Lucy Swing's Blog, page 10

Feature & Follow Friday #3!

This is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read!!







Today's Feature is:




Q: What would your prefer: reading your favorite book over and over again until you got sick of it OR reading 100s of mediocre books? And why?






A: My favorite book over and over again, for sure! I have actually read all 4 Twilight books over 10 times each. I was seriously addicted. What can I say? Reading mediocre books is just a waste of time. How many times have you finished a book and thought, "Can I have the hours spent on this back??". I know I have

      There is always some redeeming quality in mediocre books, but is it enough to make it all worth while? I'd rather get sucked into a world, a story I love over and over than read just to read something. For the most part, however, I CAN'T get into mediocre books. If I don't get hooked soon, you've lost me. I have started many books that I still cannot get into... So, if I stay up until 3am because I just cannot put it down, then and only then, will it all be worth while.

      What's your take on this?

 




 

 

Cover Crazy #3!

Can there truly be love after death?


Drifting in the dark waters of
a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead.
With no recollection of her past life - or her actual death - she's trapped
alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a
boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will
him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him
survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the
strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held
her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden
from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his
power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost
world . . . forever.




Now, I haven't read this book yet. I am finding it rather difficult finding the time to read now a days, but it is in my book shelf at home awaiting to be read.

The cover is captivating. It does remind me a little bit to Lauren Kate's Fallen series covers... the dark haired girl with a gown, but intriguing non the less. It really makes one wonder what is up with her. She is see through, so you assume she is a ghost? Someone who has dissappeared? And even though you cannot see her face, they way she stands is sad; so why is she sad?

I definitely picked this book up entirely because of its cover. The blurb surely helped to close the deal!

My Book Boyfriend #2 - Damon Auguste

I have seen this going around blogs, but it wasn't until now that I decided to participate. Let's be honest, we all fall for the MC , whether its a female or a male. I, in particular, fall in love with them all!




Thank you Missie at The Unread Reader for coming up with this, it is sooo much fun!



Damon Auguste is the male MC in "The Immortal" series by the wonderfully talented, Alyson Noel.



Description by Ever:






"And it's not because Damen is undeniably beautiful, with
his shiny dark hair that hits just shy of his shoulders and curves around his
high-sculpted cheekbones, but when he looks at me, when he lifts his dark
sunglasses and meets my gaze, I see that his almond shaped eyes are deep, dark,
and strangely familiar, framed by lashes so lush they almost seem fake. And his
lips! His lips are ripe and inviting with a perfect Cupid's bow. And the body
that holds it all up is long, lean, tight, and clad in all black."

Yes, I know that the boy pictured below has very light eyes, but he impersantes him otherwise :)

**le sigh**

Death by Chocolate is ready to be yours!

The Death by Chocolate Anthology




The paranormal young adult romance anthology, Death by Chocolate is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords!




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Six authors, Stacey Wallace Benefiel, Cheryl Carvajal, Nikki Jefford, Lucy Swing, Kira Saito and Suz Korb, bring you supernatural adventure stories, each with a cocoa twist. The stories are: Back in Time by Stacey Wallace Benefiel, Sweet Witchery by Cheryl Carvajal, Spellbound by Nikki Jefford, Bloody Valentine by Lucy Swing, Sweet Torture by Kira Saito and The Girl with Three Heads by Suz Korb. Time travel, witchcraft, horror, agony, and light hearted comedy too. Combined with more than just a hint of enchantment, these stories are the ingredients for the Death by Chocolate recipe of romance.




Back in Time by Stacey Wallace Benefiel. Nothing in Aurelia Lemon's life is turning out how she'd planned. She's unemployed, unattached, and her family bakery is on the verge of closing. To make matters worse, the guy she dumped in high school is doing well and getting rich off one of her departed mother's recipes. It would take a miracle to right everything she's done wrong. Or maybe just a phone call and a chance to go Back in Time.




Sweet Witchery by Cheryl Carvajal. Catalena is only one of many dreamers in a small medieval town in Romania. When the witch Ramnusia opens her chocolate shoppe, suddenly dreams turn into reality. The chocolates are divine, but their power is greater than their sweetness. Miracles abound, dreams come true, and Ramnusia's magic confections become the talk of the town. But if these chocolates can make dreams come true, will they win for Catalena the deepest dream of her heart?




Spellbound by Nikki Jefford. A resurrection spell gone wrong. Two months after dying, Graylee Perez wakes up in her identical twin sister, Charlene's body. As the daughter of a witch, can anyone blame her mother for attempting to bring her back to life? Only now Gray's stuck sharing her sister's body 50/50 in 24 hour shifts. The race is on for Gray to find a way back into her body before Charlene purges her from existence. Warlock Raj McKenna is rumored to meddle in the black arts, not to mention he's after Gray's invisibility spell and worse - her heart. But Raj might be the only one powerful enough to save Gray from fading away forever.




