and secrets, Ara will find herself down the road of treachery, walking very dangerous ground, while those closest to her fight to keep her safe from dangers unseen.

The boundaries between friends and enemies will blur, and the return of an old friend will see Ara crossing a line she can never return from.

Mark of Betrayal is book four in the Dark Secret Series by A.M. Hudson. And true to its predecessors it was better than the book before it.

Book four in the series brings about the re-appearance of my favorite character (why he's my favorite, I'm not 100% sure, I just know that he is), Jason Knight. Now, don't get me wrong, I like David and all. And I know he loves Ara. But the more I learn about him, the more I wish that it was Jason that Ara was in love with. Despite his monstrous start in the series, he redeemed himself (as weird as that sounds considering WHAT he did). And I find him to be incredibly sweet and endearing and just heart breakingly vulnerable and beautiful.

Ara is true to form in this book. One minute you want to shake her and yell at her to grow the heck up. The next minute you're on her side yelling at other people to back off and give her some credit. She's relatively new to this whole world that she's been thrown in to and she wasn't technically a mature adult when she was "normal" let alone now that she's a Lilithian monarch. There should be some kind of learning curve for the poor girl. But on the other hand, she does definitely act overly childish in a lot of situations and has a tendency to throw tantrums.

This novel seems to be one where you never really know who you can trust. You know who you WANT to trust. You know who was the good guy before and who was the bad guy. But in this book there's a big old monkey wrench thrown in to the mix and now everything is all backwards and you don't know who's Ara's friend and who's Ara's enemy anymore.

I can't wait for the next book in the series. Can't wait for more of Jason and the Lilithian History that we're learning about. Can't wait to see what happens to a "smaller" group of vampires. ::cough:: I'm excited to see where the story goes. If you haven't already started reading, I suggest you pick up book one, Tears of the Broken, and check it out!

Cover Reveal - Beauty in Blood by A.M. Hudson

Check out the cover for the next book in the Dark Secret Series by A.M. Hudson, Beauty in Blood.

 

Isn't it gorgeous? I love the title font (as always) and how vivid the red cloak is against the blue background.

What do you all think?

I can't wait to read it!

Cover Reveal: Mark of Betrayal by A.M. Hudson

WOoHOo. You guys want to see the cover for Mark of Betrayal (Dark Secrets Series #4) by A.M. Hudson?

It's gorgeous, just like the others. And I'm wicked excited to read it. It releases October 31, 2012.

What do you all think?

I can't wait!

Review - The Heart's Ashes by A.M. Hudson

Death never leaves us. Once it's touched our souls, it hungers for our return--waiting for us to fall. And if it finds Ara again, she will have no way to escape.

Moving on from David was hard, forgetting the abduction and torture was almost impossible, but nothing as devastating as the thought that now, because of her, David might face the horrific punishments of the Set.

No one knows where David went after he lost Ara, but she can only hope he's the one leaving subtle clues for her to discover, and it makes her desperate to find him--desperate enough that she would risk her life, hanging out with an informant who means to kill her. What truths she is told about David's dark past, though, will threaten to change her heart and destroy the way Ara perceives everything. She must ask herself if it's right to love one monster, then hate the one who tried to destroy her.

In all her searching, the promise of immortality will finally be renewed, but sold at a price Ara's not sure she's willing to pay.

Is love enough to make her submit to this new role, or will it fail her once again and leave her reaching back for the grasp of death?

First of all, stellar cover. I love, love, LOVE it. It's gorgeous. Love the font, the colors, everything. Gorgeous.

Ok... so The Heart's Ashes was sent to me as an advanced copy by the author, A.M. Hudson. And I'm really upset with myself that it took so long to read it. Because it truly is a wonderful book. I've just been in this funk which has resulted in a reading slump, so I wasn't doing much of ANYTHING. I got some reading done at my family reunion but that was about it.

Anyway... I'm not sure what I can say about this book that won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it (or the previous novels in the series)... so I will tell you there are a lot of twists and turns and TONS of surprises. This story leaves me with conflicting feelings for a character that played a terrible role in the last installment. I wanted to hate him... but I found myself liking him more than I probably should have being that he was a "bad guy".

