{Review} Firstborn by @LorieAnnGrover {Published} @BlinkYABooks {Giveaway} @NightOwlReviews

                                                                                                                                       Tiadone has been forced to live her entire life as a female accepted as male in her community in order to survive as a firstborn child. But when she needs to pass the rites of manhood, she finds the Creator may have use for her feminine traits after all.

› Visit Amazon's Lorie Ann Grover Page

Biography

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I used to pretend to read before I could by carrying around Nancy Drew books and flipping through the pages. I studied ballet for ten years and was a member of the Miami Ballet Company. When I grew too tall for the profession, I turned my focus to fine art at the University of Miami. Eventually, my love for the written word yielded verse novels and board books. My fantasy novel, Firstborn, received a Kirkus Starred Review, and my board book, Bedtime Kiss for Little Fish, was named a Parents Magazine Best Children's Book. I co-founded readergirlz and readertotz. Living with my husband in the foothills of Mt. Rainier, I write, practice weapons tai chi, and watch hawks take flight.

Sometimes things don't work out the way you think they will......

Before Tiadone's birth the R'tan were conquered by the Madronians and their religion has been oppressed since before she was born. Worship of the Creator Spirit and reading of the Oracles is a punishable offense by either whippings or death.  The other thing that has changed is daughters who are the firstborn must be declared male or discarded.

Tiadone's father declared her male after his wife died in childbirth. She is the first declared male among her people and her father hopes that others will declare their first daughters male if she succeeds .  Being a declared male Tiadone must live the life of a man and at 16 she finds herself struggling to not have feelings for her best friend. Whom all but shuns her when the egg that each male and female are given at birth turns out to be a singer when all the other Rapion's are silent.  This is where the story reminds me of the Taltos series by Steven Brust. As he has a pet dragon which communicates in the same way as Tiadone's Rapion does ie. by mind.  They are bonded together as the Rapions are to protect the male's while they defend what is called the Perimeter. 

Firstborn is a story of not only female repression but also of life worth.  As they believe that the firstborn daughters are worthless. Tiadone hopes to prove them wrong.  But will she succeed in defending the Perimeter for 1 year or will she fail? This book is unlike any other book that I have read.  With similarities to both the Vlad Taltos series and Mulan it is one nail bitting adventure.  It really makes you think, that if you were in this situation. What would you do?  Could you live your life as a lie not being who you are? Or would you run away?  I don't think I could live my life as a male but, Tiadone knows of nothing else.   

I found myself feeling for Tiadone's situation as she is faced with the truth of her womanhood.  She has to question her beliefs and make a choice that will forever change not only her life path but all the lives of all Firstborn Daughters.  I really hope that the author decides to come back to Tiadone's world and live as I would love to read more about this world.  I want to know more about if her decision changed their way of thinking.  

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. OR I purchased the book on my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.
See Lorie Ann Grover on the Live Web Author Q and A #ReadOn  June 14th at 4pm EST and Enter to Win ONE of TWO Copies in Print!  RSVP HERE

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{Review} Inked Armor by @HelenaHunting {Giveaway} @NightOwlReviews

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker's tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by ni
ghtmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn't believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents' death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.

› Visit Amazon's Helena Hunting Page

Biography

Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's putting her English degree to good use by writing popular fiction. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

After finishing book one I had to start book two. And although I didn't know what to expect I have to say that book two really redeemed book one for me.  Inked Armor was so much better! As Hayden is plagued by nightmares and Tenley is troubled by her bad decisions you really wonder if these two are going to get a break and be able to just have some peace.

This one was a lot more serious than book one but it doesn't feel depressive at all.  The author did a wonderful job balancing the dar and light, steamy, and humors moments.  Tenley's character grew so much in this book that she really has become a fav.  She made some bad choices but she found her way through and came out stronger for it. I now can't wait for book three!

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Ok here is book two for you guys to win! One person will win both books. 

 Just comment below with how you followed!  USA only please.  

{Review} Salvage by @DuncanAlexandra {Published} @GreenwillowBook

Ava, a teenage girl living aboard the male-dominated deep space merchant ship Parastrata, faces betrayal, banishment, and death. Taking her fate into her own hands, she flees to the Gyre, a floating continent of garbage and scrap in the Pacific Ocean, in this thrilling, surprising, and thought-provoking debut novel that will appeal to fans of Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, and The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood.

