Monday Moonings: C’mon- My Story of Rock, Ruin and Revelation by Christopher Long

This is a weekly meme of mine that will feature books and authors. 

I’m so excited to make my first post on this self-created meme! 

What do you think of my new meme?

Title: C’mon: My Story of Rock, Run and Revelation

Author: Christopher Long

Publisher: Digital Books International

Released On: January 17, 2012

Website: www.CmonTheBook.com

Goodreads | Amazon

OVERVIEW

Uniquely described as "The Wonder Years"-meets-"The Wall" at a Big Tent Revival, "C’MON!" offers a bold message of faith based on author Christopher Long’s lifelong connection to the entertainment world.

Long recounts his personal experiences with candor and wit – from growing up with Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt to being physically threatened by Gene Simmons of Kiss to hanging out at Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate to his ultimate life-changing spiritual awakening.

This compelling and entertaining memoir features dozens of photos as well as original illustrations by cartoonist, Wendrell Tillett, and a foreword by Jeff “Blando” Bland, guitarist for the platinum-selling rock band Slaughter and Vince Neil.

HIGHLIGHTS

Author Christopher Long tells his story of faith, family and the pursuit of fame and fortune in a glitzy and often morally bankrupt industry in his typical engaging, conversational style.

"C’MON!" is a powerful personal testimony, chock-full of anecdotes and insider stories: ·ROCK: Long’s first-hand accounts of iconic figures from Brad Pitt, Gene Simmons, Donald Trump and President George H.W. Bush to riveting tales of murder, drug deals, backstage meltdowns and more! 

·RUIN: Deeply personal and compelling experiences from divorce and depression to career frustrations and addictions. 

·REVELATION: An open, honest and detailed account of the 2010 spiritual awakening that led him from the world of “Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll” into the world of Christian ministry. 

REVIEWS

Long has dished up something akin to the rock 'n' roll

version of “The Cross & The Switchblade!”

- Gail Worley (Rock Critic at Large / worleygig.com)

It really hits home.

-Jeff "Blando" Bland (Guitarist for the rock band Slaughter and Vince Neil)

I recommend this book to anyone who thinks their

life is shit and can't ever change. There is hope!

-Angela Hupp (AngelsCove.blogspot.com)

This book rocks!

-Lisa Snyder (Rock Thiz Magazine)

Long's story may make you feel like you are looking at yourself in the mirror.

-Greg Van Vorhis (GoodReads.com)

A bold testimony.

-Chris Johnson (Worship Pastor / East Coast Christian Center - Merritt Island, Florida)

Author: Christopher Long

Site: www.ChristopherLongShowBizGuru.blogspot.com

email: AuthorChristopherLong@yahoo.com

Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: Harper Collins
Released on: January 3, 2012
Source: own paperback copy
My rating:


Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

My Thoughts:

   My gosh! It took me almost a week to finish reading this book! What’s happening to me? I can answer that, books with awful beginnings slows down my reading (because I practically fall asleep everytime I try to read it again). Anyway, this was a busy week for me too...onto the book!

   The beginning of the novel practically dragged me around. Imagine being pulled upside down across a dirt track, held by your shirt, I feel that way. There’s a blackout and I’m feeling my way around. I understand that whenever you start reading a book, everything’s a clean slate to make it original, however sometimes a lot of books have lots of similarities with other stories that some things are familiar. Though I applaud the originality and uniqueness of this new dystopian novel, I have to say the way the readers where introduced into the new environment of the story is not that good. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the novel (4 stars remember?). It’s just I was so lost in about the 1st one-thirds of the book. From then on only good stuffs happened. It was quite exciting actually. I love adventure books. The travels in forests, the danger lurking on every corner.

   “Under the Never Sky” is definitely distinctive from other dystopian novels. What I like about reading dystopian novels are the interesting and sometimes ludicrous ideas authors come up. Anyway, in “Under the Never Sky”, the world basically was destroyed sometime (this event they called “Unity”), and the sky is covered with “aethers” which I understood as some sort of a fog (dark) which is very dangerous. Aether storms are the most destructive of all. People came up with the idea of pods where they are safe from the “aethers". Aria lived in one, until she was kicked out and discovered a world far from what she knew. As we read Aria’s journey, we discover many things just the way she did. Alternating narration from Aria and Perry (a guy living in the outside world), we as readers get to become omniscient of everything about the story. I have to say though that at first, everything is so blah blah, and confusing. However, when well adjusted, I was able to visualize and understand pretty okay. Then I enjoyed the rest of the book. That was the only downplay for me for this book.

