Contest: My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, Book 1) by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, Book 1) by Rachel Vincent
Harlequin Teen (August 1, 2009)
384 pages (ARC is showing only 282)
$9.99 (Amazon.com, 07/11/09)

Contest!

I have an extra copy of the ARC.

How to Enter:

IMPORTANT! Each entry MUST be a separate comment! Otherwise you forfeit your additional entries! I will be using a random number generator to pick the winner!

1. Post a comment! Any comment will do! Include your email to ensure you receive your winnings!
   
2. Follow my blog! Already follow? Awesome! Let me know!
3. Post this contest on the web! Anywhere is acceptable. Leave the link in your comment. One link per comment. If you Twitter it, @ me! @junklekennedy

You have at least 3 (three) entries available for you to win the ARC of My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent.

• Entries will be accepted until Midnight, July 24th
• Entries are open to US only, sorry. NO P.O. Boxes.
• The winner will be randomly selected via random.org based on the comment number automatically generated when you comment. Random comments WILL be deleted. Sorry.
• The winner will be announced on July 25th (or soon thereafter)
• The winner will have 3 days to email me their shipping info or they will forfeit their winners and a new winner will be selected. Include your email in your comment and I'll email you if you win.

You can pre-order it now if you don't want to wait.

---

Rachel will be featured here in a few weeks to celebrate the release date for My Soul to Take. There will be a contest for a signed copy.

There's an excerpt on Amazon.com but it's really long so click and go read! :)

Rachel released a prequel to her Soul Screamers series called My Soul to Lose. You can download it free at just about any ebook store and even get the Kindle version or you can just read it from her website.

My Soul to Lose for Kindle:

Connect with Rachel:

Twitter
Blogger
LiveJournal
Website
MySpace
Facebook

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, Book 1) by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, Book 1) by Rachel Vincent
Harlequin Teen (August 1, 2009)
384 pages (ARC is showing only 282)
$9.99 (Amazon.com, 07/11/09)

Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Writing: 5
Originality: 5
Characters: 5
Passion: 4
Overall: 29/30 - 96% - A

Cover/Title Bonus: 5

I picked up MSTT at BEA in May. It was the first book upon my arrival back home that I read. I even picked up a very cute shirt that matches the cover! And the best part? Meeting Rachel! She was signing these at the Harlequin booth. I just wish I could have had a conversation with her but alas, there was a line and I also had to get into Gena Showalter's line for a copy of Intertwined (review coming VERY soon).

Rachel will be featured here in a few weeks to celebrate the release date for My Soul to Take. There will be a contest for a signed copy as well as for an ARC because I just received another copy from the publisher! Maybe I'll start that contest a bit early that way someone will be lucky and get their hands on it before the release date! Stay tuned! On with my review.

There's an excerpt on Amazon.com but it's really long so click and go read! :)

Or you can read the first chapter on HarlequinTeen.com!

Plot:

The plot was great. It mixed together the paranormal element of Kaylee being able to tell when someone was going to die, the angst of just being a teen, and twisted in the mystery behind the teens that are dying. Everything flowed very well together. I was very interested in figuring out how it would all end.

Setting:

It was set in a pretty typical town. Most of it took place in their high school with side scenes in Kaylee's house and Nash's house. Nothing really paranormal about the setting.

Writing:

This was Rachel's first YA novel. I've read all of her previous adult novels. She did very well I thought. I believe it will be a well enjoyed book by both YA and adult readers. It has all the elements of her adult novels just with out intimate scenes and less blood scenes, which is very typical of her adult novels. I thought it ended too soon though, as in too short. I wanted to keep reading. I'm glad there will be more books in this series!

Originality:

Now, this is were Rachel rocked. Soul screamers!?!? Never read a book about them! I did a little research after reading this because I was just like "What?! Where did they come from?". I've heard of banshees, of course, but I didn't understand them like I do now. So by picking this very original topic Rachel not only made it very interesting to read about but it was a teaching session too. Learning IS fun!