› Visit Amazon's Alexandra Duncan Page

Biography

Alexandra Duncan is a science fiction and fantasy writer. SALVAGE, her first novel, will be released by Greenwillow Books, HarperCollins, on April 1, 2014. Her short stories have been published in THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION and THE YEAR'S BEST SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY. She lives with her husband and two monstrous, furry cats in North Carolina. You can visit her online at www.alexandra-duncan.com.

I wanted so much to love this book.  The cover is breathtaking and the plot/story sounded so interesting.  But unfortunally that is where the good things end with this book.  The first thing I am going to say is that if you didn't like the writing style of Blood Red Road, just put this book back on the shelf and walk away.  Because, the author invented a new language style.  I loved the idea because it makes you really believe that the book is set in another time different than out own.  But the author does it in such a way it made each sentence drag.  The first 60 pages were the hardest to get through I had to put it down many times because I found myself falling asleep.  Then it picks up a bit but then dives back into dullsville. So for this one the potential was huge for this book.  Great plot, wonderful cover, but the execution just wasn't there.  I would have to say that I love this kind of book and if I didn't make it through it. I don't see many others especially teens making it through this very dull, very tech wordy, book that will make you want to snooze.

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. OR I purchased the book on my own."

{Review} Clipped Wings by @HelenaHunting {Giveaway} @NightOwlReviews

An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And 
Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?
An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn't ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley's past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?

› Visit Amazon's Helena Hunting Page

Biography

Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's putting her English degree to good use by writing popular fiction. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

So Clipped Wings I was very happy to read.  A few people I know were reading it and just loved it.  But I had real issues with this book.  Its been one month since Tenley survived one of the worst things that can happen to someone.  And as I understand that she is trying to work through her issues I felt that her emotions were unrealistic.  I found the love interest to be annoying.  And although the two of them had a lot of sweet moments I really couldn't connect with either of these main characters.  I think that really killed the story for me.  The plot started to drag around a 1/4 of the way through the book and around the ending the author came out of left field adding a new element to the story.  The ending was not much better.

"*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.
Since this one wasn't for me you have the chance to win both book one and two!!   So all you have to do is comment with how you followed!  
This one is open to USA only. thanks!

{Cover] HaperTeen just released their new Fall 2014 Covers! @EpicReads

So here are the new covers via EpicReads  for Fall of this year.  I so can't wait! 

Here is a link to their post: 

http://www.epicreads.com/blog/the-official-roundup-of-fall-2014-harperteen-cover-reveals/

Ok so this one is book 2 to Blackout and I have to say that I am very excited about this one.  And that is not just because the author Robison Wells is coming on the #ReadOn show Sept 27th along with Krystal Wade.

I have the Burning Sky in ebook and still haven't read it. But this cover is just beautiful!  I think ill have to add it to my ever growing list.

Ok this one looks GOOD.  I loved Chaos of Stars!!  I so can't wait for this one! ARC please why yes ill take it!!

This author I know I have heard before but I can't place it.  But the book sounds interesting.

I don't know if I will pick this one up. The cover looks creepy but I couldn't get through the authors other retelling.

Another one that I prob won't grab.  I didn't care for Asylum at all.  But the cover looks very creepy!

This one I can't wait for!!  EEEP

Another one that I so can't wait for!!!

Yay! A new Gretchen McNeil book!And it appears to be a series. I don't think any of her other books were series. Hmmm.

A second book?! WHAT? I thought Not A Drop To Drink was a standalone. Apparently I was wrong. But the cover is pretty.

Yup. Cover buy. The story doesn't sound too bad either. I have the first book around here somewhere... hehehe. The third book will be called Trust Me. Or at least that's what Goodreads says.

Goodreads















Please make sure to check out the sight above that I got this from. And on the site it tells you where the cover was first revealed so go check out those links as well!

What do you think about these covers? Which ones are you most excited for? Which ones are the prettiest? Let me know!

Join #ReadOn March 15th @ 4pm EST to Q & A with authors @krystalwade @claudiagabel @cherylklam

<a href="http://www.spreecast.com/events/q-a-with-authors-wadeklamgabel" target="_blank"><img src="https://scontent-a-mia.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1972347_829299707087112_1267461890_n.jpg" width="100%" target="_blank">

This week on #ReadOn we have returning #ReadOn author Krystal Wade creator of the Darkness Falls series as well as the new Book of Red Series!  We also have authors Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam authors of the upcoming Elusion!  