David and Mike are true to form. Forever the gallant and chivalrous protectors. That's what is so wonderful about them, though. You don't find enough of that in real life anymore. It's nice to be able to find them in books. Emily is a tad bit different in this story, but I suppose anyone in her situation would have a little attitude adjustment. And poor Ara. There's some serious head-screwing with where she's concerned. She can't tell which way is up sometimes. Sure she has her moments... she is still a teenage girl, after all. But she goes through a LOT in this story so you've got to hand it to her.

Like I said before, I LOVED the story. Everything about it. If you've read the first two in the series, definitely grab this one as soon as you can.

Review - Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson

Blood and death aside...love is all that should matter. Tragedy brought her to a new place. Fate put her in the arms of a vampire. The truth will tear her apart. Hailed as the most inspiring read since Twilight. Take a journey of tears and heartache as Ara finds that love is a reason to live. Will the vampire be her knight, or will the truth about him finish what Fate started?

This review has been a long time coming. And I apologize for that. This is actually the second time I've read Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson. This time, though, I had the pleasure of reading the hard copy novel. It's changed a lot since the first pass through and the changes have just made it that much better.

Ara has moved to the US from Australia following the death of her mother and her little brother. Broken inside and devestated by the loss, she starts life over with her father, stepmother, and step brother in a new house, going to a new school, and trying to blend in with new people. Leaving behind everything she's ever known.

She's immediately befriended by Emily, who is spunky and cheerful and takes Ara under her wing. Not to mention she's caught the eye of the school hunk, David Knight. A mysterious, tall-dark-and-handsome boy who, at first glace, seems way out of her league.

Ara's been through a terrible ordeal. She's trying to piece her life back together and move on and that's a hard thing for anyone to do after such a tragic loss. David makes her feel whole again. And she doesn't want to let it go. But David has a secret that can't be told and Ara has to make a decision she doesn't really want to make.

I love the characters in this series. I've said before that Emily kind of strikes me as Patty Simcox from the movie Grease. All peppy and bright eyed. She's warm and welcoming and a genuine friend that would be great to have. Ara is a typical teenage girl with a broken past struggling to make her way in life. It's fun to "listen" to her inner monologues and "watch" her as she zones out while she's debating things with herself. David is very... Edward Cullen-esque but without the possessive "You have to do what I say or I'm going to take apart your vehicle to make you listen" kind of deal. He's sweet and he's sensitive and he truly cares for Ara. I used to DREAM I'd find my own David. He's just... ::sigh::

I almost want to scream at her the ENTIRE book because if it were me? No brainer. But her? Not such a no brainer. She and I have been in similar places in our lives. I found my light and I wouldn't give him up for anything. But she risks losing him because she's holding on to something that just can't be anymore. And it makes me mad.

This was a great read. Both times. I loved book two as well and book three is definitely going to follow in their footsteps. I recommend this to anyone who's read and loved Twilight definitely. Because this is, as I said in my first review long ago, kind of like Twilight but in reverse. And you'll have to read the story to understand what I mean. :-) Go check it out!

I'm Sorry

Sorry guys for my lack of posts this month. I'm not feeling too well right now. Hopefully all will be back to normal soon and I'll get this back up and running.

For now though I'm re-reading Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson. It was great before and I'm noticing things this time around that I didn't pick up on before because I didn't know what I know now... does that make sense?

When you love someone, there's nothing you wouldn't forgive.

But what about murder?

Ara-Rose will learn that life is fashioned from one tragedy after the next, and that sometimes, the truth people hide from you is nothing you could have imagined.

But Ara has secrets of her own, and she's willing to take them to her grave--a place David Knight will fight to keep her from.

You can grab it for free HERE on Amazon for Kindle. Go check it out!

Review - The Knight of the Rose by A.M. Hudson

I finished The Knight of the Rose by A.M. Hudson last night. It's book two in The Dark Secret Series. It was an awesome book.

Love was only the beginning of her nightmares.
...
When Ara discovered the existence of vampires, she was given the choice between a life as one of them, or a life without her true love.