Bloody Valentine by Lucy Swing. One by one the girls of Hollow High disappear and when Bailey receives a heart-shaped box filled with chocolates she might be next.




Sweet Torture by Kira Saito. Sixteen year old Claudia Bernstein is obsessed with two things: chocolate and Dante Torres. However, being an invisible minion to Upper East Side princess Beatrice Wildenbert isn't helping her get anywhere with her dream guy. Everything changes over Christmas break when Dante actually starts noticing her. But are Dante's intentions as pure as they seem? When Claudia finds herself in the middle of a cruel prank she decides to take revenge. But is revenge enough? Or will she finally realize that her own worst enemy is herself?




[image error] The Girl with Three Heads by Suz Korb. Kate wakes up on the morning of the Death by Chocolate fundraiser event to discover she has two extra heads. She eventually learns that the head on her right shoulder is Zeus while the head that's magically implanted on her left shoulder belongs to Hera. Will Kate ever rid herself of these two extra heads? Will she ever get to experience her first kiss from a guy without extra-head-situation interruptions? Join Kate as she struggles to survive being flung into the Underworld and also landing upon Mount Olympus. Just because she's got two extra craniums, doesn't mean either noggin is an extra set of useful brains.




To find out more about the brilliantly talented authors who contributed to this anthology, join us for the Death by Chocolate Valentine Blog tour February 7th – the 23rd. The Valentine's week of the blog tour is hosted by Bewitching Tours. Visit the Death by Chocolate blog for daily updates and news!

Review: "Die for Me" by Amy Plum

The cover and its title had me diving head first onto the shelve at Barnes & Noble. I picked it up and slumped on the floor to read its blurb. Then I read the Prologue and i was hooked. I looked over at my husband and gave him the all knowing look. The one that says "go get your wallet, I am buying it."






"My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.


Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart--as well as my life and my family's--in jeopardy for a chance at love?"




I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed "Die for Me". I never, ever have read reviews before buying or reading a book. For some reason, half way through it I made the mistake of reading some low star reviews and then, as I went back to reading, those reviewer comments kept coming back.
To me "Die for me" was a mix of Twilight and New Moon all wrapped into one book. It does have many similarities that are hard to miss. The instant attraction and attention from a boy who hasn't loved anyone in so long. The distaste from another of the revenants against Kate. The father figure amongst their 'family'. I won't give more away...
I love the mythology of the revenants. I had read about them in Jessica Verday's "The Hollow Trilogy" but it was very little description and more up in the air. So I enjoyed getting to know what they can and can't do, etc.
I am definitely going to pick up "Until I die". I want to see how Vincent and Kate work through it all and what new adventures they come across.

Feature & Follow Friday #2!

 

 

Our Feature -Progress & Procrastination











Q: Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kick ass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?
Kick ass heroines rock! When I read, I become the female MC, so I do need her to be strong, independent and not afraid of the unkown. Of course, a nice, steamy romance with a hot mysterious guy always helps! But mostly, I love new and exciting paranormal explanations to such supernaturals. Different ways as for how Vampires came to be, or why angels fell, etc.



What do you think? What do you look for in your YA books?

My Book Boyfriend #1: Caspian Vander

I had seen this going around blogs, but it wasn't until now that I decided to participate. Let's be honest, we all fall for the MC , whether its a female or a male. I, in particular, fall in love with them all!



Thank you Missie at The Unread Reader for coming up with this, it is sooo much fun!



This is the first time I do this, and I thought it would be appropriate that my first Book Boyfriend be:






Caspian Vander







He is the MC in Jessica Verday's trilogy "The Hollow." If you havent read the books, they are a must. They are thrilling, full of excitement and will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Caspian's STATS:

 Hair: Blonde, almost white, with a "dramatic black streak."

Eyes: Green.




Actor: Toby Hemingway




It was hard to find someone that did Caspian any justice. And it took me a good three days, too. I was watching a movie on Thursday night, "The Covenant", and even though that Toby didn't seem Caspian material, when I saw this picture I almost died.

This is MY Caspian.

Cover Crazy #2

Cover Crazy was created by The
Bookworms. It's a great way to share a book cover that took your
breath away!



I am a total Cover Crazy person. I am not ashamed to say I
DO judge a book by it's cover. The cover, as I have said many times before, is
what makes me pick up the book in the first place and the blurb is what will
keep me from putting it back down (hopefully.) There is nothing worse than an
amazing cover and a weak blurb.



Without further adieu, here is a cover I
love!


"Crime lives--and dies--in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka
"Empty Coffin"), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen--and
15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic
"twin-sense" to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits.




Envy, the series debut, involves the mysterious death of the twins'
old friend, Katelyn. Was it murder? Suicide? An accident? Hayley and Taylor are
determined to find out--and as they investigate, they stumble upon a dark truth
that is far more disturbing than they ever could have imagined.



