NaNoWriMo 2012

Click the badge to check out the official NaNoWriMo website!

I am attempting NaNoWriMo again this year! For those of you who are unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo [National Novel Writing Month], it is where crazy people like me, who love to write, attempt to write a 50,000 word novel throughout the month of November.

Last year was a bit of a failure, but I enjoyed writing my story when I was actually writing.. Although I do have some things going on in November which will take time away from writing, I am hoping to push through it all and succeed!

I have a video explaining NaNo, a brief idea on my four possible plot concepts and some tips which may help you!


Helpful links:
- NaNoWriMo website
- NaNoWriMo forum
- Write or Die

If you would like to add me as a writing buddy, feel free! /LittleBookOwl

During the month I will be posting updates on here, and may also include some Vlogs if I have the time.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four

Today I have another cover reveal! Take a look at the lovely cover of Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four! Below is also a giveaway for US residents.

Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four by Nya Jade
Expected Publication: November 2012

"The students of Green Lane Academy roam their halls unaware that below their manicured campus exists a prestigious school of an entirely different kind . . .

Sixteen-year-old Phoebe Pope has enrolled at the Campus Below: a spy academy for shape-shifters hidden deep beneath the grounds of a boarding school whose humans unknowingly protect it. There, thanks to a carefully planned schedule, she leads a double life: spy trainee Below and normal teenager Above.

As if two course loads, concealing a secret power she alone wields, and coping with her father’s recent death weren’t enough, Phoebe finds herself developing major feelings for actor and teen heartthrob Colten Chase, who attends the Campus Above and appears to be majoring in winning Phoebe’s heart. But when officials learn that Phoebe may be at the center of a startling prophecy, she becomes the target of shape-shifting assassins who will stop at nothing to suppress the truth.

Now Phoebe’s lessons about Shaper’s enemies and spycraft take on great importance as a menace stalks the campus, with Phoebe as its target. Meanwhile, what began as an unlikely relationship with Colten, quickly morphs into heartache when she suspects that something sinister lurks beneath this movie star’s glitter and fame. Suddenly, Phoebe’s caught in a mesh of lies, betrayals, and danger where she doesn’t know who to trust, and needs to rely on herself–and her secret power—to get to the truth and to stay alive."

Author Links:
Twitter , Facebook, Website

Giveaway!

Singer-songwriter Nya Jade is celebrating the upcoming release of her debut YA novel, Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four, with a Tiffany & Co. gift card giveaway!!
- (2) $100 Gift Cards.
- US only
Tiffany & Co. gift cards are redeemable at all Tiffany & Co. locations, as well as at tiffany.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Snow White by The Brothers Grimm

Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, Illustrated by Camille Rose Garcia
Released: Febuary 28th, 2012
Series: n/a
Publisher: Harper Design
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 80
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Book Depository (free shipping) | Amazon

"Originating in seventeenth-century French Folklore, the story of Snow White has been one of the world's most memorable childhood tales. It is the story of an evil queen determined to do away with a girl-with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony- who threatens the queen's quest to remain the most beautiful in her kingdom. This new gift edition presents the unabridged version of the Grimms' tale, with an original interpretation by renowned artist Camille Rose Garcia that art-fully combines wit and dark romance."

Image & Synopsis

I am not doing my usual review today, as it is not really the story I am going to talk about - rather I'll be discussing the entire book as a whole.


I was of course aware of the Disney's Snow White, but had yet to read the Grimm brothers version. However I bought and read this purely for the pleasure of looking at the amazing illustrations from this book.

To put it simply: it is beautiful. The illustrations and typography are amazing, gorgeous and just so good to look at. It was an extremely quick read, but I spent my time savouring each page and looking at all of the details on every single page.

Now story-wise, as I mentioned I was familiar with the general gist of Snow White, but of course Disney likes to add a little more than a pinch of sugar to sweeten original fairy tales. This story was a little gruesome at some points!

I feel that if you have not read Snow White, get this copy. You will truly appreciate it so much more (and come on, this cover will look fantastic on your shelf).

Would you buy this just for the illustrations?

Birthright Blog Tour

I received this book for free from the blog tour host in exchange for an honest review.


Birthright by Willow Cross
Released: March 2nd, 2011
Series: The Dark Gifts Series [Book One]
Format: eBook
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 226
Source: Blog Tour
Buy it: The Book Depository (free shipping) | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

For one-thousand years, Druid prophecies foretold of a young witch destined to alter the fate of both human and immortal alike. This witch-turned-vampire would be capable of harnessing the supernatural abilities of both and, in a bloody rise to power, would rule with unwavering control.

Unwillingly thrust into a world she never dreamed existed, Liz Markum is catapulted into an ancient war between rival vampire factions. She must choose between those she loves and the ever-present darkness attempting to devour her very soul.

Only one question remains: Will Liz claim her birthright or surrender to the dark gift?

One choice.

One chance.

Two destinies.