But fate has a funny way of making choices for you.

After breaking the heart of the boy she loves with a truth he cannot bear, Ara will find herself in the arms of a predator who will steal her innocence and force the hand of fate.

Will David Knight become her rescuer once again, or will he be too late.

Yes, there is another cover. And when you read the book you'll understand what it represents.

This book was an up and down roller coaster. First, there's David and Ara. With a romance akin to Edward and Bella these two are totally and completely in love and it seems nothing can separate them. Unfortunately, it only seems that way. David is all but begging Ara to let him change her, but Ara doesn't want to lose her human life... her chance to see her mother and brother - who died in a brutal car accident - again.

Thing is, if Ara won't let David change her, David has to leave. And he has to leave her behind. It's a thought that she doesn't want to even begin to comprehend but decision time is coming. As soon as the last leaf falls to the ground signalling the coming of cold weather, she has to make up her mind. Will she choose an eternity with her one true love... her soul mate. Or will she choose life and the man she loved before David ever came along?

My heart broke several times over in this book. I know I don't speak for everyone, but I think the majority of people can relate to having someone leave them. Someone you don't want to go. And being completely and utterly devestated at their absence. To wishing they would just magically appear and tell you everything is going to be ok again. Knowing it's not going to happen, but hoping just the same.

Ara suffered a horrible tragedy in the death of her mom and her brother. Coming to the US to live with her father afterward seemed to help put her back together again. Because she met David. He seemed to fill a hole in her heart that she didn't think anyone else could. She was no longer just a shell of a person. She had love again. She'd left behind all the painful memories. The car accident. The boy she loved before who tore her heart to pieces when he rejected her. She had new friends. Emily, Alana... David.

But she experienced a brand new heart ache when she learned that she either had to change, give up her normal, human life in exchange for David's... or she'd lose him forever. At first the answer seems obvious to her, and all the while I'm thinking "You can't just give him up!" She is prepared to do just that. Until the time comes that she may actually have to. And then losing him is unthinkable.

She's a strong but conflicted character. Prone to zoning out and irrational internal debates. I like her. I feel for her. And while I don't have a drop dead gorgeous, hundred year old vampire boyfriend, I sort of understand where she's coming from. Losing someone you love, having to move on with someone you love but in a different way, and not as much (am I even making sense anymore?).

I love David. He's kind of pushy in an Edward-esque way (i.e. Ara wants to pay for her own gown for the high school ball, and does just that, but David buys her another one and puts it in her closet after she specifically told him not to do that) but he's very gentle and kind to her. And understanding. I also love it when he speaks in French to her. ::sigh::

Mike. Her rock. The guy that rejected her and is now trying to redeem himself. He loves her, probably just as much as David does... but like poor Jacob (I love Jacob) ... loving her with all he has may never be enough. He's promised to take care of her and be there for her. He even wants to take her back to Perth, the home she left after the accident. He's completely right for her and she knows it. And he knows it. He's sweet and kind and just incredible.

Emily I always picture as Patty Simcox from Grease for some reason. A modernized version of her anyway. So no poodle skirt. :-P She's peppy and happy and high spirited and a great best friend to Ara. She's always there for her and isn't afraid to tell her when she think she's making a mistake. She may be my favorite character.

This book, like the first, is beautifully written. AM Hudson is incredible in her descriptions of the most mundane things. It makes it so easy to picture everything I'm reading. Her writing is relatable (hence my anxiety over the entire end of the book) and enjoyable. And the characters complement each other well. I also learned something I never knew about the Wizard of Oz, too. :-P

I definitely recommend this book as a read to fans of Twilight, Afterlight, The Vampire Diaries... but it's a great read for just anyone in general. Again, it is book two in the series so I would definitely recommend reading book one, Tears of the Broken, before picking up this one. Mark your calendars for April because that's when book two will be released. And you won't be disappointed if you grab it!