Based on the shocking true crime about cyber-bullying, Envy will
take you to the edge--and push you right over."








When I saw this cover, I almost died. It is simple but SOOOO disturbing. It kind of reminded me of the girl in the movie "The Ring," you know? The creepy one that comes out of the T.V. with her long, dark hair covering her face?



I didn't get a chance to read it, other than the first chapter, but hoping to do so soon!



What cover are YOU crazy about?

Book Review & Giveaway- "Glimpse" by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

I met Stacey when I came on board the "Death by Chocolate" anthology and downloaded the first book in the Zellie Wells Trilogy. Stacey is incredibly talented, as I have seen on her DBC short story, but after reading her book... There are no words to describe it. I literally just finished reading "Glimpse." I put my phone down (yes, I read it on my phone... I am cross-eyed by now, for sure) and had to turn on my laptop and write a review.

I had downloaded "Glimpse" a while back, and was only last night that I began reading. If it is not clear already, it got me hooked. I had no idea what it was about; when I downloaded it, its cover was a drawing of a girl, so with all honesty, I expected to be a MG book of some sort. Boy, was I wrong!



I love, love, love this story! My eyes were burning, and still are, but I had to keep on reading, I needed to know what would happen next. The suspense is amazing!



Okay, first things first:










"Zellie Wells has a devastating crush on Avery Adams, the son of her mom's high school sweetheart. At her sixteenth birthday party, held in the basement of her dad's church, she finally finds the courage to talk to him. Turns out, the devastating crush is mutual.
As Avery takes her hand and leads her out onto the makeshift dance floor, Zellie is overwhelmed by her first vision of his death; shocking because not only are they both covered in his blood, but they're old, like 35, and she is pregnant.
Afraid to tell anyone about the vision, (she'd just be labeled a freaky black magic witch, right?) Zellie keeps the knowledge of Avery's future to herself and tries to act like any other teenager in love. When they get caught on their way to a secret rendezvous by her mom and his dad, they are forbidden to see each other.
Convinced that their parents are freaking out unnecessarily, Avery and Zellie vow to be together no matter what. They continue their relationship in secret until Zellie learns that their parents are just trying to prevent her and Avery from suffering like they did. The visions are hereditary, they're dangerous, and if they stay together the visions will come true.
Now Zellie must choose between severing all ties with Avery, like her mom did to prevent his father's death, and finding a way to change Avery's future."







Reading about Zellie totally took me back to my teenage years, and to those school parties where you would hide in the dark corners and make out... what? no one else did that!? Oh, come on!

But best of all was to embark in this amazing journey Zellie found herself in. It wasn't an easy one, either. I mean, how messed up would it be if, the one you love the most, will die if he stays with you? And we have all seen the movie "Premonition" with Sandra Bullock, even if you try to change the outcome, it will still happen.




Anyway, "Glimpse" was an extremely fun and fast read. You will get sucked into Zellie's life and all of the drama that comes with it. Believe me, there is plenty to go around! I cried, I laughed out loud and most of all, I read while my eyes threatened to fall out of their sockets.

I suggest you all take the time and read it, I promise, you will not be let down!




If you are interested in purchasing "Glimpse" please click HERE. Available in paperback and for Kindle/ eBook.




To follow Stacey, check her out on her site: http://staceywallacebenefiel.com/




About Stacey:





I'm the author of the Zellie Wells trilogy for YA's, the Day of Sacrifice novelette series for adults and The Toilet Business, a collection of essays for people who like to laugh.
I live in an orange house in the 'burbs of Portland, OR with my husband, our two kids, a gassy dog and two ancient cats.
I read the kind of books that I like to write - YA, romance, urban fantasy, Westerns, humorous essays, paranormal and chick-lit. I especiallly like books that mix a lot of those genres together. Humorous essays about teenage vampire cowboys are some of my favorites.









**Giveaway will close on Friday, February 3rd, at 12pm EST**
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Just a Mom?!?

This right here is for every person that looks at me weird when I say I am a stay at home Mom.



"I wish I could do nothing like you."



"Oh, must be nice, huh?"



Those are some of the most popular answers I get... so to all of those people I say:



"You're JUST a mom?" or "Do you ever work?"



Uhhh yes, I am a Mom! That makes me an alarm clock, cook, maid, waitress, teacher, nurse, handyman, security officer, photographer, counselor, chauffeur, event planner, personal assistant, ATM & I scare away the boogie man. I don't get holidays, sick pay or days off. I work through the DAY & NIGHT. I am on call 24/7 for the rest of my life. And that's just with my first job... BEING A MOM!!

I may not be anything to you but I am everything to someone!





Please share if you agree! Being a Mom and a stay at home Mom, is no walk in the park!



XOXO