Michelle Flick's Blog, page 12

Giveaway and Magnus Bane love

Hello my faithful blogging buddies! (and hopefully soon to be!) 
I have been meaning to do a giveaway and now that is summer and I have the time, I am doing one! It just so happens to coincide with my advocating for the love of my life: Magnus Bane. I love him when he is serious and I love him when he is riling people up! 
*shakes head*
OK - back to the point!GIVEAWAY! 
Why you ask? 
Because I have hit 400 followers (er, a few weeks ago)I was selected to be an advocate for the YA-sisterhood I got 20,000 views on Monday I get to shameless promote my book :) And well, I feel like it. 


So what am I giving away today???? 
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan Extraordinary by Nancy Welin The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor The Owens Legacy: Revelations by me :) (remember that shameless promotion)Two 20 page critiques on a manuscript - doesn't matter what shape or level of editing you are at!
AND if Magnus wins - I'll throw in two more books - which ones? It's a surprise - OH! THE SUSPENSE!

Fill out the rafflecopter. It's international. But if anything, please head over to the YA Sisterhood and vote today!!!!  a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Advocate for Magnus! I need your votes!

Hey everyone! I’m Michelle from Oh! For the Love of Books! advocating for Magnus Bane. Magnus is so awesome that Cassandra Clare put him in both of her shadowhunter series, The Mortal Instrument series and The Infernal Devices series. In every one of my reviews for these series, there is always a special section for Magnus. I just fell for him. Head over to the YA Sisterhood to vote. Quick go!
So who is Magnus Bane? Besides have a fashion sense that someone would kill for, a long list of adventures, and a warlock? Well – I’ll do my best to sum him up for you and not ramble.
Personality: In both series when we meet him, Magnus is inquisitive about situations but is aloof, making characters like Jace, Clary, Tess, and Will work to get him to help. He’s not someone who trusts easily, but when he does, he is fiercely loyal, willing to call on demons, going into a battle to protect Alec, and standing up to Camille to protect Will and Tess. Magnus is kind of an instigator as well. He likes to put his friends and people who are in authority positions, in conflicting positions, where they typically have to divulge important information (that makes me gasp!). And a must have in a crush – sarcasm - “I was alive when the Dead Sea was just a lake that was feeling a little poorly.”
Looks: Magnus maybe a little older than the rest of the crushes that are in the tournament – like maybe 800 years older, but the guy doesn’t look OR act his age. He has spiky black hair and cat like, green-yellow, eyes that smolder (at least in my head they do) when he looks at another beautiful character. I mentioned Magnus’s awesome fashion sense and here is a snip-it of his attire during City of Ashes: “Even the Inquisitor's eyebrows shot up when Magnus strode through the gate. The High Warlock was wearing black leather pants, a belt with a buckle in the shape of a jeweled M, and a cobalt-blue Prussian military jacket open over a white lace shirt. He shimmered with layers of glitter.” All right ladies, don’t be jealous that he dresses better than us! I mean look at that style!
Talents: Besides being one of the most powerful warlocks in the world? He gives Will (also a hottie) the piece of mind he has been desperately seeking by summoning a demon. He had the ability to protect Clary until it was time for her to realize who she was. His magic is old and powerful; I’m betting it comes from all that time with the Silent Brothers.
Special Attributes: I’m defaulting to his eyes on this one. – Ones you could get lost in. *passes out from swooning*
Best Qualities: He’s not afraid of telling people what they need to hear. He may hurt your feelings but he is going to get you to the revelation you need to kick some evil booty. Isn’t honesty the best policy? Don’t most of our crushes put their lady loves into bad situations because they don’t tell the truth? No Magnus. Just sayin’.


A few of my favorite quotes: “Even the trip through the Portal had not disarranged Magnus's hair spikes. He tugged on one proudly. "Check it out," he said to Isabelle."Magic?""Hair gel. $3.99 at Ricky's.”
“We came to see Jace. Is he alright?""I don't know," Magnus said. "Does he normally just lie on the floor like that without moving?”
“If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you.""Who's Magnus?" Max inquired."He's a warlock," said Alec."A sexy, sexy warlock," Isabelle told Max, ignoring Alec's look of total fury."But warlocks are bad," protested Max, looking baffled."Exactly," said Isabelle.”
“Do you want to go back to Vienna?” he said.Alec didn’t answer, just stared into space.“Or we could go somewhere else,” said Magnus. “Anywhere you want. Thailand, South Carolina, Brazil, Peru – Oh, wait, no, I’m banned from Peru. I’d forgotten about that. It’s a long story, but amusing if you want to hear it.”
“Magnus's eyes gleamed. "He seems to like you. I saw him going for your hand out there like a squirrel diving for a peanut.”