Teaser Tuesday #39

Thank you to MizB of Should Be Reading for giving us Teaser Tuesday every week!
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week's teaser comes from Knight of the Rose (ARC) by A.M. Hudson:

Like when Dorothy made it home from Oz, she learned that she was never really gone in the first place - that all the fear and loneliness she felt in that world was in her own mind. I have control over my own life, and I get to choose what it is that breaks me...

Can't wait to see your teasers!

Cover Reveal - Knight of the Rose (Dark Secrets #2) by A.M. Hudson

Loved book one in the series! Now it's time for book two!! Loved that one too but I can't wait to read it again! Knight of the Rose by A.M. Hudson is book two in the Dark Secrets series.

In My Mailbox # 24

Thanks to Kristi The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.

This week for review I got:

The Caldecott Chronicles #1 by RG Bullet

Although the word zombie is never used in the Caldecott Chronicles the undead, the ungodly, the beef squad, and stumblers certainly are. The bizarre and gruesome details are narrated in a journal by a very Aristocratic British gent. Get a first hand look on how the Victorian upper class deal with stumbling trespassers and see how one draws ones inspiration from a teenage girl born to kill.

What did you get this week?

*Edit*

I just went out to my mailbox (against my better judgement because it's midnight and below freezing) and found a wicked cool surprise!!

Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson! I'm excited! It's beautiful!

When you love someone, there's nothing you wouldn't forgive.

But what about murder?

Ara-Rose will learn that life is fashioned from one tragedy after the next, and that sometimes, the truth people hide from you is nothing you could have imagined.

But Ara has secrets of her own, and she's willing to take them to her grave--a place David Knight will fight to keep her from.

Giveaway Winners - Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson

Yay! So my first giveaway is OVER. And we have TWO winners who are extremely lucky and get a signed copy of Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who did enter! I know you guys won't be disappointed in the book. It's great!

Winners were chosen randomly using one of  those number generator thingies. I counted the number of comments and used that as my guide... er... whatever. I told you I'm bad at that part.

And again, there are TWO different winners.

So without further ado....

And here are the winning comments (I will be messaging you ladies for your information!)

Congratulations! Once I get in touch with you, you have 72 hours to email me with your mailing address so your prize can be sent to you! 

Follow Friday #26

Follow Friday is hosted every week by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

This week's question:

Q: Keeping with the Spirit of Giving this season, what book do you think EVERYONE should read and if you could, you would buy it for all of your family and friends?

A: Ugh, a tough tough question. There are so many books that I think everyone should read. :-P It's hard to choose just one. I should cheat with this question and say Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings or even The Chronicles of Narnia. The truth is, I don't know if there IS just one book that I'd recommend to absolutely everyone. I know that I've told everyone I know that they should read The Hunger Games. Does that count? I really can't think of just one..... hmmm.

On that note, I CAN tell you that there are books that I think you  guys should check out. I've got two giveaways going on right now that NEED ENTRIES!! All you have to do is comment with your email address. Please? One ends SATURDAY. That one would be for 2 signed copies of Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson. She's really great and up until a bit ago her book and been online for everyone to read. She's just recently published it in paperback and she's really excited. It's great. I suggest you enter for a chance to win a copy! With the other, Bluebell publishing is offering a copy of Experience by Meg Kerr. It's a sequel to Pride and Prejudice and it's just wonderful. I love it!

Please go enter. Please?

Ok, now that that plug is done, I'm off to see what books you guys would recommend to everyone!

Daring You to Read - The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Daring You to Read is hosted by Tynga over at Tynga's Reviews.

This week, even though the story is not exactly new, or even new-ish, I'm daring you to read The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Despite the fact that it was written AFTER The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it is our introduction to Aslan and Narnia. And it's wonderful.

I read the book and listened to it at the same time. And I have to say I think that's part of what made me love it so much. Being able to hear it, hear the characters, as I read. It was - this may sound a bit corny but oh well - magical.

The Magician's Nephew has us meeting Diggory and Polly. Neighbors turned friends when Polly finds Diggory crying in his backyard about his chronically ill mother. Diggory and Polly have many adventures in the rafters of their townhouses but one day run in to Diggory's crazy Uncle Andrew in his "study" without meaning to. Uncle Andrew is dispicable and a coward and sends Polly off into an unfamiliar world and then forces Diggory to go and get her himself.