   Overall, I’m glad I pursued reading despite humps of confusion that held me when I read the first few chapters. Because if I didn’t continue reading, I wouldn’t discover the adventure that awaits. The ending was no cliffhanger, but it presented itself enough for it’s readers to watch out for the next book.

  View all my reviews

NEW stuffs on my blog

A bit late for a blog’s “new year resolution” right? Good thing it’s not-a new year’s resolution for me. Rather, just another realization of improving my love for blogging by blogging more. Does that make any sense? Well, anyway, I plan on wanting to blog everyday, or almost everyday, so I decided to weekly join the following meme: (thank you to my friend Raffy for designing the banner. :))

Waiting on Wednesday by Jill from Breaking the Spine

I’ve joined these memes for a number of times already but just not regularly. By having my own banner, I will try to be more productive on those posts. hehe.


The next three memes are ones I thought of myself as a kind of exclusive for my blog ( I don’t know what the future holds, but for the mean time it’s going to run in my blog only). So, these are just random ideas I thought of to posts more in my blog. 


Monday Moonings- promo stops for new books and new authors. I’ve been getting lots of e-mails from authors to review their books. Since my TBR list never seem to thin out, I just don’t have time to read additional books (and I’ve been so slow in reading lately. anyway) So, I thought of this meme to help them promote their book instead. :)

Thoughts on Tuesday- random thoughts from me. Really. Anything under the sun! :)

*Note* The 2 memes I made up were created by me (from one of my daydreaming). If by chance I offended you by some similarity of it to any meme, I apologize for not mentioning “inspired by” (because I really don’t know any blog meme similar as to these ideas my brain came up with, and pls inform me so I can do the proper recognition. Thank you! )


Another meme I wanted to add is “Book Blessings”, in lieu of “In My Mailbox”. It is inspired by “In My Mailbox”, and other similar memes. But due to the recent issues in the blogosphere this week, I decided to just have my own meme on showcasing the books I bought, was gifted or given for review. 




What do you think? :)

ARC Tour: Oppression by Jessica Therrien- Deleted Scene!

Hi! As part of this ARC Tour hosted by Precious at Fragments of Life  through Pinoy Book Tours, I will

be featuring a bonus DELETED SCENE from the book Oppression by Jessica Therrien.

HEADS UP! Elyse was originally named Ruth, so in this scene (taken from the original manuscript) that is what she's called.

Deleted Scene 1

Class went by too quickly.  It was spent trading glances with William, and dwelling over my irrational interest in him.  I knew nothing would, or could, come of his invitation to the party, but I couldn’t deny the temptation of it.  Was I really this weak?  It was only the first day of class and I was already considering relationships with people.  It was ridiculous, and it would have to stop.  

“Come on, I’ll walk you to your next class,” William said as soon as we were dismissed.

The possibility of continuing things scared me.  It was too enticing an offer to see what I’d be missing out on, to become familiar with all I shouldn’t know.  I decided to just be smart and avoid that path.  

“Actually, I’m done for the day, so I guess I’ll see you later.” 

“Walk you home then,” he said without a beat.

“What if I drove?” I was stalling now.  

“Did you?”

“No,” I admitted.  I felt my cheeks warm, but he just smiled.  We continued walking, not saying much, but my mind was whirling.  What was I doing?  How was I going to get out of this one?  

“So Ruth, do you like Mexican food?” He asked randomly.

“Sure,” I answered a little confused.  “Why?”

“I’m just trying to decide where we should eat before the party tomorrow.”

“Oh,” was all I could say.  It was only a party right?  I wasn’t telling this guy my life story or committing to anything really.  Just one night of fun, then it would be over.  There wasn’t any real risk in that.  Young girls in college go to parties.  Maybe this would even be good for me—help me blend in.  Deep down, I knew I was just justifying my obviously bad decisions, but I was powerless to his charm.  