OK voters – after reading this post, I just can’t imagine why you wouldn’t vote for Magnus! So go ahead. Vote for Magnus!!!

Team Magnus needs your votes tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my big moment of truth! For what, you ask? The moment when all of you Magnus Bane, Infernal Device series, and Mortal Instrument series lovers band together in support of the most fashionable and alluring warlock to ever grace the YA world. 
MAGNUS BANE! July 11th 2nd YA Crush Tourney
I need you help! Please vote and tweet tomorrow!Grab the button on the side
Good luck Team Tod! May the best hottie win! I think the word is sultry.

T.G. Ayer stops by for a guest post and a giveaway!

Hey everyone! I would like you all to meet T.G. Ayer author of Dead Radiance. I'm her stop today for the Reading Addiction Blog Tours! In today's post you will get an author's bio, a synopsis of her awesome novel, my review, a guest post, AND a giveaway! I know - that's a ton of stuff! I'm super lucky!




Author Bio


I have been a writer from the time I was old enough to recognise that reading was a doorway into my imagination. Poetry was my first foray into the art of the written word. Books were my best friends, my escape, my haven. I am essentially a recluse but this part of my personality is impossible to practise given I have two teenage daughters, who are actually my friends, my tea-makers, my confidantes… I am blessed with a husband who has left me for golf. It’s a fair trade as I have left him for writing. We are both passionate supporters of each other's loves

– it works wonderfully…


My heart is currently broken in two. One half resides in South Africa where my old roots still remain, and my heart still longs for the endless beaches and the smell of moist soil after a summer downpour. My love for Ma Afrika will never fade. The other half of me has been transplanted to the Land of the Long White Cloud. The land of the Taniwha, beautiful Maraes, and volcanoes. The land of green, pure beauty that truly inspires. And because I am so torn between these two lands – I shall forever remain cross-eyed.




The Synopsis:



Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras - Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead.


The new foster kid, Aidan, isn't helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human. Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she'd never belonged?


My Review:


I've never read something about the valkyerie lore, but found myself instantly drawn to it, because Thor's (yes the comicbook series) had already introduced some of the characters to me - thought different personalilties, I easily recognized them. 


I thought Ayer did a great job explaining the "nitty-gritty" of what it mean for Bryn to be a Valykerie. I think I got to know the characters in Asgard really well, their personailites, their purpose to help Freya. It was in Asgard that I saw Bryn really develop. Before her arrival to Asgard, I was unsure of what made her tick, and I got a better understanding of why she was gaurded and why she was so sharped tongued on Earth.


Now, while I got to know the people of Asgard, I do feel that I didn't get to know Joshua and Aiden the way that Ayer wanted me too. I know Bryn really cares for both guys, and I have a strong understanding of who they are, but no connection. I wished there were more little moments earlier on, especially with Aiden, so I could see where Bryn's love for him comes from. 


The main conflict isn't a "In your face" conflict, it's subtle, but by no means boring. I can't really explain too much of it, because then I will be ruining and spoiling the book. 


For the first 100 pages, I will say, I had no idea where Ayer was going with the story, but in a good way. She threw a lot of twists at me, then she would sum it up for me, put me back on course and then derail me again. Worth it!



Writing Quirks and Must Haves
Until I thought about it I hadn't realised that I do have a few 'writing quirks'. Amazing what you figure out when you are forced to examine your process.
To start off with, I always need a good pen- my favourites is a LAMY Ballpoint – a gift from my dear friend Kim.
Because I am so easily distracted by emails, the Facebook and the Twitter, I prefer to go through them before I start writing, otherwise it will just bug me and mess with my concentration.
Part of my routine is to chat with my 2 writing buddies Patti and Cassie- we chat several times a day every day on Skype- have word wars and sometimes do butt-kicking dutyI must have my chap-stick right beside my keyboard; I hate having to get up and go look for it.A bottle of water- absolutely necessary.
I usually make my lunch when I prepare the family lunches every morning. So it's all wrapped and ready to eat when lunchtime comes around. If I have to do more than unwrap and chew then I get annoyed and might not eat lunch at all- which is definitely a bad thing.A pair of fingerless gloves in winter.
Writing music- During the day, when the house is empty I write without music, unless the neighbours are yelling or annoying me with their own loud music or screaming kids. Then I use my music to drown them out. Once my girls are home, and because my 'study' is located in my lounge, I drown out extraneous sounds by sticking my earphones in my ears. Of course, when I am writing an intensive action or emotional scene I listen to Linkin Park or Daughtry or Melody Gardot- whatever suits the scene.
Editing music -  When I am editing, my music preference is different. When I first started writing I used to listen to a playlist of all the Coldplay CD's I owned. Now, for some reason, I always use that CD to edit to. It's calming, and not intrusive enough to mess with my concentration while I edit.
I don't snack while I write, amazing ideas come to me in the shower and I have an aversion to my treadmill which happens to occupy space in my study and which I just happen to not use on a daily basis. And that's it as far as I can think of.

 I'm going to have to think on my quirks! Thanks for stopping by everyone!







*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of
this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading
Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was
no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not
necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure
is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of
Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything


First - lets give some cover love!

I think I am coming off the dystopia trend. While I thought the premise of the book, it taking place while the Apocalypse was happening or going to happen, and the influence of religion on the subject, the book, overall, did not move at a fast enough pace for me. I found Mia to be a really loyal and family oriented character. She clearly loves her mother who is suffering and is trying to keep it together for her younger brother.

She's got a lot on her plate, personally, and then you add in that her city is in shambles and ruins? Yeah, the girl has got it tough.

Jeremy was not as captivating as I wanted him to be. While he played the part of the crush, he didn't protect her as much as I needed him to and he wasn't all that bad ass. Yes - people - I love the bad ass, somewhat of a jerk guy. Jeremy's awfully nice. Some of you are going to fall in love with him.

I always find religion, and the way people interpret and can form it into a big problem, fascinating. I use religion in my sequel of the The Owens Legacy, because religion strikes a cord with people. It's one of those topics. What's that advice people give? Never talk money, sports, and religion in a bar. People always get fired up. Struck, by no means is controversial, but it pulls in religion well. There are two groups of people in this novel, the believers who follow the profit a very persuasive televangelist (perfect for people who are afraid during the Apocalypse) and the seekers people who, I think wanted the same as the believers, but did not go about it the most pure fashion.

Follow and Advocate Announcement!

Q: Birthday Wishes — Blow out the candles and imagine what character could pop out of your cake…who is it and what book are they from??OMG - Really? I'm such a floozy when it comes to this - but it actually fits my announcement! I would pick Magnus Bane from either the ID or TMI series! Why Magnus? I love his style- I never know what he is going to be wearing, but it is never less than perfection. I love how he is extremely loyal to his lovers and eventually the heroes of the book like: Will, Alex, Clary, Jace, and Tess. 
Plus can you imagine the stories that he would have to tell. I bet a person could listen to him for hours about the things he has to say and the things he have seen!


So what is my announcement? The wonderful sisters of The YA Sisterhood have chosen me as Magnus's advocate for the 2nd YA Crush Tourney! Yep - I get to shout to the roof tops how awesome Magnus is! Yeah - I couldn't ask for an easier job!!!How can you not want to vote for him?



Keep an eye out for all the voting that will be going on! If you don't follow them already - I suggest you do!

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been  looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves  that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.
I have never read a mermaid book before and this was a wonderful one to start with. We start by meeting Emma with her face glued by sweat to the hottie that is Galen. Hello Galen. Nice to meetchaya. I love when authors do this, make our heroines or heroes go through an embarrassing  moment, that could really happen. First I laugh then I say, that could have been me, thank Jesus it wasn't! Because of this Emma is likable from the beginning. (Yeah, Galen too).