We also meet Jadis in this story, at the end of her world, Charn. And later on, Aslan, at the beginning of Narnia. The creation of Narnia is wonderful and I think that part was my favorite to listen to.

If you have a chance, I highly suggest checking out Focus On the Family's full cast audio version of this story. You can borrow it from the library or listen to it on youtube!!

Here's the introduction to the story and the first few minutes of  the audio book. Douglas Greshem, C.S. Lewis's stepson is who provides the introduction for us.

How to participate in DYTR

- You choose a book you’ve read, loved and would dare your readers to read!
- The book you choose must be an older release (at least 6 months ago), because let’s be honest, we’re all quite aware of the latest releases.
- Write your own blog post, using the button and linking back to Tynga’s Reviews, inviting your readers to read your chosen book.
- Come back on Tynga’s Reviews and put your link in the linking tool.
- Browse other bloggers Dare and let them know if you’ve read their featured book, or plan on reading it.
- Super easy and an awesome way to discover that special book who might have slipped off your radar!

And before you go, check out the giveaways I have on the blog this week! Author A.M. Hudson stopped by for an interview and giveaway of two SIGNED copies of her novel Tears of the Broken. And Bluebell Publishing is kindly offering up a copy of Experience (a wonderful sequel to Pride and Prejudice) by Meg Kerr. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with your email address on either entry or stop by my Facebook page and comment there!

So there you have it, what are you daring everyone to read?

Author Interview/Giveaway - Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson

Yay! I'm wicked excited today to introduce you guys to A.M. Hudson, author of Tears of the Broken. She kindly agreed to do a Q & A with me so that you guys could get a closer look at the debut of her new book. It's completely awesome by the way. And so is she.

To prove it, I'm going to let you guys in on a little something....

Ready?

Up for grabs are not one, but TWO SIGNED copies of Tears of the Broken. How great is that? I'll post the details at the end of the entry, but I'm really excited for you guys!

So, without further ado, here's the Q & A!

*

Q. What inspired you to write Tears of the Broken?
A: I wanted to capture the elements in reading that really drew me in, basically to write something I would want to read. So, I thought about the parts in a story that make me feel things and want to come back for more, and tried to incorporate as many of those as I could. Plus, I love vampires, so it was a no-brainer.


Q. How did you come up with the title, because I know it used to be something different?
A: At first, it was called The Blood Knight series, but after seeing that so many other people were using the word "blood" in conjunction with vampires and other works of fiction, I decided it was just too cliche. I wanted something dark and deep to go with the theme, and I love anything to do with secrets, so I changed the series to Dark Secrets (because everyone in this series has one), and book 1 is now Tears of the Broken, because I love the myth behind "The Tears of the Broken" story David tells Ara.


Q. How would you describe your book in 5 words? 
A: You'll feel your heart again.


Q. Are Ara and David fashioned after anyone in particular? Or bits and pieces of different people?
A: I think all characters are fashioned from someone we've either met or seen in our past in some way. David, at first, was invented to be the kind of guy that the Twentieth century doesn't produce, but after he was "born into my imagination" I started looking for a likeness. He's been many different faces: a magazine clip guy from a Target catalogue (which I still have), Paul Wesley, Matthew Bomber...heaps.
As for Ara, she was always Ara-Rose. I saw her in a dream when I was pregnant with my 3rd child. In the dream, I turned around and looked at this girl in a yellow dress, sitting in the back seat of a car, and I called her Ara. I thought that would be my daughter, but I had a boy. However, Ara wouldn't go away. She kept popping up in my dreams and my thoughts. She was just meant to be.


Q. Who would you cast as David and Ara?
A: I've thought about this a lot. No one seems right. Eric Dane would be Mike, easy. But, I think I'd have to let the fans choose who David and Ara would be.


Q. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
A: When I was 14, but, back then, writing wasn't deemed a "decent" career. It was only once I had my 3rd child that I really got serious about it and said "Forget what is or what should be, I'm going to be what I want to be." And so I did.