Characters:

Kaylee is the main character. She can "see" when someone is about to die. It's actually very sad. I would HATE to have that ability. Luckily she meets Nash. He's a cute guy from her school who helps her through this odd time in her life. He's really a sweetheart and I couldn't have liked him any more than I do.

Emma is Kaylee's best friend. She was cool too. There's also a character named Tod. I can't say much about him but I really enjoyed him in this story and I'm really hoping to see more of him in the next books!

Kaylee lives with her Aunt and Uncle in his book. Her father does make an appearance and I'm thinking he'll be in the next book too. I'd like that too. He seemed genuinely interested in forming a relationship with Kaylee. And Rachel does an amazing job at writing the characters dad very well.

Passion:

Kaylee and Nash do have a budding relationship in this book. It's not a typical teenage relationship because of what's going on but it does have a lot to relate to. Nash is the sweetest. He and Kaylee make a very good pair. I took off a point in passion because I felt it got pushed to the side a bit because of the big mystery going on. Therefore, it's more of a mystery than a romance, so keep that in mind.

Overall:

It was a very good read. Rachel did not disappoint at all. I'm really looking forward to the next installment My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers, Book 2), which is set to release January 1, 2010 (yikes! That's 6 months away!), and can't be pre-ordered yet (WTF!?).

Cover/Title:

The cover is gorgeous. The title is good. I do get them confused though, when I'm trying to think of the prequel and the second book title I usually switch them up.

Rachel released a prequel to her Soul Screamers series called My Soul to Lose. You can download it free at just about any ebook store and even get the Kindle version or you can just read it from her website.

My Soul to Lose for Kindle:

To Rachel:

Thanks for writing a great YA book! You have nothing to worry about with this one. It was perfect and I can't wait to read the next one!

Connect with Rachel:

Twitter
Blogger
LiveJournal
Website
MySpace
Facebook

Check back for information on the contest to win an ARC of MSTT! I have an extra copy and you know you want it! Or you can pre-order it now!

Final Insanity Cats - Video

This is awesome!

Watch it.
Love it.
Share it!

Sent to you by Jessica via Google Reader:

Final Insanity Cats

via CollegeHumor: Recent Videos on 7/8/09

"For optimal insanity results, watch 40 consecutive times by yourself." Uploaded likes so far. Be the first!

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Contest: Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Eyes Like Stars (Theatre Illuminata, Act I) by Lisa Mantchev
Feiwel & Friends (July 7, 2009)
368 pages
$11.55 (Amazon.com, 07/10/09)

I know I'm a little late in celebrating the release of Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev but I can't just let it pass without giving it it's well deserved glory spot!

ELS was an amazing read. You can see my review here. It was so unique and the originality was one of the best I've ever read. The cover alone deserves to be mentioned. It's one of the prettiest I've ever seen. Even thought the artist did an amazing job you have to give props to Lisa too. Without her amazing ability to write and describe her characters this amazing cover would not exist.

Here's a blurb about the book (Amazon.com):

All her world’s a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

That is, until now.

Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.

ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

BERTIE. Our heroine.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain

Read the first chapter on the Théâtre Illuminata.

Connect with Lisa:

Website
Théâtre Illuminata
LiveJournal Blog
Twitter
Facebook
MySpace
Feiwel & Friends

Deltay of Lucid Conspiracy made a very cute trailer for ELS. Check it out:

Contest!

I'm going to offer a copy of Eyes Like Stars to one contestant. I'll place the order on Amazon.com and have it shipped directly to the winner.

How to Enter:

IMPORTANT! Each entry MUST be a separate comment! Otherwise you forfeit your additional entries! I will be using a random number generator to pick the winner!