Synopsis

The Short
Birthright was a fresh take on vampires. We get a deeper understanding of a much larger world which involves magic and darker forces. The unique aspects and great cast of characters makes this story really stand out and kept me interested.


The Long
In this story, we are given a larger platform to explore in the world of vampires. You don't follow just a single vampire or a small clan, rather you are plunged into the core of the vampire rulers which has enabled a more detailed understanding on how vampires interact with one another as well as other beings.

Liz was a strong and brave character and I really liked her as a main character. She has been put into a very confronting and challenging position and the way she handles it is very respectable. When it came to her love interest, I felt that it lacked a little. I am grateful that it did not overrun the entire story, but as a sub-plot I feel like it could have been a little more fleshed out. By this I mean that I didn't see enough of the romance. Over time we are told that things are getting more serious and their feelings are growing stronger, but I did not get to see it. This is probably why I also wanted to see more of the love interest.

It was really interesting to discover who the antagonists were and their motives. The story kept getting more twisted and complex as you go, which makes me very curious about the other instalments in this series. I will definitely be getting my hands on the sequel!


The Good 
Vampires, magic, interesting world, bad-heroine


The Bad
Not enough of the sexy hunk, lack of evidence of romantic development

About the Author

Willow Cross resides in Arkansas with her husband, two children still young enough to live at home, an enormous cat named Bitsy, and a neurotic dog named Tank. Her home has been known to host the occasional ghost and several of her friends profess to be witches. Although she dearly loves Vampires and Werewolves, they are never invited for dinner.

Facebook
Twitter
Website
Blog

Top Ten Tuesday (13)

I am participating in Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! Each week, there is a specific topic for a top ten list.

This weeks topic is:

Top Ten Bookish People You Want To Meet

For this I have a long list of vloggers/bloggers I would LOVE to meet! Unfortunately I can't fit them all in, especially since I wanted to include some authors :)

1. CassJayTuck [Cassidy]

2. TheBookTuber [Tiernan]

3. TheBookTubenator [Joseph]

4. padfootandprongs07 [Raeleen]

5. Jessethereader [Jesse]

6. BooksUnbound [Ariel]

7. Stephanie Perkins

8. Veronica Roth

9. John Green

10. J.K. Rowling

Banned Books Week 2012

30 Sep - 6 Oct 2012

This week was Banned Books Week. To help promote BBW and celebrate the freedom to read, I participated in a Virtual Read-Out of a book which was frequently challenged in 2011. Last year I participating in BBW as well, doing a Virtual Read-Out alongside a video which talks about Banned Books Week and my opinion of banning books.

Here is a playlist of all three videos:

Cover Reveal: Purgatory Reign & GIVEAWAY

Today I have another cover reveal for you, for Purgatory Reign. It is a YA paranormal romance/action adventure, which sounds awesome! Below is also a book trailer, as well as a giveaway form where you could win an ARC of Purgatory Reign and other cool swag!

Purgatory Reign by L.M. Preston
Expected Publication: March 2013 (eBook) & May 2012 (paperback)

"Peter Saint’s life stinks. But things are about to get much worst. First, his parents are murdered in front of him. Then another victim dies in his arms. Visions plague Peter with warnings that something wants him for a sinister cause. It desires the one thing that Peter refuses to give—his blood. Peter carries within him the one gift or curse that could unlock a secret to destroy the human race.

On the run with Angel, a scruffy kid, Peter starts to unravel the mystery. It’s the one treasure the heavens sought to hide from the world. Unfortunately, when Peter finds the answer that he hopes will save the girl he loves, he opens the door to a great evil that happens to be salivating to meet him."

Goodreads Link

You can read a FREE SAMPLE by following this link: Sample of Purgatory Reign

If you would like to pre-order a copy, you can do so at the following retailers:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble (coming soon)
- Indie Bound (coming soon)
- Books a Million (coming soon)


And now for the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

September Wrap Up | 2012

Buying books is such a wonderful feeling. Again, I am happy that I have stopped my book buying ban!




Books Acquired:
- Rapture by Lauren Kate
- The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
- What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
- Meridian by Amber Kizer
- The Named by Marianne Curley
- The Eleventh Orphan by Joan Lingard
- Captivate by Carrie Jones
- Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris
- Slated by Teri Terry
- Blood Storm by Rhiannon Hart



Books Read:
- Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart
- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
- Masks of the Lost Kings by Tom Bane
- Birthright by Willow Cross
- Intangible by J. Meyers


/In Progress/
- The Burning Star by Jessie Lane
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
- The Night is for Hunting by John Marsden


October TBR:
- Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Random Riggs
- Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
- The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
- The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
- Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

*****

Reviews
Any Love But Mine by Debbie Davies
Blood Song by Rhiannon Hart
Masks of the Lost Kings by Tom Bane


Memes
Top Ten Tuesday; Series I Haven't Finished


Additions to Reading Challenges
Masks of the Lost Kings by Tom Bane - Debut Author Challenge
The Burning Star by Jessie Lane - Debut Author Challenge