Q. What's your worst habit when you're writing?
A: "Posture," I say, straightening up.


Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Without a doubt in the world or my mind, USA. Always wanted to go there. I'd love to see New England (anywhere in the region) during fall.


Q. What's one thing you want readers to know about you or your books?
A: I love writing, and I want nothing in this world more than for people to enjoy my novels. I write so that people can experience feelings and thoughts that would never have occurred to them before. So, when they read each line out any of my novels, I want readers to know that each word I wrote was for them. I love writing, I love spreading the emotions within the pages, and I love all my fans.

A.M. Hudson started writing full-time  after her third child.  She lives a more than ordinary life in  Australia with her husband and children.  When she's not writing, she sings in a  duo or can be found under a pile of books.

Betcha thought I forgot about the giveaway details didn't you?

Well, I didn't.

All you have to do is leave me a comment with your email address and in 7 (SEVEN) days from today, I will pick a winner! Once it's announced on the blog who the lucky winners (remember there are 2 copies being given away!) I will email you and get your info.

*Giveaway IS international!*
In the meantime, everyone go check out Tears of the Broken and the Dark Secrets Series on Goodreads, Facebook, and Amazon! And go visit the author's Dark Secrets blog!

Goodreads blurb:

When you love someone, there's nothing you wouldn't forgive.

But what about murder?

Ara-Rose will learn that life is fashioned from one tragedy after the next, and that sometimes, the truth people hide from you is nothing you could have imagined.

But Ara has secrets of her own, and she's willing to take them to her grave--a place David Knight will fight to keep her from.

Follow Friday #25

Thanks to Parajunkee for hosting Follow Friday every week!

This weeks question-

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to books? Maybe you don’t like love triangles or thin plots? Tell us about it!

A: While I do love a good love triangle, I can't stand the same one over and over again. That aside, I think one thing I can't stand more than anything elsein books is girls who constantly put themselves down. IE (Sorry Stephenie Meyer) Bella always saying she was never good enough for Edward. That she was plain. That there was nothing special about her. She made herself helpless and I couldn't STAND it. Did I mention I can't stand that?

I think Dana over at Reasoning With Vampires says it best when it comes to how I feel about Bella and her self confidence issues:

Can't wait to see ya'lls pet peeves. Happy Friday!

Oh, and go check out my next entry for a chance to win a signed copy of Tears of the Broken by A.M. Hudson

Follow Friday #24

It's time again for Follow Friday! I'm a bit late posting this one, but better late than never right?
This weeks question:

Q: It’s Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. so we want to know what you are Thankful for – blogging related of course! Who has helped you out along the way? What books are you thankful for reading?

A. Well, there are a few different things.

1. First of all, I'm thankful for Jess aka The Cozy Reader. I don't remember how exactly I found her blog, but in doing so, I found literally HUNDREDS of books that I couldn't wait to get my hands on. Some of them, unfortunately, I'm still waiting on. But I'd been in a reading rut, and I got so many great "suggestions" from reading her.
2. Second, I'm thankful for Siobhan at Totally Bookalicious for being my ONLY follower for the longest time when I restarted my blog.
3. I'm thankful for memes. Without them I wouldn't have gotten to meet some of the coolest book bloggers. I love checking in with The Story Siren every week to see what new books she has. It's a blast looking for teasers every Tuesday to post on Miz B's wall at Should Be Reading. And then of course there's Follow Friday brought to us by Parajunkee. I love reading her BB101 posts too. It's so fun to participate in these things and it gave me a chance to "meet" a lot of really cool people.
4. I'm thankful that blogging has opened up the book world to me. I've had the good fortune to meet Maggie Stiefvater in person during a book signing as well as authors like A.M. Hudson, Shelley Watters, and Lisa Mantchev online. They are all fantastic people and are all wonderful authors.

Books that I'm thankful for?

Harry Potter. Definitely. I used to read. A lot. And I know I've posted about this in here before somewhere, but I'm going to do it again. There was a time when I was severely depressed and couldn't figure out how to get out of my own way. I probably hadn't picked up a book in forever. And then I remembered Harry Potter. I'd read it in highschool, but I decided to pick it up again. Which was a big for me because I hadn't felt like even opening the cover of any other book in a long time.