“Yeah, Mexican is fine.”  I was hesitant to speak and already regretting my spur of the moment decision, but standing next to him gave me such a thrill.  I even felt sort of reckless in a way.  His presence was just so persuasive, like he could convince me to do just about anything as long as he was involved.   

“I saw you in Mythology,” he commented, and I reacted instantly, whipping my head up to analyze his expression.  His face was curious, like he’d been searching for answers too, but I immediately regretted the reflex.  I knew it must have given me away.  I was surprised he was so quick to confront the moment, and pleased to know that he had been looking at me.  I struggled to keep composed.

“Yeah I guess we have that class together too,” I said, trying to seem indifferent, like I hadn’t been thinking about it all day.  We were both staring straight ahead as we walked, but I knew he was watching me.  Beneath the casual appearances we were attempting to maintain, we were strongly aware of each other.  

“Did you find it interesting?” he asked me.  His voice alone drew me in like sweet hypnotic music, but I noticed there was something behind his question.  He was insinuating something. 

“Yeah, I did.”  I didn’t mention, of course, the fact that it was mostly due to him being there.  

“Me too, I felt like maybe he was right,” he said with a grin.  Even from my periphery his smile made my knees weak.  I felt completely vulnerable, subject to his intimidating allure.  “Anything is possible you know?”  

I considered the question seriously, over analyzing it a bit.  For a second I agreed with him, after all, I was eighty-nine years old, but one thing changed my mind.  If anything was possible, would I be feeling so conflicted about talking to this guy?  Would I have to submit to the confines of my cursed and lonely life?    

“No, not anything,” I said resigning to the fact that this was not something I could pursue.  It was just a small taste of a feeling I could never allow myself to enjoy.  Living a normal life for example, for me, that was not possible.  The thought brought me slightly back to reality.  

“Where’s your imagination?” he asked with surprised inflection.  

“I’m imaginative,” I said defensively.  “I just...well there are some things that you have to be realistic about.”  

“Like what?” he asked me.  

Like I’m almost seventy years older than you, I thought.  I considered the situation and what he might think of my “imagination” if I were to tell him the truth.

DAEMON Invasion 2012 is finally HERE!!!

I’m so excited!!!!!! It’s finally here! :)

Over the last couple of weeks, you’ve heard us talking about the upcoming #daemoninvasion and we’re so excited to finally share with you what is going on.

Really excited.

The beautiful and uber cool models, Pepe Toth and Sztella Tziotziosz, who grace the Lux covers, will be joining us in the United States!  You heard right.  They are flying here, from Hungary to spend a few days as Daemon and Katy! While they are here, they will be working with Vania, from VLC Productions (the team behind Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments, Melissa de La Cruz, Kimberly Derting, Moira Young, Kami Garcia and Margret Stohl, Hillary Duff, Lauren Destefano, and many, many more authors’ book trailers), to film book trailers for the Lux Series.

During the filming in Atlanta, they will be accompanying us on tour! What does that mean? You get to meet them. In the flesh. They will be participating in the signings and events. At those signings, we’ll be giving away signed posters, photos, and other swag. There will also be meet and greet events you can join in on. 

At each signing, there will be advanced copies of Onyx given away!

And to top things off (as if this isn’t enough, but we don’t do anything small), there’s something very, very exciting in the works! It involves advanced copies of Opal, water, and a little destination known as the Bahamas. 

I am not kidding. 

This will be epic. 

Aare you excited? I am! This tour is going to be so, so much fun, and I’m so thrilled that Pepe and Sztella are a part of it. We owe them a huge thank you and a giant welcome making the 16 hour flight to meet the readers of the Lux Series.  You!

Daemon Invasion Signing and Event Schedule

June 8^th
FoxTale Book Shoppe
Woodstock, GA
3:00pm

June 10^th
Barnes and Noble
St Johns Town Center
Jacksonville, FL
3:00pm

June 13^th
Barnes and Noble
Waterford Lakes Town Center
Orlando, FL
3:00pm

June 14^th
Barnes and Noble
The Palladium at City Place
West Palm Beach, FL
4:00pm

There are several #daemoninvasion street teamers out there and if you want to join a team to win exclusive prizes, search down the #daemoninvasion hashtag to join one of the teams!

Don’t forget to visit Jennifer L. Armentrout’s blog to win a signed set of Half-Blood and Pure (insert direct link: HERE in celebration of her adult romance release, Tempting the Best Man, under pen name J. Lynn.  It can be purchased here (insert direct link: HERE )

I decided to join another team so there’ll be a lot of us. hmm.. what team to join? :)

Invitation to Jenna and Em food and fashion blog

                              

Hello everyone! I would just like to invite you to our (Jenna (that’s me!) & Em’s ) blog about food and fashion. Now, who doesn’t love food? or fashion? We decided to have a blog and share our love for the said topic. So, I hope you can drop by and add us via GFC :) We will greatly appreciate it! 

CLICK ME!

Blog Tour: The Light Tamer by Devyn Dawson- Excerpt and Giveaway!

Title: The Light Tamer
Author: Devyn Dawson
Release Date: April 10, 2012

   Jessie moved from New York to North Carolina one week after school let out for summer break. Her newly single mother and Jessie move in with grandma Gayle. Being a teen in a retirement area, is one more thing to add to her 'this sucks' list. It's bad enough to have to move, but even worse her alcoholic father left them as he went on a quest to be an artist in Greece.
   Things begin to look up when she is reintroduced to Caleb, the dorky boy that saved her life one summer at the beach. Caleb is no longer scrawny and nerdy, he is now tall, dark and handsome. Caleb is a Light Tamer.
   Jessie and Amber become fast friends. Amber is a no frills girl, her snarky comments and sassy attitude will raise a few eyebrows and have you laughing out loud. Amber is rough around the edges, a light tamer with only two years left to find the one she is bound to. Her father's surfing accident left her dad paralyzed and her brother dead. 
   This paranormal romance will keep you on the edge of your seat with humor, romance, and determination. Fall head over heels for Caleb and Jessie.

EXCERPT!

“No matter what you do, don’t ask her any questions about her brother. If you do, don’t say I didn’t warn you” Caleb said.

We turned off the freeway and onto a barely paved street. Grass was growing through the numerous cracks in the road. We drive at least half a mile and then the pavement disappears into a dirt road. Caleb eases the car carefully down the bumpy path. His BMW moans and groans as he eases it down the seemingly endless road.

“They sure don’t get a lot of visitors around here do they? Sheesh, this road is killer,” I grunted out. As we inch closer to the end of the road, I am impressed with the Cape Cod house in front of us. “I wouldn’t have guessed this house to be at the end of that dirt road. Wow!” I exclaim.

Caleb grinned and reached over to pat my leg. A simple pat sends waves of warmth through me. “You’re in for a treat. This house is pretty great and it really is amazing that it is a modular house,” he said. “It’s like the Jaguar of manufactured homes. Everything you see in front of you was brought in on a semi. I can’t imagine how they got it down that road, but it is pretty cool. Remember, don’t ask about her brother,” he said. I take my finger across my lips, pretending to zip it up and throw away the key. “Mum’s the word,” I whisper.

The girl that answers the door is about five foot two with chin length hair. I’m surprised that a private school would allow multi-colored hair or a scene kid at all. The top of her hair is white with blue tips. The peace sign covered tie-dye sundress cinched around her waist with a belt makes her pixie-ish. My mom would kill me if I had on a dress that barely covered my butt, I think to myself. Her complexion is slightly pimply but nothing a little Zap-A-Zit couldn’t fix.

“You’re shittin’ me, this is Jessie?” The girl asked. “No wonder you didn’t want to hook up with me, she’s adorable,” she said.

“You’re going to scare her off with that mouth Amber. You going to let us in or do we have to sit on the porch,” Caleb asked. “Jess, this is Amber, Amber meet Jessie.”

I put my hand out to shake her hand; I’d never met anyone like her before.

“Oh shit, you haven’t told her that we can’t touch have you? Ha! Get your asses in the house before my dad comes in here pitchin’ a holy hell fit,” she said and scoots out of the way allowing us to enter.