1. Post a comment! Any comment will do! Include your email to ensure you receive your winnings!
   
2. Follow my blog! Already follow? Awesome! Let me know!
3. Post this contest on the web! Anywhere is acceptable. Leave the link in your comment. One link per comment. If you Twitter it, @ me! @junklekennedy
   

So that's at least 3 (three) entries available for you to win a copy of ELS by Lisa Mantchev.

• Entries will be accepted until Midnight, July 17th (one week)
• Entries are open to US & Canada only, sorry. NO P.O. Boxes.
• The winner will be randomly selected via random.org based on the comment number automatically generated when you comment. Random comments WILL be deleted. Sorry.
• The winner will be announced on July 18th (or soon thereafter)
• The winner will have 3 days to email me their shipping info or they will forfeit their winners and a new winner will be selected. Include your email in your comment and I'll email you if you win.

Enter away! Good luck!

Winner: Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

Winner of Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri!

And the winner is:

BN Book Blog

I have your email address and will be emailing you shortly for your shipping address.

Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Here's a blurb on Another Faust from the authors' website:

One night, across four cities, five children disappear. Years later, five enigmatic teenagers appear at an exclusive New York holiday party with their strange but beautiful governess, Madame Vileroy. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust children to the elite Marlowe School, where their presence brings unexplainable misfortune.
Using a series of “gifts” given to them by Madame Vileroy, the children are able to soar to suspicious heights at Marlowe. The gifts seem child-like in their simplicity. The governess teaches them to cheat, steal, hide, and lie; ‘harmless’ she calls them, though they are much more. For the vicious over-achiever, reading an unsuspecting mind is simply to cheat. For the reclusive pariah, the gift of stopping time is just another way to hide. And who but an aspiring writer can weave a convincing lie?
Soon, Madame Vileroy’s gifts become darker and more complex. Living in a gray home designed to cultivate and corrupt them, they are enveloped in the side effects of their own addictions. They live cursed lives, making deals with the devil as they claw their way toward their goals….that is until two of them begin to uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. A modern retelling of an ancient dilemma, Another Faust recreates the story of the Faustian bargain. Set in present-day New York, but spanning the centuries, it is a chilling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

Another Faust is set to release August 25, 2009. You can pre-order it from Amazon.com.

NEW Winner! Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent

Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent
Mira (July 1, 2009)
400 pages (per Amazon.com)
$7.99 (Amazon.com; 06/25/09)

Nicole did not redeem her prize and I have ran the randomizer thing again and our new winner is:

donnas

Thanks to everyone for entering.

donnas please send me your shipping info so that I can place your order on Amazon.com for Prey: bookreviewsbyjess AT gmail DOT com You have until July 12th to email me or I'll have to pick a new winner. I have your email so I'm going to go ahead and forward this to you too. Nicole did not leave an email. :(

The series is as follows:

Stray (Shifters, Book 1): My Review
Rogue (Shifters, Book 2): My Review
Pride (Shifters, Book 3): My Review
Prey (Shifters, Book 4): My Review
Shift (Shifters, Book 5) coming March 2010
Alpha (Shifters, Book 6) coming October 2010

Still don't have a copy? Order Prey from Amazon.com!

Time for a new Bookcase!

I've been wanting to get a new bookcase.

Money has been tight and space is another factor.

I wish money wasn't an obstacle and I could have a few things that I really would love to have. You know, the big stuff that costs lots of money and depletes the monthly income by half? Yeah, I'd love a new house. A bigger house. With a wrap around porch and an indoor swimming pool and lots of acres for a cow, goat, chickens, and maybe even a pig. And most definitely a library. A big library with the ladder and rail system. Can you see it? I can.

But the reality is that I'll probably never have those things and that is one of the biggest reasons why I love reading. Books are pretty cheap and most of them have the ability to take you far, far away. Books need homes too. So, we buy bookcases! :)

I was contacted by CSN Office Furniture to pick out a piece of their furniture for review.