Reading Harry Potter took me away from all the stuff that was being thrown in my face left and right. It let me be someone else for as long as I could stay awake and read it. It gave me something to look forward to and be excited about. And as silly as this may sound, while I'm reading, the characters in the books are my friends. It was my escape. They took me away to somewhere better. They let me stop hurting and being angry. I could breathe again.

I think Harry Potter will forever be my all time favorite series.

And with that, I've written too much and bored you all.

What were you all thankful for this year?

Teaser Tuesday # 14

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I have two teasers. Both from books I've already read. It seems at the end of this month I've taken on a lot of reading projects and because I have ADD when it comes to books, I haven't finished any of them yet. I'm still reading Perchance to Dream and Legacy. And I'm a beta reader for an awesome author. I've just about wrapped that up so hopefully I'll finish the other two soon.

BUT ...

Without further ado.

From Her Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham (one of my favorite Historical Romance novels):

"Genevieve hid in a chamber used for storing food and herbs until the sounds of battle faded in the distance. The thickness of smoke tainted the air, and she tried not to think of the number of men who were now dead. There were two she could save, and save them she would." p 25

And teaser number two comes from The Knight's Descent by A.M. Hudson (if you remember me mentioning this series before you'll remember it's an online publication as of right now, so there's no page number):

"David laid on his back, and pulled me onto his chest; every inch of our bodies that can possibly touch entangled like a mess of twisted vines. This feels so right. It’s so unfair that it can’t be for forever—but I would happily take the next eighty years."

Can't wait to see ya'lls teasers!

Teaser Tuesday #11

Teaser Tuesday is hosted every week by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

•Grab your current read
•Open to a random page
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
•BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser number one comes from Fire by Kristin Cashore.
 

"And then sudden pain, blinding and brilliant. Fire wrenched her head and fought against the healer, against Archer's heavy strength. Her scarf slipped off and released the shimmering prism of her hair: sunrise, poppy, copper, fuchsia, flame. Red, brighter than the blood soaking the pathway." p 24
 
Teaser number two comes from The Knight's Descent by A.M. Hudson.

"Something changed then—a strange, eerie feeling came over me—like the tingling sensation you get when there's something standing behind you. A warm, vibrant energy seems to be surrounding the small restaurant. I looked over my shoulder—not for any reason, purely for the need to check behind me." Ch. 2
 
Can't wait to see ya'lls teasers! Happy Tuesday!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that we just can't wait for!!

This week I just can't wait for the next installment in the Blood Knight Series by A.M. Hudson. The first two stories in the series, Knight of the Rose & The Knight's Descent are published completely online on her blog and are just great to read through. It's kind of like Twilight in reverse. You'll have to read it to find out why.

Here's a little teaser for you from the first book:

"Fear flooded my torso, and froze my limbs into place. The reflection that mirrors back is not me. She stares at me with her round eyes, and I can see familiarity in her heart-shaped face, and long, wavy brown hair. She straightened the front of her yellow, cotton, sundress, just as I did the same. The girl looks like me--but it’s not me anymore.

Everything that made me who I am has been left behind in a place that I can never return. The girl I see in the mirror now, has no heart, and when she smiles, it’s never for real. When I leave this house today--my dads house-—still not really mine, I will be painting on the carefully created persona, of a young, happy, teenage girl.

The scars on the surface of my face have long since faded, and reduced to nothing more than a silvery reminder of a tragic past. If I keep my face out of the sun, then they’re barely visible at all. It’s the ones on the inside that never really healed—-and probably never will."

Here is chapter 1 of Knight of the Rose. Just so you get started in the right place when you go to read the rest of the story! Check it out, for real. She's great! Very descriptive so it's almost like you can see everything right in front of you. Wonderful characters (some of them you just want to kick and say WAKE UP and then they go and do it on their own, and some of them are just so endearing it makes you want to melt). Literally, as I was reading she was publishing chapters and I kept refreshing my computer to see if, once I finished one, there was another one coming!