The entry opens up to a beautiful great-room and I was totally thrown off. The dark wood floors have a high-gloss finish that shines like no tomorrow. A beautiful stair case with wood stairs and an intricate banister graced the right side of the room. I’d never been in a manufactured house before and was blown away at how beautiful it was. I look over at Caleb to figure out what she was talking about.

“Dad! I have company! We’re going up to my room! If you need me, let me know! Deloris, could you bring up three Cokes for us?” 

Amber shouts out. “You do drink regular soda don’t you? Don’t tell me you’re one of those skinny-ass girls that think they need to be on a diet are you?” She said accusingly.

“Ah, no, I like regular Coke, that’s fine, thank you,” I said.

“Her dad is in the study most likely. He was in a surfing accident last year and is paralyzed from the waist down. Deloris is their maid and care-taker of him,” Caleb whispers in my ear.

“What the hell, can’t anyone acknowledge me? Caleb, take her and go up to my room, I’ll go get the drinks. Can’t get good help anywhere,” she says exasperated. I wasn’t prepared for someone that is so blatantly crass. The hallway at the top of the stairs led to six doors. Caleb walks to the last door on the right and opens it up to the most chicked-out room. The pink walls and giant white canopy bed throw me off. “This is her room?”

GIVEAWAY time!

I’ll be hosting TWO giveaways. 1 US, and 1 INTERNATIONAL.

International- one eBook copy of The Light Tamer

US- two Light Tamer cards, 1 button and a pink flashlight. :) 

INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!

Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Source: Netgalley (ARC from Harlequin Teen)
My rating: 


In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.


My Thoughts:


   That was 504 pages of epicness with bloody awesomeness written all over it! Julie Kagawa never failed to amaze me! From faeries to vampires, that woman is talented!

   At first, I was kind of hesitant to read the book because it may tamper my adoration to Julie Kagawa, because it’s a vampire book, and we all know there are so manyyyy MANY Vamp books out there and most of them aren’t good. However, having finished the book, I can safely and proudly say that this was the BEST Vamp book I’ve read ever! Seriously! I mean I like Twilight since it was like the first vamp series i’ve read, and I love the vampire academy, jessica dates the dark side,etc. But this, this totally captured a totally different side of the genre. Their version of vampires is not all unique, but there are some differences, which makes Kagawa’s version of vampires as the real vamps: undead, cold, drinks blood, fast, and allergic to sunlight (though they don’t really die from sunlight, but they are more sensitive to heat). Cut their head off or stake their heart and they die.

   Dark. Brooding. Sinister. Depressing to a high level. The 4 part divisions was cool and just right. I like how there are different phases of Allison’s (the main character) life. She underwent an extremely unfathomable and distressing process. Survival of the fittest is the name of the game. Total dystopian + post-apocalyptic + vampire= a WORLD I don’t want to live in! The times are tough, the characters fit the times, they’re brave, some soulless, some passive. The beginning of the story had me curious on how Allison’s life will turn out. I love how she’s part Japanese, her weapon is a Katana (which is a Samurai’s weapon, and it fits well), and how God’s existence is acknowledged in the book. It’s fiction, but the way Julie Kagawa wrote it can fool us into believing we are in that world too! Allison is now officially one of my fave characters, such a kick-butt character she is! I still can’t get over how bravely she faced each of the phases in her life she faced.

   Now, now, I can’t wait for the next book! And I heard that this was going to be a movie! And even if I’m not Japanese, I wanna play the character! Plus the bonus sneak peek on the next Iron Fey trilogy with Ethan Chase as the main character made me ache for more! I’m seriously feeling that Hunger *wink wink* -- you’ll get what I mean when you’ve read the book. :)

Action packed. Purpose-driven. Epic. Great great read!

View all my reviews

Coffee, books and me turns 1! GIVEAWAY!

