Kelly Hashway's Blog, page 107
October 18, 2012
Inbetween by Tara Fuller (Review)
Synopsis:
Since the car crash that took her father’s life three years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky — and unending — lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.
It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn’t let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left…his soul.
My thoughts:
Finn had me from the start. That boy is totally swoon-worthy. He risks everything for the girl he loves, literally going to hell and back. But he has to lie along the way. He thinks he's protecting Emma by keeping the truth from her, but needless to say, she's not happy when she finds out. Still the two can't stay away from each other. Emma risks having people think she's crazy, and Finn risks eternity in hell. There's is truly a love story to die for.
Besides the romance, I love the relationship between Emma and her best friend Cash. Cash is the rare male friend who truly loves his best friend because she's a great friend. As someone who always had male friends, I found myself loving the scenes with Cash.
And Emma's character is fascinating. She was put in a mental institution because of her past with reapers and souls. That was brilliant in my mind. Her character had so much depth.
I'll definitely be reading the rest of the books in the Kissed by Death series.
Just for fun: One of the great twists in this book is that Emma discovers the life she's living wasn't meant to be hers. So I'm asking you, what would you do if you found out you were living a life meant for someone else?
October 16, 2012
Cover Reveal: Bright Star by N. Anderson
Today I have the pleasure of sharing the cover of a book I read and thoroughly enjoyed, BRIGHT STAR.
Synopsis:
It's bad enough that Sadira Pascal's father doesn't make it home to celebrate her fifteenth birthday. He might be a busy hovership engineer pulling overtime on a new design, but he's always been home for the important things. It's worse when she discovers her father decided to ride on the maiden voyage of his newest ship, the CAS Bright Star, without even telling her. But things really fall apart during Sadira's field trip with her class to observe the hovership launch. Instead of a successful flight, she watches the Bright Star fall out of the sky.
The Central government confirms her father's death, leaving Sadira to pick up the pieces of her former life. While she struggles with her loss, Private Baruj Haddad tries to convince her that her father and the rest of the Bright Star crew are still alive. At first, Sadira doesn't believe there's any hope. But then she stumbles across a message that makes her think maybe, just maybe, her father is still alive. As she digs deeper into the Bright Star's crash, Sadira uncovers secrets about her father's work, secrets that put her and everyone she loves in danger.
Bright Star releases November 21.
What do you think?
*And don't forget to enter to win an ARC of Touch of Death here.
Synopsis:
It's bad enough that Sadira Pascal's father doesn't make it home to celebrate her fifteenth birthday. He might be a busy hovership engineer pulling overtime on a new design, but he's always been home for the important things. It's worse when she discovers her father decided to ride on the maiden voyage of his newest ship, the CAS Bright Star, without even telling her. But things really fall apart during Sadira's field trip with her class to observe the hovership launch. Instead of a successful flight, she watches the Bright Star fall out of the sky.
The Central government confirms her father's death, leaving Sadira to pick up the pieces of her former life. While she struggles with her loss, Private Baruj Haddad tries to convince her that her father and the rest of the Bright Star crew are still alive. At first, Sadira doesn't believe there's any hope. But then she stumbles across a message that makes her think maybe, just maybe, her father is still alive. As she digs deeper into the Bright Star's crash, Sadira uncovers secrets about her father's work, secrets that put her and everyone she loves in danger.
Bright Star releases November 21.
What do you think?
*And don't forget to enter to win an ARC of Touch of Death here.
October 14, 2012
Touch of Death ARC Giveaway #1
No Monday Mishmash today because it's exactly 3 months until the paperback release of Touch of Death, and that means I'm giving away an ARC!
Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.
After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.
Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.
All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. The giveaway will run until October 29th, and it's open internationally. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Jodi Marshall isn’t sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she’s in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she’s being stalked by some guy no one seems to know.After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he’s not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she’s part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendents of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins.
Jodi’s deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn’t difficult enough, Jodi discovers she’s the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can’t figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.
All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. The giveaway will run until October 29th, and it's open internationally. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
October 13, 2012
Cover Reveal: Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray
I don't normally post on Sunday, but I have another great cover reveal from Spencer Hill Press. Check out The Dollhouse Asylum.
The Dollhouse Asylum A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when seventeen-year-old Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival. At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world. The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along. If they play it right, then they'll be safe. But if they play it wrong, they'll die.
Title: The Dollhouse AsylumAuthor: Mary GrayPublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-64-2Release Date: October 22, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
I love the creepiness of this cover! What do you think?
The Dollhouse Asylum A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when seventeen-year-old Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival. At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world. The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along. If they play it right, then they'll be safe. But if they play it wrong, they'll die.
Title: The Dollhouse AsylumAuthor: Mary GrayPublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-64-2Release Date: October 22, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
I love the creepiness of this cover! What do you think?
October 11, 2012
Facebook or Twitter?