I took a peek around their site and boy do they have some cool things. Again, if money were no obstacle I would own that house and furnish it with these:

But taller and all around a huge room with big comfy sofas and love seats.

CSN Office Furniture has tons of stuff from bookcases to office desks and even seating.

I'm going to pick out a cute little bookcase for my review. Check back and see which one I pick and what I thought about it!

For now, take a peek at CSN Office Furniture's site and see if there's anything you can afford to give your books a new home!

Contest: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Reviewer X is hosting a contest RIGHT NOW for Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Hurry over and enter!

Cover Art: Dawnbreaker (Dark Days, Book 3) by Jocelynn Drake

Jocelynn exposed the cover for her upcoming release of Dawnbreaker (Dark Days, Book 3).

Here's the cover blurb:

"The dawn brinks new terror for the creatures of the night...

Those off her race fear Mira for the lethal fire she bends to her will -- a power unique among nightwalkers, both a gift ... and a curse.

The naturi despise Mira for what she is -- as they prepare the final sacrifice that will destroy the barriers between the worlds. And once the naturi are unchained, blood, chaos, and horror will reign supreme on Earth.

Mira can trust only Danaus, the more-than-mortal vampire slayer, though he is sworn to destroy her kind. And now, as the day approaches when titanic forces will duel under cover of darkness, destiny draws them toward an apocalyptic confrontation at Machu Picchu. But all is not lost. for a wild card has been dealt to them: a rogue enemy princess who can change the balance of power and turn the dread tide."

Dawnbreaker is releasing September 29, 2009.

Check out my reviews for the first two books:
Nightwalker (Dark Days, Book 1)
Dayhunter (Dark Days, Book 2)

Didn't read Nightwalker? Check out the excerpt and then order it!

Check out Jocelynn's sites:
Blog
Website
MySpace

Happy Release Day Winner! Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent

Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent
Mira (July 1, 2009)
400 pages (per Amazon.com)
$7.99 (Amazon.com; 06/25/09)

And the winner is:

Nicole H.

Congrats Nicole!

Thanks to everyone for entering.

Nicole H. please send me your shipping info so that I can place your order on Amazon.com for Prey: bookreviewsbyjess AT gmail DOT com You have until July 7th to email me or I'll have to pick a new winner.




The series is as follows:

Stray (Shifters, Book 1): My Review
Rogue (Shifters, Book 2): My Review
Pride (Shifters, Book 3): My Review
Prey (Shifters, Book 4): My Review
Shift (Shifters, Book 5) coming March 2010
Alpha (Shifters, Book 6) coming October 2010

Still don't have a copy? Order Prey from Amazon.com!

P.S. - Bitten By Books is hosting a contest! Click the below image for more info!

Contest: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

ANOTHER CONTEST!

Okay, so I recently read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, review is not done yet, but it was AMAZING. There have been a ton of reviews done so the lack of my review will not hurt the likely huge success of the upcoming sequel Catching Fire. I would LOVE to have that book in my hands right now.

Lauren Barnholdt is hosting a contest to win a signed ARC of Catching Fire. The contest ends July 8!


Series:
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire

So hurry over to Lauren's blog and enter! Don't forget to mention that I sent you! :)

FREE Kindle Book: Darkfever (Fever Series, Book 1) by Karen Marie Moning

Amazing!

Get the first book of this amazing series for FREE for the Kindle!



Darkfever is book 1 of the Fever series. Book 4 is releasing August 18th, Dreamfever, which was my WoW a few weeks ago. This series is really good! Read my review of the previous 3 books. I think it'll be safe to read this series now that there are nearly 4 books out. I hear there are only 5 books total so that means there's a happy ending in sight!

Darkfever (Book 1)
Bloodfever (Book 2)
Faefever (Book 3)
Dreamfever (Book 4)

Visit Karen's site to get more detailed info on her books! There are excerpts for the books.

WoW My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent - eBook available

The prequel to My Soul to Lose is available via ebook download today.

My Soul to Take releases on August 1, check back here a week before the release for a contribution from Rachel!

To tide you over until then you can order the prequel and get a peek into Kaylee's world with My Soul to Lose.

Download from:

Amazon.com ($2.39)
Harlequin ($2.69)
BooksOnBoard.com ($2.25)
Fictionwise.com ($2.69 reg, or $2.29 Club)

I've ordered it from Amazon.com because I own a Kindle as well as an iPhone. :) If you don't have the Kindle iPhone app, you need to check it out. :)

I'll do my review as soon as I've read it.

Today is Happy Release Day for Rachel twice! Prey releases today. Check out my Contest to win a copy of Prey.

Happy Release Day! CONTEST! Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent

Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent
Mira (July 1, 2009)
400 pages (per Amazon.com)
$7.99 (Amazon.com; 06/25/09)

CONTEST!
To celebrate the release day of Prey I'm going to personally purchase a copy from Amazon.com and have it shipped to ONE lucky commenter!

I'll be counting entries by spreadsheet for this contest, so all answers in one comment is fine and preferred. :)

ENTRIES:

1. Answer this: If you could shape shift, what would you shift into and why? + 3
   
2. Follow my blog! + 1
   
3. Already follow my blog? Awesome! Let me know! + 2
   
4. Post this contest on your blog and post the link back here! + 5
   
5. Post on your sidebar. + 2
   
6. Follow me on Twitter. + 1
   
7. Already follow me on Twitter? Awesome! What's your twitter name? + 2
8. Follow Rachel on Twitter + 1
9. Already follow Rachel on Twitter? What's your Twitter name? + 2
   
10. Refer someone to this contest, they MUST say you sent them! + 5
11. Follow Rachel's Blogger or LiveJournal Blog and comment on her most recent post: Double Prizes + 1
12. Already follow Rachel? Let me know and comment on her most recent post: Double Prizes + 2
    

So, that's a ton of entries available for you to win a fresh copy of Prey delivered directly to your door via Amazon.com

RULES:

• Entries will be accepted until midnight, July 2, Eastern Standard Time.
• Entries are open to US only, sorry. No P.O. Boxes.
  
• The winner will be announced July 3
  
• You MUST include your email in your comment so that I can let you know if you're the winner. I will need a response from the winning person asap.
  

Happy Release Day Rachel!

The series is as follows:

Stray (Shifters, Book 1): My Review
Rogue (Shifters, Book 2): My Review
Pride (Shifters, Book 3): My Review
Prey (Shifters, Book 4): My Review
Shift (Shifters, Book 5) coming March 2010
Alpha (Shifters, Book 6) coming October 2010

Connect with Rachel!
Twitter
Blogger
LiveJournal
Website
MySpace
Facebook
The Pride - Proboard Discussion Group

Don't want to enter? Order Prey from Amazon.com now!

P.S. - Bitten By Books is hosting a contest! Click the below image for more info!

Winner! Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent

Prey (Werecats, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent
Mira (July 1, 2009)
400 pages (per Amazon.com)
$7.99 (Amazon.com; 06/25/09)

And the winner is:

Alicia

Thanks to everyone who entered. Thank you Rachel for an amazing book and providing the signed loot!

Alicia please email me your shipping info so that I can forward it to Rachel. bookreviewsbyjess AT gmail DOT com

The series is as follows:

Stray (Shifters, Book 1): My Review
Rogue (Shifters, Book 2): My Review
Pride (Shifters, Book 3): My Review
Prey (Shifters, Book 4): My Review
Shift (Shifters, Book 5) coming March 2010
Alpha (Shifters, Book 6) coming October 2010

Still don't have a copy? Order Prey from Amazon.com!

P.S. - Bitten By Books is hosting a contest! Click the below image for more info!

Don't forget that I'm also giving away a copy of Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri. Enter until July 3rd!