Hello! My blog just turned 1 year! *squeeaaals!* ( April 7, 2012 was the exact date, nvm the tardiness,lol). Anyway, I still can’t believe it’s been a year since I started blogging. Can I do a happy dance? *happy dances* hahah. By the way, I would like to take this time to thank everyone here in the blog world ( I didn’t realize there was a whole new world of blogging until I made one myself). For all those free tutorials out there, and other free stuffs. Most especially to the big book blogs (the story siren, i am a reader not a writer,etc) who helped me directly/inderectly. To all those who also followed and commented on my blog! Thank you! :) Also thanks to my friend who made my blogoversary banner, Raffy! (show your support and check out his food blog: HERE) *seriously this guy makes awesome yummy scrumpttious food!* ...:)


Time runs so fast! and at the same time so much has happened the past year, both bad and good. *insert sigh*. (I’m turning bipolar,lol)


Moving on to the highlight of this post! To celebrate my ONE YEAR BLOGOVERSARY (as bloggers call they’re (our) blog anniversaries), I will giveaway books, lots of them! ;) I’ve thought hard and decided to have not one, but THREE (yes, skipped two,haha) PRIZE PACKS. Each prize pack consists of books and genres that are on my top fave lists! And the last prize pack will be newly released books for May 2012.

your welcome!



here are the RULES:

1. must be at least 13 years old to enter
2. GIVEAWAY is INTERNATIONAL (as long as book depo/amazon ships over to you, check here)
3. There will be ONE WINNER for each prize pack.
4. Winner will be randomly picked via random.org, giveaway through rafflecopter
5. Winners will be emailed and have 24 hours to reply, if not, another winner will be picked.
6. I think 5’s enough, that’s basically it. except, have fun! :)

the GIVEAWAYS!

PRIZE PACK #1

DOUBLE DYSTOPIAN!

The Selection by Kiera Cass

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

since Dystopian genre is close to my <3 :)

the TWO newly released Dystopian novels!

PRIZE PACK #2

PERFECT TWO’S!

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (my REVIEW)

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (my REVIEW)

perfect two’s because it will make you LAUGH & CRY at the same time! 

PRIZE PACK #3

May 2012 MUST-HAVES!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Until I die by Amy Plum

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

And I also must have these three, but also ONE of you can have these 3 for free! lol.

join now, and fill up the form below! :) easy peasy. 

In My Mailbox (21)

Here's how this works: It's a weekly feature hosted by The Story Siren where we all post what new books we received in the mail, from the library, or contests we won, etc. Click the link for more info and to join in on the fun!

This week is my 21st In My Mailbox. 

For Review (ARC book Tour)- Thank you Precious Banaag for lending me! :)

Oppression by Jessica Therrien

my REVIEW

Thanks for dropping by mine!

So, what’s in your mailbox?

Book Review: Oppression (Children of the gods #1) by Jessica Therrien

Title: Oppression
Author: Jessica Therrien
Series: Children of the gods
Publisher: ZOVA books
Release date: February 28, 2012
Source: ARC book tour
My rating:  


Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than the average person, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's been careful to keep her secret as closely guarded as possible. Now, only one other person in the world knows about her age and ability. Or so she thinks. Elyse is not the only one keeping secrets. There are others like her all over the world, descendants of the very people the Greeks considered gods. She is one of them, and they have been waiting for her for a long time. Among so many of her kind, she should not be very remarkable--except for the prophecy. Some believe she will put an end to traditions, safeguarded by violence, which have oppressed her people for centuries. Others are determined to keep her from doing just that. But for Elyse, the game is just beginning--and she's not entirely willing to play by their rules.


My Thoughts:


   A little bit of Greek plus some secret society, and you get the world of Oppression.