In the very first chapter, so it's not a spoiler, Chloe, Emma's best friend is killed (didn't see it coming to the extent it played out too). This impacts Emma heavily but because of this and Emma's actions during the attack, Galen is almost certain that Emma is one of them. So he does what any normal teen would do, he moves to Jersey to figure it out. 
Galen causes quite a stir at Emma's high school and the she is loathe to admit it, with her too. Galen doesn't know how to act around Emma, but it is clear that he only has eyes for her, but her stubborn side refuses to awknowledge anything he says until they basically go on a field trip to the bottom of the ocean and she can "function" normally. The attraction starts to build and then they figure out Emma has a gift that makes her extremely special, like special enough for Galen's kingdom that he can never have her, even if he is the prince of his kingdom. So there are a lot miscommunications and Emma really believes that he is just curious about her, that it's plutonic, but poor Galen - his hands are tied! GAH!
As far as characterization goes, Galen seems unchanging in his qualities. Emma, however, becomes more confident and sassy as the story goes on, but it's not done immediately. She grows into it. 
Toraf - haha - love him - the kiss scene - haha. 
The ending - SPOILER-ISH - 
I thought that Grom was going to want to marry Emma and Galen was going to have sit back and watch the ceremony - though looking back now, Emma would never have allowed the ceremony to take place. I also thought that some how Nalia was going to be Emma somehow - hey, it was a possibility. I did not see, though I should have, how it was going to end.
Then Wa Bam! The ending cliffhanger sentence! Yep - now I don't know what to think.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.


Ms. Oliver got the "love" thing correct. Love makes you make terrible choices, do things you never would, act in foolish ways. Then we meet Lena, who absolutely agrees that love is a disease and the way Oliver describes it, why wouldn't someone believe that?

Lena is at a point in her life that she is waiting for the procedure that makes it (mostly) impossible to fall in love. She is being interviewed and tested so she finds her match that is suitable and it is all Lena wants. Except during her interview, Lena doesn't answer the way she is supposed. She doesn't give them "sunshine-y" answers.

And while she is in her interview she meets Alex, an "invalid", a wild boy, and someone Lena cannot stay away from, though she really does try, but her best friend gets in trouble, and she is slightly curious.

Ms. Oliver also got the "love" thing correct half way through. Love makes the world rose colored and perfect. I still remember the first boy I had a crush on, my first love, I mean, who doesn't?  It was great to see Lean fall in love.

My one gripe with the book was the action in the book. Clearly, I knew Lena was going to rally against the government. I like that. I just didn't think the book showed anything. Though Alex was extremely heroic and brave, I needed like 50 more pages of Lena rallying or making a plan. At this point, I don't know for sure if Lena is going to do something.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.

She’s wrong.

I thought Mara's disclaimer, at the beginning, was awesome! I was pulled right in. I wanted to know about her "body count" and why the lawyer said change your name, and what high school student needs a lawyer?!

Something that worked really well, that doesn't always in novels, were the flashbacks. They were such teases. They gave the reader and Mara just enough to make us think we were going to get an answer, and then shut the door in our faces. Keeps a person wanting more.

Something that didn't sit well with me, but was rectified, was Noah's change for Mara. He had the rep - love the rep - and then all of a sudden went down the love road and was a one woman USO. However, 2/3s through, Noah tells Mara why he is all about her. I didn't see them being so closely linked. I thought he was just the hott dude in the story.

I feel bad for Mara throughout this whole story. To imagine you killed your best friend. To not know what happened. To burn your arm under piping hot water because you think you lost your mom's earrings but they are stuck in your ear. Then - she starts to see the dead. I honestly wondered if this book was going to end with her being committed.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I wasn't sure what to expect. I heard this was based off of a fairy tale, 12 dancing princesses?, and I had never read it, so I didn't know a thing. I saw a pretty dress and was hooked. I would have so worn that dress to prom. Anyone else?

I loved the concept of a dating contest, much like the reality television shows that have dominated the first decade of this century, ones that I am guilty of watching. Flavor Flav! I immediately liked America, one for her name and what it stood for, and the fact she didn't care that Aspen was a 6 and she was a 5. She wasn't going to judge someone based on their number, but on their qualities, which I believe is essential to a great heroine.

America isn't thrilled about being selected, but Aspen insists on it, and she goes along with it because she loves him. Except, right before America leaves Aspen turns into a jerk. In fact, I will say, throughout the entire book, I did not like Aspen. He's selfish and that is unacceptable for America.

Maxon, poor guy, dating for the first time, on national television? How embarrassing! Do you remember those awkward moments? Eesh, wouldn't go back to it, ever. I did love the first kiss. I thought the whole scene was super sweet and innocent. I loved how he dealt with America's funny moments, like yelling at him, and how they have a secret sign, and how quickly they became friends. I generally like him.

Celeste - what a great character to hate.

What about the rebels - I need to know more!

I will say, my biggest problem with the book, was the story just started to get juicy and "meaty" when it was over. I felt like I was being cut off at the knees. I need more. Like a hundred pages more! It may just be me being greedy.

Great book!