If you asked me a few month ago which I preferred, Facebook or Twitter, I would have said Twitter without hesitation. I liked that Twitter was a quick way to see what people were doing. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know I like short posts. I visit a lot of blogs and short posts help me do that quickly. Twitter was essentially the same. I could read a lot of people's Tweets in a short amount of time.
But... I now have three Facebook pages. I have my personal profile, my author fan page, and a Touch of Death page. Yeah, that's a lot to keep up with. I've sort of let my PB page go because the target audience isn't really on FB. But as for the other three, I've been more active. I'm trying to post things I think people would like to know about Touch of Death. My author page focuses on writing in general. And my personal page is... well, personal.
I've realized that I spend more time on FB, but with three accounts that I have to keep up with that's only natural. I'm still not sure which site is better for reaching others, though. I guess that will remain to be seen.
How about you? Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter?
But... I now have three Facebook pages. I have my personal profile, my author fan page, and a Touch of Death page. Yeah, that's a lot to keep up with. I've sort of let my PB page go because the target audience isn't really on FB. But as for the other three, I've been more active. I'm trying to post things I think people would like to know about Touch of Death. My author page focuses on writing in general. And my personal page is... well, personal.
I've realized that I spend more time on FB, but with three accounts that I have to keep up with that's only natural. I'm still not sure which site is better for reaching others, though. I guess that will remain to be seen.
How about you? Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter?
October 9, 2012
Until Next Time by Amy Lignor (Review)
Synopsis:
How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?
Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.
When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.
From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.
My thoughts:
First let me say that I like angel books. This one struck me as different because it was angels going to earth and living out the lives of souls who died before their time. This is almost like an experiment so the angels can figure out what humans are doing wrong on earth, why they are losing their way. I loved that concept.
The story flips between Emily and Matt with the other angels and also in their roles as Liz and Daniel. The back and forth was really great because it let you see how the angels were monitoring the humans and learning from them. And Emily has a lot to learn. In fact, the angels are having her read from a book and relive her experiences as a human. The way it's done makes you feel like you are right there with her.
I'm looking forward to the next adventure Emily goes on.
Just for fun:
Emily and Matt are partners, destined to be together in every life they live whether on earth or in heaven. How would you feel if you were partnered with someone like this?
October 7, 2012
Monday Mishmash 10/8/12
Happy Monday! Here's my mishmash of thoughts:
Touch of Death ARCs up for grabs! I've been getting a lot of requests for ARCs and I don't have many. Spencer Hill Press takes care of them for me. But I do have 3 to give away and will be doing so once a month for the next three months. The first giveaway is next Monday, October 15th. All three will be open internationally.Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway The giveaway ends at midnight, and I'll be notifying the winner tomorrow. Thanks to all who enter, and hello to my new followers.Columbus Day My daughter is home today because it's Columbus Day. I asked her if she knew what the day was about and she said, "Yeah, the teachers have to work but we get a three-day weekend." Oh, youth!Editing I'm finishing up an edit on a really awesome book for a client. I really love editing.Revisions I have to get started on revising my YA Contemporary Romance to break it into two novellas. Should be fun. That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
Touch of Death ARCs up for grabs! I've been getting a lot of requests for ARCs and I don't have many. Spencer Hill Press takes care of them for me. But I do have 3 to give away and will be doing so once a month for the next three months. The first giveaway is next Monday, October 15th. All three will be open internationally.Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway The giveaway ends at midnight, and I'll be notifying the winner tomorrow. Thanks to all who enter, and hello to my new followers.Columbus Day My daughter is home today because it's Columbus Day. I asked her if she knew what the day was about and she said, "Yeah, the teachers have to work but we get a three-day weekend." Oh, youth!Editing I'm finishing up an edit on a really awesome book for a client. I really love editing.Revisions I have to get started on revising my YA Contemporary Romance to break it into two novellas. Should be fun. That's it for me. What's on your mind today?
October 4, 2012
Cover Reveal: Awoken by Timothy Miller
*If you are looking for the Fangs, Fur & Fey Giveaway Hop, go here.*
There are so many great cover reveals going on this fall, and here's another!
Fourteen-year-old Michael Stevens has never been ordinary; no orphan who hears music coming from rocks considers himself a typical teenager. But life gets a lot more complicated when two-foot-tall, albino, doll-like men sneak into his room one night, transforming the harmless music into a frightening ability he cannot control.Soon, strangers in black suits begin to ask unsettling questions while unnatural animals with mismatched eyes haunt the streets. They are hunting, and not just Michael: anyone he cares about is in danger.With the help of a mysterious drifter, an annoying girl he's accidentally mutated, and one of those creepy doll men, Michael finds himself in the middle of a war that could forever change the world he knows - reconstructing the very definition of humanity.
Title: AwokenAuthor: Timothy MillerPublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-53-6Release Date: August 13, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
So, what do you think?
There are so many great cover reveals going on this fall, and here's another!