   Right from the very first page, everything is fast-paced. The main character, Elyse narrates the tragic accident that killed her parents. Elyse is unique, she ages five times slower than the normal human-she’s not an alien, or any other mythical creature there is. After fifty years of her parents’ death, she learned she’s not alone, there are many others, and they were called “The Descendants”. What’s worse is that a prophecy said that she was hidden by her parents from their own society because she will save them all from their oppression.
   I love the cover and it’s greenish theme. :) The plot itself is interesting and kind of unique. The fast-pacedness of the story in the beginning was a little overwhelming at first but when you get used to it it grows on you and I’ve realized it was actually good. However, one-fourth to the story, when Elyse learned the truth (the basic that is), things got stagnant and everything that happened basically from that moment on is like a buzz. I actually got bored in the middle, and it’s so sad because the story building from the start was good! Only to find it plop down. Basically what happened most of the time was their classes, making out, strolling, doing nothing, blah! It was a routine of boring stuff! I was really disappointed. Good thing, by the end of the novel, things started picking up again, but not so much. The climax was not much of a climax, it was pretty expected. The ending was okay though, left some things to pick up for the next book, but I’m not really excited for the next book.
   For the novel, I didn’t feel the “spark” I feel when reading a book. The story was okay, but I didn’t exactly love it, but I also don’t hate it. The characters were easily forgettable. I’m just disappointed because the story had so much potential. Lacks action and movement. I will probably read the next book if I’m given, but I’m not really anticipating it. Good story though.

Watch out for my special deleted scenes post for this book tour! :)

View all my reviews

Blog Tour: Untouched by Jus Accardo- Quotable Quotes Feature!

First off, I’m very excited to be part of this Quotable Quotes Feature for the blog tour of Untouched by Jus Accardo. Basically, this feature will run from April 20 to 27, 2012. Without further ado, here’s the post from Jus herself! :)

Quotes 

A great quote can be inspirational. It can make us laugh, or swoon. It can make us feel connected when we’re lonely. A quote is the perfect example of the power words can hold. They can come from anywhere. Movies, books, people… I thought today I’d share some of my favorites with you.

Let’s start with people. Some of my absolute favorites come from Lord Byron. 

For truth is always strange; stranger than fiction – Simple and says it all. This describes my life perfectly. Example? My 60 something year old neighbor mowing the lawn at midnight wearing nothing but a red Speedo. Seriously. You can’t make this stuff up…

If I don't write to empty my mind, I go mad – My brain is a random idea generator. Some pan out, others get filed away in a WTF were you thinking folder. Either way though, I need to get them out. If I don’t, it gets really crowded in there…

            And what about movies? Everything from creepy to hilarious. Movie quotes stick with us. 

I’ll be back... – You know you think badass, unstoppable killing machine when you hear that.

I see dead people – Tell me you didn’t get the chills when you saw Haley Joel Osment turn to Bruce Willis and confess his big secret?

I want my two dollars! – I don’t care how old you are, if you don’t know this quote, a small part of me just died…

            Of course I saved
the best for last. The book quotes. Funny, swoontastic, and all around awesome! I’ve seen everything from t-shirts to tattoos honoring these puppies. A few weeks ago, I even saw a van that had Jacob’s face (Twilight) and I'm gonna fight for you, until your heart stops beating airbrushed across the driver’s side. On the passenger’s side, Edward's face and Look after my heart - I've left it with you. Crazy, right? 

Pick up your clothes. I am not your maid. How do I know this? A maid cannot kill you with a tube sock. I can. – If you haven’t read Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series, you need to snap it up ASAP. There are so many awesome one liners, it will make your head spin.

            So, since I’m a sucker for book quotes, we’re going to
play a little game! There are 15 participating blogs for this event. At each stop there will be a teaser quote from TOXIC. It will be your job to figure out who said what. A random commenter from each blog will be picked to receive a swag bag and an eBook copy of UNTOUCHED, and then those winners will be pooled and one grand prize winner will get a signed copy of TOUCH and a Touch key chain. On the last day of the event, I’ll pop by each of the blogs and give the answers! 

NOTE: the eBook giveaway is opened internationally, but the swag and signed copy giveaways are US/Canada only.

here’s the quote for my blog: 

“Fuzzy. Like I hit my head. Did I hit my head?”

Who said that? Is it Ginger, Dez, Alex, Kale, or Kiernan? 

guess, guess, guess! on the comments below :) and pls don't forget to mention if you're entering for US/Canada or INTERNATIONAL :)

visit other blogs too!

The Bookish Brunette
Waiting For Wentworth
The Magic Attic
The Fairy Tale Nerd
Doctors Notes
Books Movies Reviews Oh My
My Reading Room
Young Readers
Paranormal Book Fan
Taking It One Book at a Time
Coffee Books and Me
Better Read than Dead
Jelly Loves Books
Nightly Reading
Always YA at Heart