Share the button and watch the show! It will link to the Spreecast!  And don't forget to get the secret word of the week to enter to win some yummy books!!

Check out all of their books!

@claudiagabel 

Claudia Gabel was born in Roanoke, VA, raised in Binghamton, NY, and moved to Manhattan after studying abroad in London during her senior year in college. She received her Masters of Arts degree in English and American Literature from Hofstra University, and planned to pursue her doctorate, until a side-job as an editorial assistant at a large book publisher permanently redirected her career course. Claudia worked as an editor in the adult divisions of several major publishing houses, then made the move to children's books, where she hoped to inspire, educate, and entertain young readers. Along the way, she began writing novels of her own. Her first series, IN OR OUT, was based on her experiences as a freshman in high school. She wrote her mash-up novel, ROMEO & JULIET & VAMPIRES, for readers who were looking to indulge in a fun twist on William Shakespeare. And her latest novel, ELUSION, co-written with fellow author Cheryl Klam, is a glimpse into the near-future, where a girl discovers that a popular alternate reality app is not exactly what it seems. Claudia lives in New York City with her husband Ben.

Goodreads | Website| Twitter

@Cherylklam 

Cheryl Klam is the author (along with Claudia Gabel) of the young adult futuristic thriller, ELUSION. She is also the bestselling author of several other novels for adults and teens, including THE PRETTY ONE, which was nominated for an Isinglass Teen Read Award. Her work has been published in more than a dozen different languages. She grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan. When she was a teenager she starred in Sam Raimi's first short horror movie, later appearing as a "fake shemp" in Raimi's cult classic: THE EVIL DEAD.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter

Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion—accusations that it’s addictive and dangerous— Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions.

Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.

 I loved this one!  This book is Under the Never Sky meets Starters meets Total Recall.  This one has a cliffhanger that will make you scream that the next book doesn't come out for a while.  It will keep you hooked until the end with its stunning descriptions and tough main character.  The world building was wonderful. With the descriptions of virtual reality and simulations this is deff. one great dystopian book.  The only issue I had was the love triangle insta-love that happened.  Friend falls for Friend, but said friend doesn't feel the same way, BUT said friend falls for new friend of other friend and falls insta love in with them. But, even with that the story was wonderful. 

@KrystalWade

Krystal Wade can be found in the sluglines outside Washington D.C. every morning, Monday through Friday. With coffee in hand, iPod plugged in, and strangers - who sometimes snore, smell, or have incredibly bad gas - sitting next to her, she zones out and thinks of fantastical worlds for you and me to read. How else can she cope with a fifty mile commute? Good thing she has her husband and three kids to go home to. They keep her sane. Goodreads | Website | Twitter

After being kidnapped, hogtied, and stuffed in the trunk of a car, seventeen-year-old Abigail Nichols' boy problems seem unimportant. 
She couldn't be more wrong.

The boy who saves her holds her heart. 

But Derick Crawford also holds secrets. 

Magical beings who guide human emotions are fighting an invisible war dating back to the dawn of time, and Abigail's one of them. The more she learns of her heritage, the less she wants to know. Armed with a very old, very massive book to teach them about their history, Abigail and Derick run away to a place where they think they can be safe and happy, only to have their troubles secretly hitch a ride.

Her history book is in a sharing mood, and it tells her to keep a secret of her own.

But has she put her trust in the wrong place?

And will the world survive if she has?

Ok so this book was beyond good. The only issue I had with it is the author attempted to cram a little to much into it. I think some people will find parts of it hard to understand. But I found it engaging and wonderful. I have been a fan of the author since the Darkness Falls series. And I love this one even more. Abigail is a very strong lead and doesn't take anything laying down. Derick is a wonderful male lead and has feelings which most ya males do not. This book was full of both seriousness and humor as well as some steamy pg scenes. This story will make you laugh out loud, cry, and scream for more! It should not be missed!  


Disclaimer: Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information.

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#BookBabble @Divergent @VeronicaRoth {Giveaway}

This weeks #BookBabble is all about Divergent!  The books the movie!  Enter to win a copy of the book as well as two tickets to the movie via Fandango! I just got done reading the entire series.  And I so can't wait for the movie.  So before we watch it on March 23rd (no midnight showing for me) were going to talk about what we love and hate via the books and what we hope stays in the movie!  Want to chat with us? Want to win? Then watch #BookBabble this Saturday at 6pm EST. 

http://www.spreecast.com/events/divergent

Note: You must have an account to chat via the spreecast.


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