Fourteen-year-old Michael Stevens has never been ordinary; no orphan who hears music coming from rocks considers himself a typical teenager. But life gets a lot more complicated when two-foot-tall, albino, doll-like men sneak into his room one night, transforming the harmless music into a frightening ability he cannot control.Soon, strangers in black suits begin to ask unsettling questions while unnatural animals with mismatched eyes haunt the streets. They are hunting, and not just Michael: anyone he cares about is in danger.With the help of a mysterious drifter, an annoying girl he's accidentally mutated, and one of those creepy doll men, Michael finds himself in the middle of a war that could forever change the world he knows - reconstructing the very definition of humanity.
Title: AwokenAuthor: Timothy MillerPublisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-53-6Release Date: August 13, 2013Formats: Paper, e-book
So, what do you think?
October 2, 2012
Transcend by Christine Fonseca (Review)
*If you are looking for the Fangs, Fur & Fey Giveaway Hop, go here.*
Synopsis:
All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he imagines a future outside of his parents’ control. That is, until a horrible accident tears them apart.
Sent to die in a sanatorium, Ien’s obsession for Kiera grows unbearable. Tortured by thoughts he can’t escape and the truth of his monstrous disfigurement, he flees, desperate to exact revenge on the people that ruined his life – his parents. But, vengeance is empty. Betrayed by those closest to him, Ien discovers that the price for his happiness may be his sanity.
Set amidst the landscape of New York's Gilded Age, and inspired by Phantom of the Opera, TRANSCEND exposes the fine line between love and madness.
My thoughts:
Okay, I read the blurb for this and knew I had to read the book. I love Phantom of the Opera. Love it! So Transcend had me right there. Well, the main character Ien is desperately in love with Kiera. He can't think of much else and wants to propose, even though he's only seventeen and his parents don't approve. But a horrible fire leaves him disfigured and his parents tell the world he's dead.
Sent to die in a sanitarium, Ien can only think of Kiera and getting her back. He begins to see and hear his dead brother, driving him to madness. With a little help (I won't spoil it by saying whose help) he gets free and chases after the life he feels was stolen from him by his own mother. But Ien's rage only worsens after he returns home.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but oh my God the ending! I couldn't put the book down. It's dark, twisted, and sad. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster and I didn't want to get off.
Normally, I do a "Just for fun" question at the end of a review, but this book was dark. So instead, I'll ask you what you think of the blurb.
Synopsis:
All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he imagines a future outside of his parents’ control. That is, until a horrible accident tears them apart.
Sent to die in a sanatorium, Ien’s obsession for Kiera grows unbearable. Tortured by thoughts he can’t escape and the truth of his monstrous disfigurement, he flees, desperate to exact revenge on the people that ruined his life – his parents. But, vengeance is empty. Betrayed by those closest to him, Ien discovers that the price for his happiness may be his sanity.
Set amidst the landscape of New York's Gilded Age, and inspired by Phantom of the Opera, TRANSCEND exposes the fine line between love and madness.
My thoughts:
Okay, I read the blurb for this and knew I had to read the book. I love Phantom of the Opera. Love it! So Transcend had me right there. Well, the main character Ien is desperately in love with Kiera. He can't think of much else and wants to propose, even though he's only seventeen and his parents don't approve. But a horrible fire leaves him disfigured and his parents tell the world he's dead.
Sent to die in a sanitarium, Ien can only think of Kiera and getting her back. He begins to see and hear his dead brother, driving him to madness. With a little help (I won't spoil it by saying whose help) he gets free and chases after the life he feels was stolen from him by his own mother. But Ien's rage only worsens after he returns home.
I don't want to give any spoilers, but oh my God the ending! I couldn't put the book down. It's dark, twisted, and sad. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster and I didn't want to get off.
Normally, I do a "Just for fun" question at the end of a review, but this book was dark. So instead, I'll ask you what you think of the blurb.
October 1, 2012
Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway Hop
I'm taking part in the Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway Hop hosted by I'm a Reader Not a Writer and co-hosted by Reading Lark.
So for this giveaway, one winner will get there choice of one of the following:
Hardcover of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl Kindle or Nook of Love Sucks by Lauren HammondKindle or Nook of Summer's Crossing (The Iron Fey) by Julie KagawaKindle or Nook of Winter's Passage (The Iron Fey) by Julie KagawaKindle or Nook of Iron's Prophecy (The Iron Fey) by Julie KagawaKindle or Nook of Marked (House of Night book 1) by P.C. Cast
Simply fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open internationally and will run until 11:59pm on October 8. And don't forget to check out all the other bloggers participating:
So for this giveaway, one winner will get there choice of one of the following:
Hardcover of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl Kindle or Nook of Love Sucks by Lauren HammondKindle or Nook of Summer's Crossing (The Iron Fey) by Julie KagawaKindle or Nook of Winter's Passage (The Iron Fey) by Julie KagawaKindle or Nook of Iron's Prophecy (The Iron Fey) by Julie KagawaKindle or Nook of Marked (House of Night book 1) by P.C. Cast
Simply fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open internationally and will run until 11:59pm on October 8. And don't forget to check out all the other bloggers participating:
